1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Chains

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by jackrules, Feb 8, 2014.

  1. Feb 8, 2014 at 7:48 PM
    #1
    jackrules

    jackrules [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2010
    Member:
    #38678
    Messages:
    655
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jack
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    10 PreRunner Double Cab SR5 TRD Sport LB
    Hi all,

    With all the Ice and Snow in the Pacific North West (Eugene, OR specifically) I'm looking to get chains for my trucks and I'm wondering what the best options are?

    I have a 2010 TRD Sport Pre-runner, with 265/70/r17 BFG All Terrains.

    Since I'm in college and can generally walk / bike anywhere I need to go, my Tacoma stays in the parking garage when it's icy out there. But I want to have chains incase I ever end up in a position where I NEED them.

    Let me know what you chains you guys have and what you think would be best for me!?

    Note: Last time it snowed, I wanted to go find a parking lot to practice "snow driving" in. Pulling out of the parking garage led to a big and slow drift, which I kept control of. I quickly decided I didn't want to be out there, so I turned around immediately and went back toward the garage. Driving towards the garage, a truck stopped in the middle of the road (for no apparent reason), I was going about 5 mpg and had left plenty of room to stop. I got on the breaks, but was just sliding towards him slowly. I honked a lot! but he wouldn't move for whatever reason. I stopped well in advance of hitting him, but as I was stopping, my truck was sliding to the right towards a parked car. Luckily I stopped just before sliding into that parked mini-van. I feel so lucky to have not scratched or bent anything in that short trip, it would have been my first accident ever. So, that said, I basically want to avoid driving on ice at all costs, but I think I should have chains incase I ever need to drive on icy / snowy roads.
     
  2. Feb 8, 2014 at 8:01 PM
    #2
    Hartford

    Hartford Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2012
    Member:
    #78609
    Messages:
    613
    Gender:
    Male
    Maine
    Vehicle:
    2011 Acc Cab 5spd
    I have these http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005PW6LX8/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 for the rear. Havent needed anything for the front yet even though I've been out on glare ice woods roads. Slow and easy. Used them about a dozen times this winter. Traction for days and you can stop on ice with them. If you do get chains put them on at least once before you need them to familiarize yourself with the process. More practice if you have never chained up before.

    Clean them after use. The salt and sand will rust them. Chains are work but nothing beats them for traction. After these wear out I will try something different. Not because I'm unhappy with them. I just like to try a variety.
     
  3. Feb 8, 2014 at 8:11 PM
    #3
    JimBCa

    JimBCa Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2012
    Member:
    #85477
    Messages:
    576
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Bay Area California
    Vehicle:
    2012 TRD Off Road
    Build Duratrac 265/75R16 Load rated E BAMF Rock Sliders, Pelfreybilt Front bumper and skid plates (3) Pro Runner front and rear shocks,Add-A-Leaf springs ATO (Armor Tech Offroad) hilift mounts, Famous Fabrication cb antenna/flag mount CoverKing Tactical seat covers, Flyzeye dash-light ARE Shell, backup light mod SumoSprings and Stops
    I have used many a chain in my time as I grew up in the northwest. Used to have studded snow tires in addition to chains, however many areas have different regulations on when they can be used.

    Since clearence was an issue on my truck, and a new and improved easy on type came along, went with

    Rud Grip 4x4 Tire Chains


    There are many videos on youtube showing them and installation.
     
  4. Feb 8, 2014 at 8:19 PM
    #4
    cdthiker

    cdthiker Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2012
    Member:
    #88264
    Messages:
    120
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tim
    WAY north Idaho
    Vehicle:
    2012 Tacoma RC 4X4 5speed
    I run something similar to the first post.
    it is a heavy duty V bar set up can't be beat. bit of a pain in the ass to put on compared to these quick link chains or cables but way out preforms them.

