Hey Guys,

I want to try and get to the snow this year (I've never been!) but I'm wondering, will I be able to use chains with 18s and superlows? Anybody tried it, experiences?

I've heard of guys in lowered commodores with 19s being able to use chains, so I'm just wondering if its plasable in a magna...

Edit: Or am I best buying a set of stockies, or forget it?

Cheers,
Dean

I'd buy a set of stockies just so you don't damage the 18's with chains wrapped around them. Not sure how well you'd go with the extra width of the 18"s either, might find the chains making contact with the front guards on bumps, where as standard 15 or 16 inch factory wheels should clear the lip even with the chains.

Try giving Ovens Valley Parts centre a call on 03 5755 5122 as they sell chain sets from $30.00 2nd hand or have new sets starting from $90.00. Agree with Lugo that a set of stockies is probably more the go as most chain sets (although adjustable) would be based on the vehicles stock set up.

Cheers

Try giving Ovens Valley Parts centre a call on 03 5755 5122 as they sell chain sets from $30.00 2nd hand or have new sets starting from $90.00. Agree with Lugo that a set of stockies is probably more the go as most chain sets (although adjustable) would be based on the vehicles stock set up.

Cheers

65-70mm lower suspension isnt exactly a stock setup though :P

Buy a AWD and you won't need them :woot: but seriously chains are a right royal pain in the fingers. From memory you can't fit chains to a AWD and a "normal" VRX with 17" wheels (according to the owners manual but stand to be corrected)
I had a stock pulsar (suspension & wheels) and the amount of room you have to put them on and take them off is minimal. Practice Practice Practice B4 you go. You need to put them on in 30 seconds otherwise your fingers freeze. I would highly recommend stock wheels and tyres as they will give you the space required for the chains to fit. They can do damage to your rims (and other parts) the mechanics in Jindy have a ready supply of CV boots (experience talking). Alternatively you can get to the ski tube without requiring them, will get you to Perisher, also saves the stupid over the top National Park entry fee, something like $30 odd a day.

dean there is no chance you are getting chains on. They will foul on the upper control arms for sure.

gives me a good excuse to not drive to the snow, oh sorry my cars got 19s and its too low

I put chains on my KH wagon once with kings lows and even that was scraping the front inner plastic guards.
Yeah wouldn't think it would work too well. Let alone the risk of scratching your rims with the chains.

I put chains on my KH wagon once with kings lows and even that was scraping the front inner plastic guards.
Yeah wouldn't think it would work too well. Let alone the risk of scratching your rims with the chains.

Don't suppose you can get low profile chains eh?

The ones i hired were new light weight slim ones and they stil rubbed.

The ones i hired were new light weight slim ones and they stil rubbed.

What size rim? I'm thinking 15" steelies on the front, and my 18x7.5" Nankangs on the back (wider rim and better tyres should give better traction anyways... and they say chains only go on drive wheels)

What size rim? I'm thinking 15" steelies on the front, and my 18x7.5" Nankangs on the back (wider rim and better tyres should give better traction anyways... and they say chains only go on drive wheels)

Yes chains should ONLY go on the driving wheels, so many times I have seen them on the rear wheels of FWD's or vice versa and going sideways (not in a good way either) funny at first but not funny when they are out of control coming at you. Oh and wide tyres are not the best on snow, look at "snow tyres" from the northern hemisphere they are "skinny", "cuts the ice better". Please only put chains on when required and directed you are just digging the road up and causing a danger to others.

Safe skiing!!

I imagine when I buy a spare set of steelies they are going to have cheapass tyres on them. I'd prefer a decent set on the back atleast :P

Have a read of your owners manual. I think it states that snowchains can only be fitted on 15 and 16 inch rims. