Going to go skiing in California and apparently chains are required to be in the truck. I am assuming I won't use them, but if I have to anyone have any advice on how to put them on and take them off? Anything unusual about driving with them? I was planning to just get some on Amazon and return them if I don't use them. Thanks!
Snow chains - advice on using them/putting them on?
- Thread starter Jwoodywild
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Chains are not required for 4WD and AWD vehicles with winter tires (there are checkpoints that will ask if you are 4WD). You don’t need chains unless you have a 2WD vehicle. I’ve been skiing in Lake Tahoe for the past twenty years and have never been stopped in my 4WD vehicle. Hope that helps!
- Thread starter
- #3
Perfect! Thank you! Looking to head to Mammoth and June Mountain in a few weeks.
Don't know the area so not sure if you'll need them but the sest advice I can give on using them is to keep them stored flat and untangled. I keep mine on the floor and throw a moving blanket over them
When you need them, you can take them out all ready to go. My technique is to drape the chains of the top of the tire and then connect them down below . One connected, drive a few feet, check tension, and then adjust as necessary .
I don't believe we can fit chains on our front tires with stock control arms. Maybe cables will fit.
How are your tires / what tire are you running. If you encounter snow and icy conditions this will be bigger factor. You don't usually chain up unless it's to go up and over a mountain pass
When you need them, you can take them out all ready to go. My technique is to drape the chains of the top of the tire and then connect them down below . One connected, drive a few feet, check tension, and then adjust as necessary .
I don't believe we can fit chains on our front tires with stock control arms. Maybe cables will fit.
How are your tires / what tire are you running. If you encounter snow and icy conditions this will be bigger factor. You don't usually chain up unless it's to go up and over a mountain pass
Anyone have any advice on how to put them on and take them off?
Never assume they will actually fit. Install at least one (front or rear, whichever is more difficult) in your driveway on a nice sunny day. Bring baling wire or coat hangers to restrain the extra links. Bring tensioners. If you have to install them in a blizzard, find a place where you won't get hit while installing them.
The reasons they may not fit will include having knobby tires where the tread catches the chain, or an inflation condition that changes the tire size slightly. You want them to easily fit with a couple extra links on the side chains. Installing them once in nice weather makes it a lot easier when you're doing it roadside.
Never assume they will actually fit. Install at least one (front or rear, whichever is more difficult) in your driveway on a nice sunny day. Bring baling wire or coat hangers to restrain the extra links. Bring tensioners. If you have to install them in a blizzard, find a place where you won't get hit while installing them.
The reasons they may not fit will include having knobby tires where the tread catches the chain, or an inflation condition that changes the tire size slightly. You want them to easily fit with a couple extra links on the side chains. Installing them once in nice weather makes it a lot easier when you're doing it roadside.
Mark W
Yep, I really don't really care that much I guess.
Keep a set of coveralls and work gloves in the rig with the chains so that you are not afraid to lay down in the snow and slush to get the chains on. Best way to install them it to drape them over the tire and connect them at the bottom. Fit the chains in the driveway before you ever need to use them so that you know how tight to adjust the back and the front without having to reset them once they are on. Maybe even mark the correct links so that months later you do not have to try to remember. Keep tensioners with the chains. A couple of bungies will do the trick if that is all you have but the actual tire chain tensioners are nice. Parachute cord is better than nothing for slack chains. If you have chains that fit ideally, tensioners are not as important. But I feel better using them even when I have perfectly fitting chains if the fender clearance is tight. Never had to chain up a 100, but all the earlier rigs, I can be chained at both ends and on the go in 5 minutes.
If I only have one pair of chains, I prefer to chain the front if the challenge is a long upgrade and the back if I am trying to maintain control on a long down slope. Not really an issue either way except when you are operating at and maybe beyond the limits anyway. Chains on all four are my preference and my default mode (I don't consider the winter gear load out complete with only one pair of chains).
Keep the speed down. It is easier on the chains, you are less likely to slap a fender if you have a loose chain, and... if it nasty enough to use chains on the highway... why are you going fast anyway?
Mark...
