What Tire Chains do You Recommend for My 2019 Toyota Highlander with 245/60-18 Tires?

Published 01/27/2022

Products Featured in This Question

Titan Chain Snow Tire Chains - Ladder Pattern - V Bar Links - Manual Tensioning - 1 Pair

(390)

$109.23

Titan Chain Snow Tire Chains w Cams - Ladder Pattern - V Bar Links - Assisted Tensioning - 1 Pair

(729)

$135.89

Titan Chain Multi-Arm Rubber Tire Chain Adjuster for Light Trucks - 1 Pair

(868)

$27.82

Konig Tire Chains - Diamond Pattern - Square Link - Self Tensioning - 1 Pair

(759)

$300.02

Question:

Dear tech support, I have a highlander 2019 with 245/60-18 I saw the # TC2829 v bar chains. Would you recommend those or something else. Is there a concern with clearance with this model. Are the v-bars harder on the tire. I have regular all-seaons on there. Im a bit worried that the regular tires arent super durable and chains may beat them up. Compared to a truck. Were going to Wyoming in the jackson area. Are most flavors ok for this vehicle. Can you spec the right tensioner in addition to the build in cam. I think your site mentions the rubber tensioners. What part number do I need. We do have a tundra with proper 10 ply all season tires. Would you take that instead and put heavy chains on that. Can you convince me either way. Also would chains be a bit likely to scratch the car or rims. Im not worried about marking up the truck rims. Thanks

asked by: Ryan D

Expert Reply:

Since you mention built-in cams, I believe you are referring to the Titan Snow Chains - V-Bar - Cams # TC2829CAM for your 245/60-18 tires on your 2019 Toyota Highlander. We do also sell these chains without the cams as part # TC2829. The only difference is that the # TC2829CAM are only approved for on-road use while the # TC2829 can be approved for on-road and off-road use. The V-bar links on both of these chains are not harder on the tires as long as you plan to use them in on snowy surfaces. It is not recommended to use tire chains on raw surfaces without snow. Per your Toyota owner's manual, I recommend installing chains on the front tires only. In order to make sure you can safely use these chains, I recommend that you have enough space between the interior tire wall and the closest component in your wheel well. If you do decide to go with these chains, the rubber tensioners you need are the # TCMA2.

As far as protecting the rims, the Titan Snow chains previously mentioned do not have rim protection. This increases the potential for rim damage. If you want the safest option as well as more protection of your Highlander's rims, I recommend the Konig Self-Tensioning Snow Tire Chains - Diamond Pattern - D Link - XG12 Pro # TH01594250. These chains come with rubber bumpers to that serve to protect your rims from damage. They are also Class-S compatible which means they were designed specifically for vehicles with limited wheel well clearance. They also come with integrated tensioners so you do not need to purchase additional ones. With these particular chains, you need to have at least 12mm of clearance between your tires and the closest component in your wheel wells. I went ahead and attached a picture that shows how to do this measurement.

As far as the fitment of chains on your Tundra, it really makes no difference unless that Tundra happens to have more wheel well clearance. In that case, it will be safer to use chains on that vehicle. If you find that your wheel wells have more clearance, feel free to respond to this answer with the year of your Tundra as well as the tire size.

As with all tire chains, I recommend consulting with your vehicle's owner's manual to make sure you abide by all the guidelines.