245/40/19 snow chains help

[moconn20]

Ok so i've done a search but havent found alot of info on snow chains for 245/40/19's.
Now that theres alot more VE's floating around im hoping someone out there has the info i need.

Firstly, has anyone successfully fitted snow chains to this size tyre? If so, what brand and model chains did you use? Were they safe to use on alloy rims?

Secondly does anyone know where i can get some (preferably to hire) somewhere between Newcastle and Jindy?

Cheers,
Mick

[RyanIAm]

Prob about 20 places that hire chains between Newcastle and Jindy, especialling in Cooma, Berridale etc. Remember that Holden says not to use chains on the VE so any damage caused will prob void your warranty. When going to Perisher I usually drive to the tube, saves the hassles.

[moconn20]

yeah i know theres heaps of places to hire but so far i cant find a hire shop with chains big enough to suit 245/40/19's

[Firebug]

I friend of mine just recently got back from a trip to Perisher in his VY SS. He fitted chains to his factory 18" rims while he was there and they have deeply gouged all 4 rims. All now need repairing and respraying. Not too sure if he was given the bum steer when he hired them or not, but it has turned out to be an expensive trip to the snow... :(

[XUV]

19's are too big for snow chains ,
tyre profile too small .

even X5's and Rangies offer or advise the 17 inch option , if snow chains are to be used .

There was another thread on this ,
anyway ,

If ya got a mate who has a 4x4 , swap cars for the weekend .

or get a set of 16's or 17's steelies .

[Nidz]

Yeah I think 18" 45's will work with chains. You can get specialty size chains that suit but you have to not have a lowered car or they will scrape.

[gc5571]

Go with the 16" steel wheel option and use chains that way if you must.

Snow chains + non stock standard base model vehicle = disaster (generally).

I have always done this with my lowered cars with big wheels. I just get a pair of stock steel rims off the base model and a pair of cheapish tyres and change them over whenever I'm going. Looks like sh!t but it works for me. I do spend a lot of time driving in the snow country so it makes it worthwhile. But I also have a 4wd for this reason!

Most hire shop chains will probably be crappy cheap old style ladder chains, over used, ill fitting, hard to fit and over priced for a days hire. If you plan on going to the snow more than a couple of weekends it's nearly as cheap to buy your own set of good ones for about $300 roughly.

Check out http://www.konig.it. I have used their chains every season for 20 years + on about 10 different cars. They are diamond pattern, really quick & easy to fit, colour coded fittings & easy tensioning system. I never have had them come off or loose. I'd never use any other type.

Roof Rack City has a good chain/tyre size selection page to look at, they sell and hire Konig chains...http://www.roofrackcity.com.au/site/snowchain1.asp, they have shops around Sydney & Canberra.

Having said all of that, drive to and catch the Skitube if your only going the once.

[moconn20]

Well iv done the ring around all day and found 2 places that have chains in the right size for 245/40/19.
I know sfa about tyres and sizing... is 245/40/19 the same rolling diameter as the stock ss/sv6 18inch wheels?

I have found a couple of people that have successfully used chains with the stock 18" wheels on ss sedan and sportswagon, so if they are the same rolling diameter then surely clearance wouldnt be a problem with my 19's right? Esspecially on my ute given its stock height.


Most hire shop chains will probably be crappy cheap old style ladder chains, over used, ill fitting, hard to fit and over priced for a days hire. If you plan on going to the snow more than a couple of weekends it's nearly as cheap to buy your own set of good ones for about $300 roughly.

Check out http://www.konig.it. I have used their chains every season for 20 years + on about 10 different cars.
Having said all of that, drive to and catch the Skitube if your only going the once.

Which model of Konig chains do you use? The 2 places i have found that hire the size i need have Konig T2 magic's which seem like pretty good chains to me from the research i have done. They are also quoting me only $50 for 7 days hire.

Skitube is a no go as we are staying at Ski Rider. If only it were that simple.

[XUV]

Well iv done the ring around all day and found 2 places that have chains in the right size for 245/40/19.
I know sfa about tyres and sizing... is 245/40/19 the same rolling diameter as the stock ss/sv6 18inch wheels?
.

yes , same dia as 245/45/18 , within 5mm , 18'' = 678 v 19'' = 681

If you make a habit of going to the snow ,
a set of 16 inch steelies off a tonner would be a goer ,
if they fit over ya front brakes ,
maybe a cheap set of 17's .