If I only have one pair of chains, I prefer to chain the front if the challenge is a long upgrade and the back if I am trying to maintain control on a long down slope. Not really an issue either way except when you are operating at and maybe beyond the limits anyway. Chains on all four are my preference and my default mode (I don't consider the winter gear load out complete with only one pair of chains).
Keep the speed down. It is easier on the chains, you are less likely to slap a fender if you have a loose chain, and... if it nasty enough to use chains on the highway... why are you going fast anyway?
Mark...
as stated, you definitely do not need chains in your Land Cruiser in the California sierras unless you're running Michelin Pilot Sport Cups.
DFXR
SILVER Star
Caltrans will close 80 or 50 long before you'd need 4wd AND chains. They are very touchy about it these days. Make sure your tires are in decent shape though.
But if you have non-highway plans that may involve chains... take Mark W's advice above. When you actually need them, don't let that be the first time you've ever put them on. I just keep a blue tarp in the back on trips to the snow, for laying on.
But if you have non-highway plans that may involve chains... take Mark W's advice above. When you actually need them, don't let that be the first time you've ever put them on. I just keep a blue tarp in the back on trips to the snow, for laying on.
offroadkid
GOLD Star
California Native here and grew up above the snowline! Mom always had a Subaru and dad had a Toyota 4X4 truck, (both with studded tires for winter driving).
I recently did some research as we did a Thanksgiving road-trip from here in Shingle Springs, California to the in-laws in Northern Idaho. Even though CalTrans says 4WD with snow tires are okay, I read that some other states require you to at least carry chains.
Reading the owner's manual I found that Toyota/Lexus state to put chains on the rear ONLY and I found out this is due to clearance issues on the 100 Series between the front tires and the upper control arms. I learned that certain brands make cables that are (SAE-S) which will fit without hitting the front UCA's.
I have never needed to chain-up, we live off Highway 50 and often travel up Highway 88 in the snow up to the parents house in Genoa, Nevada but I wanted to be prepared for our 888 mile road-trip for the holiday up into Oregon, Washington, and into Idaho so I found and bought two pair of these nice cables from the local Autozone. The ones I bought are specific to my tire size 275/70R18. I practiced installing them at home before the trip.
We didn't end up needing them, but it's good to know we have them now if we are ever asked or in the rare event told we need to put them on.
I recently did some research as we did a Thanksgiving road-trip from here in Shingle Springs, California to the in-laws in Northern Idaho. Even though CalTrans says 4WD with snow tires are okay, I read that some other states require you to at least carry chains.
Reading the owner's manual I found that Toyota/Lexus state to put chains on the rear ONLY and I found out this is due to clearance issues on the 100 Series between the front tires and the upper control arms. I learned that certain brands make cables that are (SAE-S) which will fit without hitting the front UCA's.
I have never needed to chain-up, we live off Highway 50 and often travel up Highway 88 in the snow up to the parents house in Genoa, Nevada but I wanted to be prepared for our 888 mile road-trip for the holiday up into Oregon, Washington, and into Idaho so I found and bought two pair of these nice cables from the local Autozone. The ones I bought are specific to my tire size 275/70R18. I practiced installing them at home before the trip.
We didn't end up needing them, but it's good to know we have them now if we are ever asked or in the rare event told we need to put them on.
I see those are front wheel chains correct?
No interference turn stop to turn stop? full compression?
If cool (cold), I'm buying for that one time off road where rears only don't cut it (mainly for mud/dirt).
No interference turn stop to turn stop? full compression?
If cool (cold), I'm buying for that one time off road where rears only don't cut it (mainly for mud/dirt).
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- #11
Thanks. I have good tires - we drove across a couple of high passes in Colorado at 11K ft. on them, so sounds like I will be ok. We are just going to Mammoth/June Mountain. Nothing crazier than that.
Not just good tires, but properly rated tires. 3 peak or dedicated snow will be the ticket.
Good advise about uphill and downhil chain location. Also good advice about all 4 chained. V -bar cam lock are easy to put on. Drive the tire that is having a chain instaled up on a 2x4 to give yourself space to slide chain around to conect hooks then use good chain tensioner. Might not need on hwy but side roads could be worse.
- Thread starter
- #14
Can you share some chains you like for your truck? or some links?
