Snow Chains on Front Wheels

I apologize if this has already been covered, but I haven't seen much on snow chains on the front tires on first gens. I saw a few about second gens which suggested it might work with the right chains, but I have an 01 prerunner.

Does anyone have experience chaining up the front wheels on their rig? The manual says to put them on the rears only. I think that is due to clearance issues with the uca. I got a pair of SCC Super Z chains for the rear and it seems like they fit on the front without rubbing (they are a low clearance cable type), but I wanted to see if anyone had done so in case there is an issue when things start moving and bouncing around. Just thinking that chains on the front would help more with steering and braking.

I only need them to get over a mountain pass a couple times a week for work, and we don't get snow where I actually live, so snow tires are out of the question. I know actual chains can be better than cables, but I just need them for this short, paved pass, so the cables should be fine. It's more important that I can get them on and off quickly. The road does get pretty treacherous though, so they are absolutely required.

 

So the reason it says to only put them on the rear is because you are rear wheel drive.....they will be completely useless on the front of your truck.

Oh sorry, didnt catch you were curious about better breaking and steering. They would surely fit on the front unless you have oversized tires and very little clearance. As far as improved breaking...maybe?? Steering...i doubt it would help really? Really the best option would just be nice quality winter tires to combat the front end issues. I know that can be expensive and possibly not doable for some and you mentioned no winter tires, but that would be best my man...

 

Chains on the front of a 2wd truck will do exactly nothing for steering. The only way steering is improved with 4wd is because the wheels are pulling in the direction you're steering. If you don't have the front axle to pull you away from the ditch, you're still going in the ditch.

Braking, maybe. But it's not going to be night and day difference. Once you're on ice you need to be crawling to start with. 4wd etc brakes exactly as good as 2wd. That's why you tend to see the truck that just wen flying by you in 4wd stuck in a ditch a half mile up the road.

 

I'll echo the effectiveness of previous posters on a PreRunner. From a fit perspective - I use chains on all 4 in deep snow conditions, and they work great. No rubbing on UCAs, though I'm still at stock wheel/tire size. My chains are a diamond pattern.

 

If your chaining all 4 wheels the ones on the front will help on the braking on the down slope .

I did this a very long time ago so I know it does help getting down the mountain when things are nasty

Enough to warrant the extra time and expense only you can figure that out

 

Just saw this exact thing happen! Snow, slush, ice conditions. Dude in a 1st gen Tacoma zipping around, passing people, and next thing you know he flies off the road nose first in a deep ass ditch. Idiot.

 

Some lessons are expensive to learn !!