Tire chains on front tires

Yea, I think the studded tires are more for ice and hard pack anyways.

 

What model # / style of Les Schwab chains work for you on your front wheels, and what size tires / wheels do you run?

With stock 265/70 R16s on my +2" lifted 2014 TRD OR the clearance between tire sidewall and steering knuckle lump is around 11mm. It's really just the lump on the knuckle that causes the problem. I'm tempted to grind it flush -- but it's probably there for a reason, maybe it stiffens the knuckle a bit.

I bet with aftermarket reinforcement gussets welded to the knuckle it would be fine to then grind it down and get +6 to 8 more mm of clearance.

 

Yeah same, I wonder if 1/2" BORA plate spacers (they just slip over existing studs, no separate set of studs) would give enough tire/steering knuckle clearance w/ 265/70/R16 tires.

This talk about carrying entire extra wheels in different sizes isn't going to cut it for overlanding or work hauling, takes waaay too much space.

 

When I had an '85 2WD Toyota truck, I had to chain up every weekend in the winter when i went back country skiing above L.A. And yes, you can be in the snow in 45 minutes or less. When I moved to a 4WD in '93 I never needed chains until some idiot CHP officer made me put chains on at the first chain stop going to Mt. Piños. When I got to the second chain control area, the CHP officer asked me why I had chains on and laughed when I told him. I took them off for the rest of the day. I'm sure it's the same in other states, that you need to carry chains even if you never use them. I have had CHP check on that and also check your tires, so I always carry a set even though the chances are I'll never use them.

In the very early 1960's my father bought a '59 Citroén ID19. The first time he drove it to Tahoe in the winter, he hit chain control and got out and put his chains on the front wheels. The CHP officer at that chain control stop told him he HAD to put the chains on the rear. He had never heard of front wheel drive back then and neither had the Ca state vehicle code, so after some time arguing the merits and pleading that officer's more intelligent instincts, he was finally allowed to put the chains on the front. And even back in '59, that Citroén came with early Michelin X or maybe ZX tires and with about a 65/35 split over the front wheels, it did pretty well in the snow without chains anyway.

 

Gotta love L.A. and its surrounding areas. Talk about a 4 wheeler’s dream spot for all terrains.

 

This is also how I roll......

 

I have chained up all 4 wheels with another 4x4 strapped behind with a strap to yank me back when I was stuck.
Pushing through hood deep drifts to get the drive way open

 

Studded tires are snow tires with studs to assist on ice. When snow tires were not that great (pre 2000) a lot of people in snow country would add studs to their tires for icy conditions. Studs do not assist in heavy snow. You just left your studded tires on all winter. Not needed now as snow tires are pretty good now. By the way snow tires or snow tires with studs should be the same configuration on all 4 wheels. Doesn't matter 4x4 4x2 or fwd. I have lived in snow country Canada 70+ years and never needed anything but good snow tires, no chains. Was a ski patroller. At mountain pass check stops here you need good snow tires or have chains available.

 

Studded winter rated AT's have been a game changer for me. Iv run duratracs, G003's and blizzak dmv2's and this new set up of studded G017's has been my favorite. Having said that it's been a mild winter so far

 

I never run studs far to. slippery on dry roads

They tended tobreak loose but that was long ago with real horse power

 

It's a good thing we don't have any horse power.
I have noticed 0 compromise on dry pavement. There's also no center tread studding like a bunch of studded winters.

 

I prefer not to chain up at all (especially all 4 tires) unless I have to, but I have found 2 different setups that have worked on 2017 TRD Off Road. I carry 2 sets of Laclede 3210 (cam style) chains.

With the OEM wheels and 265/70r16 tires, I used the Spidertrax 1.25" spacers and had clearance for chains on the front.

With my current setup, 16x8 0 offset wheels and 255/85r16 tires, I just added 1 cross chain to the rim chains on the tail end and run the rim chains in the last link. They are a tight fit on the tires and I have never had any clearance issues with this setup on all 4 tires.

 

Yeah that's what I concluded after careful study of my 265/70r16s up front. It's either add a 0.75"-or-larger spacer, or no-go.

I wouldn't want to run spacers for normal DD use as I'm pretty convinced by a few physics/math/engineering-related posts elsewhere on TW forums that they really do put extra wear on the wheel bearings in long-term use. But I might carry the spacers in my emergency kit if there was ever somewhere that I absolutely had to be able to run front chains to get out of. Might take 90 minutes to install them by the side of the road or trail at night in sub-zero temps, but better than trying to decend a steep, icy road without front chains.

 

People chain up on pavement?

 

I haven't (yet), but been close to get over mountain passes.
Been thinking about just getting some cable chains for front. Easier to clear the UCA when going down hill in s***y slopes.
Rear chains have saved me multiple times where airing down wasnt enough.

 

probably depends on what model of product, how it fits, and clearance to the spindle which is improved if you run aftermarket wheels

if you are in 4x4 tcase is locked 50/50 making every wheel main drive wheels

 

I run chains in the back; cables might clear in the front based on what others are saying. I would run spacers to make sure it clears.

All the times I’ve had to chain up were to get out of sketchy forest road situations while I’m hunting elk. Usually need to do it once or twice a season.

I run studded tires 8mo a year; live on the Western Slope at 9’000 ft

 

What about s-class cable for the front? It’s design for vehicle with limited space around the wheel.

For those that have use it in the front in an emergency, any issue?

 

Wheels with at least a 0 off-set give enough clearance on the front to run these RUD 4x4 Grip chains. They need at least 5/8" clearance.
I carry four of these when wheeling in the winter. They can be installed when you're stuck. I've never used them on the road, but they have helped me get up some steep grades when out on the snow covered tracks.
https://chainstop.com/truck-tire-chains/grip

Cheers