[gc5571]

Yep the T2's are the ones I have, and $50 for a week is a bargain. Make sure you get the hire place to show you how to fit them too so you know that they actually fit your car before you get there. They are dead easy to fit, but it's always good to see someone else do it. Have a couple of practice goes at it too. Here's a tip...pack a plastic tarp to put on the ground so if you have to fit them you don't get wet whilst trying to do it. Also fit them, drive a couple of hundred metres and get out and re tension them. The Konig chains don't have any loose bits to flap around, unlike the ladder type chains. I have seen countless cars with shredded front gaurds and rear quarter panels over the years.

If your ute is stock height then you probably have nothing to worry about clearance wise. The main concern is the tyre to the guard distance as the chains will add about another 1/2 an inch or so to you tyre diameter.

Ski Rider is good, not too far to drive to hit the slopes. Chances are you wont even need to use them, but you have to carry them.

[moconn20]

yes , same dia as 245/45/18 , within 5mm , 18'' = 678 v 19'' = 681
QUOTE]

Excellent. thanks mate.

[QUOTE=gc5571;1544214]
Ski Rider is good, not too far to drive to hit the slopes. Chances are you wont even need to use them, but you have to carry them.

Yeah I've been to ski rider quite a few times now, just the first time I've taken the ute up there. Im not planning on needing them but i want all bases covered just in case. thanks for your help mate.

[MTC]

I friend of mine just recently got back from a trip to Perisher in his VY SS. He fitted chains to his factory 18" rims while he was there and they have deeply gouged all 4 rims. All now need repairing and respraying. Not too sure if he was given the bum steer when he hired them or not, but it has turned out to be an expensive trip to the snow... :(


Your Mate had chain's on all four rims?:confused:

[steve_t]

Your Mate had chain's on all four rims?:confused:

U need to on a RWD car. Extra grip for the driving wheels and extra grip for the front wheels to steer :)

[fx160]

U need to on a RWD car. Extra grip for the driving wheels and extra grip for the front wheels to steer :)
not that i've ever herd
when i hired chains years ago you only got 2 for the drive wheels only

kev

[moconn20]

not that i've ever herd
when i hired chains years ago you only got 2 for the drive wheels only

kev

Yeah, everyone iv talked to and everywhere iv read agrees with this... only 2 chains, drive wheels only.

[davus]

19's are too big for snow chains ,
tyre profile too small .

even X5's and Rangies offer or advise the 17 inch option , if snow chains are to be used .

There was another thread on this ,
anyway ,

If ya got a mate who has a 4x4 , swap cars for the weekend .

or get a set of 16's or 17's steelies .

Untrue - Konig T2 Magic in size 104 will fit. Thing to watch is 1/4 panel clearance. HSV VZ Senator has 245/40/19 and fits fine.


U need to on a RWD car. Extra grip for the driving wheels and extra grip for the front wheels to steer

Untrue. Believe me, we go skiing every season, and this is false.

[steve_t]

not that i've ever herd
when i hired chains years ago you only got 2 for the drive wheels only

kev

Sorry, my bad. Y'all are right... but I still think you should need 4 :confused: steering and braking are important :rofl: but obviously the car handles fine with just rear :goodjob:
I don't actually know cos I've never put chains on the maloo. I go to the snow in the subaru :goodjob: Crap, I'm just another keyboard warrior spreading misinformation on the internet :bawl:

[Firebug]

Your Mate had chain's on all four rims?:confused:

Also my bad...

Called him last night and he said the chains were only on the rears. When we were talking earlier he said the chains had gouged his rims and wanted to know where I got mine repaired and how much for all 4 rims. Seems I misunderstood what he meant. He has a couple of marks on the fronts that he wants fixed as well...

Appologies :jester:

[moconn20]

Untrue - Konig T2 Magic in size 104 will fit. Thing to watch is 1/4 panel clearance.

Correct, and i found a place that hires actually them in this size. did a trial fit and fit well... no clearance issues at all (with stock suspension).
there is a concern with rim damage if i have to use them but thats a risk im willing to take, hopefully wont need to use them. Even so i have a few ideas up my sleeve i might look into for protecting my rims.

woohoo IT CAN BE DONE

[quinny0410]

There is a thing called an Auto Sock.They suit cars that cannot fit chains.Go to www.autosock.com.au.There priced between $180 - $200. Just not sure if they meet Australian standards.

