I have to drive to north Texas next week (not optional) and need to be prepared for snow and ice. Is it worth picking up some chains just in case? if so, what kind? I drive a 2013 Tacoma double cab TRD Off Road 4x4 with stock tires (P265/70R16 BFGoodrich). Anything else that will help?
Need advice: emergency chains/gear for snow/ice?
- Thread starter TheDave
- Start date
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
Have you used chains before? Are you going to be going off road?
Just FYI I've lived in Colorado and Wyoming for the last 41 years and have never - ever - used chains. When I lived in Laramie, WY, which is at 7200' and has pretty brutal winters, I owned a 2wd Ford Ranger and bought some of those 'cable chains' they sell at the big auto stores. Never used them, it just never got bad enough for me to take the time to figure out how to put them on, tighten them, etc. Yes, I did slip and slide around a bit but as long as I was traveling on graded roads I did fine.
If you have the stock tires I presume those are still the "Rugged Trails?" Not a great tire, but not a terrible one either. I had that same tire on my '04 Tacoma during the winter of '06-'07, which was one of the worst winters I've ever seen in Colorado (we got 9 blizzards in 8 weeks.) I managed to do OK with the Taco and the Rugged Trails. Given that our bad weather seems to be blowing through now and will probably be past us by next week, I think you'll be fine without chains, unless you need to do a lot of traveling OFF of paved/graded roads or unless there is a LOT of ice on the roads.
Chains can be a real PITA to put on and if you don't put them on right, you can damage your vehicle. There's a reason very few vehicles these days use chains.
Just FYI I've lived in Colorado and Wyoming for the last 41 years and have never - ever - used chains. When I lived in Laramie, WY, which is at 7200' and has pretty brutal winters, I owned a 2wd Ford Ranger and bought some of those 'cable chains' they sell at the big auto stores. Never used them, it just never got bad enough for me to take the time to figure out how to put them on, tighten them, etc. Yes, I did slip and slide around a bit but as long as I was traveling on graded roads I did fine.
If you have the stock tires I presume those are still the "Rugged Trails?" Not a great tire, but not a terrible one either. I had that same tire on my '04 Tacoma during the winter of '06-'07, which was one of the worst winters I've ever seen in Colorado (we got 9 blizzards in 8 weeks.) I managed to do OK with the Taco and the Rugged Trails. Given that our bad weather seems to be blowing through now and will probably be past us by next week, I think you'll be fine without chains, unless you need to do a lot of traveling OFF of paved/graded roads or unless there is a LOT of ice on the roads.
Chains can be a real PITA to put on and if you don't put them on right, you can damage your vehicle. There's a reason very few vehicles these days use chains.
DaveInDenver
Middle Income Semi-Redneck
I have chains for my truck and we have them for her car. We use them on the car once in a while on the road (it's a base FWD Jetta), mostly when we get caught in the mountains. They are the Thule cable ones and they're easy to put on and remove and work darn well. We don't have special winter tires, which many people do here. Just not in the financial cards for us.
I've only used them on the truck a couple of times on the road but mostly they are just for fun.
I used them during the FEAT activation in March 2003 when we got that big storm and once up at the tunnel years ago, which has been the only time I've ever used them on the Interstate, once in the La Sals and another time up in Montana when visiting a friend in Butte. I'm comfortable with them and know how to install & remove and tension but I still worry going any faster than like 25.
North Texas ice storms are nothing like the snow we get here I'd expect. I remember ice storms from growing up in Missouri, literally an inch of ice on everything. Chains would help I suppose but studded snows are what you want. If it's bad enough that decent tires on a Taco don't cut it I'd just wait it out a day before moving personally.
I've only used them on the truck a couple of times on the road but mostly they are just for fun.
I used them during the FEAT activation in March 2003 when we got that big storm and once up at the tunnel years ago, which has been the only time I've ever used them on the Interstate, once in the La Sals and another time up in Montana when visiting a friend in Butte. I'm comfortable with them and know how to install & remove and tension but I still worry going any faster than like 25.
North Texas ice storms are nothing like the snow we get here I'd expect. I remember ice storms from growing up in Missouri, literally an inch of ice on everything. Chains would help I suppose but studded snows are what you want. If it's bad enough that decent tires on a Taco don't cut it I'd just wait it out a day before moving personally.
