Tire Chains on 2006 Limited

jtstachler · Nov 26, 2006

I may be making a trip from San Jose to Lake Tahoe in February, and I'd like to take along some tire chains. I noticed there isn't much clearance above the front tires and the spring and wondered if anyone has used tire chains (I plan to use cable chains) on the Limited model and how it worked out.

Thanks!

summerwind · Nov 26, 2006

Doesn't look like the owners manual is much help..

It just says put them on the front wheels and don't use the wrong combination of tire and chain or damage could result..jeez. :wall
It also looks like the manual only talks about link chains.

Opinion here but would feel that as long as there isn't a lot of excess cable after it goes through the latching part on the back side of the tire to snag something it should be ok.

From what has been posted so far it appears the RAV4 handles fine without them in snow.

Ice on the other hand is a whole different ballgame.

jtstachler · Nov 26, 2006

Thanks for the quick reply! I'm pretty sure I'll be fine without chains, but I'm a firm believer in "better to have and not need than to need and not have". Best Regards.

summerwind · Nov 26, 2006

In Washington, if the chains required is posted you can four wheel it but you have to have chains in the car.

Would recommend trying them on a wheel after you buy them to check out the clearances. I have bought some in the past that had the correct tire size on the box but didn't fit.

John E Davies · Nov 26, 2006

summerwind said:
In Washington, if the chains required is posted you can four wheel it but you have to have chains in the car.

With AWD and good snow tires, not All-seasons, you should never actually need to install the chains, though as summerwind noted, AWD is exempt here in Washington State, but you do have to bring some along "just in case". Usually before the ultimate "All vehicles must install chains" situation develops, the State Patrol shuts down the highway.

I always carry chains or cables in all my vehicles - I have never been actually forced to install them other than to negotiate super-deep snow drifts on small some side road.

John Davies
Spokane WA

RAVPHO · Nov 26, 2006

Same goes for California.

If Caltrans posts 'chains required'; as long as you have 4x4 and carry chains; they waive you through the checkpoints. I never had to use my chains on my 4.2 4wd RAV, even in the 2004-05 season when Tahoe had a massive storm that dumped 16 feet over 3 days. Although, alot of the credit goes to Caltrans' workers who cleared the roads; they were still totally caked over w/ ice and snow.

I just hope the 4.3 on demand system is in the same ballpark (when it comes to snow/ice) as the 4.2 awd system. I should be able to get a better idea next month when I go to CO.

summerwind said:
In Washington, if the chains required is posted you can four wheel it but you have to have chains in the car.

noresults · Nov 26, 2006

I ski often and was at Mt Hood yesterday with a foot of new snow on the road where I parked. Snow was up to the trailer hitch. No problem at all. Had to laugh though not far up the road was a rav4 sport with chains on the front. LOL.

Mine is the v-6 limited.

flyingn · Nov 26, 2006

so a foot of snow was not a problem?? cool

noresults said:
I ski often and was at Mt Hood yesterday with a foot of new snow on the road where I parked. Snow was up to the trailer hitch. No problem at all. Had to laugh though not far up the road was a rav4 sport with chains on the front. LOL.

Mine is the v-6 limited.

jtstachler · Nov 27, 2006

For Noresults: What kind of tires are you using?

Were these snow tires? I'm still using the Yokohamas that came with my Rav, so I'm not sure how well they'll do in the snow. Any ideas?

noresults · Nov 27, 2006

I am running CooperDiscoverer M&S with studs P225/70 R16 for the winter season. As of 9am Monday it is snowing hard on Mt Hood and chains or studded tires are required. These work great in the snow.

Tire Chains on 2006 Limited

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