Who has tire chain recommendations?

With it blowing snow here in michigan I cant but help thinking ahead for the winter...

I've been stuck in some bad situations at boat ramps, and also on two tracks after big storms here, and want to have something for it.

So those of you with chains whats a good brand? Are they all the same and find a deal? I got 17in rims on my sport so I assume something that says it fits will fit? Or am I wrong and need vehicle specific?

Thanks!

 

I have been looking at these. Have never used chains before, but think I will get them for the taco vs tundra due to price. Not a huge need for them here, maybe 4-5 times a year for short distances.

 

If you've never run chains before, you have a bit to learn.
See:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWdUWUfVBZE
- https://www.tirebuyer.com/education/tire-chains
- https://www.autonationdrive.com/blog/2019/november/18/essential-auto-101-when-to-use-snow-chains.htm

If you have, then you should already know most of the do's & don'ts.

While I don't live in the mountains where heavy snow occurs, if I were to consider it I'd be most concerned about clearance between the tire and the inside & outside fenders. I use them on my tractor, but only when it's really icy or when there's a serious coating of heavy wet snow. Comparing a tractor to a Taco is not necessarily valid except for one very important thing - clearance. I have to be extremely careful about tightening the front wheel chains to ensure that the chains clear the steering linkage. A truck will be no different. Chains loosen after a period of use and must be retightened. If not properly tightened it's easy to spin them off. I wouldn't advise aggressive chains like I have for my larger tractor. Chains are also problematic on hardpack or bare pavement and result in a very bumpy ride.

 

I know quite a bit about them when it comes to equipment. Vehicles not so much...

 

Maybe threr is along distance truck driver who runs out west in the forum. He could give good advise on installation and where to buy.

 

Better check your Michigan laws regarding the use of chains on roads.

I'm sure you can use on your private property. State roads.......could be a different story.

 

I use to sell Peerless snow chains in my auto parts stores so have a little experience with them, but frankly my advise is I wouldn't consider using them unless absolutely necessary.
Personally, if the snow is so bad that I can't handle it with either my '96 Tacoma 4x4 or my 18' TRD Sport without chains then I'm going to stay home.

 

I bought a pair years ago from Napa. Used them once and forgot about them. I do a ton of driving in the snow and for me new tires and some weight in rear is best. I would suggest doing a test fit at home. Unlike myself who learned the hardway in an ice storm.

 

I own and occasionally use these Z-Chains. Always worked well and are used by many Police and EMS departments....

https://www.peerlesschain.com/brands/traction-product-choices/z-chain/

 

I’m that guy. Ran chains on my truck over the Sierras, Sisters and Rockies. Went so far as running a community college CDL school, too. Had a lesson on chains where we discussed and installed. I prefer a cam-type chain, as they are easy to get tight.

A few thoughts:
1. They work great under the right conditions.
2. Drive tires only.
3. Always mount them before you need them.
4. Avoid running them on concrete, blacktop or other hard surfaces.
5. Keep speeds SLOW.
6. Connect the inside chain first.
7. Tighten with the outside chain.
8. Run a short distance, check and re-tighten.

I agree with the previous post that says to stay home if conditions are that bad. Good, cheap insurance for the unexpected, though.

 

Thanks guys great advise!

I dont plan on road running with them. Main problem is boat launches that don't get plowing. We are left plowing them ourselves the night before or dealing with stuck rigs and boats in the morning. It would be easy enough to chain up and proceed the 100 yards Into and outta the place. You gotta keep in mind I will have a boat in tow so there isn't time for changing it... not only will you have a stuck truck you will have a stuck boat.

And I'm not staying home all winter... hahaha! Snow won't deter my plans.

 

I think I remember reading something about only using them on the rear wheels on our trucks. Something to do with sensors up front? Could be wrong but worth looking into. It's probably buried in the manual.

 

IME, never put them on the steer axle.

 

I use them on unplowed FS roads during hunting season and for skiing...the kind of spots where one might be in 4 wheel low in the summer. Couple thoughts based on my limited experience:

1. Cables do okay for straight ice, but not for packed snow. If you have large lugs on your tires (like Falken Wildpeak) they may get sucked in...and can take some pulling to get out. They will also fit on the front on 245/75r16s if you're in a real bad way (not recommending you do this). They take up a lot of space and are a pain in the ass to deal with.
2. The Peerless Auto Trac work okay, but the auto tightening things are known to fail if you don't go easy. They provide a bit of extra side to side stability if you're playing in off camber situations. The negative is they don't get you moving forward as well as the more traditional cross tire chains. They take up a quarter of the space of the cables.
3. I currently use the "for walmart" Peerless tire chains (#0322730) with extra chain tighteners (the blue ones). You must roll the vehicle forward to get these on. V Bars or square link chain might work better in the future, but these are what I'm sticking with for now.

*Edit - the #3 chains are probably double the thickness of the Auto trac type, so better bite in snow...and unsurprisingly take up double the space as the auto trac type. I've pushed through 20 inches of snow with these on some sketchy FS roads without needing to use my locker.

 

Great advice! Thanks