Mud/Snow Chains?

They look like NSW Regs. to me.

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Originally Posted by rmp

If a track is so bad you can't drive it, winch it rather than use chains or don't be there in the first place. Winching would be quicker and less track damage.

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I've been camped in the High Country in dry conditions and been deluged for three days, making tracks impassable to "normal vehicles" our chains allowed us to exit safely.

You can't be too clinical when making statements about you shouldn't be there or drive it, you can say that sitting at home...not when you get stuck in the situation. Not everyone can sit there for a fortnight waiting for the track to dry out either, as it rained for another 5 days anyway & when we drove out.

Winching is not quicker by the way with seven cars in tow, once in Bendethra befor NP's graded the roads (about 20 years ago) it took "all day" to get seven cars down one mountain side over a couple of kilometres of track, we could have driven out in an hour if chains were on all cars, you must have had experienced the situation & have experience in all situations.

Yep fair point, I should have said winching "could" be quicker. I was thinking about the time it'd take to put the chains on and take them off. I was also thinking of people deliberately going into areas only chains could see them through, not being caught out.

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Originally Posted by Bushwanderer

They look like NSW Regs. to me.

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Thats all I could find, Im pretty sure it covers all Aussie snow fields (From the ARC Alpine resorts commision web site originally).

Yes some of it is NSW specific, re : Not needing chains in 4wd but that isnt the case for Vic.

In the ski hire way back in 1991 we had the regs posted on the wall in 5 different languages with "PLEASE READ" in 5 different languages in huge red letters on a bright yellow back ground which pretty much hit you when you walked in the door.

We were constantly asked why they needed to hire chains and for more information.

I know for sure that on Buller they will tell you in the chain fitting bays to fit 4wd chains to the front unless you have them for all four wheels.

As far as snow chains being different to mud, yes they are but snow chains are still regarded as being a good thing, Mud chains are not.

Im not at all saying that mud chains are a bad thing, if used properly, like Extreme mud tyres they will do much less damage but the problem is more that the hoon brigade get caught using them for trenching tracks and they get a bad rap.

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Originally Posted by Bushwanderer

They look like NSW Regs. to me.

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Vic Regs here
Snow Chains : VicRoads

Basically the same as what I posted but without the NSW part.

the bit that gets me is :

When in doubt, it is safer to fit chains than to drive without.

We had atleast 3 per season that put them on just through the gate and drove up and back down on the chains......when there was no snow.:mad:

1 bloke in a brand new at the time pulsar did it, the chains riped the tyre apart just before the gate at Mirimbah and then started on the front guards.:p

He was adamant that they were faulty and we would have to pay for the damage :o

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Originally Posted by Bushwanderer

They look like NSW Regs. to me.

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Me too....:D

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Originally Posted by mcrover

I agree 100%.....

I dont fully agree with the following on the part of they can be fitted on the rear of a 4wd as it isnt much help if you cant steer....:eek:


Current Victorian Regulations

Alpine Resorts (Management) Regulations 1998
S.R. No 46/1998

54. Use of wheel chains on vehicles

A person in charge of a vehicle who enters an alpine resort must at all times during the snow season, carry wheel chains suitable to be properly fitted to that vehicle.
An authorised officer may, at any time, for reasons of safety or for the control or protection of an alpine resort, direct a person in charge of a vehicle to ensure that wheel chains are properly fitted to the drive wheels of that vehicle or, in the case of a four wheel drive vehicle, to either the front or rear wheels of that vehicle.
A person in charge of a vehicle entering or in an alpine resort during the snow season must, when directed to do so by an authorised officer under sub-regulation (2), ensure that wheel chains are properly fitted to the vehicle in the manner directed by that officer.
Current NSW Regulations

Motorists are legally required to carry correct fitting snow chains in their vehicles when travelling in the “snow-ice” risk sections within the Kosciuszko National Park.

Excluded from this rule are all 4WD vehicles and All wheel drive vehicles, these vehicles do not have to carry chains.

The “snow-ice” risk sections are as follows:-

* Road beyond the National Park entrance toll gate on the Perisher/Smiggins Road.
* On the Alpine Way from Thredbo through to Khancoban.
* Past the National Park entrance toll gate on the road leading to Mt Selwyn.

Please Note-:
Chains are not legally required on the road between Jindabyne and the Ski Tube Station at Bullocks Flat on the Alpine Way.
At times in extreme weather, motorists may be required to fit chains on other sections of road in the Kosciuszko National Park due to snow and ice e.g. Snowy Mountains Hwy. However, you are not legally obliged to carry chains on these sections all of the time.
It is recommended that chains be carried in 2wd vehicles even where it is not mandatory as conditions can change quickly in the mountains.
For up to date road conditions you can phone 0264505600 Snowy Region Visitor Information Centre. Winter operating hours 8.00am to 5.30pm – 7 days a week.

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