Has anyone used snow chains?

[RUN-8]

It's easily comprehended, but it is pretty poor on Toyota's part. This is marketed as a go anywhere on road / off road vehicle. Part of that does require chains in certain conditions.

I haven't bought a LC yet, but this is a big negative for me if my large off road vehicle can't get me the mountain for skiing.

I looked up the California regulations.

Frankly they’re retarded and probably written 50 years ago before the advent of severe snow service rated tires, or dedicated snow tires.

The only condition where you would have to mount chains is so bad there is a 99% chance the road will be closed.

As for the owners manual, Toyota is going to hedge their bets and recommend against chains on the larger stock tires because they don’t know what kind of chains a customer might decide to use. There are probably a ton of options out there that will work with plenty of clearance, but there are some that won’t.

Maybe California allows Snow Socks on tires as a “Traction Device”? Being as it’s California, a state run by idiots, probably not; but those might work too.

If you aren’t familiar with Snow Socks here are some I observed mounted last fall in Gillette, WY on a Genesis sedan.

These things are supposedly pretty effective as long as you observe their speed limitations, and they’re easier to put on.

Just don’t be like our Texan friend here. Traction devices don’t do a bit of good if they’re not on the drive axle.

 

[Markarian421]

It’s funny if you think the vehicle can’t get you to the mountain for skiing.

That’s not the issue, at least not for many of us. In California we are required to carry chains in the mountains in winter. I’ve never been required to install them though since I’ve always driven AWD or full time 4WD vehicles in the mountains in winter. They close the roads before it gets that bad in most places. I carry cable chains that require less clearance. Socks probably qualify as well.

 

[wpage]

Anti snow chains on Amazon work like strap on chains except more like edgy tie wraps...

They work and go on easy

 

[MSINAL]

I used auto socks last winter going up to Tahoe but I think it was overkill given I have all terrain M+S 3 peak tires. Nonetheless, with the socks it did exceptional going up and down 50.

Textile Snow Chains | Official AutoSock USA Online Store

The tire socks give you superb grip on snow and ice in winter driving conditions. Compatible with all cars and trucks. A legal alternative to tire chains.

autosock.us

Never had heard of these before, thanks for the PSA!

 

[perigree]

FWIW the few times I’ve been in Tahoe when chains were required, they waved me through in my Golf R (a much less capable vehicle) with DWS06+ all seasons. Granted they are snow rated, but not a substitute for real snow tires or chains. Same with my 3rd gen 4Runner. I’ve been waved through on Michelin LTX M/S2 all seasons. And that’s a part time 4WD system.

 

[RideWithYanu]

That’s not the issue, at least not for many of us. In California we are required to carry chains in the mountains in winter. I’ve never been required to install them though since I’ve always driven AWD or full time 4WD vehicles in the mountains in winter. They close the roads before it gets that bad in most places. I carry cable chains that require less clearance. Socks probably qualify as well.

I understand - there are plenty of areas where I live (Western Cascade range) where traction tires or devices are required. I was addressing the notion of whether the vehicle is capable of the conditions.

 

[Ike582]

Anti snow chains on Amazon

Anti snow chains? Can you share a link?

 

[Nor Cal Cruiser]

It's easily comprehended, but it is pretty poor on Toyota's part. This is marketed as a go anywhere on road / off road vehicle. Part of that does require chains in certain conditions.

I haven't bought a LC yet, but this is a big negative for me if my large off road vehicle can't get me the mountain for skiing.

If you have a decent AT tire you do not need chains in any drivable conditions. If you needed chains the road would be closed. The LC can handle snow conditions as well as any other vehicle you could consider.

 

[RideWithYanu]

If you have a decent AT tire you do not need chains in any drivable conditions. If you needed chains the road would be closed.

I see it differently. There is a material difference between what is drivable with an AT tire (even a 3PMSF-rated one) and what’s drivable with a snow tire and/or a tire with chains. Further, there are plenty of scenarios where conditions are drivable with chains but not without but there is no road closure (including off-road).

I agree that the J250 is massively capable in the snow (with or without chains), but to dismiss the edge that chains give isn’t reasonable.

 

[NoMe cruiser]

I don’t have chains nor would I plan on using chains no matter what the vehicle unless for recovery. I can see where some people would want chains, especially if they have AT tires like the OP. Logging roads here don’t close, neither do the lakes. I have seen people with chains on logging roads but they didn’t have dedicated winter tires, just AT’s. Some people will use them on the lakes when the snow gets deeper, they work great for that and even with winter tires you won’t follow a truck with chains on the ice in deep snow. The majority of vehicles I see with chains are logging trucks and fuel delivery on logging roads exclusively and occasionally plow trucks on public roads or personal plow trucks.

 

[wpage]

Anti snow chains? Can you share a link?

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• Ultra Lightweight & Effective – This 10-piece Anti-Skid Tire Chain Set provides anti-skid and anti-slide traction, helping vehicles escape stuck positions in emergencies. Compatible with tire sizes from 175 to 295. Must be used at speeds below 40km/h (25mph).
• Nylon Material – Made with high mechanical strength and a high softening point for excellent shock absorption and reduced noise. Textured straps ensure a strong grip in snow, mud, or sand while avoiding dry pavement or uncovered flat ground.
• Safe for Aluminum Rims & Tires – Featuring a special one-piece and zip-latch design, these mud chains are firm yet metal-free, preventing scratches or damage to rims and tires.
• Multi-Functional Design – Doubles as a traction rope, survival rope, or wrapping rope, making it an essential for car and motorcycle road trips. Dual directional cleats with a double-tiered design provide superior traction in snow, ice, and mud.
• Easy to Use & Compact – Lightweight, space-saving, and easy to store in your vehicle. Safe for standard tires with no damage. For emergency use only – Remove after getting unstuck and drive at low speeds while in use.

