Snow chains for a GX470? (1 Viewer)

[ChaseTruck]

'04 GX470, on new stock-size Michelins, being pressed into duty to carry us towards the ski slopes, starting in Phoenix and going northwards.
So far, our drives for skiing trips to Flagstaff/Arizona Snow Bowl, and to northern UT - e.g. Park City - have happened on dry pavement all the way and back.
That may not continue like this, and I'm thinking it would be good to have a set of snow chains in the vehicle. Any recommendations to a desert dweller?

 

[jiggletits]

I live in CO and go up and down Eisenhower tunnel regularly in snow, ice, etc. You don't need chains with a 4x4 unless you are offroading in the winter or just have bald or crappy tires. Michelin makes good stuff. I wouldn't worry about it. The only car I ever carried chains in was a Prius which does not have the ability to turn traction control off. Drove it across country several times during winter, in a couple minor storms. Never used them.

 

[Mountaintrails]

I live in Eastern Washington and have all my life. I grew up using chains on a regular basis but my parents didnt own a 4x4 vehicle. I do have chains that will fit my rig but havent had to use them in years. I think the last time was a hunting trip and on forest service roads. Lowering your tire pressure does very well to add traction. I will easily drop to mid 20s even on the highway if the roads are super bad. I usually have only had to use chains or tire traction aids on steep down hill roads. Going up usually isnt a problem, going down can be a trip. I have wrecked a couple rigs on icy hills.

 

[ChaseTruck]

Thanks for the input. Being from Germany, I've driven my share of icy or snow-covered roads, and I've driven the GX enough to know and respect the capabilities of the vehicle. But with respect to chains, please humor me: suppose we go skiing in Powder Mountain, UT, it starts to snow, and we have to drive that steep road down to Wolf Creek, in the snow. Low range, yes, sure - as recommended by the street signs. But I'm thinking chains could come in really handy in this situation. That's why I was asking for recommendations for chains.

P.S. I did once drive my lifted K5 Blazer up Eisenhower on I-70, all the way from Omaha, going to Moab. Coming out on the western side of the tunnel, I suddenly found myself in 4 inches of slush on the highway. It was quite interesting...

 

[CO_Hunter]

Take a look at RUD chains. I have both traditional cam locking and the RUD. The RUDs work surprising well and are tougher than I thought they would be. Depending on what wheel/tire combination you have you can also put them on the front if needed and that is a nice option to have. They will also lay pretty flat when stored which is nice for saving space in the rig.

 

[Nothinghead]

I live about fifteen miles from park city. You don’t need tire chains. Skiing is a huge industry here and the snow removal is aggressive on roads to the resorts. My nanny from Brazil drives our es350 with snow tires to the resort every weekend without a problem.

All seasons and 4wd should be sufficient for a desert dweller. All terrains would be better. Snow tires on your full time 4wd Lexus would be excellent (only to be outdone by studded snow tires).

When I worked at Brighton, the daily commute in my 4Runner up big cottonwood canyon never required 4wd and that was 15 years ago with less aggressive snow removal.

 

[DUM8HI]

'04 GX470, on new stock-size Michelins, being pressed into duty to carry us towards the ski slopes, starting in Phoenix and going northwards.
So far, our drives for skiing trips to Flagstaff/Arizona Snow Bowl, and to northern UT - e.g. Park City - have happened on dry pavement all the way and back.
That may not continue like this, and I'm thinking it would be good to have a set of snow chains in the vehicle. Any recommendations to a desert dweller?

Are your tires 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) rated? If they are, you probably don't need chains but definitely check your local DOT laws. If your tires aren't 3PMSF rated then bring the chains.

We encountered heavy snow during a trip to Mammoth, CA (80" snow 25th-28th). My ko2 tires are 3PMSF rated so I wasn't required nor needed the chains I had brought as a precaution. The GX handled great with the only issues driving down a steep/icy hill.

California Chain Control Information levels are:
R-1 Chains or snow tread tires required. Snow tires must have a tread depth of 6/32” with a “M & S” imprint on the tire’s sidewall.

R-2 Chains required on all vehicles except four-wheel drives or all-wheel drives with snow tread tires on all four wheels. Four wheel
drives must carry chains. If you have four-wheel drive – engage it. Refer to vehicles operators manual for correct selection of
4 wheel drive or off-road functions.

R-3 Chains required on all vehicles – no exceptions.
(typically they will close the roads)

winterize your truck (pg 2 - good windshield wipers, scraper, shovel, kitty litter):

https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/maintenance/documents/winter-driving-working-2019-a11y.pdf

 

[ChaseTruck]

Ok. We’ll be on an extended ski road trip starting mid-February.

Just got a pair of Peerless 0232105 snow chains for the 470.
Website sez these fit the stock tire size, sticker on the package sez they don’t…
They do fit, a bit tight, though.

I hope I won’t need them since I now have them (I’ve had good luck with this kind of insurance policy with respect to carrying spare parts in my trail truck).

Thanks for all the input, and for the link on winterizing the car.

 

[rommelrommel]

Be really careful with chains on the front, the clearance on the UCA isn't great with the stock wheel.

 

[ChaseTruck]

I think they’ll need to go in the rear. I don’t want the rear to come around on downhills.

I’ve practiced putting the chain on for a bit. It does seem weird doing this in the Phoenix area. I suppose it could be interpreted as sympathy to the rest of the US in the deep freeze.

 

[jdam]

I’ve practiced putting the chain on for a bit. It does seem weird doing this in the Phoenix area. I suppose it could be interpreted as sympathy to the rest of the US in the deep freeze.

Better than learning how to do them in -10 weather outside in the dark