Tire Chains for Toyota

[MRP]

I have 40+ years of tire chain experience. I hate them with a passion. But they never leave my pickup. A truck with a open diff can go where the average 4x4 can’t, slimy mud and ice. The link above is commercial truck chains with rail tighteners. I’ve never seen these on pickup chains but I’m sure somebody might make them. Trig studded chains are #1 in commercial applications. But ruff as crossing train tracks because of the large cross-link size. I’ve cut several of these down for pickups. Not bad mud or snow but on ice it’ll take the fillings right out of your teeth. For most applications with a pickup you don’t overly sized cross links. The biggest thing is learning how to put them on right, I’ve seen them on inside out and other times so loose that they fall off. The good drivers who know how to put them on don’t use bungee cords, they don’t come in the bag when you get them and they’re not necessary. If they’re put on right. The drivers you hear going down the highway with the chains flailing around sometimes even hitting their fenders with dozen bungee cords on them and they’re still to loose. Can you take a look at these guys chains when they’re done, and they been wearing on the backside with the V bar or the studs pointed toward the tire because of the chains are on to loose the cross rails just roll over when you apply power. The v-bar pointing the wrong way will shorten your tire life immensely.

#1 thing put em on before you need them, it can be done after but you’ll never make that mistake again.

PS. I just watch some videos on chaining up pickups so they do make chains with rail tighteners that would be my first choice. This thing I did see wrong in the videos is they drove forward over the hooks. Going forward or backwards makes no difference, go the direction that gives you the most room to work just don’t drive over the hooks. There’s nothing worse than trying to put chains together with bent hooks. I always prefer to drive towards tails of the chains and then when you’re hooking up the hooks the tail end of the chain is always falling out of the way, if the tail is hanging down its always in the way making putting the hook on more difficult. Not always a big deal but we’re in chaining up at work several times a day it makes a difference.

[BRvalley]

on an f150 I've snapped the $150 chains I got from either Kal or Fountain tire years ago, messed up my fender flare but got lucky I didn't damage anything else

I have had these chains below for approx 5 years now and they never leave the truck year round, they are definitely heavier than the old chains i had, more expensive but they've held up better, very quick shipping....greasy roads hunting, ice fishing, extra traction pulling trucks out of the ditch on my travels, they've been worth the money

https://www.canadianchains.ca/Canadi...ruck_p_14.html

also agreed on the bungees, if the chains are fitted properly there is no need for the bungees

[4 point]

Vbar with cam locks only way to go. Mine bought new were clear coated and i just lay them out when I come home to dry and they have never gotten any rust in 10-12 yrs. Carry them in a plastic pail.

[upperleftcoaster]

Clearance is definitely an issue. I have a 2” leveling kit and even with the 33” tires on my f150 I have enough clearance for the v bar chains. It’s close though.

It’s the ol’ “better to have them and not need them” saying.

[Pacemaker]

I agree with those who suggest that V-bar ones are the way to go. As it happens, I have 2 sets of heavy duty V-bar chains for sale, listed on this site. $100 per set of 2 chains. Very good shape. Located in Campbell River.. Came off my old Toyota. Chains are approx 84” long.

[BCKID]

I got similar to these guys ((https://www.canadianchains.ca/Naviga...enger_p_9.html)) . I have a 2015 F150 and there's very little clearance on the front for chains. They do work tho. easy to put on. I think the style came out of Norway

[Downwindtracker2]

I've shortened a pair for a car, and then for a truck, I lengthened them. Same pair. There are tools and chain parts for that, I have the tools now, but a good tire shop should be able to do it. My last pair came out of a thrift store.

[Scance]

Am curious if you guys find a difference using the v bar chains as opposed to non v bar chains in the wet snow on Vancouver Island when up the mountains, I have tried both and found that I just dug deeper holes quicker with the v bar and got stuck more often, but was the opposite effect when I was in the interior of BC.. just a perspective any else have that experience

[Harvest the Land]

Vbar with cam locks. I picked up a set (2 chains) from Wesco in Port Kells, $125 after tax.

Thanks for the heads up on that. You saved me over $200. Owe you a beer or 5 if we ever cross paths.

Cheers!
Jason

[grantk]

Morfco is where I got mine. They have Kamloops, Langely, and Prince George locations. Much cheaper than ordering online. V-bars on the back and lower profile square chains on the front to clear the ball joints, go anywhere.