Snow Traction

Neat.

 

sounds like you could get some good snow tires and call it a day. if your sticking with all seasons, keep some chains in the truck for some feel good measure

 

winter tires, 4x4, weight in bed gets you most places. carry chains and only use them when necessary. If you can go faster than 25 mph you don't need chains. chains get you unstuck, through very deep snow, or safely up/down steep grades. No sub for chains but they aren't always necessary. Carry a pair and know how to install them. They are excellent peace of mind.

 

That's reassuring. But I lived in Vermont for 9 years and in that snow-rich environment having front wheel drive and snow tires was usually sufficient. Where I am now gets less snow than Vermont, but the roads get much less attention by plows. In my immediate area the roads are dirt and plowing is done by locals paid to do this, but reportedly they get to this task when they get around to it. When visiting my house building site last winter, my front wheel drive Honda had to be winched twice. In other words the grades, dirt roads, and not very prompt or complete plowing make where I am now a more challenging environment than Vermont, where the winters are more severe and snowfall is much greater. Some of the grades here are at least 30%.

 

The product you linked in first post would probably work for short distances, but I would not drive on them for any length of time. I can't imagine that plastic being stronger than metal chains, and I've stretched and or broken dozens of sets of chains.
You posted this in the third GEN section, so I'm not sure if you have a third GEN or not, but on my second GEN I would only be able to run chains in the rear because the chain would interfere in the front with the upper control arm. I'm not sure what the third Gen looks like.
These are hands down the best and easiest chains to install for any extended length of running time, I have thousands of miles on these style chain, they've never let me down.http://www.pewagchain.com/Products/Snow-chains/4x4-und-SUV/pewag-mud-service.aspx
If you notice there are multiple cams to get the correct tension on the chain, also they say mud chains because you can use them in mud also.

 

if you look in the owners manual it will say which tires are allowed chains, etc.

 

If you're going to do it, do it right.

 

I say chains are useful only when it's snowy/icy/graupely and you're in undulating, steep, twisty terrain (like going to the ski resort) with consequential drop-offs. Otherwise snow tires and cautious driving is the way to go.

 

Thanks for the link to a good set of chains--I've been warned about cheap ones breaking. If I decide to get chains these are probably what I'll get. One note: the product I provided the link to is made of urethane rubber, not plastic. I do have a 3rd generation, and I measure only an inch clearance at best for the front tires, so I doubt these chains, or any chains, would work on the front.

 

Holy shit, are these legal?

 

Are those rear tires or front?

 

Definitely rear tire chains. I'd rip the shit out of my wheel wells in the front. With the 235's though and some 1.25" spacers I have clearance for regular chains up front.

 

haha. They're intended for off-road use and would definitely be overkill on any road I've ever driven on plowed or otherwise. You're definitely not going to break one of these 5/16" links spinning on a rock.

 

Well....this sounds like it's exactly where I live. We also live on a narrow dirt road on the side of a mountain and we locals are responsible for plowing and sanding. EVERYONE has 4 wd and snow tires. If you have a Taco, you have enough ground clearance. You WILL have ice from the frost form under the snow so studded snow tires would be helpful.

Chains for emergency use are good to have but not necessary till the snow gets deeper then clearance or it ices up. Make sure chains have "ice bars" welded in. THAT IS A MUST. ordinary chains will skate on ice. Also, carry a tow rope or strap. 99% of the time with snow tires you will be fine. If the locals travel the road regularly, check with them too.
Don't evaluate what a fwd car will do compared to 4 wd....there is no comparisons as fwd sucks on hills.

With 4 wd your problems won't be going up hills, they will be going down. Lastly, don't use low range or locking differentials for normal snow and ice travel. They have way too much torque at the wheels and you will have way too much engine breaking going down hills. Rely on traction control, high range and traction disable button which disables engine cut off.

Bottom line...snow tires are a must and studded preferred on dirt roads !

Oh, practice putting the chains on, first in good weather then on snow just to make sure you are doing it right. Chains may need to be retightened after a few miles of driving.......and chains only on back wheels of a Taco.

 

For those who opt out of the crawl control option. Much cheaper and probably works just as good if you want to get your hands dirty.

 

There is way too much discussion on chains IMHO. IF the road is traveled daily by locals going to work no one wants to chain up daily. Best winter tires, weight in the back, proper snow technique are the basics Crawl control is not even a consideration in these conditons.

 

I'm my experience, places that get a lot of snow continuously plow and treat the roads to the point that there is rarely snow on them. In Maryland, if we get 12" of snow it's on the streets for a few days. In MI (where some of my family lives), 12" of snow barely touches the street.

 

I am still not clear where this area is but will assume it has dirt roads, steep hills and reasonable snow. So generally, you are traveling over roads that are less maintained with steep hills. The snow will not melt off dirt roads which frost up. The worse the gravel on the road, the dealer the frost from the moisture it holds. There can be perpetual ice underneath that you much deal with.

When you must content with steep hills, snow and dirt roads, as you have found out, flatlanders in their fwd cars can offer little Consolation. Fwd cars are usless even with the best tires in hilly terrain and any slippery conditons. If it's as steep as you say it is, even on a summer dirt road they have trouble starting from stop on a hill.

 

I vote for the studded snow tire. Just check local laws, some places dont allow them

 

This all day long. Unless you REALLY need to go where no one else is going...

But then it's called Offroading