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1911
Expedition Leader
I live in north Texas. On the one hand, whenever we get snow or an ice storm (like today) it usually melts pretty quickly since it's unusual for the temperature to stay below freezing for more than a couple of days at a time. On the other hand, many counties are woefully lacking in sanding trucks and plows are almost non-existent, so it might be a while before many main roads are sanded and a lot of rural roads and even highways (outside of a major metro area) will not be treated at all.
The problem with chains is that road conditions are likely to change rapidly, from ice/snow to wet but otherwise bare asphalt and back again. It might be OK to have some in the bed of the truck just in case, but chances are you may have to take them off and put them back on more than once or twice. So if you buy some, get some that are relatively easy to put on and have easy tension adjustment, like RUD chains for example. But I wouldn't be in a hurry to put them on if conditions aren't really grim. I have a set of chains for both the front and rear of my truck(s), but hardly ever use them here unless I'm pulling-out passers-by from the borrow ditches along the rural stretch of road where I live.
On your Taco, you probably won't be able to put chains on the front because their isn't enough clearance to the upper control arms, which is too bad because pickup trucks benefit from chains on the front a lot more than chains on the rear. The other thing that will help you (with or without chains on the rear) is to put some weight in the bed.
Good luck with your trip. The ice we have now should be melted off by next week, if we don't get more then.
The problem with chains is that road conditions are likely to change rapidly, from ice/snow to wet but otherwise bare asphalt and back again. It might be OK to have some in the bed of the truck just in case, but chances are you may have to take them off and put them back on more than once or twice. So if you buy some, get some that are relatively easy to put on and have easy tension adjustment, like RUD chains for example. But I wouldn't be in a hurry to put them on if conditions aren't really grim. I have a set of chains for both the front and rear of my truck(s), but hardly ever use them here unless I'm pulling-out passers-by from the borrow ditches along the rural stretch of road where I live.
On your Taco, you probably won't be able to put chains on the front because their isn't enough clearance to the upper control arms, which is too bad because pickup trucks benefit from chains on the front a lot more than chains on the rear. The other thing that will help you (with or without chains on the rear) is to put some weight in the bed.
Good luck with your trip. The ice we have now should be melted off by next week, if we don't get more then.
DaveInDenver
Middle Income Semi-Redneck
I dunno, something about having them and not needing them instead of needing them and not having them. If you've never used them, though, I'd think the last place you want to learn is elbow deep in muck. It's a lot easier to figure it out and trim them (they will fit several size tires so you usually need to customize a little) when it's nice outside. I have a system, lay out the chains, put blocks in the middle, back over them, install chains, etc.
Ace Brown
Retired Ol’ Fart
I have a set of Rud chains but not used yet (JIC). Easy to put on though. When I drove pickups in the winter always carried at least two bags of sand for weight and traction. Be careful they don't get wet or they freeze and become useless for aiding traction. Need a shovel in case you need to dig out or to spread that sand. I always carry a sleeping bag in case I have to spend the night in my truck. Keep the tank near full to reduce condensation and possible iceing. Also can keep the engine running on/off to keep the cab warm if you get stuck.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I've used chains, but if your in mixed conditions, its not very good- cant really use it on the highway unless you like the noise and wear and tear on your suspension and your chains. I also used the cable chains. It does offer some tremendous grip in snow and ice. Heck I've had it on my subaru with studded snows- it can just claw its way through like no other.
I never worry about snow that much- its a given constant. Its the patches of ice that are the real dangers IMHO. For that, only studs, or studdless snows will provide you any safety margin. Any snow tire will be better.
I never worry about snow that much- its a given constant. Its the patches of ice that are the real dangers IMHO. For that, only studs, or studdless snows will provide you any safety margin. Any snow tire will be better.
Erik N
Adventurer
Wait a day or 2? It will thaw by then.
Texas freeze is not nearly as bad as the locals would have you believe. It's not like you will encounter insurmountable snow banks or several weeks worth of black ice.
But to answer you original question, a decent jacket, good hat, thick socks, and shoes should suffice.
Texas freeze is not nearly as bad as the locals would have you believe. It's not like you will encounter insurmountable snow banks or several weeks worth of black ice.
But to answer you original question, a decent jacket, good hat, thick socks, and shoes should suffice.
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colodak
Adventurer
My opinion may not be popular, but. As a trucker, who is more than exp. (could almost do it blindfolded) with putting chains on. My philosophy is this, if I need them on the semi to get down the road, so be it. If I need them on my 4wd or AWD passenger vehicle to get around, I might be better off sitting it out and waiting.
