Chains or cables

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astro_nutter - 25 Oct 2004 23:29 GMT

I have a new 2004 Tacoma 4x4 with 265/70 R16 M+S tires. I am planing to
drive to the local ski resorts this winter and have a few questions about
using cables or chains.

I have read the owner's manual and it discusses chains. Can cables be used?
or should chains be installed for the snow/icy roads?

Is there an advantage/disadvantage with cables on the front tires as well as
the back?

Thank you very much.

Kevin

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rj - 26 Oct 2004 00:24 GMT

If you're in 4WD, I'd put them on the front, (we did that in the military),
that's where most of the braking is. You can put them on all 4 if you'd
feel safer.
RJ

>I have a new 2004 Tacoma 4x4 with 265/70 R16 M+S tires. I am planing to
>drive to the local ski resorts this winter and have a few questions about
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Kevin

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Roger Brown - 26 Oct 2004 03:02 GMT

> If you're in 4WD, I'd put them on the front, (we did that in the military),
> that's where most of the braking is. You can put them on all 4 if you'd
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> >
> > Kevin

Normally, the driving tires get the chains first (rear on 4WD), that is
what California requires:
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/chcontrl.htm
I've run both crosslinked chains and cables. I prefer the cables for
ease of installation and removal and reasier to drie on. They may not
give the extreme traction like good chains will, but work well enough.
At least where I drive (in CA) most of the highways get shut down before
4WD vehicles must run chains (R3 conditions). I think I've only seen
one time in 25 winters with R3 conditions, its usually R1/R2 then
closed.

I currently with the SCC Z-Chains, they work very good and are the
easiest to install chains I've ever had. The one and only time I've
used them, I put them on with the wheels buried to the axle in snow, did
not have to move the vehicle at all to get them on:
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CA-4/Images/Apr21/Image05.jpg

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Roger

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Skip - 26 Oct 2004 05:26 GMT

>I have a new 2004 Tacoma 4x4 with 265/70 R16 M+S tires. I am planing to
>drive to the local ski resorts this winter and have a few questions about
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
>Kevin

I've used both on my Tundra and got tired of all the hassle of putting
them on (strangely enough, it was always cold and icy) with arthritic
hands. I went with Spikes Spider chains. I leave the mounts on all
winter (it takes 5 minuts per wheel to put them on) and if I need the
chains, they take about 30 seconds a wheel to put on. They take even
less time to remove. They don't need to be adjusted once mounted,
don't beat your wheel wells, don't rip off your wheel cylinders and
don't fall off.

They are expensive but, in my humble opinion, well worth what I paid
for. them.

I have 4WD and put them on the rear tires. Never had a problem with
control on ice, snow or mud. Your tire size uses the same model as
mine do.

Take a look: http://www.spikes-spiders.com/

And, no, I don't own any stock in the company.

Skip

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Ken Shelton - 27 Oct 2004 17:56 GMT

Cables will do fine. I like the idea of the Z-cables. The best chains are
probably the diamond-pattern chains.

Two problems with chains on the front except for very slow speed plowing,
etc. There may be little room for the chains when the steering is
hard-over. And, you want the chains in the back to serve as an anchor to
keep you straight when you brake.

There is no need for front & rear chains on any highway. On unplowed roads,
yes.

Ken

> I have a new 2004 Tacoma 4x4 with 265/70 R16 M+S tires. I am planing to
> drive to the local ski resorts this winter and have a few questions about
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Kevin

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rkstreet - 27 Oct 2004 18:25 GMT

> Cables will do fine. I like the idea of the Z-cables. The best chains are
> probably the diamond-pattern chains.
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
>>
>>Kevin

Thank everyone very much. I will be buying some cables soon.

Kevin

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