What snow cable or chain is everyone using?

What brand and model? Cables or chains? I’ve used Super Z6 (cables) on my prior Tacoma. What is everyone using for Tundras?

 

I've never used cables. Honestly, I haven't seen the point. Chains will last years, cables will last days.
I just buy what my local O'reilly's/AutoZone/etc. has in stock. Don't forget your tensioners!

 

I would recommend cables. Positive about cables is they break and there is no further damage. Chains is they break at the worst moments and make quick work of your bedsides, just ask me how I know..

 

Are you talking like mountain living, continuous use, daily driver?

I will say that most of the cables I've used were on lighter vehicles, (4Runner, Tacoma) but they always lasted me multiple seasons. I can't remember ever breaking any.

But that's putting them on when I had to, then maybe 20, 30, maybe 40 miles, or maybe a few days of driving then take 'em off as soon as I can. (I'm a flatlander)

I can see where cables might not hold up to constant use as well as chains. WAY more user friendly than chains though

That reminds me, we're going up to Big Bear for the wife's birthday, I better make sure the cables I have actually fit this truck in case there's a checkpoint and holding up 4 fingers doesn't work.

 

Ive used the Z SUV version (ZT747 for 255/70r18 and 4Runner too). There is only enough clearance for the rear tires, the fronts I found to be too tight to try doing all 4, which made them difficult to realistically use outside of an emergency situation. They definitely work and are the type you can put on without driving over. I run winter tires on all the cars now to just avoid that whole deal (wet performance is way better as a side benefit). Outside of snow wheeling in 2ft+ of snow have not seen a situation where chains are needed when using winter tires aired down yet.

 

I’m asking more for time to time use when it’s needed or required in the local mountains of southern and central California. Having said that I’ve never had to use them in prior cars but I carry them during winter driving just in case. Sounds like cables are the way to go for very occasional use. I might just go with Super Z6 since I’m familiar with it.

 

Wow, following..was just going to ask this same ??? Thanks

 

Glacier Twist Link for the truck with the Titan Multi-arm rubber snugger purchased through eTrailer (great price and good company to deal with) - great for the occasional winter trip into the Sierras.

I like cables for light vehicles - easy on & off, quieter, and the ride is more pleasant.

Anyone tried socks? (For a car, not your truck of course). I was tempted but decided to stick with what I know.

 

I admit I have little usage of either, but I've never seen broken chains on the side of the road. Cables I see all over the place. I think it's very likely that is the fault of the installer, and not the cables themselves.
Chains are pretty intense, and quite heavy, so I get how cables would be better for most.

I will say, chains can be more versatile. They can be used to get anyone unstuck by laying them down in front of someone's wheels to provide traction. I have used my chains to get an 18 wheeler with a full trailer unstuck when he was bogging down traffic on a one-lane highway.


Edit: man, now I want to go skiing. Stoked that Mammoth has already got a good dump. It's nice to have an early SoCal season!

 

This is my first winter with a tundra. I have always had good vbar chains for shoulder season runs into my remote cabin, before the snow gets too deep. Under 10mph. I’m thinking a stock sr5 doesn’t have enough clearance in the front? Do you guys run them in the back? Thanks in advance.

 

I think you’re supposed to run them in the rear since it’s RWD. Love your truck- color and 8 foot bed! Rare combo.

 

Thanks, this is my first longbed, pumped. On my old trucks I always ran them in the front (gotta have 4wd here) for the slow crawl up the hills. I’m too cheap to lift the truck, want it as low as possible for loading motorcycles. Will run them on the rear wheels.

 

In the Cascades and Central Oregon, I generally don't run chains on maintained roads. Traction tires* are legal on AWD and 4WD passenger vehicles when ODOT imposes chain restrictions. There are some rare occasions when they impose a conditional closure requiring chains for all vehicles, but that is exceptionally rare (like once a year in the entire state). Even in those circumstances, it's almost unheard of for a passenger vehicle being stopped and cited.

With 4WD vehicles equipped with oversized AT tires, the biggest problem I see is over inflation. Half ton trucks and SUVs typically come stock with a passenger tire, however the oversized ATs that get installed are usually an LT tire. Tire shops like to inflate these to max sidewall pressure, which reduces the tire contact patch significantly. The second biggest problem is people driving way too fast. If your going faster than about 30-35 MPH on packed snow, you are wrong and you are going to crash eventually. If you crash, you're getting cited for driving too fast for conditions and then your insurance is going to hit you with a rate increase.


*Dedicated winter tires or tires with the 3 peak mountain snowflake symbol