ive searched but cant find an answer to my questions
i have a 00 2wd reg cab 4.2l. me and some friends are going up to tahoe(i live in the bay area) for new years. ive been in the snow but never driven in it,especiay with 2wd. i have 32" bft at's with alot of tread still.i will probably use chains at most like 2 times a year
question 1
will/do i need chains?
question 2
is it worth buying them when i wont use them that much? or can i like rent them?
question 3
i know for sand and mud and such you lower your tire pressure for better traction...is this the same for snow? or should i leave them at street pressure?
question 4
if i need chains, which ones? cable? square link,v link etc...
question 5
i assume since i only have 2wd i only need a set for the front right? or do i need all 4?

sorry for all the questions-just dont know much about snow and chains

 

no one use chains on here?

 

i dont have chains but i do have 32" bfgs and i drive in snow daily now...i can get around fine in 2wd but that may be because i do it everyday and have had some practice. you can do other things to your truck to make it go better through the snow besides chains. you can add weight to the bed of your truck and the weight will give you better traction.

 

thanks thats the kind of info im looking for...how much weight do you like to put in your bed, and what do you use?

 

a lot of people use sand and sand doubles because if if you do get slipped up
sand will be good for traction...some people use a couple hundred pounds, they sell sand tubes and some people just take a loader bucket and dump in about 700#. i think for a 150, 500 should be fine, right in the middle. ive seen people carry old carpet and plywood for traction if they get stuck too.

 

Yes adding weight will help. Lowering the pressure in snow will not.
When you add the weight, add it above and in front of the rear axle, not behind. Behind may help with traction to start, but it will take weight off the front.

For weight, do not use things like concrete block.

 

ok. im going to get a above the rails toolbox tommorow so i think ill just put a decent amount of weight in that thing and see how it helps. i might also get some of those sand tubes your talking about to throw between the wheel wells

 

where do i get these sand bags? is it just something i can get at like an ace or homedepot?

 

I was at Home Depot yesterday and saw them there. There were bags of sand and the tubes of sand as well. I didnt check the price, but I believe they are fairly cheap.

 

I haven't been to Tahoe but last winter I did go to Big Bear and CHP had the highway blocked. 2wd's were required to use chains and 4wd's were required to carry them, otherwise they turned you around. So, even if you don't use them, it may be a good idea to just have a set in truck. Some places will let you return them if you don't use them. Just FYI.

 

I agree it is better to have them and NOT need them than need them and not have them. They are not that expensive either. I have never used them since I have 4x4 and mud/snow tires but I think I'll be getting a set here soon just in case.

 

hmmm ok...i guess ill get a set to carry, but the cheapest ive found online is around $50. anyone got a good cheap place to get some chains?

 

They will be a lot more than that if you have to buy them in some mountain town. $50 is pretty cheap I think.

 

true true,..but you know about us college kids....always want money...never have it...haha

 

You probably don't need to go out and get a bunch of sand bags. if you are heading up with your buddy's and a bunch of gear you should have enough weight. From what I know, chains= better traction than cable. Cable's are easier to put on and take off. I would definately get some though. Last thing you want to do is sit in traffic for a couple of hours then turn around when they start chain control. I always check out weather.com before i head up to get an idea what to expect.

You guys should have a good time. My buddy's and i have been up there several times for new years.