Tire Chains/Cables

So we've got a few storms here in Flagstaff that have laid down a few inches of snow, which isn't a problem for my Tacoma, but that snow melts during the day, and I awaken to the road being a sheet of ice, for which my Tacoma is no match. I get to work, but I feel Scandinavian in my driving.

If we're doing any lengthy driving, usually we'll escape the ice and snow of Northern Arizona for warmer climates, and so we'll take the Fit (with snow tires) or we get the Tacoma a few miles outside of town for drier roads.

I'm afraid one of these times I'll be caught off guard in the Tacoma and need some traction. I don't want to purchase tires for the truck because I won't have it long.

What kind of tire chains or cable setups do you use?

Skip chains or cables and throw 700-800 lbs of sand in the bed of the truck. Instant traction in icy conditions.

Most town highway departments allow residents to bring some sand home to manage driveway and sidewalk ice. Get yourself three or four Rubbermaid tubs. Each one will hold a very manageable 100 pounds of sand. They will also keep it dry. Drill a couple of holes through the handle area and use cable ties to keep the lids from flying off.

I like this better than any other solid form of ballast. In a collision, the plastic should break apart and the potential energy from the weight should dissipate quickly as the sand scatters. At least in theory.

In the spring, return the sand to the highway department's pile.

The specs on my plow call for 400 pounds of ballast, so that's what I used. I even weighed them and they usually come in right around 100 pounds. You can even increase the effective load by moving them to the rear of the bed. I used this method for a bunch of years until I realized that I didn't really need ballast for traction.

Bonus: You have a handy supply of actual sand if you get stuck on glare ice.

IMO these are the best bang for the buck. http://www.lacledechain.com/light-truck-and-suvs/alpine-sport-super-sport

Get chain, not cable. Get the "easy on" ones, laclede is the most common one I have found, being sold under lots of different 'tire store' brands. Get some extra rubber bungee cords that you can use to get them on really tight, it helps a ton with drivability.

These seem like a heck of a good idea for the person who might need chains once or twice in their life.

https://zipgripgo.com/

I grew up when chains were the only alternative.

NEVER EVER AGAIN.

Nothing like a CJ5 with chains on all four.

We put chains on the fire trucks when the snow is more than 6 inches deep. I really hate driving on them. They shake the truck apart and really slow us down.

Chains are great in the deep stuff, I can run 30 mph in snow up to the bumper. Plan on using a lot of fuel I get 2-3 mpg doing that.

foxtrapper wrote: These seem like a heck of a good idea for the person who might need chains once or twice in their life. https://zipgripgo.com/

came here to say this, never used them but would be easy to throw in the vehicle and only use them when the snow gets really deep or your stuck.

I'm looking for something that I can run for a few days, to help with ice on the roads. The truck does fine in snow (4x4 helps) but its the ice that is the problem.

They grip on ice but they are rough and will wear quickly above 25 mph on hard surfaces.

I dont want new tires because I won't be owning this truck in a year and chances of purchasing a vehicle with similar tires are slim.

This showed up on my facebook feed.

https://zipgripgo.com/

Basically zip strips with studs. Looks interesting for $25

PHeller wrote: I'm looking for something that I can run for a few days, to help with ice on the roads. The truck does fine in snow (4x4 helps) but its the ice that is the problem.

Chains are not for running continually. Anything over 20mph on a paved road will wear them out to the point of breaking. And when they break they can tear the E36 M3 out of brake lines, etc.

Your best bet is winter tires with a good ice traction rating.

Problem solved!

java230 wrote: IMO these are the best bang for the buck. http://www.lacledechain.com/light-truck-and-suvs/alpine-sport-super-sport Get chain, not cable. Get the "easy on" ones, laclede is the most common one I have found, being sold under lots of different 'tire store' brands. Get some extra rubber bungee cords that you can use to get them on really tight, it helps a ton with drivability.

Would you mind specifying your objections to the cable-style? It would seem to me they could better handle hitting the occassional patch of clear pavement better than chains.

Chains are street legal in Arizona?