It's not so simple...
Ten states ban studded tires altogether and 33 others only permit the use of studded tires during certain months. Only seven states allow unrestricted use of studded tires.
Chains on 295/70R18
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It's not so simple...
Ten states ban studded tires altogether and 33 others only permit the use of studded tires during certain months. Only seven states allow unrestricted use of studded tires.
true, even in alaska they are only legal from September to May, and they do wear the roads out faster. but the fact is, a good set of studded tires on a 100 series with atrac is an amazing rig in all sorts of winter conditions.
Certainly there are some situations where chains are preferable, like rock crawling interspersed with deep snow pits. But for 99% of all winter applications (especially where you want to go more than 25mph), a set of soft compound siped tires with studs is ideal. (The blizzaks and other studless designs are great most of the time, but on ice you need studs, and you never know where ice is gonna be.)
Yes they wear the roads out faster and they are not legal all the time and everywhere, but from a place where we get 20+ feet of snow per year (deep snow, shallow snow, icy snow, wet snow, all 31 flavors of snow) studded tires get the job done.
... though it would be cool to have a set of chains for breaking trail in really deep powder (if you could get them to fit on the front).
(Sorry for highjacking the "chains" thread just to sing the praises of studded tires, but really, they work.)
Certainly there are some situations where chains are preferable, like rock crawling interspersed with deep snow pits. But for 99% of all winter applications (especially where you want to go more than 25mph), a set of soft compound siped tires with studs is ideal. (The blizzaks and other studless designs are great most of the time, but on ice you need studs, and you never know where ice is gonna be.)
Yes they wear the roads out faster and they are not legal all the time and everywhere, but from a place where we get 20+ feet of snow per year (deep snow, shallow snow, icy snow, wet snow, all 31 flavors of snow) studded tires get the job done.
... though it would be cool to have a set of chains for breaking trail in really deep powder (if you could get them to fit on the front).
(Sorry for highjacking the "chains" thread just to sing the praises of studded tires, but really, they work.)
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This thread has taken a turn to somewhere I wasn't hoping it would go.
And for what it's worth, in deep powder you want to float on top not dig down deep with chains. I grew up in New York's Catskill Mountains and now live in Colorado. I'm no stranger to driving in all types of snow.
Studded tires have their place. Driving in the conditions I am talking about are not it. Real world input was experience with chains on tires bigger than 33" on a 100 series.
And for what it's worth, in deep powder you want to float on top not dig down deep with chains. I grew up in New York's Catskill Mountains and now live in Colorado. I'm no stranger to driving in all types of snow.
Studded tires have their place. Driving in the conditions I am talking about are not it. Real world input was experience with chains on tires bigger than 33" on a 100 series.
Back to chain fit, 35's on 18's might have slightly better upright clearance but 35's on 16's would take a ton of spacer in my guesstimation.
Even with 33's on 16's and TC UCAs it looks real tough without spacers, the control arm helps but the upright is a bigger problem (my girly fingers included for scale):
Even with 33's on 16's and TC UCAs it looks real tough without spacers, the control arm helps but the upright is a bigger problem (my girly fingers included for scale):
^ I think I have even less gap than that without spacers. I think with 1.5" spacers I have 2", maybe a little more. Plus, I have full grown man hands so my measurements might be off 
Have Rud chains, 295/16, Karl's UCA, and chains don't fit without spacers.
Edit: that is for front, no spacers needed in rear.
Edit: that is for front, no spacers needed in rear.
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Not the OP's requested size/fitment answer but a FWIW: 285/75-18 Toyo Open Country (MT/R Kevlar's worked too) with no rear wheel spacer and 10mm front wheel spacers (Les Schwab's LT chains)
Also I suggest carrying extra rubber tensioning bands and heavy bailing wire to field fix the chains when they break in the field.
Note: Because I'm currently running ~3.5 degrees of caster tire recovery chains will interfere with the lower rear front fender unless adequate cutting/modding of the fender is provided. YMMV.
