Thread: Weekend in the snow

Have you got the standard 255 width tyres on oldsalt?

I've got 265 60's and I bought a set of "Piranha" 126S chains... and they do fit on the rear wheels... but as I said in my original post they are to be fitted to the rear wheels only as there is insufficient clearance to put them on the front wheels... so I'm left wondering "surely this will affect my steering & braking" as the front wheels won't have much grip (if any) in the snow or ice...
I'm just wondering what other members have used on their vehicles in the snow.
I'd greatly appreciate on serious feedback on this matter... (as opposed to members who just post "rubbish" as an answer to a genuine query from a fellow member)
thanks

Originally Posted by oldsalt

I've got 265 60's and I bought a set of "Piranha" 126S chains... and they do fit on the rear wheels... but as I said in my original post they are to be fitted to the rear wheels only as there is insufficient clearance to put them on the front wheels... so I'm left wondering "surely this will affect my steering & braking" as the front wheels won't have much grip (if any) in the snow or ice...
I'm just wondering what other members have used on their vehicles in the snow.
I'd greatly appreciate on serious feedback on this matter... (as opposed to members who just post "rubbish" as an answer to a genuine query from a fellow member)
thanks

I've been going into the ski areas for 40+ years, and I will warn you now to find some type of chain (and there are many) that fit the fronts. (Do some searches) The chain regulations won't help when your rear fittings prove to you that you have no steering and hopefully not tumbled down a gully with serious injuries.

Originally Posted by oldsalt

......I'd greatly appreciate on serious feedback on this matter... (as opposed to members who just post "rubbish" as an answer to a genuine query from a fellow member)
thanks

Very sorry, it was going to be a genuine attempt to help based on my experience of clearances with standard or non standard tyre sizes.

Originally Posted by Nicky

I've been going into the ski areas for 40+ years, and I will warn you now to find some type of chain (and there are many) that fit the fronts. (Do some searches) The chain regulations won't help when your rear fittings prove to you that you have no steering and hopefully not tumbled down a gully with serious injuries.

O.K. - thanks Nicky, I certainly will be searching for some "front" chains... and I would still love to hear what other D3/4 drivers are using in the white stuff...
cheers

Originally Posted by sheerluck

White stuff, cold, mostly shown in pictures on Christmas cards. Not something sensible people need to worry about or touch.

You are probably right!
Having said that I am about to spend the weekend camping in the snow.
I always thought there was something wrong with me.

Pete.

Originally Posted by PTC

In NSW only 2wd's need snow chains but they do recommend that 4wd carry and use them too.

In Victoria all vehicles are required to carry chains when in a designated alpine snow area. Mainly the roads leading to the ski resorted and if you travel up and over from Bright to Omeo. You have to fit then when directed and get big fines if you do not carry them. Most of the time 4wd's can travel further up the road without being told to fit them.

As for other areas in Victoria you can go 4wd'ing in the snow without any restrictions. Mt Matlock and Terrible are the closest areas to play. And then the Jamison - Licola road. Though permits are required. The other area which gets snow at the top is past Licola on the Tamboritha - Morokka Rd.

This is the very reason I'm asking this question !
I've recently bought a property North of mansfield and I have an aged aunt who lives in Omeo so my wife and me will be travelling over the Bright to Omeo road quite a bit and I want to avoid fines etc..... and be safe when travelling on those roads !!! so come on guys & gals give me your knowledge (if any) of chains that will be suitable for the front wheels of my D3... please...any help will be much appreciated.

We have done a few trips over the Jamieson Licola Road during the snow season.
You can apply for a permit thru Parks Victoria or whatever they are called this week.
They will usually ask how many vehicles are involved & what recovery precautions you have in place.
Every time we have been we have not used chains but this is in deep snow over gravel roads & airing down to sand like conditions.
In fact we went sailing past vehicles with chains as the chains tend to cut up the crust allowing your vehicle to sink down to the chassis.
Chains in Alpine areas are usually effective while driving over snow covered bitumen roads as the chains break thru to the bitumen allowing grip.
Snow mode is not good in deep snow believe it or not - I found this out the hard way - rock crawl or mud n ruts are the modes to use.
Snow mode is designed for light snow over bitumen or gravel.
I found over the years that my D2 albeit quite well modified was better in the snow than my D3 or D4 however this is further qualified as in deep snow.
The D2 with its big aired down tyres can get up on top of the snow!!