    To be honnest i have only put this set on a few times when off road, but I have a great set of tires.
    can't say enouvh good stuff bout the v bar and ice, but studded tires are a great option if you have the money.
    cheers
     
  5. Feb 8, 2014 at 8:28 PM
    #5
    discoy2k

    discoy2k Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2012
    Member:
    #88956
    Messages:
    346
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    DISCO
    NOLA
    Vehicle:
    05 TRDSport 3" Iron Man Coil, Stealth
    2005 to 2012 Front End Replace,2010 TRD Interior,6x Escort Shifters, Escort 9500ix, Escort LIVE w/ 4G Data, 100% Stealth on Interstate,De-Badged Completely,5% Tint Blacked out,Iron Man lift,InfraRed military Humvee Spots, Drive in 0lite,Lexus/Fujisu NAV, dual 8in lcd sun visors, 2 10" kicker solobaric dvc 2ohm, phoenix gold 2000 watt, lunar 100watt @ 1/4 ohm,3 farad cap kicker 250watt,2800watt ,TRU-SINE inverter, dual HID bulb+HID fogs w/ mod, Roof rack,Westin Bull Bar, Manik Side Bars, Sirius/XM (HACKED) Undercover Bed Cover, bosch Wipers, Iridium Plugs, Undercover Bed Cover
    2nd rud-grip, good in mud/clay also, pretty rugged. i have done this before in emergency in snow, scratched up rims though, i took some of the industrial zip ties, the thick wide ones and used them to get home. but like i said EMERGENCY!

    if you watch ebay, i got a set of rud-grip for $26 one time (summer tome though) but there are some good deals to be had on them

    cheers,
    disco
     
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
    #5
  6. Feb 8, 2014 at 8:48 PM
    #6
    jackrules

    jackrules [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2010
    Member:
    #38678
    Messages:
    655
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jack
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    10 PreRunner Double Cab SR5 TRD Sport LB
    These are pictures of the chains mentioned by Hartford and JimBCA.

    I feel like leaning towards the Glacier Chains since they look more aggressive, but I'm looking for what will preform the best. What do you all think?

    I'm used to cord type chains on my moms BMW wagon which we use for Ski Trips. Are cord type chains better or worse than "real" chains? Again, I'm looking for something that will preform the best.

    Would you guys ever use these in an off road situation other than snow / ice? Never heard of chains being used in the desert, but if it would add traction when the desert floor is looser, I would be interested in that – or would it just destroy the chains and possibly my tires?

    Glacier Chains ($116)
    These seem to be a heftier chain compared to what's listed below? Agree?
    [​IMG]

    RUD Grip ($88)
    These have a sort of diamond pattern. Is this just for looks or do you guys think it would actually function better?
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2014
  7. Feb 8, 2014 at 9:09 PM
    #7
    Hartford

    Hartford Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2012
    Member:
    #78609
    Messages:
    613
    Gender:
    Male
    Maine
    Vehicle:
    2011 Acc Cab 5spd
    The first set will probably be more rugged, but also more of a pain in the ass to put on. Although after doing it a few times I can get them on in less than twenty minutes. Closing in on ten. Drape them over the tire, pull forward a bit hook the latches. Sounds simple but the first time it isn't. Tighten the cams, not all will go the first time, drive a ways and get the last ones tight. Don't force them. Put them on before you need them. I find it's nice to have something to kneel/ lay on when hooking up. They don't touch the wheel at all so no worries about scratching an expensive wheel. The cams stay locked. There are certainly better and heavier duty chains out there than those glacier chains.

    Be honest with yourself about your usage, and learn how to drive in snow without them first. No point in getting heavy duty if you don't even know if you will use them. Also if you are just going to be using chains on regular roads there is no need for heavy duty. Hard off road conditions often will be where heavy duty chains shine. They will last longer. You also wnat to take care of them. Keeping them from rusting will help them last longer and easier to use. I keep them in a small husky too bag in the truck. After they have been used they go in the bed till I get home. Then it's a good rinse in the shower and hang dry, then back in the husky bag.

    It's a pretty awesome feeling when you can feel engine breaking slow you down on ice. Any chain would give you that though. I don't know how chains would be in sand, but they do work very well in mud.
     