Also I suggest carrying extra rubber tensioning bands and heavy bailing wire to field fix the chains when they break in the field.
Note: Because I'm currently running ~3.5 degrees of caster tire recovery chains will interfere with the lower rear front fender unless adequate cutting/modding of the fender is provided. YMMV.
That looks nice n capable I've done some searching and I'm guessing it would be fine, but rears only would work just fine, correct?
I've done some searching and I'm guessing it would be fine, but rears only would work just fine, correct?
It was capable relative to the link size and chain pattern. If we had clearance I'd prefer to be able to use full size chains/links. And another note about chains: They can load the drivetrain components so judicious use of the skinny pedal is all the mobetta...for parts preservation 
4X chains are always recommended. With just rear chains the front will tend to wash/slide out before the rear end (think off-camber). And with front chains only: Visa versa.
4X chains are always recommended. With just rear chains the front will tend to wash/slide out before the rear end (think off-camber). And with front chains only: Visa versa.
Searched all over without any solid answer, so I figured this was the best thread for a necro-post...
Texas boy, driving LC up to Crested Butte this Feb, planning on doing some back country exploring. Contemplating getting a set of chains to keep in the back. Have some experience with driving on snow(and digging out), but almost zero experience with putting chains on my own vehicle. The concept isn't that complicated, but apparently fitment is...
'01 w/ TC arms, OME 2.5", and 295/16 Toyo AT-2s.....only fitment is going to be with wheel spacers, is that correct?
friend's 07 that her stepfather stuck this past winter. Allegedly he was looking at his blackberry while coming back from checking their water-well.
Texas boy, driving LC up to Crested Butte this Feb, planning on doing some back country exploring. Contemplating getting a set of chains to keep in the back. Have some experience with driving on snow(and digging out), but almost zero experience with putting chains on my own vehicle. The concept isn't that complicated, but apparently fitment is...
'01 w/ TC arms, OME 2.5", and 295/16 Toyo AT-2s.....only fitment is going to be with wheel spacers, is that correct?
friend's 07 that her stepfather stuck this past winter. Allegedly he was looking at his blackberry while coming back from checking their water-well.
Chains won't fix being high centered like that. Said it before, and I'll say it again. Drive slow in the snow! I'm still playing for team "don't put chains on these trucks." Chains do damage to cars.
...via IH8MUD app
...via IH8MUD app
The pic was just for grins. Again, I'm not planning on running chains on improved roads. I want to have them for my friend's road to her cabin, because it is not paved and likely not plowed, and also, just in case I need them while doing some exploring.
So, I called Slee with the intention of buying their 1.25" front spacers, but after some discussion we decided I might create some rubbing issues with my 295.75.16 tires.
Anyone have any experience with spacers and that tire size? Seemed like most of the threads I searched involved people running 35" tires or 18" rims, or both.
So, I called Slee with the intention of buying their 1.25" front spacers, but after some discussion we decided I might create some rubbing issues with my 295.75.16 tires.
Anyone have any experience with spacers and that tire size? Seemed like most of the threads I searched involved people running 35" tires or 18" rims, or both.
Chains are one of the many reasons I run a 255 section width. No fitment issues and great for snow and mud. I carry them year round and Rud chains are easy on, easy off.
Don't know if this helps. I have run Rud 2533 on 295/75R16 TerraG and BFG AT KO2s. No spacer on rears and 1.25" spacer on the front.
295/70/18 is 1 inch larger in diameter. You think they could fit? Where did you buy them i can probably return them if they dont fit.
I bought them from Bill Burke, but he got out of that business at least 5 years ago.
I think these are the sizes the 2533 fits. Looks like they will fit some different widths, but not higher.
275/75R18
295/75R16
305/50R20
305/65R17
305/70R16
325/60R18
33x12.5x15
33X12.5X16.5
