Tire Chains

[RancherJohn]

You'll want chains for all 4, and like cnelk said, if you need them you use them regardless of where it is, but I highly doubt you'll use them on a paved road - you will on USFS & BLM roads if it's wet/slick/snowy. V-bar chains are the cat's meow, if you can fit them. Use chains to get out of where you were, not into where you need to go.

As far as a trailer & chained up rig; the trailer will slide sideways on any sort of sidehill, you won't really be able to reverse, and when you slow down it'll want to push off to one side or another. Chaining the trailer tires can help to an extent, but if it's deep snow the axle and underside of the trailer will just drag and keep you from moving.

Or it could be 60* at the end of November and you'll be wondering why we gave you all this doom and gloom advice.

 

[MRC]

I also drive a Tundra. Sent you a pm

 

[11boo]

I used to carry 4 chains, only ever needed 2. Always carry extra tensioners, and some tie wire. Unless your chains fit perfectly there will be a few extra links dangling from the end that gets clamped. Tie wire secures that.

The tundra might not have clearance for front chains either.

 

[Montana Slim]

You'll want chains for all 4, and like cnelk said, if you need them you use them regardless of where it is, but I highly doubt you'll use them on a paved road - you will on USFS & BLM roads if it's wet/slick/snowy. V-bar chains are the cat's meow, if you can fit them. Use chains to get out of where you were, not into where you need to go.

As far as a trailer & chained up rig; the trailer will slide sideways on any sort of sidehill, you won't really be able to reverse, and when you slow down it'll want to push off to one side or another. Chaining the trailer tires can help to an extent, but if it's deep snow the axle and underside of the trailer will just drag and keep you from moving.

Or it could be 60* at the end of November and you'll be wondering why we gave you all this doom and gloom advice.

This...

 

[cnelk]

If you buy 2 chains put one on the left front tire and one on the back right tire. Helps prevent damage to your drive train and will keep you running true up or down the road.

If you've never put chains on before, do yourself a favor and put them on your truck a few times before you get out here.

Unless you have posi traction, that’s not going to help much. Usually the tires with with least amount of traction are the ones that spin.

 

[realunlucky]

If you buy 2 chains put one on the left front tire and one on the back right tire. Helps prevent damage to your drive train and will keep you running true up or down the road.

If you've never put chains on before, do yourself a favor and put them on your truck a few times before you get out here.

I often only use two chains, if you put them on both front tires the truck will turn and stop much better.

Sent from my moto z3 using Tapatalk

 

[Elk Dreamer]

I don't think you can use chains on front tires on a Tundra. I am in the same situation
with my 2016 Ford 150. Says no chains on front tires and I do not have posi traction. I
ordered 2 chains but not sure how much of a advantage it will give me.

 

[Gerbdog]

I have a set of 2 chains in my truck at all times living here in CO. They absolutely get used as well, pop em under the front wheels with 4wd. The lone time i decided to hunt rifle here in my 2nd year living in CO i plowed a path to the top of a mountain and slept through a blizzard because A . im a moron and B. i dont know nothing about later season elk ..... funny enough after the blizzard there were brand new bull tracks through 2.5' of snow near my camp..... but ended up having to go much lower on the mountain to find the elk herds haha. Chains got me back down the mountain and then i took them off to crawl through the mud with the orange army.

 

[Deadspace]

Not sure if it’s been mentioned but get them with cleats if it’s an option. You can climb up an icy telephone pole with a set of those.

 

[go_deep]

I often only use two chains, if you put them on both front tires the truck will turn and stop much better.

Sent from my moto z3 using Tapatalk

Unless you get on a greased up or icy road that has a side pitch, then the back of your truck slides into the ditch.

 

[go_deep]

Unless you have posi traction, that’s not going to help much. Usually the tires with with least amount of traction are the ones that spin.

I've had 4 different chevy work trucks, 1 dodge work truck, and my personal trucks. This is the only method I use after a coworker recommended it, works amazingly well.

 

[Southforkguy]

One slip and slide event and you'll be chaining up all 4s everytime

 

[sneaky]

There's always spacers you can run short term if you think you'll need clearance on the front. Or some low clearance, but lower traction, type chains or cables. Anything beats nothing.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[Dust Rider]

I keep two sets (4) behind my rear seat in my truck. They are cheap insurance. No cell service where we go. Practice putting them on several times when it’s warm and dry so your able to when SHTF.
We buy ours at NAPA.

 

[Blackstorm]

Got 2 sets last year and one of our guides took me to his truck store and they sized them perfectly for my truck a 2012 Ram, they will be a nightmare to put on but they will work in snow and mud. Guide uses zip ties to secure loose links of chain, so they don't tear the inside of my wheel wells

 

[Deadfall]

I don't think you can use chains on front tires on a Tundra. I am in the same situation
with my 2016 Ford 150. Says no chains on front tires and I do not have posi traction. I
ordered 2 chains but not sure how much of a advantage it will give me.

Huge advantage. I use chains every year, alot of times to just get home.

 

[Deadfall]

Oldtimers chained back 2 wheels on a 2 wheel drive rig and go anywhere they had nuts enough to wonder.

With 4x4 no need for front chains. If the chains have any heft to them at all and are on front wheels, soon as you turn going to tare up brake lines. Especially with the big fat tires everyone runs these days

 

[Elk Dreamer]

Deadfall I agree it's not that I don't want to chain up all 4 but tearing up my brake
lines does not seem like a great option. I called Ford reps but really did not learn
anything as what has been mentioned I am sure it's a liability issue.

 

[ahlgringo]

I also only chain rears, don't have the clearance to run proper chains up front (most newer trucks don't). It has suited me well over the years. You absolutely do have to manage the steering though.

 

[cured_ham]

After not having chains last year and needing them I picked up these.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/trac-grabber-traction-devices

Hopefully I will not be hacking down branches to use for traction on snow.