Cable Chains and 4wd

I have a 2013 Tacoma Double Cab 4wd Sport Package with Tow Package - I added an ARE cap.

This is my first truck. I've driven Jeeps for over 20 years. I'm lovin the Tacoma and will probably never go back to the Jeep. I'm traveling from Colorado to Oregon in late December. This is probalby a stupid question but when I put the cable chains on the rear tires do I then drive in the 4wd setting or 2wd setting? I will be going through three pretty tricky mountain passes where they can measure snow in feet and not inches. Some require chains. I've made the trip many times, but never in the heavy snow months. I appreciate all comments. Thanks, Mark

 

Why not chains front and rear and 4WD?

 

Owner's manual says rear only due to clearance.

 

Slap the chains on the rear in 4WD, you'll be fine. Smart move to get the chains, a lot of people don't do it. Hell, a 2WD with chains can get to some really nasty places.

I think chains on the front wheels would be OK for clearance, never tried it though.

 

Here is a good article about chains and 4x4's.
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/clay71.html

 

I like and have had good luck with Rud Grip chains in the past but have only had my Tacoma for a month, I just started looking at chains for it. If you put chains on only the front your rear end can slide around on you, it pulls and steers better with them on the front IME however. Any time I put on chains I am in 4WD and it isn't just snow, on slick clay in NC Co. while mulie hunting chains will get you through some pretty hairy places. If I am going through the trouble of putting on chains I prefer them front and back. With the lift in the front of the T|X Baja not sure if chains will clear or not have a feeling they may. I am more concerned with damage to the fake beadlocks right now. I just heard back from a RUD dealer today and they no longer sell the alloy wheel protectors (AR Rim Protect). So not sure which ones I will end up with. It is worth spending the extra money to get easy on chains. The less time you have to spend putting them on the better! Not willing to go $500+ a pair for the Thule easy on and quick release however.

 

I tried to put cable chains on the front of mine. There is not sufficient clearance. That is a major design issue IMO.

 

Chains on the rear. Here is mine

 

Not to hijack but what is a good brand of chains and where do you guys buy them at?

 

SCC Z chain. Bought them at 4 wheel parts.

 

My 2011 does NOT have enough clearance for chains or cables on the front axle. I couldn't believe it! I then looked looked in the manual and it clearly says not to install them on the front wheels. Check your manual to see if your 2013 says the same thing. Unless you have aftermarket wheels with an offset, I wouldn't even try it. You could cause some serious damage! This is a big design flaw by Toyota...

 

Had chains F&R on mine.

 

That is a good brand of chain. I have used them in the past.

I bought a set of These last year for my PreRunner when I had it and never had any trouble in the snow. It snowed every day in Colorado back in March and we went from Colorado Springs to Durango without any issues.

 

Many moons ago we used cable chains on the front of my wife's Honda Prelude. It was a bad winter and they were on for several days at a time. The cables ruined the sidewalls of her tires from the rollers spinning on the cables. Are the cable chains made now so they don't eat the sidewalls of tires?

 

Geez. I bought 4-wheel drive so I wouldn't have to chain up anymore.

 

What kind?
Looked at the link above and saw some meet S.A.E. Class "S" clearance requirements. Does that mean that they will fit the taco front?

 

iirc they are Peerless V chains. Been a few years, but I'm pretty sure they are sized for 33 12.5's. A little loose on my KM2's but not horrible. Only used them once, but didn't have any clearance issues.

 

There's only like 1/2" clearance between tire and UCA on my 2013 taco. No way a chain could fit in there. Maybe if you were using a 1 1/2" to 2" spacer on your wheels, then you could fit chains on the front. The rear has enough clearance, but you better have you're chains on tight, because if they're loose at all, they could possibly rip off fender flares and/or mudflaps.