Oh, and cable chains suck in mud and muck, you would need regular link tire chains.
Truthfully, you should be fine, the storm they are getting now will be gone by then and the roads cleared up. As having driven thru the DFW area following an ice storm, I would be more concerned about the lack of driving skills of Texans than I would the roads themselves.
Oh, and cable chains suck in mud and muck, you would need regular link tire chains.
Truthfully, you should be fine, the storm they are getting now will be gone by then and the roads cleared up. As having driven thru the DFW area following an ice storm, I would be more concerned about the lack of driving skills of Texans than I would the roads themselves.
MadMedic
Technical Responce Medic
if you are worried about road conditions but don't want to use snow chains, then think about getting something like this http://www.autosockdirect.co.uk/?gclid=CL7vhsifobsCFQrJtAodLXwA1w
LR Max
Local Oaf
I wouldn't worry about it. We had a ton of ice here in ATL during snowpacolypse and as long as you didn't do anything stupid on the hills, I was fine with my BFG MTs. All of my yankee friends tell me that the BFG MT is absolutely horrible on snow and ice. I was cruising around in 2WD most of the time. 4WD for the hill starts. Then again I was screwing around, doing all kinda dumb stuff in front of the Weather Channel news crews so they can show the rest of the US a 40 year old truck doing a bootleggers turn on national TV.
Once you see the pavement completely covered, switch into 4WD. Also keep your speed down. Texas is usually pretty flat so that helps out a lot. Just keep your momentum and don't stop going up a hill. Never let your tank get below 1/2. If you do get stuck, you have a lot more options when you have 1/2 a tank of fuel. Also many times you'll run into traffic jams. I've heard of blowing a 1/4 tank up north just sitting there, idling in traffic. Still better than freezing your rear end off.
Throw a couple meals, some blankets, a deck of cards, and some other misc items to keep warm if you do have any issues. I've got a backpack in my trunk for such emergencies. Something like a jetboil would also be good. Bring some hot chocolate/coffee/tea so you can have a warm cup while you sit in the snow. Also gives you something to do. For being super cheap, get a couple forks/spoons from Wendys then go to the grocery store and get a bunch of cans of pasta. Cheap food that you can eat cold...that you probably won't use anyway.
xWhatever on adding weight. If you can add 500 lbs to the back of your truck, you'll be golden. The best I've seen was a nice thick piece of plate. It was left on a job site and the guy had his buddy lift it in there with a piece of equipment. Avoid bricks as they bounce around. I've seen them bounce around and tear up a drop in bead liner. I guess if you could contain and tie them down then they would be fine. On top of that, get you a bag of cat litter. You can throw that under the tires to give you traction (or so says the TV commercial). Best part about that is that whatever you don't use, give the rest of the bag to your local cat owner, so it isn't taking up space in your garage.
Once you see the pavement completely covered, switch into 4WD. Also keep your speed down. Texas is usually pretty flat so that helps out a lot. Just keep your momentum and don't stop going up a hill. Never let your tank get below 1/2. If you do get stuck, you have a lot more options when you have 1/2 a tank of fuel. Also many times you'll run into traffic jams. I've heard of blowing a 1/4 tank up north just sitting there, idling in traffic. Still better than freezing your rear end off.
Throw a couple meals, some blankets, a deck of cards, and some other misc items to keep warm if you do have any issues. I've got a backpack in my trunk for such emergencies. Something like a jetboil would also be good. Bring some hot chocolate/coffee/tea so you can have a warm cup while you sit in the snow. Also gives you something to do. For being super cheap, get a couple forks/spoons from Wendys then go to the grocery store and get a bunch of cans of pasta. Cheap food that you can eat cold...that you probably won't use anyway.
xWhatever on adding weight. If you can add 500 lbs to the back of your truck, you'll be golden. The best I've seen was a nice thick piece of plate. It was left on a job site and the guy had his buddy lift it in there with a piece of equipment. Avoid bricks as they bounce around. I've seen them bounce around and tear up a drop in bead liner. I guess if you could contain and tie them down then they would be fine. On top of that, get you a bag of cat litter. You can throw that under the tires to give you traction (or so says the TV commercial). Best part about that is that whatever you don't use, give the rest of the bag to your local cat owner, so it isn't taking up space in your garage.