The manual says something about chains: “Tire chains cannot be mounted on vehicles with 265/70R18 and 265/60R20 tires.” No chains on first edition
Winterize Land Cruiser
- Thread starter Marinna
- Start date
1. Tires - unless the snow is insanely crazy, you should be fine - just drive with caution. If you want to, buy a seat of tires with the three-peak rating and sell your stock tires. The difference won't be $1000
2. Bear mace!
A couple of quick thoughts. First, your LC is Full-time 4x4 (not AWD), more effective in traction situations like your potentially snowy drive. Second, I would go with tire cables/ chains. One set, install on front wheels when necessary. I’ve used cables for the past several years, and I find this works best…but remember, braking requires friction…so long and slow lead time with chains can help you slow down…drive like some maniacs I see in the mountains, guaranteed you’ll slide into something or someone…or worse. YMMV.
Sleeping. Suggest a sleeping pad/ mat with a high “R” rating, the higher the rating the less heat transfer between you and the cold car. A good sleeping bag and an electric blanket should suffice…unless the temps get dangerously low, then I’m just running the LC in “ready” mode and allowing climate control to keep cabin temps in a safe range at the expense of a little fuel.
Hope this helps.
Sleeping. Suggest a sleeping pad/ mat with a high “R” rating, the higher the rating the less heat transfer between you and the cold car. A good sleeping bag and an electric blanket should suffice…unless the temps get dangerously low, then I’m just running the LC in “ready” mode and allowing climate control to keep cabin temps in a safe range at the expense of a little fuel.
Hope this helps.
OP
OP
- Thread starter
- #25
That looks somewhere between a chain and cable. I personally like cable and I was thinking to use both cable and tire socks. cable is usually better for gaining traction but socks are far better for break. But to be honest I have never tried this combination before.
I was there this summer and there are signs that you can be ticketed if you don't have either three-peak rated tires, or chains. I'm not sure of your specific route, so some highways will have this restriction in winter and others won't.
Also, the Jasper area had some major fires this past summer including at the town of Jasper. Don't know if this changes your plans, but many of the campsite burnt down, and about a third of the town did as well.
Also, the Jasper area had some major fires this past summer including at the town of Jasper. Don't know if this changes your plans, but many of the campsite burnt down, and about a third of the town did as well.
The dealership that I bought Miss Daisy from down in Georgia, Milton Martin Toyota in Gainesville, just sent me an email with a buy three get one free offer on tires, good until October 31, for $962 installed, plus tax. Looks like Miss Daisy will have Toyo Open Country ATIII’s by the end of the month, simply because of the 3 peak snow ice rating.. Black ice is a real BEOCH, and was responsible for many MVA’s when I lived in Idaho. I really don’t plan of leaving the pavement, unless the driveway coming up the mountain that we live on, washes out. Then, I think the Toyo’s would be better than the OEM Michelins, especially when it is muddy.
When I lived in Idaho, every year, every single year, hooligans in 4X4 vehicles were out first thing in the morning after we got dumped on, and by far, the most vehicles that were in the ditches were Subaru’s, and jacked up poked out 4X4’s. Why? Because they thought that they were immune to the ice. Snow wasn’t that much of a problem. Back then, unless you had had your tires siped (Les Schwab did my ‘06 Avalanche Michelins, and the initial Michelin Defenders on my ‘12 Subaru Outback), or had Blizzaks or Michelin Ice tires (my Subaru), you were at risk of sliding off. For the investment that we have in our rigs, being adequately prepared seems like a must. If I put luggage on the roof rack, it will be top notch luggage, not strapped on milk crates from the dollar store.
Whatever you decide, it is your LC, your life, your choice.
When I lived in Idaho, every year, every single year, hooligans in 4X4 vehicles were out first thing in the morning after we got dumped on, and by far, the most vehicles that were in the ditches were Subaru’s, and jacked up poked out 4X4’s. Why? Because they thought that they were immune to the ice. Snow wasn’t that much of a problem. Back then, unless you had had your tires siped (Les Schwab did my ‘06 Avalanche Michelins, and the initial Michelin Defenders on my ‘12 Subaru Outback), or had Blizzaks or Michelin Ice tires (my Subaru), you were at risk of sliding off. For the investment that we have in our rigs, being adequately prepared seems like a must. If I put luggage on the roof rack, it will be top notch luggage, not strapped on milk crates from the dollar store.
Whatever you decide, it is your LC, your life, your choice.
OP
OP
- Thread starter
- #28
There is a section of the road between Banff and Jasper that would get very scary when it SNOWS. No amount of traction help would do you enough favor when things get bad.
Other than that part I was also trapped in a small town on my way to Banff from Vancouver a few years back because it snow enough to have real avalanche hazard that they have to close the road in front of and behind me to detonate the snow on the mountain top to clear the hazards.
Usually my experience is to stay with the other cars. Most likely you will find some amount of cars way under-equipped than Land Cruiser. So that usually gives me an assurance that I would not get stuck alone.
I think cables on top of socks would cause the socks to rip apart really fast.
If you are worried about clearance, you could try low clearance Chains (also known as clamp on chains).
But in my opinion, there is no danger to using regular high quality chains on rear wheels. Toyota probably does not recommend them since there are many different types of chains, and ones without tensioners etc could potentially get off the tire and wrap around the axel.
OP
OP
- Thread starter
- #30
I meant socks and cable on front/rear axel separately, not together. I am hoping that since LC is AWD and comes with rear and central lockers it might be fine two axels are spinning at a slightly different speed? (If you have Subaru type of AWD it might not be too forgiving)
I’m not an expert but I thought that if you use chains or cables you need them on all four wheels on the Land Cruiser so you don’t damage the drivetrain because it’s alltime 4 wheel drive. I don’t know that for sure though.
Yeah that would be fine. Since it has a torsen central diff, axel with more traction will get more torque.
Just be careful about locking the central or rear diff with the chains on.
OP
OP
- Thread starter
- #33
Good point….
We indeed need some education about the correct way to chain up our LC
It would be fine, drivetrain will not care if one axel has more traction. Torsen central diff will mechanically split the torque to each axel based on traction (relative wheel speed).
Having chains on all 4 tires are recommended for awd vehicles with open diffs since an open diff will send the power to axel with less traction (which will have the wheels without chains).
If you are putting on the chains your speeds will be very limited, so why not also lock the diffs? It is not like you put on chains and then drive on dry pavement.
That said, chains are serious business and I wouldn't even consider them on my LC. Winter tires are much more user friendly and don't present the same body damage risks.
That said, chains are serious business and I wouldn't even consider them on my LC. Winter tires are much more user friendly and don't present the same body damage risks.
As someone who travels through this region often, there are just times when you can’t drive the roads for safety reasons. Chains or other aids aren’t going to help when the conditions dictate that.
Driving through BC on the highway, its actually a law that requires you to have snowflake rated tires.. Why not get an upgrade size of snow rated AT tires? Many good choices that would make your trip safer and look better on your LC. I wouldnt even think about driving across BC without them... especially the Coquihalla. Take a look at the Falkens, Toyos, Ko3/2 etc for a piece of mind.
I wouldnt worry about mace/bear spray/whatever at that time if its solely for mountain critters. Wolves are the only predator awake... and living 1.5 hrs away from Banff and driving through BC regularly, Ive seen wolves maybe twice in 45 years. Tend to stay away from people.
I wouldnt worry about mace/bear spray/whatever at that time if its solely for mountain critters. Wolves are the only predator awake... and living 1.5 hrs away from Banff and driving through BC regularly, Ive seen wolves maybe twice in 45 years. Tend to stay away from people.
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OP
- Thread starter
- #38
The nature of wolves are that when alone, they don't bother human. (that's why we say lone wolf). But when in a pack, they are well disciplined, organized army that operate with incredible precision. I knew that because I had multiple wolf pack encounters for the past 10 years, one in Banff, another in Yellowstone. (Perhaps I am just that unlucky...
) I still remember one year I met a HUGE lone wolf around midnight in Jasper NP all in white fur. She was so pretty that reminds me the one from the cartoon Princess Mononoke.When it comes to tire, now I start to think maybe find a more well around tire would be an alternative. (in general, any one-for-all product usually turns out to be a disappointment though because they are ok for everything and good at nothing) I was more hoping to compensate the deficiency of all season tires with some driving experience with the area and discretion.
I really wouldnt push my luck with a stock all season when driving through the area... could have no snow, fresh snow, compacted snow/ice. The snowflake ATs arent ideal, but certainly better than stock. Common sense also goes a long way! (Flexibility built into your schedule if a large snowfall happens)
I ran my sprinter one winter on Toyo Open Country. Acceptable - good traction but not the best on ice. It now goes onto studded nokians once the snow arrives. The first thing we bought for our Land Cruiser was a set of blizzaks they go on Oct 28 and will be on till the end of April. An LC would be fine on a 3 Peak tire. Anything less would be foolish.
We overnight in the winter in our sprinter. It’s fully insulated and we cover the windows, use down winter sleeping bags and have a furnace. Having said that the challenge with a vehicle overnight is that it is a cold sink so you will be really dependent upon your sleeping bag and the wake up and warm up will not be pleasant. We don’t run the furnace overnight in the sprinter but it comes on in the morning and makes getting up much easier. I would say the most important thing with winter camping is the morning hot drink and oatmeal to get you going. Winter tenting we are in the sleeping bags until after a warm breakfast.
Guns, chains, bear spray in winter- we have never needed them. Jumper cables, good anti freeze, a thermos with a hot drink, hand warmers, windshield ice scraper/snow brush, are in the car all winter. Warm footwear, extra socks, food, camping stove and fuel and our down bags are part of our winter travel bag.
As one of the previous posters stated … there are days you just don’t travel. Goodluck. The ice field parkway is spectacular anytime of year!
We overnight in the winter in our sprinter. It’s fully insulated and we cover the windows, use down winter sleeping bags and have a furnace. Having said that the challenge with a vehicle overnight is that it is a cold sink so you will be really dependent upon your sleeping bag and the wake up and warm up will not be pleasant. We don’t run the furnace overnight in the sprinter but it comes on in the morning and makes getting up much easier. I would say the most important thing with winter camping is the morning hot drink and oatmeal to get you going. Winter tenting we are in the sleeping bags until after a warm breakfast.
Guns, chains, bear spray in winter- we have never needed them. Jumper cables, good anti freeze, a thermos with a hot drink, hand warmers, windshield ice scraper/snow brush, are in the car all winter. Warm footwear, extra socks, food, camping stove and fuel and our down bags are part of our winter travel bag.
As one of the previous posters stated … there are days you just don’t travel. Goodluck. The ice field parkway is spectacular anytime of year!
