[Testing12]

I’ll be traveling up to Yosemite NP soon and am wondering about chains for my 2021 AWD Platinum Highlander (still with original tires). I believe California requires all vehicles to carry chains even if you’ll not be using them.

My questions: What chains to purchase and where to get them.

Thanks for any help with this.

 

[MEGEDH]

I purchased the Laclede ALPINE SPORT 2324 for my 2021 AWD Platinum. Les Schwab sells the same brand under their label and they offer a full refund at the end of the season for unused tire chains.

2324 - Laclede Chain

lacledechain.com

 

[2VZ-FE]

I’ll be traveling up to Yosemite NP soon and am wondering about chains for my 2021 AWD Platinum Highlander (still with original tires). I believe California requires all vehicles to carry chains even if you’ll not be using them.

My questions: What chains to purchase and where to get them.

Thanks for any help with this.

Yes, you need to carry them, in case you encounter an R3 chain control or conditions inside Yosemite that warrant putting chains on.

Toyota requires a 10mm inside clearance, which a lot of chains, especially inexpensive ones are not capable of, and it is tighter than "S-class" clearance chains

I have:
SCC Super Z6 SZ-435

Never used them in the snow yet. But keep them in the car in case Caltrans calls for a R3 chain control

 

[Sporan]

Very unlikely you'll need to chain up, but law requires you carry traction devices no matter. I'd go with tire socks. They actually work very well too if needed.

 

[Testing12]

Thanks everyone that has responded. I just ordered the chains 2VZ-FE recommended: SCC Super Z6 SZ-435 (Thanks, VZ-FE).
I hope, like Sporan has posited, I won't be needing to use them.

 

[SeanCLV]

Thanks everyone that has responded. I just ordered the chains 2VZ-FE recommended: SCC Super Z6 SZ-435 (Thanks, VZ-FE).
I hope, like Sporan has posited, I won't be needing to use them.

These are the same chains/cables I own, and I've had to use them once on my 2020 Highlander, and I've used the same brand and type about 3 times on my 2006 Highlander (I like to ski in fresh snow), and they work great.

My advice is to practice putting them on your car a few times at your house, better to learn how they work at the comfort of home, and not on the side of a cold/slushy/snowy road, potentially in the dark. On that note I keep some waterproof gloves, a headlamp, and one of those foam garden kneelers in my vehicle as well, it really helps with putting them on, if necessary.

I put the chains/cables on the front tires and turn off traction control, which I believe is correct and works for me, but you might want to check me on that in the owners manual.

For anyone else looking to buy chains or cables, don't be tempted to buy those one size fits many cheapo sets at Walmart, those things are a headache to install out in the wild and probably aren't compatible with the newer Highlanders anyways.

 

[2VZ-FE]

These are the same chains/cables I own, and I've had to use them once on my 2020 Highlander, and I've used the same brand and type about 3 times on my 2006 Highlander (I like to ski in fresh snow), and they work great.

My advice is to practice putting them on your car a few times at your house, better to learn how they work at the comfort of home, and not on the side of a cold/slushy/snowy road, potentially in the dark. On that note I keep some waterproof gloves, a headlamp, and one of those foam garden kneelers in my vehicle as well, it really helps with putting them on, if necessary.

I put the chains/cables on the front tires and turn off traction control, which I believe is correct and works for me, but you might want to check me on that in the owners manual.

For anyone else looking to buy chains or cables, don't be tempted to buy those one size fits many cheapo sets at Walmart, those things are a headache to install out in the wild and probably aren't compatible with the newer Highlanders anyways.

you do realize the SCC-sz435 fits many other sizes, right?

 

[ken2116]

We've been using the SCC Z series in mountains for many years, they grip great and run very smoothly (due to the diagonal orientation of the gripping elements). When checking clearance, be sure that the inner side circumferential cables (blue in the photo) don't interfere with anything, on our 2006 Civic the inner cable hit the strut mounts though on our Outback (different size!) front wheels they clear just fine. With our Civic we ended up using "ladder" style cables whose gripping elements go straight across the tread.

 

[SeanCLV]

you do realize the SCC-sz435 fits many other sizes, right?

Thank you so much for pointing this out. I should clarify my original post to say that one should avoid those cheap one size fits many chains/cables that have multiple notches where you have to figure out which notch fits your tire, where the SCC’s fit without having to perform any adjustments in the field.

 

[ken2116]

Thank you so much for pointing this out. I should clarify my original post to say that one should avoid those cheap one size fits many chains/cables that have multiple notches where you have to figure out which notch fits your tire, where the SCC’s fit without having to perform any adjustments in the field.

But sometimes they're all that are available. When initially sizing this kind (at home) we cut off the excess lengths leaving just 2 knobs on the inside and maybe 3-4 on the outside. After installing the chains on the road, secure the excess either with the provided clips, plastic spirals, or bits of soft wire to keep it from flying about. The extra outer length is for awkward situations when one can't initially fit the chains properly and they need to be driven a few yards (slowly) to center before snugging.

 

[2VZ-FE]

SCC z-chain has the multiple notch installation design

 

[SeanCLV]

Thanks for providing all of this excellent clarification and information!

The "chain", I am referring to and what I prefer to use, are these that were pictured up thread and copied and pasted below:

There are two places to fasten the chains in the front and one in the back then throw the tensioner on with no further adjustment necessary. Really easy to use on the side of a snowy road.

I was just adding my 2 cents, that for me, these were way easier to put on and take off than the ones with the notches, for many reasons. But clearly those notched ones serve a purpose, are preferred by some, or are the only type available, and can be trimmed if desired. But no matter what you decide, I still suggest you practice putting them on in your driveway at home first.

 

[ken2116]

Thanks for providing all of this excellent clarification and information!

The "chain", I am referring to and what I prefer to use, are these that were pictured up thread and copied and pasted below:

There are two places to fasten the chains in the front and one in the back then throw the tensioner on with no further adjustment necessary. Really easy to use on the side of a snowy road.

I was just adding my 2 cents, that for me, these were way easier to put on and take off than the ones with the notches, for many reasons. But clearly those notched ones serve a purpose, are preferred by some, or are the only type available, and can be trimmed if desired. But no matter what you decide, I still suggest you practice putting them on in your driveway at home first.



View attachment 412587

Thanks for providing all of this excellent clarification and information!

The "chain", I am referring to and what I prefer to use, are these that were pictured up thread and copied and pasted below:

There are two places to fasten the chains in the front and one in the back then throw the tensioner on with no further adjustment necessary. Really easy to use on the side of a snowy road.

I was just adding my 2 cents, that for me, these were way easier to put on and take off than the ones with the notches, for many reasons. But clearly those notched ones serve a purpose, are preferred by some, or are the only type available, and can be trimmed if desired. But no matter what you decide, I still suggest you practice putting them on in your driveway at home first.



View attachment 412587

We've use this very type on some of our cars, they both go on and work great and there might be nothing better. However, on some cars the cables that fasten on the back side can interfere with the strut mounts, so be sure to check your individual application.

 

[2VZ-FE]

We've use this very type on some of our cars, they both go on and work great and there might be nothing better. However, on some cars the cables that fasten on the back side can interfere with the strut mounts, so be sure to check your individual application.

There are chains that don’t fasten to the back side. They are quite expensive though.
Such as spikes spider and Konig (thule) k-summit (shown below)