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[RideWithYanu]

I don’t have chains nor would I plan on using chains no matter what the vehicle unless for recovery. I can see where some people would want chains, especially if they have AT tires like the OP. Logging roads here don’t close, neither do the lakes. I have seen people with chains on logging roads but they didn’t have dedicated winter tires, just AT’s. Some people will use them on the lakes when the snow gets deeper, they work great for that and even with winter tires you won’t follow a truck with chains on the ice in deep snow. The majority of vehicles I see with chains are logging trucks and fuel delivery on logging roads exclusively and occasionally plow trucks on public roads or personal plow trucks.View attachment 50565

That’s a lot of ice, I puckered a little!

 

[Nor Cal Cruiser]

I see it differently. There is a material difference between what is drivable with an AT tire (even a 3PMSF-rated one) and what’s drivable with a snow tire and/or a tire with chains. Further, there are plenty of scenarios where conditions are drivable with chains but not without but there is no road closure (including off-road).

I agree that the J250 is massively capable in the snow (with or without chains), but to dismiss the edge that chains give isn’t reasonable.

Don’t disagree, but if you are talking Tahoe, as the original post was, the roads will close before you’d ever need chains.

 

[SD_Driver]

I looked up the California regulations.

Frankly they’re retarded and probably written 50 years ago before the advent of severe snow service rated tires, or dedicated snow tires.

The only condition where you would have to mount chains is so bad there is a 99% chance the road will be closed.

As for the owners manual, Toyota is going to hedge their bets and recommend against chains on the larger stock tires because they don’t know what kind of chains a customer might decide to use. There are probably a ton of options out there that will work with plenty of clearance, but there are some that won’t.

Maybe California allows Snow Socks on tires as a “Traction Device”? Being as it’s California, a state run by idiots, probably not; but those might work too.

Not sure why you looked up California regulations and added your political commentary on California. Nevada is the state where I'm driving for skiing.

 

[RideWithYanu]

Not sure why you looked up California regulations and added your political commentary on California. Nevada is the state where I'm driving for skiing.

That’s the sort of person they are. Real lovely type.

 

[RUN-8]

Not sure why you looked up California regulations and added your political commentary on California. Nevada is the state where I'm driving for skiing.

I looked up the most strict statute, which is California.

Nevada regulations are more permissive, and frankly more reasonable. It appears that Nevada no longer requires chains on AWD or 4WD vehicles traveling to Tahoe as long as you’re on “snow tires”. They don’t even mandate real snow tires either, your stock M+S rated Dunlops or Yokohamas will qualify under both Nevada and California definitions of “snow tires” if you are going to be in either state.

https://www.dot.nv.gov/safety/safe-winter-driving/traction-and-chain-requirement-descriptions

 

[TakaraLC]

Man it is clear 90% of people commenting here never used/needed chains... You don't need chains for snow, you need it for ice (or snow packed into ice). Try going down a steep hill with non-studded tires without chains and see what happens.

 

[TakaraLC]

I looked up the California regulations.

Frankly they’re retarded and probably written 50 years ago before the advent of severe snow service rated tires, or dedicated snow tires.

The only condition where you would have to mount chains is so bad there is a 99% chance the road will be closed.

As for the owners manual, Toyota is going to hedge their bets and recommend against chains on the larger stock tires because they don’t know what kind of chains a customer might decide to use. There are probably a ton of options out there that will work with plenty of clearance, but there are some that won’t.

Maybe California allows Snow Socks on tires as a “Traction Device”? Being as it’s California, a state run by idiots, probably not; but those might work too.

If you aren’t familiar with Snow Socks here are some I observed mounted last fall in Gillette, WY on a Genesis sedan.

View attachment 50518View attachment 50519

These things are supposedly pretty effective as long as you observe their speed limitations, and they’re easier to put on.

Just don’t be like our Texan friend here. Traction devices don’t do a bit of good if they’re not on the drive axle.

There work, but they are more or less single season use. They fall apart even on sedans, they will probably fall apart after few uses on a vehicle as heavy as the LC.

 

[RUN-8]

Man it is clear 90% of people commenting here never used/needed chains... You don't need chains for snow, you need it for ice (or snow packed into ice). Try going down a steep hill with non-studded tires without chains and see what happens.

I do it all the time in the winter, without chains or studded tires.

I do own a set of dedicated (studless) snow tires though. I will say that their performance on ice is much much better than a set of 3PMSF branded all terrains. Studs might be a bit better on ice, but testing of studded vs non studded winter tires doesn’t show enough advantage for studs to make it worthwhile to put up with the downsides. At least for my use case, which is usually snow, or packed snow. We don’t get a lot of ice in the Black Hills because it’s usually so cold when snow flies that there is no melting on the road or preliminary freezing rain or sleet.

 

[RUN-8]

There work, but they are more or less single season use. They fall apart even on sedans, they will probably fall apart after few uses on a vehicle as heavy as the LC.

The driver of that Genesis was going to wear theirs out, and not even benefit from enhanced traction. There wasn’t enough snow or ice to warrant them being on the tires.

Plus the dimwit who was driving the car put the snow socks on the front wheels of a rear wheel drive car.

The Texas plate was icing on the cake of amusement for me.