Thread: Chains save tracks

Several years ago I was out driving with a mate and we both had chains fitted to our vehicle's. We were pulled up by a ranger who made us remove the chains right there and then or cop a fine.

This was in Victoria, not sure what the rules are down there but I'm led to believe that unless you're in the snow, no chains allowed.

Originally Posted by wrinklearthur

Hi All
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Has anyone else tried wheel chains on slippery, steep clay tracks or steep wet grass slopes?
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Cheers Arthur

Yes - and I've found them very successful and far less damaging than wheels spinning and sliding all over the place.

I agree with the above - a Landie with chains will easily cruise up a hill with little wheel spin and digging up of the track - but - a typical redneck Toyota or Patrol driver in the same circumstance will be trying to spin his wheels as much as they can just for the fun of it and the chains will really rip the track apart.

Ban Toyotas and Patrols with chains but let Landies have them.

Garry

Originally Posted by D110V8D

Several years ago I was out driving with a mate and we both had chains fitted to our vehicle's. We were pulled up by a ranger who made us remove the chains right there and then or cop a fine.

This was in Victoria, not sure what the rules are down there but I'm led to believe that unless you're in the snow, no chains allowed.

Hi D110V8D

Thanks for your reply.

Is it that, it's his ruling as per the Parks regulations, but not necessarily correct for the conditions?

What if there is snow about, does this alter their rules?

Most of time here in Tasmania, there is no need for chains as most of the tracks are built to allow trucks to use them.

As an example for use of chains, on old logging dozer tracks that have grown over with moss and ferns, its handy to have a set available if conditions are that way that you have a battle getting up a slippery clay bank.

The adverse weather warnings here in Tasmania advise motorists to fit chain when there is snow about.

Dont use chains on sandy soils, as deflating tyres is the best way to go.

Cheers Arthur

Originally Posted by garrycol

SNIP SNIP SNIP

Ban Toyotas and Patrols with chains but let Landies have them.

Garry

But Garry, they are now more environmentally friendly...

The new ones are Nuclear

Never used chains on a 4wd, but about 20 years while doing support for a mate and his family skiing the southern 80 at Echuca, i was towing their trailer behind a 308 sle VH dunnydoor and with the tracks muddy and mostly under water it was only a hq 1 tonner with chains on the rear that was able to pull all the bogged vehicles out. Can definately see the benefit on a 4wd in boggy conditions where most muddies turn to slicks.

Quite a few years ago now, we were coming out of the Macalister valley after q huge weekend of rain.
Normally it would have been an easy 1hour drive out but because a bunch of Nongs (some of them Landrover drivers) had driven out using chains it took us 7 hours to get out, winching most of the way. The chains had made a huge mess to the track.
It is possible to use chains and make less of a mess of tracks, but it is just as easy to totally ruin the track. If you have to turn around tight bends then it will chew up the track no mater what you do.

And most importantly what Mick said is correct, using chains in Victoria (unless instructed to do so) is illegal.

Hi,
Me fitting chains to the old FX on the road into Blanket Bay in 1966.



I wasn't going anywhere with out them.

cheers