Tire chains or other alternatives for 2WD

I thought I should update my post. I bought the Thule EZ fit chains and they install just as fast as the videos show. I can install in about 10-12 seconds per wheel & don’t even have to get on my knees with the truck. I’ve used them twice in snow & work great. Highly recommended to Tacoma owners. Vulcan Tire was the cheapest price & free shipping.

 

Those don't look super robust ...

My experience with chains is that on top of snow tires and in 4WD you feel like a superhero, blowing through snowbanks, until you hit a few miles of bare concrete and your fillings rattle loose.

They are an escape tool for me, I keep a set in my truck but studded snows are 10x better for daily driving.

 

Ok I’ll throw in my two cents. I live in St. John’s Newfoundland. We get about 122inches of snow yearly and it gets piled and very cold. I’ve never owned anything other than a 2wd car or truck and here’s my tips:
1) run some good winters if your not confident in AT tires
2) if you feel you need it, about 300lbs of sand can help
3) momentum is your friend. You stop on a hill you’re screwed even in awd/4 wd
4) when you come to a stop utilize that auto lsd. That thing works wonders
I’ve lived in this snowy, hilly ass province all my life and I have never seen anyone use chains or anything of the sort. I used to use a 2wd ford ranger with an open rear end on Canadian tire all seasons and I got stuck once lol in fact when we get dumped with snow I like to go out drifting and plowing through the shit in my 2wds

 

Here’s one of my favourite NL winter pics as well lol and yep that’s an suv in there

 

Sell your truck and get something with 4x4

 

you can always get a trutrac installed. It helps but I think at 4,400 feet you'll eventually need a 4x4...

 

I use Rud Grip 4x4 chains. My work van with street all season tires only takes a couple minutes to chain up. There are videos demonstrating the install. It could probably be done sitting on a short stool. It all depends on the level of your disability. You could probably improvise a coat hanger to reach the chain behind the tire and pull it around to you.

 

If you're talking about icy conditions there is no way of making a rear wheel drive truck go in it straight, snow, mud, sand OK but not ice...get a 4x4... on the other hand if you enjoy ice skating with your taco go for it

 

You poor bastid. You have my deepest sympathy.

The best you can do in that is to move south.

 

We’ve decided to try the chains this winter & see how it goes. We will assess next year and then probably decide on 4wd. Just too much going on this year for another truck. I can already see how much of a PITA it will be taking these on & off multiple times in a day. These chains seem pretty well made. They are all metal, not plastic. The red tensioner is a plastic coated cable. Have a 5 yr warranty. Snow coming next for Christmas with back to back storms.