are tire chains required on the front tire? 2nd gen tacoma

From the dealer when i bought the truck brand new. My owner's manual as well mentions putting chains on the rear tires. Gonna call dealer in the morning. I'm pretty sure they gave me an answer in the moment i signed (i'm assuming cables instead of chains) but i can't recall exactly what was said. when i saw this thread i remembered having to sign that disclosure. maybe it's a CYA thing in CA

living in the central valley CA, winter weather driving doesn't really mean much. i can't remember the last time i went up to the snow and needed chains.

 

I lived in LA for ten years and managed to drive in snow every year from Bear to Tahoe and even in Death Valley. Some of it really heavy. After the Subaru I'd said as long as I can have 4WD or AWD I'm personally never going back to 2WD.

TX gets very little snow but I was stuck out on the road in a huge West TX white out once. the Tacoma would probably do just as well in 4WD but I do miss that AWD Subaru sometimes.

I'm certain Toyota sells thousands of 2WD Tacomas in snowy states. Someone should be able to chime in here?

I have yet to get mine in the snow and I look forward to it.

Good luck with your findings. I'd like to hear what they say since it seems to counter the manual they sold you with truck.

 

Snow chains for deep snow

 

They are when the regulations say that you have to have them in your posession.

 

Dont put your weight over the axle, put it in the rearmost position in the bed you can.

The commanders call of putting chains on might have been because you were the only one who did know how to put them on...opportunity training is training. That, and HMMWV tires suck on ice.

 

so I went to walmart and bought a pair of Peerless truck tire chains for like $75. I will try to put in on today just to test it. Walmart also had tire cables which were like $45. I wasnt sure whats better so just got the chains. Most of my trip is on paved road but the last 2miles is on dirt road. and its supposed to be rainining in shaver lake/Dinkey Creek area this weekend. but I totally appreciate all the suggestions here. btw I have Michline LTX MS2's tires.

 

You're from Picton, Ontario.... aka "FLAT". West coast chain laws (which are present in BC and Alberta as well, next time you're driving the sea to sky up towards Whistler keep your eyes on the road signs...) are present because of severe steep roads that get icy and snowy in a moment's notice. Its no fun when you have cars sliding down hills at incredible speeds creating a massive pile of broken cars and dead drivers and passengers at the bottom.

 

NO!
Weight goes directly over the axle, otherwise being cantilevered, it will reduce the weight down on your FRONT axle, which will reduce your ability to steer and brake.

 

Is it stock? Or is there some dealer-installed modification like bigger tires? As *STOCK*, these things have lots of space for chains on the back. Those with 245's (base and SR5) definitely even have enough space up front for cables even. 245's give you 10 mm (roughly 1/2 inch) of additional clearance on the sides of the tires compared to 265 like the TRDs have, and just that *extra* clearance is enough to fit cables.

The narrower 245's also yield better snow/ice traction overall compared to 265.

 

stock. 245/75/16.

 

mine are 265/70/16

 

Then your dealer was playing games with you. I.e., an easy way for them to try to get out of repairing damage by pointing to a piece of paper that is legally meaningless. They (the dealer) doesn't actually have the right to change the terms of the warranty.

 

I would also get out after a couple miles and tighten the chains up, they tend to loosen up a lot no matter how well you put them on at first. If you're using cables inspect them at the beginning of every season and if they're looking rusted / worn toss them or you're risking a chewed up fender.

 

Yup, flatter than piss on a plate. But like I said, I have worked/lived in and driven pretty much every type of terrain in some really nasty conditions: Northern Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, and BC. I know its no fun, as I too worry more about the unskilled and unprepared drivers on the road.

Now Saskatchewan is a completely different story.

 

OP, you're going to have to carry a set of chains with you as its a California requirement between Nov - Apr. As mentioned before, there will be signage warning you if chains are required or you can go to the Caltrans website and you can check there for road conditions.

If there's a Les Schwab Tire Center close to you, they sell chains and they will set you up with the proper type. The nice thing about Les Schwab is, you can return the chains so long as you have the receipt and haven't used them. I hope this helps. Happy trails.

 

Les Schwab does not exist in so cal. Probably to many ass hole and not enough nice people to do tire work for them,

 

Now that's a shame! But you're probably right, it's a total different mindset there.

 

Yep, 2 wheel drive you'll need chains, but only on the rear, and, only if they require you to have them on. You might want them on if you start sliding around, but I'd wait and see. Also keep your speed down to 25mph (law) with chains, and just to be safe. You'd be surprised how fast your a$$ can kiss your face.

Make sure you know where the inner link will connect. Count off the loose ends so you'll remember when/if you have to put them on. Saves a lot of time, especially when your hands are cold. Also make sure you have tensioners (big rubber bands on the outside) to keep the chains snugged. Make sure your loose end (if you have one) on the inner side of the tire isn't flapping around. I suggest carrying a bunch of zip ties and dikes so you can cinch up loose ends on the chains if needed. Oh, you may want to take a small shovel or other snow removal implement just in case being you'll be on a non-paved, and probably non-maintained road for part of your trip. Be safe and have a good time.

 

Very bad ideal to put chains on the front even if they fit. If you think driving on the pavement in 4WD is a bad ideal think 10X that when chains dig into the dirt the wheel will not slip.

 

used to rock cables on the front of my chevy 4x4.... worked amazing, n there is plenty of slip so the drivetrain doesnt bind.

That stated there simply is not enough clearance on the tacomas for front chains unless you space the tires out away from the spindle.