20" Snow Traction System?

[Dougal]

If you have 20" factory wheels, are you limited to using the 20" "Snow Traction System" shown in the brochures or are there more conventional snow-chain options?

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/04/902.jpg

[Meccles]

If you are going to the snow it was easy to rent chains that fitted 275/40 R 20 tyres. Piranha make them as well if you want to buy a set. All conventional. Lots of cars run that size rubber so chains are no issue. I got them at Bright 2009 - but did ring ahead and book.

[unseenone]

A very nice looking set though. I noted it says fit to front wheels only in the parts description. Unfortunately not designed for 285x60x18.


LR005737
Discovery 4 - applicable to 255/60 R18, 255/55 R19, 255/50 R20 wheel and tyre sizes. Discovery 3 - 255/60 R18, 255/55 R19. Range Rover Sport - 255/55 R8, 255/50 R19 Range Rover - 255/50 R20. Spike Spider snow traction system, for improved grip in snow and ice.
Fit to front wheels only.

However I tracked down the manufacturer who offers a plethora of sizes. http://www.spikes-spiders.com

[Dougal]

If you are going to the snow it was easy to rent chains that fitted 275/40 R 20 tyres. Piranha make them as well if you want to buy a set. All conventional. Lots of cars run that size rubber so chains are no issue. I got them at Bright 2009 - but did ring ahead and book.

I'm in New Zealand, it's not about driving to a place that has snow, it's about snow and ice coming to you and interrupting your travel plans.

I've got a relative shopping for a RRS and snow chains are a necessity. They will be carried in the vehicle for the entire winter. Wheel sizes are looking like 275/40R20 and 275/45R20.

[Meccles]

YOu could try contacting this outfit (ok it is in Oz but freight should not be too much). When I called them in 2010 they had chains that would fit 275/40 R20. If not they might be able to advise who does have them.
Home page (http://piranhaoffroad.com.au/index.php/default/mud-snow-chains?limit=all&SID=af85bb4896f3c60ed5b5b90be1ebc7e6)

[camel_landy]

275s are too wide for snow chains.

Although you can get chains to fit a 275/40R20, there is not enough clearance between the wheels & suspension for the chains... Trust me they rub!

255/50R19 is the largest you can go to if you're fitting chains.

FWIW - Thule do some easy to fit chains.

M

[Dougal]

275s are too wide for snow chains.

Although you can get chains to fit a 275/40R20, there is not enough clearance between the wheels & suspension for the chains... Trust me they rub!

255/50R19 is the largest you can go to if you're fitting chains.

FWIW - Thule do some easy to fit chains.

M

Thanks, that is what I suspected. Is the clearance problem worse on the front or back wheels?

Unfortunately the tyre choices in 19" seem more limited than 20". So a second set of winter wheels isn't a good option either.

Snow chains are the reason I run 225 and 235mm tyres on my classic rangie.

[Meccles]

Copper tires in Australia have just released 255/55/ R19 specifically for D4 in Zeon LTZ. Made a big song and dance about it at the Brisbane 4x4 show. As per some of contributors on here this seems a really good tire. In the 50 series Tirerack.com in USA carried much more than locally. These are reputedly excellent outfit to deal with. Recently they had some Pirelli ATR's in 255/50 R19 for reasonable money, though they were runout stock.

[camel_landy]

Thanks, that is what I suspected. Is the clearance problem worse on the front or back wheels?

Unfortunately the tyre choices in 19" seem more limited than 20". So a second set of winter wheels isn't a good option either.

Snow chains are the reason I run 225 and 235mm tyres on my classic rangie.

NOTE: You should only fit chains to the front of a RRS.

20" v 19"... Personally, I find tyre choice better for 19".

What you want to do is get a second set of wheels for winter and stick a set of winter tyres on them. That way, you can benefit from the better traction of the winter rubber, when the temperatures drop below 7c. Then, when the snow comes, you can just pop a set of chains on.

FWIW - The Vredsteins are getting quite popular over here for that.

Also, if you have a TDV8 with Brembo brakes, note that not all 19" rims fit!!! You will need either either RRC502280xxx or RRC505370xxx.

HTH

M

[Dougal]

I did read that somewhere, but why should you only fit chains to the front wheels? Is there something that physically gets in the way of fitting a complete set or is it just to stop muppets fitting chains to the rear only?

Personally I'm good with multiple sets of wheels, I have around 4 sets for my classic. But this isn't for me, it's research for a family member looking at a 3.0 TDV6 RRS. I'm pretty sure they won't be interested in buying or swapping a second set of wheels twice a year. The intent at thist stage is to put a suitable set of tyres on the stock 20's at the next change (probably cooper leons) and find a suitable chain system to carry for when it's needed.

[SBD4]

Have you heard about these? Not sure what they're like but they might be a reasonable alternative:

Front page - Autosock (http://www.autosock.com/)

They're $200 a set from here in Oz (much cheaper on eBay):
Autosock - Large Size 600-699 - Village Ski & Snowboard (http://www.villageski.com.au/shop/products/Autosock-%252d-Large-Size-600%252d699.html)

This place seems to sell them in NZ:
Autosock - Würth New Zealand (http://www.wurth.co.nz/web/en/website/product/videos/autosock/autosock.php)

A bit of a video to look at:
AutoSock a Revolutionary Invention - YouTube

the size for 275 40 R20 is 697 (you can check that on the Autosock web site)

Maybe some one else can shed some light on their efficacy?

[Dougal]

Yes they are reasonably common here. I'm just not sure how well they will last or how much use they would be on ice.

After watching that video, I'm convinced those guys have no idea how to run any experiment.

[SBD4]

On second thoughts. I don't think they are much good when the road is not completely covered in snow/ice. Once back on the black stuff I think they would tear and fall apart.

Oh well.

[Dougal]

It looks like the owner is keen to trade down to 19's if needed to get some chain clearance.

Are the 19" rims offset the same, so a 20mm narrower tyre gives 10mm more inside clearance?

[camel_landy]

Don't know the offsets bu 255 on the 19" rims do give enough clearance for a standard set of snow chains.

M

[Dougal]

275s are too wide for snow chains.

Although you can get chains to fit a 275/40R20, there is not enough clearance between the wheels & suspension for the chains... Trust me they rub!

255/50R19 is the largest you can go to if you're fitting chains.

FWIW - Thule do some easy to fit chains.

M

Confirmed today that I can't fit a finger between the front 275/40R20 and the upper suspension ball-joint. On the rear there is plenty of clearance, but that's not helping much right now.

Autosocks aren't available wide enough in that diameter. Either way this is looking expensive.