We're going to be travelling to the back roads of Oregon at the end of January. I've been told that tire chains would be a nice thing to have. We're coming from So. Cal. so white stuff on the ground will be pretty new to our driving experience.

I figured I'd order on-line since the couple of places I checked locally don't have them in stock (not really a big seller in So. Cal.).

There are chain type, cable type, ladder, z-style, etc. I figure the forum folk who leave in frozen nether regions could recommend a style from personal experience.

The vehicle is a 2002 Toyota Highlander; stock tires (P225 70R16); not that it plays into the particular style.

Thanks!

Try Tirechains.com

I've ordered from them and their customer service is great and prices are about half price. I use 4 sets on my Ford Ranger to get up and down my mountain. I leave my Highlander at the bottom. I imagine chains would work great on the Highlander as well. I'd consider whether you would really need chains however. Highlanders are so good ( I assume you have an all-wheel drive) that you probably won't need them unless there are steep hills and ice involved. It's a bother to put them on and off. PM me for more advice if you'd like as I unfortunately have all too much experience with chains lately.

Chains? I never used chains and I live in New England. I don't even have an SUV, let alone 4x4.

No. it's not 4WD; only front.

I've looked at tirechains.com but wasn't sure if one style or type is better than another...

For ice, you want the V-bar chains. Since you only have front wheel drive, you'd of course place the chains on the front. The v-bar ones come with cams. They supply a tool which you use to tighten up the chains after you have them on. You still need either bungee type things or I use spring tighteners to really sinch up the chains.

MartyStickle Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> For ice, you want the V-bar chains. Since you only
> have front wheel drive, you'd of course place the
> chains on the front. The v-bar ones come with
> cams. They supply a tool which you use to tighten
> up the chains after you have them on. You still
> need either bungee type things or I use spring
> tighteners to really sinch up the chains.

No. Since he has FWD, chains go on all four. Putting chains only on the front can cause the vehicle to spin in slick conditions. (IIRC.)

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I think there's considerable difference of opinion about front vs. rear chains. Generally, I put chains on the back wheels when going down my mountain (if I plan to take them off at the bottom) and on the front for going uphill. But you're right MAVIC about the danger of slipping without chains on the back. I wonder at the usefullness of chains on non-driving wheels. I don't have any! In any case, going back to the original question, I still wonder if chains are a bit of overkill anyway. If the roads are so bad that one can't drive with a good front wheel drive car, it might be better to stay inside until the roads get better anyhow.

MikeF, Better make sure tire chains are legal to use in Oregon. They are illegal to use in some places because they are hard on the roadways.

You can get chains or cables in SoCal auto parts stores no problem. I got mine for my truck. Pepboys, etc.

He DOES NOT have 4wd, only front wheel drive. Chains on front only.

Chains go on the driving wheels. There is no "considerable difference of opinion" unless you're talking about 4wd. In the 4wd case, it is generally unsafe to put them on the front in any but the most severe conditions because in a braking situation the fronts will grab and the rear will slip, thus spinning the car. Check any car owner's manual, chain site or off-roading site.

If you have an FWD vehicle the chains go on the front. For convenience, cable chains are nice. For serious bad weather, V-chains are what you want. The critical thing is that you practice putting them on in your nice dry driveway, not in a snowstorm.

There is no way on earth that a FWD car can come close to the traction of any car with chains. It makes no difference which wheels are driving when you hit ice of deep snow. To claim otherwise is hogwash.

Chains are legal here in Oregon (so are studded tires in winter up until april I believe). We have had to chain up our FWD (front tires only) coming from Eastern Oregon (Bend/Sisters) to Eugene and we carry chains for our 4WD truck when making the trip to Crater Lake. Right now the weather is pretty warm and chains are probably not needed but should be carried just in case.

jesse

Chains are legal everywhere (when used in appropriate conditions). It is studded tires that are not (they have been illegal here in Minnesota for several decades).

If you are not used to winter driving at all then if chains are required you should not be driving that particular day. Guaranteed.

Cains are readily available throughout So Cal, they are in fact mandatory after a snowfall in the Angeles Forest and other mountain roads.

You can be ticketed and turned away if you show up without them. Just bring the car to any auto parts store, they'll size you up.

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"Who's more foolish - the fool or the fool that follows him?" - Obi Wan Kenobi

chains? It's 50 and raining in Seattle.

It's always 50 and raining in Seattle. Well raining anyway.

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"Who's more foolish - the fool or the fool that follows him?" - Obi Wan Kenobi

sometimes it is in the '70s and raining. Someitmes it is 33 and raining.

We almost never get actual snow to any degree in Seattle (Actually seattle, not the seattle "area".) Seattle has too much water around it to get cold enough long enough to snow much, or for it to stay around for more than a few days.

5 white Xmas in the last 100 years.

I have seen mold and moss on cars though.

>chains? It's 50 and raining in Seattle.
How 'bout Snoqualmie Pass?