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With winter snows coming or in some locations already here a few have been concerned about their 4Runner manual stating that they cannot utilize tire chains.
With the 265/70R18 Falken factory tires on our Off Road Premium I have that problem as the manual states that chains cannot be fitted to that specific tire. In WA State that is a real problem if you run our mountain passes. During the winter the state DOT sometimes require the use of tire chains. When posted the state either requires chains on all vehicles except all wheel drive or chains required on ALL vehicles, no exceptions. $500.00 fine if you get caught without them if required.
I figure the manual's guidance is simply a liability CYA for Toyota. Heavy cross bar chains such as those I use on another vehicle I own will definitely have clearance issues and will not work. However other types of chains or traction devices acceptable by the WA DOT will.
I went to my local trusted tire shop where a tech brought out a couple of sets to test fit. The set pictured appeared to work so I purchased them. The attached pictures were taken in my driveway where I fitted them once again for practice and took a close look at the fit. Keep in mind that when these are actually installed for use you are supposed to drive a few feet and tighten them up again which I didn't do so they would normally fit a bit tighter than shown. Even without tightening them further these appear to have no clearance issues as you can see from the photos.
I will likely never use these on pavement. However I have 3/4 of a mile of forest road I must often drive. In winter it is often covered in as much as 18 inches of snow before I get it plowed. And it includes an often icy hill that even when plowed I usually chain up as it's that bad. I am confident that these chains will work fine.
Do keep in mind that they must be mounted on the rear tires only. They do have clearance issues with suspension components up front.
I was advised by the tech that there is one other traction device that the WA State DOT will accept as a substitute for chains. It is a Tire Sock. It looks like a round piece of chain mail that you slip over the tire. A lot of WA truckers use them but I didn't think they would work for my situation.
With the 265/70R18 Falken factory tires on our Off Road Premium I have that problem as the manual states that chains cannot be fitted to that specific tire. In WA State that is a real problem if you run our mountain passes. During the winter the state DOT sometimes require the use of tire chains. When posted the state either requires chains on all vehicles except all wheel drive or chains required on ALL vehicles, no exceptions. $500.00 fine if you get caught without them if required.
I figure the manual's guidance is simply a liability CYA for Toyota. Heavy cross bar chains such as those I use on another vehicle I own will definitely have clearance issues and will not work. However other types of chains or traction devices acceptable by the WA DOT will.
I went to my local trusted tire shop where a tech brought out a couple of sets to test fit. The set pictured appeared to work so I purchased them. The attached pictures were taken in my driveway where I fitted them once again for practice and took a close look at the fit. Keep in mind that when these are actually installed for use you are supposed to drive a few feet and tighten them up again which I didn't do so they would normally fit a bit tighter than shown. Even without tightening them further these appear to have no clearance issues as you can see from the photos.
I will likely never use these on pavement. However I have 3/4 of a mile of forest road I must often drive. In winter it is often covered in as much as 18 inches of snow before I get it plowed. And it includes an often icy hill that even when plowed I usually chain up as it's that bad. I am confident that these chains will work fine.
Do keep in mind that they must be mounted on the rear tires only. They do have clearance issues with suspension components up front.
I was advised by the tech that there is one other traction device that the WA State DOT will accept as a substitute for chains. It is a Tire Sock. It looks like a round piece of chain mail that you slip over the tire. A lot of WA truckers use them but I didn't think they would work for my situation.
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