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2014
  8. Feb 8, 2014 at 9:32 PM
    #8
    JimBCa

    JimBCa Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2012
    Member:
    #85477
    Messages:
    576
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Bay Area California
    Vehicle:
    2012 TRD Off Road
    Build Duratrac 265/75R16 Load rated E BAMF Rock Sliders, Pelfreybilt Front bumper and skid plates (3) Pro Runner front and rear shocks,Add-A-Leaf springs ATO (Armor Tech Offroad) hilift mounts, Famous Fabrication cb antenna/flag mount CoverKing Tactical seat covers, Flyzeye dash-light ARE Shell, backup light mod SumoSprings and Stops
    The V-bars chains are what I always used while living in oregon, for the snow and ice can't be beat, and with a little practice a good small tarp and gloves not bad to put on. I was looking for something easier this time, and liked the design,. It all depends of the the type of steel used. Cheap ones use softer steel and wear down pretty fast. I always had Weed chains or Campbell
     
  9. Feb 8, 2014 at 9:40 PM
    #9
    keahi808

    keahi808 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2013
    Member:
    #101942
    Messages:
    96
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Shane
    Roseville, Ca
    Vehicle:
    08 DCLB 4x4 Magnuson S/C
    Suspension 5" rcd lift 4" alcan leaf pack LR Ucas Toytec coils #620 Tires 33" cooper stt Rims 18x10 moto metals mo962 Others Oil catch can mod Homertaco satoshi grille Angeleyes headlight 6500k hid w/demon eye mod Prinsu Studio Roof rack w/ 40" Heretic •Performance Magnuson Supercharger AFE Stage 2si ucon ems urd 2.8 stealth pulley urd cam gears urd performance thermostat urd 76mm adapter 5.7L throttle body
    pewag makes the strongest chains! big rigs uses them
     
  10. Feb 8, 2014 at 9:43 PM
    #10
    Hartford

    Hartford Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2012
    Member:
    #78609
    Messages:
    613
    Gender:
    Male
    Maine
    Vehicle:
    2011 Acc Cab 5spd
    Pewag chains are supposed to very good. If/when mine wear out they are the possible replacements.
     
  11. Feb 8, 2014 at 10:44 PM
    #11
    discoy2k

    discoy2k Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2012
    Member:
    #88956
    Messages:
    346
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    DISCO
    NOLA
    Vehicle:
    05 TRDSport 3" Iron Man Coil, Stealth
    2005 to 2012 Front End Replace,2010 TRD Interior,6x Escort Shifters, Escort 9500ix, Escort LIVE w/ 4G Data, 100% Stealth on Interstate,De-Badged Completely,5% Tint Blacked out,Iron Man lift,InfraRed military Humvee Spots, Drive in 0lite,Lexus/Fujisu NAV, dual 8in lcd sun visors, 2 10" kicker solobaric dvc 2ohm, phoenix gold 2000 watt, lunar 100watt @ 1/4 ohm,3 farad cap kicker 250watt,2800watt ,TRU-SINE inverter, dual HID bulb+HID fogs w/ mod, Roof rack,Westin Bull Bar, Manik Side Bars, Sirius/XM (HACKED) Undercover Bed Cover, bosch Wipers, Iridium Plugs, Undercover Bed Cover
    the rud-grip you have in the pic, that pattern, at least from what i always believed was to keep the chains from sliding backin forth so much, the strait across type,unless they are really tight will move back and forth along the tire tread from my experience (air down tires, install then fill tires they do pretty well), but the other guys who live up north probably would give better info on that using in snow, i live in the deep south and have only really used chains in snow a few times, maybe 10 most, when traveling, i used more times in mud. the ones that are strait across i have only used in mud not in snow and they seemed to slip alot along the tread, but mud is ALOT harder on them and running ALOT faster than when in snow. so take it for whats its worth i guess.


    cheers,
    disco
     
  12. Feb 9, 2014 at 5:56 AM
    #12
    Hartford

    Hartford Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2012
    Member:
    #78609
    Messages:
    613
    Gender:
    Male
    Maine
    Vehicle:
    2011 Acc Cab 5spd
    The chains I have are made with 4 built in tighteners. They rotate and take out the slack. Get the hooks through the right loops and get all four cams tightened and they don't slip anywhere. Stay nice and tight to the tire. I have used them on plowed roads that are glare ice and you cant hear them flop all around. they do make a little of the old chain slapping noise, but it is very minimal. If the stretch and loosen they can be tightened up by going tighter on initial hook up then using the cams. then you get some short heavy duty bungees and use those too.