[Firebug]

www.autosock.com.au

[moconn20]

Autosock isnt allowed by the RTA however quite a few of the places i went to reckon they will be allowed from next year.
Could be BS but it just seemed odd that alot of these places agreed on the same rumour.

[chris]

I use Konig t2 magic 102s on the back of my vz clubsport.For rear wheel drive cars chains on the back and on the front wheels for all wheel drive.
I have worked in the snow for a long time and i have been watching lots of e series commodores go up and down probably the worst stretch of road in Australia when it is covered with snow here at Mt Hotham with no probs most use the konig chain.

chris

[moconn20]

I use Konig t2 magic 102s on the back of my vz clubsport.For rear wheel drive cars chains on the back and on the front wheels for all wheel drive.
I have worked in the snow for a long time and i have been watching lots of e series commodores go up and down probably the worst stretch of road in Australia when it is covered with snow here at Mt Hotham with no probs most use the konig chain.

chris

Did they use any sort of protection for their rims?

[chris]

Have not seen any type of protection on the wheels,i have thought about using some rubber tube to go over the parts that touch the rim as i have just put new wheels on it and are a bit concerned about damaging them.

chris

[moconn20]

Have not seen any type of protection on the wheels,i have thought about using some rubber tube to go over the parts that touch the rim as i have just put new wheels on it and are a bit concerned about damaging them.

chris

Yeah iv considered a few options so far including duct tape or some sort of rubber tubing

[MARS 747-400]

took my ss v ute down last year,BP jindy have the right size chains,all good enjoy:bravo:

[moconn20]

did you have to use them?

[Dieselman]

Hello everybody,

Bit of a tread dig I know but does anybody heard if the Autosocks can be used in VIC yet???

Looking at going to Falls Creek in July and reckon these will be the go if they are legal now.

Cheers

Ben

[aussiemuscle308]

Yeah, everyone iv talked to and everywhere iv read agrees with this... only 2 chains, drive wheels only.

just so long as you know which are your drive wheels. the police pulled up a lady a couple years back with the chains on the rear of a FWD car :rofl:

[Xjas]

I saw a BA falcon a couple of years ago with them on the front only :)

[burkey]

Hello everybody,

Bit of a tread dig I know but does anybody heard if the Autosocks can be used in VIC yet???

Looking at going to Falls Creek in July and reckon these will be the go if they are legal now.

Cheers

Ben

http://www.villageski.com.au/autosockupdate.html

[Dieselman]

Thanks Burkey,

I found that site the other day. I will email Vicroads directly and see if it will change this year.


Cheers

Ben

[CSV Strada SiR]

I have hired chains from Mt Beauty for my 20's - you need to ring and reserve them prior to turning up. BTW they fit perfectly and their are no issues provided we are talking standard set-ups.

[Dieselman]

I have hired chains from Mt Beauty for my 20's - you need to ring and reserve them prior to turning up. BTW they fit perfectly and their are no issues provided we are talking standard set-ups.

Thanks mate that may be an option yet. My Calais is on SSL's so it is not too low :)

[chris]

Thanks Burkey,

I found that site the other day. I will email Vicroads directly and see if it will change this year.


Cheers

Ben

I spoke to the importer of auto sock a couple of days ago and it's not going to change this winter.I would not risk using them as they have not been approved for use in Australia by any of the relavent authorites.I also doubt their performance.
chris

[White Rider]

I spoke to the importer of auto sock a couple of days ago and it's not going to change this winter.I would not risk using them as they have not been approved for use in Australia by any of the relavent authorites.I also doubt their performance.
chris

Snow socks basically work:

YouTube - ‪Drive in snow with this tyre snow sock‬‏

But I think the chain law exists to slow people down, which is exactly what a rattly old chain will do. Perhaps they can legislate snow socks on all 4 wheels, this would give cornering grip.

[chris]

[QUOTE=White Rider;1905613]Snow socks basically work:

Very basically yes,i would like to test them in some challenging conditions.
There are places in alpine Australia that i would only use a diamond pattern chain.

Chris