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Snow chains - a few basic questions

I have just bought a used 97 SR5 4WD 4Runner with 50K miles on it (with newish M&S tires) and taking it up to snow country this week. In California, you are required to carry chains at all times. I hope not to use them, but in the event they are required (R3 rating) which set of tires should I put them on? One option is on the rear tires with the vehicle in 2WD (like a regular 2WD vehicle), but is it better in 4WD when you only have one set?

I know that the best thing is snow chains on all four tires in 4WD but I'd like to avoid that. I called Toyota and the recommendation in the 2003 owner's manual is to put the snow chains on the rear wheels, but there is nothing about it in the 1997 manual. I have read many people however recommending the front tires since those are involved in the steering, though it could lead to fishtailing downhill.

Two more general questions for those more experienced ? thanks ;-)

1) If there is the choice (i.e. no Highway Patrol requirements) is it generally better to go 4WD and no chains (but M&S tires) or 4WD with one set of chains (and M&S tires) 2) If in 4WD, and driving at 30mph on snowy mountain roads ? should I be in 4H or 4L?

Thanks very much

Peter

Reply to
Peter McColgan
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If needed, I chain up the rear wheels on my 4Runner. I do have chains for all 4 but have never needed them. In CA, you only need to install chains on 4WD in R4 conditions:

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think I've seen R4 once in 24 years of driving up the the Sierra in thewinter, and that was a sign only, no chain control checkpoint. On any majorhighway, CalTrans usually closes the road if its too bad for R3.

4H is OK to use for these conditions with an automatic, however, I'll often use 4L with my 22RE/5-speed, as I then have 5 gears to choose from in the 0-30 MPH range, vs. about 2 in high range. Starting out in low range can help control wheel spin since you have better control over the wheel speed (assuming you don't mash down on the throttle).
Reply to
Roger Brown

I am curious- Why would I Chain up the rear first, then the front if I really needed it, IF:

Maximum braking occurs in the front. Maximum steering occurs in the front. And with 4wd, you get pulling power in the front as well.

Whereas, in the rear, you only get your pushing power and less braking power.

I just don't understand the logic.

Can you clarify?

4 but have never needed them. In CA, you only need to install chains on 4WD in R4 conditions:

use 4L with my 22RE/5-speed, as I then have 5 gears to choose from in the 0-30 MPH range, vs. about 2 in high range. Starting out in low range can help control wheel spin since

the throttle).

Reply to
Eddie

Because the rear wheels are the default driving wheels?

for all 4 but have never needed them. In CA, you only need to install chains on 4WD in R4 conditions:

often use 4L with my 22RE/5-speed, as I then have 5 gears to choose from in the 0-30 MPH range, vs. about 2 in high range. Starting out in low range can help control wheel spin since

down on the throttle).

Reply to
bearman

With rears chained, the rear end tends to stay in its place. Chain up the front only and you can get oversteer problems, rear end will want to slide out and pass the front end. Chains on the front wheels are not very pleasant for a long distance, you really feel them in the steering wheel, in back they are a lot smoother. Also, I find that where I drive in the snow, its common for the snow cover to break up then reappear as you drive. So I tend to shift in and out of 4WD as conditions warrant. If the front only were chained and you shift into 2WD, you no longer have chains on the driving wheels.

Reply to
Roger Brown

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