NEED ADVISE HOW TO DRIVE 4X4 IN SNOW WITH CHAINS.

Going to take my 2016 4x4 offroad up to the snow, I was told i will need chains. what kind and do i put them on both front and rear and use 4 wheel or 2 wheel drive. All info needed.
Thanks

 

4wd, chains in rear only. I run twist link, v-bar

 

Can't say which kind, but from what I ready around here previously, you only want them on your rear wheels. Just my two cents. Safe driving.

 

http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om-s/OM04005U/pdf/OM04005U.pdf

Page 271.

 

After reading, this is the best answer for you bud.

 

Ok chains on rear, keep it in 2 wheel or 4 wheel hi?

 

Here's the confusing part of this, in regards to chains on the manual it does not make a distinction between 2wd and 4wd, so the manual almost assumes its a 2wd truck. On the very next page it warns that for 4x4s you must have the SAME tread on all 4 corners. The only explanation for that I'm seeing is so there's no issues with drivetrain binding. If you're in 4x4 and have different size tires (even slightly different like a different tread pattern) it can cause binding and stress on the whole drivetrain because they'll want to turn at different speeds.

So back to chains, if you put chains on only two tires AND engage 4wd, is that not any different then having massively differing tread patterns front to rear?? Isn't that exactly what the manual warns against on the very next page??

Unfortunately the manual isn't very clear on this. Taking those two pieces of advice together "only put chains on the rear" and "with 4X4s do not use differing tread patterns" the conclusion seems to be to NOT engage 4wd when using chains and only use chains on the rear (in 2wd).

Or am I missing something??

To me it makes more sense to put chains on all 4 wheels if using 4wd because then at least they all have the "same tread pattern", right?

 

OP what mountains are you going to?? I know a lot of places will say "chains required" but the locals never have them, at least that's the case here in Mammoth. Been coming up here for over a decade, dozens of storms, tons of snow, and I've never used chains, just good tires and 4hi. But not a bad idea to have some with you just in case.

 

I'll be honest with you I've never ran chains. I've always had my vehicles equipped with snow rated all terrains. I used to drive Lookout Pass in Idaho/Montana weekly on unplowed freeways without issue. Like you said, nobody locally used chains except the truckers who were required to stop and chain up.

I imagine one reason not to run chains on the front is how close the tire runs near the UCA.

 

They are talking same tires and tread for dry pavement. Chains only on rear wheels. If you are in snow/ice, doesn't matter what pattern is on each tire, they will slip, not bind.

 

Well they're talking about snow tires. And I agree if you're truly on ice you don't need to worry about binding, but the problem if you're on plowed roads you'll be running a mix of snow, ice and traction-able surface, its almost never ALL ice. I've felt binding even without chains on "icy roads" so I imagine with chains it can only be worse.

But I've never used chains, even in the biggest of storms 4hi always did it for me. In fact with all the time I've spent in the mountains I can't recall ever seeing a Tacoma 4x4 with chains on, the ones with chains are always pre-runners.

I never plan on using chains either but now I'm super curious what the correct answer is.

Is anyone on here that actually uses chains on their 4x4??

I feel like all of us are just speculating, I know I sure am lol.

Edit: I do see all sorts of crazy chain configurations though, saw one Audi Q7 Quattro with chains on the front only then another Q7 exact same car running chains on only the rear. Seen Rubicons with chains only on the front, and other Wranglers with chains on all 4 and some only on the rear. Someone has to be doing it wrong lol

 

The only time we used chains in New England was if my dad went out in his RWD truck to have fun before the roads got plowed. Other wise good snow tires or studded tires if it's gonna be a long winter with lots of ice.

 

You very likely won't need to put them on. It's probably the law that you carry them where you're going but I've never needed them with a 4x4

 

I going to Mammoth on 02-11-17 for 4 days, and just did not jack up my truck and get the proper chain/cable required to get there. what kind of chains/ cables are the best.

 

That depends on application and use. I use V-bar chains.

 

You aren't going to want to run chains unless its 100% snow/ice covered and 4wd isn't getting it done. Steel on pavement is a bad deal. So there should be no binding. You're only gonna have them on when you are doing like 25mph tops anyways. Last thing you want to do is throw a chain and have it wrap up in the axle or tear up a fender.

 

I have seen something called a snow sock for tires, any good? Looks easy to install.