Tire Chain Recs

I need a sturdy set of tire chains since I'll be commuting across the Sierra Nevada mountains to Reno. Any recs? The ones off Amazon seem cheap. I'm running TRD OR stock tires. 165/70R17

 

https://www.etrailer.com/Tire-Chains/Glacier/PWH2821SC.html

I’m headed out to Colorado in a few weeks via Ely and I use these. Have 4wd, but sometimes you need chains and these have good bite.

 

I've used these on all my trucks and have been great IMHO.

LACLEDE ALPINE SS Premium Tire Chains #2526

 

I got a set of Peerless Autotracs that I never needed to use. The diamond pattern was recommended, esp if going a long distance with them, and I liked the auto tensioning gizmo. Never needed to use them though.

 

@caitlin739

What ever you choose. Be sure to practice putting them on and off. Mind the maximum speed with chains on.

 

Rather have and not need them…..


The sierras do get some pretty good weather systems every now and then. And on the CA side they love to require chains the minute a snowflake hits the ground.

 

You must not be driving through CHP snowchain check point in the Sierra. I've been through I80, I5, Yosemite NP, China Peak, Sequoia NP, Mammoth, and many other location in California with a built truck on 40 inch tires and CHP still want to check. Even they don't want you to put it on because your vehicle is 4wd, they will check. If you don't have chain/cable at the check point, they will turn you around and refuse travel. If you're lucky to get pass the check point before it's set up and somehow manage to spin out and not have chain/cable, they will cite you hefty.

 

Be wary of auto tensioners, and consider getting a set of rubber tensioners as backup. Diamond pattern does a little better with side to side slippage, bars do better at keeping you moving. I use bars in the rear, and have previously used diamond style.

You can probably look through my comments to see what exact chains I picked up and my progression from cables to diamond to bar style.

 

That's awesome you've has such smooth experiences, but to tell everyone they'll have the exact same interaction for the foreseeable future isn't very practical or helpful. I've been checked for chains multiple times as well

OP, just make sure you only put them on the rear wheels. I believe it says nothing is supposed to go on the front.

 

I have the diamond patterned ones (brand: Titan). I got them from etrailer.com. They're easy enough to put on. I disagree with what some other folks have said: you absolutely do need them in the Sierras, especially on the CA side of the border, because some day you WILL encounter a CHP checkpoint and they totally will turn your ass around if you don't have chains (unless you're sporting some very big and obvious snow tires).

I do recommend practicing a couple times in the driveway first, because it's a lot harder when you're cold and wet struggling on the side of the road. And someone mentioned rubber tensioners -- yes, absolutely get a pair of those, too. My last set of chains fit tightly on my factory tires, but when I got bigger tires, I had to get a newer set of chains and those were kind of loose. They're good to have because you never know when you'll need them. And they're cheap so there's no good reason not to have them.

 

TRD OR is 16 not 17, sure about the tire size

 

I think it's 265/70r16. I think the Sports come with a 17" wheel though. OP will definitely need to look at the side of their tire before clicking BUY.

 

TRD Sport is 265/65R17...might be a typo.

Ed

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For a TRD OR with stock tires 265/70R-16 I have use QG 3810 chains, with a couple of bungee cords for tensioners.

 

OP,

Sorry, I love a good tire chain thread! I don't know why really. I just do. Big debate in my family (who live in Quebec) between tire chains or studded tires. All of us have slid off the road so we have no real winner to report.

But my favorite tire chains are the Konig. A bit more than the others but I have had my set forever so it was a good investment:

https://www.konigchain.com/consumer/

Also, don't be a dummy like me. As someone else pointed out, practice putting them on and also get a good pair of winter gloves, too! And a shovel.

Good luck and please report back with what you end up going with.

 

LOLOLOL!!!

Yeah, fat lazy fingers to type OR instead of Sport.

The 165 should be 265...lol

Ed

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OP.....don't take the word on an internet forum about YOUR tire size on YOUR truck.

Go look at the tire sidewall. The numbers will look similar to 265/65R17. Use the number on the tire to get the correct chains.

 

I've bought several sets from these guys.

Tire Chains-Best Snow Chains-TireChains.com

It really depends on how you want to use them. There are places where chains are more useful for mud than snow. Three years ago while scouting in Colorado for an elk hunt I was 20 miles off pavement in about a foot of snow when I ran across a forest ranger patrolling. I stopped for advice on hunting and part of his advice was NOT to be where we were in a week after the snow melted unless I had chains on all 4 tires. While I had no trouble in the snow, a few days later it was a muddy mess. I did drive into the area, but turned around before it got real bad.

I like these.

265/70R-16, 265/70R-16 LT 5.5mm Square Tire Chains, One Pair. - TireChain.com

The 5.5 mm square links are still mud and snow rated, but offer more clearance than some. They work for what I want.

If you aren't concerned about mud then a less aggressive chain will work.

 

Keep in mind if you are running chains and can see the asphalt you shouldn’t have chains on. Most chains have a max speed of 25mph. Both of these warnings are rarely followed and usually lead to chain failure/truck damage.

 

Studs are great for on road when things are packed down. When you get a foot of loose stuff chains are the shizzle.