fattirerider

So we've been getting some very unusual amounts of snow up here in the pacific northwest. I've been getting around fine in my 95' 4runner with BFG ATs (31X10.5) Today I had to go up in to some suburbs where there was some very deep snow that had compact snow and ice under it. Fine going up but on the way down I slipped. I was going very slow but it was just too slippery. I almost hit one car then slid sideways into a snow bank and curb sideways that blew my tire off the rim. Now its parked in a neighborhood and I'm at home waiting for the snow to melt wondering if I had chains this could have been averted. Are chains going to work fine on an aggresive tire? Thanks!

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Tofer

yes they'll work on a AT.... but sounds like it wouldnt have mattered if you had chains or not.. Ice is ice.

Matt16

Chains are great for deep snow, and do offer an advantage on ice as well, however, on pavement, they decrease traction.

fattirerider

Thanks for the info.

I got my truck and took it to Costco and had them check out the tire and it was fine. Also had them balance and rotate them free of charge. Costco FTW!

I'm really impressed with my BFG ATs. Blew it off the rim and drove it a block and it sat for 3 days flat and is fine. Tough tires lol.

denpacc

No disrespect Tofer, but I thought the whole point of putting chains on was for ice on the road, irregardless of the snow depth. I certainly think having chains on would have prevented the slide down the hill and tire off of rim scenario, don't you? If ice is ice then why do tractor trailers put chains on before doing mountain passes? Around here its usually due to icy road conditions not deep snow.

Cheers

sa51

yeah they are great tires, not much helps out on glare ice though but chains do help, but tires with studs are your best bet for icy conditions.



edit: chains with V bars added to the links work wonders on ice. they are about useless on pavement though.

4runnermt

Here in western Montana, when the snow really dumps down, chains are required for travel on several of the paved mountain passes. If they weren't any good on pavement, I would think they wouldn't require them. Just a thought.

4Crawler

I have a set of SCC Z-Chains that I have used on my '85 w/ 33x10.50 ATs:

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CA-4/TR_2001_04_21.shtml

Only used them this one trip but it was a snow run in the spring when the sun started going down, the wet snow and our packed tracks started freezing. I had to pull two pickups up the icy hill so chained up. The Z-chains are very nice in that you can install them w/o having to move the vehicle. Plus with the zig-zag cables over the tire, they give very good coverage of the tread and very good traction. I had two xtra cab pickups hooked up behind me and pulled both up a steep icy hill without a problem.

Coyote Kid

Chains would have helped you. I live in the NM mountains, and have driven in all conditions- usually, new snow on hardpacked and icy base, and without chains, I'd be stuck a lot. My nokian hakkapellita tires handle all winter conditions better than my BFG ATs, by the way. Big difference; don't have to chain up as often.

okie81

I saw some idiot flare out his fender wells yesterday because he (or she) didn't put his chains on correctly; he (or she) just kept driving. I wish I had pictures of it...wall of shame material.

Matt16

We have a similar law here in BC. Cars and trucks must carry with them over certain passes, but it is up to their discretion when to use them. Metal doesn't grip pavement as well as rubber, so it would be illogical to force people to use chains on the pavement. If its a packed snow road, then I can see chains being justified.


How are the Hakkas in deep snow?


*****

Have you guys tried chains on the front wheels for deep snow? Its awesome, even going up hills (where you'd think you'd want more traction in the rear).

PDCCD

Not exactly on topic, but i've often wondered why i don't see anyone using chain on the mud trails? I remember seeing old pictures of loggers chained up to get through the mud. I'm just curious why i never see anyone doing it anymore? Is there a safety issue?

Coyote Kid

The Hakkas did well in fresh (12 inch) snow. Haven't tried them on deeper, as I have a stock 93 4Runner and the tranny has a tendency to overheat. I was able to drive 4 miles through that snow up the mountain and switchbacks, just had to slow down and resist the tendency to try to pick up speed by spinning them. Found they work best going slow and steady. So far, have only used them in powdery new snow.

I heard that chains on the front are a no-no, that it will ruin the CV joints- don't know the truth in that.

Matt16

The only way front chains will ruin the CV is if you spin the tires wildly then a chain catches on a stump, rock etc. I'll bet the chain breaks first though. Front chains seem to work really well, so I wouldn't rule that out for deep snow (low speed only).

Rear chains are safer on ice and do great in snow as well.




Below: The tracks beside my truck were my own, no one else was moving that day. I was trying to pack down some snow so that people could drive out of this street.







Gratuitous snow vid. Pardon the annoying music, I was playing around with youtube and I can't remove the annoying song.

YouTube Video

Fizboy

Matt you might as well buy a snow plow for the front of your runner and start a business. You could make money to by more toys for the runner.

It never snows on the east coast anymore. Just cold crappy rain. Makes for some good mud though.

Speaking of mud and chains. I think the reason you don't see people use chains on muddy trails anymore is because it tears up the trails and we have all become more aware of erosion problems that lead to problems with landowner relations.

PDCCD

Ahhh, good point. Hadn't considered that, figured they couldn't do more damage than Lockers with TSL's. But probably a good point. Thank you.

Pete