Snow chains for modern vehicles
So I’ve got my new Forester XT. The tyres are 225/55R18, which are fairly large. Checking the clearance around the tyre for snow chains, at the narrowest point (inner “corner” of tyre to bottom of suspension stack) the gap is about 23mm. From reading a few sites around the web, it seems that most if not all modern cars and SUVs have pretty small clearances and may require narrower-fitting chains. Have a look here. It looks like most cars now need these SAE Class “S” chains, which are designed to fit on cars with smaller clearances. Does anyone have any experience with this? I think I’m going to be looking at maybe some Konig 10mm chains (typical chain is 16mm).
Thought that AWD’s didn’t require chains?
In VIC all vehicles are required to carry chains due to the fact at certain resorts (Mt Hotham) that the highest point (pretty much) is the carpark so alot of driving is over snow, combine that with some of the inclines/declines and it can be a necessity for all vehicles to use them
You must carry them in Vic resorts even in 4wd.
I’ve heard of people just buying cheap second-hand chains that don’t actually fit their wheels - simply to satisfy the “must carry” requirements. That a possibility, or do you think you’ll actually have to use them at some stage?
Problem if they direct ya to put them on though!!!!!
I got Konig Magic’s, but our Subie has got shite loads of clearance!!!!!
At various times, the cops will pull you over, check your chains, and check they fit. Never had it happen to us, though I have been directed to fit chains by a cop, while I was driving within the resort, in a 4wd where there was no signage directing that they were needed except on the Harrietville approach. So you can’t always tell what to expect. The other thing is that it is now mandatory for chains to be diamond pattern, not ladder pattern, for Vic, but I expect that Konig will be diamond. For us, making sure the chain clearance is there is one of the criteria on the check-list before we buy a vehicle.
Heads up for when the cops are chain mad? Police Games week, (usually first real weekend in August), when the weather is horrid, and when there will be convoys, when the road is like it will be this year… washed away.
Probably doesn’t help anyone in NSW, this is pretty Vic (Hotham) specific - have seen similar in wild weather at Buller. Not much experience of the Falls road in crazy weather though.
Yeah last year it was pretty crazy on the Harrietville-Hotham road, driving on compacted snow/ice. Standard tyres just don’t cut it on that stuff, not even with AWD/4WD, and even more so on that road which is steep, winding and exposed.
Tambo, yeah probably a good idea to check clearance for chains before buying a car. I should have done that, however I suspect most if not all current model cars/SUVs will have this problem and I wasn’t really looking for a proper 4WD. In any case, I will be able to get chains on, just not the Autobarn cheapies I have used in the past.
We were stopped on the Hootersville approach last spring!!!!!
Cop made us get out and show him the chains!!!!!
And not a skerrick of snow on the roads!!!!!
We were stopped on the Hootersville approach last spring!!!!!
Cop made us get out and show him the chains!!!!!
And not a skerrick of snow on the roads!!!!!
Did you give him the carpenter’s smile when you were bending over to get them out of the boot?
I’ve heard of people just buying cheap second-hand chains that don’t actually fit their wheels - simply to satisfy the “must carry” requirements. That a possibility, or do you think you’ll actually have to use them at some stage?
Guilty…
Didn’t wanna make him search my person!!!!!
I always carry 15kg of crack around in the seat of my pants!!!!!
We were stopped on the Hootersville approach last spring!!!!!
Cop made us get out and show him the chains!!!!!
And not a skerrick of snow on the roads!!!!!
Yet another example of why many people don’t respect cops.
I have these for my car, which probably has even less clearance than what you have.
http://www.weissenfels.com/en/snow-chains/cars/item/7-quattro
The best you can get when minimal clearance is a concern.
Click on the Video tab and check out how they work - soooooooo cool!
Didn’t wanna make him search my person!!!!!
Suuuuuuure you didn’t 
I have these for my car, which probably has even less clearance than what you have.
http://www.weissenfels.com/en/snow-chains/cars/item/7-quattro
The best you can get when minimal clearance is a concern.
Click on the Video tab and check out how they work - soooooooo cool!
Thanks, Chucky, I’ve seen very similar products from Konig and Rud. They have no inner chain loop and hence the clearance between inside face of tyre and suspension is not an issue. I do have about 1” to play with so I reckon 10mm chains will be ok. I might even be able to get away with 12 or 16mm. The larger chains might be cutting it a bit fine but I don’t really know how much clearance you’re supposed to allow, as I haven’t been able to find it written down anywhere.