Snow Tires vs Chainz vs Treads

Anyone have a Tacoma in Alaska or Fargo or someplace that gets REAL snow? How do you chain up? What is your favorite method? I would pay top dollar for some high end mud and show and ice chains. Where do I get something like this? Who sells real snow chains for large offroad tires? I'm running on 285/65/R18 Nitto Trail Grappler mud tires on 18" XD wheels. And I live in the south where we rarely get snow or ice, but when we do its a show stopper, so many hills and no road maintenance keeps some backroads iced over for weeks. I would love hear from someone who actually chains up often on a Tacoma, and not random suggestions from someone just trying to help with no actual chain time.

 

If ice is you main concern is ice, studs (might not be legal) or chains are your only real options. Chains give wonderful traction but only really work when you can put them on and leave them on at least for the drive. You are limited to 30mph on chains and even that isn't fun on hard/dry roads. They are a lot of work to put on and take off, you get dirty/wet doing it. You probably wont be able to fit chains on the front only the rear. This will make the tuck handle differently you will have to learn how to drive on them. Chains are the cheap option.

New tires are your other option for your application you would want at least a Three Peak Mountain Snowflake rated A/T tire if not a full snow tire (might not available in a compatible size) skinny will be better for <12" of snow. A/Ts can be run year round but won't be as good in the snow, snow tires are made of too soft of a rubber to run in the summer but gives better grip in the winter. Studs give better traction on the ice but can't be run in summer, they are also loud.

Easiest to hardest - A/Ts - studded anything/snow - chains. cheapest to most expensive - chains - A/Ts - snow tires - studded anything. Best traction to worst traction in snow/ice - chains - studded snow - studded A/Ts - stud-less snow - A/Ts.

I run 3PMS tires as standard on my trucks. M/Ts and chains on my wheeling rig and studded snows on my plow truck I have friends that run A/Ts and chains on their plow trucks because they don't leave the property except to get more gas. I've never run tire socks/textile traction devices so I don't know where they do.

 

Alternate set of wicked aggressive snow tires , would be my dream choice

 

Chains won’t really help with deep snow, but with ice, I’ve used peerless auto chains.
They are pretty easy to put on, and work great.
I actually have a set I can’t use anymore, and would sell them. I am on the west coast though.

Peerless 0232805
They basically fit any 32-33” tire.