    I'm not advocating for one over the other here. Just giving the info I have. Personally by the sounds of the OP I think he would be fine with the rud grip's. I'd even go so far as to say that it sounds like he doesn't need chains at all just more experience driving in snow, but there is only one post to go by here.
     
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2014
  13. Feb 9, 2014 at 6:05 AM
    #13
    bjboucher

    bjboucher Mama says Tacoma World is da devil!

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2012
    Member:
    #84371
    Messages:
    2,243
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brad
    San Antonio, Texas
    Vehicle:
    Former 2012 DCLB 4x4 SR5 Texas Edition
    OME complete kit w/ 885s on Nitrocharger Sports, 1/4" spacers, Dakars w/ Nitrocharger Sports, LR UCAs, 265/70-17, Duratracs, G4 Elite tonneau, Weathertech Window Deflectors, Weathertech digital floor liners, factory JBL/Entune, rear differential breather relocate.
  14. Feb 9, 2014 at 6:41 AM
    #14
    Jeremy M.

    Jeremy M. Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2009
    Member:
    #22177
    Messages:
    430
    Gender:
    Male
    Mascoutah, IL
    Vehicle:
    13 DCSB TRD Off Road
  15. Feb 9, 2014 at 6:52 AM
    #15
    RearViewMirror

    RearViewMirror Saw things so much clearer once you... were in my

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2013
    Member:
    #102010
    Messages:
    24,069
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Craig Christ
    State of Love and Trust
    Vehicle:
    2023 Subaru WRX GT
    That's the best tire chain video I've ever seen. I'll have to watch it a few more times to make sure I've got it right.
     
  16. Feb 9, 2014 at 8:39 AM
    #16
    Cain

    Cain Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2012
    Member:
    #87336
    Messages:
    408
    Gender:
    Male
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Tacoma
    Chrome don't get you home
    If you have a two wheel drive truck, do you only put chains on the rear?
    Thanks
     
  17. Feb 9, 2014 at 8:45 AM
    #17
    BlindingWhiteTac.

    BlindingWhiteTac. Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2012
    Member:
    #87292
    Messages:
    465
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Thomas
    Vancouver, WA
    Vehicle:
    07 LQ4 4L80E
    Just the essentials and no extra fluff.
    The diamond pattern provides lateral traction. Necessary if you want to turn.

    Ideally you have chains on all four wheels. If you only have two chains they go on the drive wheels. Some trucks, like gen 2 Tacomas, don't have the clearance necessary to fit chains on the front wheels. Refer to your owners manual.
     
  18. Feb 9, 2014 at 9:01 AM
    #18
    Petrol

    Petrol Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2013
    Member:
    #102781
    Messages:
    348
    Gender:
    Male
    Central Va.
    Vehicle:
    Tacoma
    Unless you're operating in conditions where ALL of the surfaces are totally snow covered, you will develop a love/hate relationship with tire chains. When you're in deep snow you'll love them. When you're on dry pavement you'll hate them.
    In some conditions chains are a must but most of the time a little bit of thinking will serve you better. Proper tires (for snow that means SKINNY tires with good tread), good driving technique and just a little bit of intelligence will get you where you need to go.
    I've used tire chains when they were absolutely necessary but I avoid using them until I have no option.
     
  19. Feb 9, 2014 at 9:03 AM
    #19
    pappabear

    pappabear Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2012
    Member:
    #69800
    Messages:
    43
    Gender:
    Male
    S.W. Pa
    Vehicle:
    2012 dc,v6,at,off road, towing package
    4 studded snow tires.
     
  20. Feb 9, 2014 at 9:10 AM
    #20
    fulleraj

    fulleraj Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2014
    Member:
    #122256
    Messages:
    85
    Gender:
    Male

Products Discussed in

To Top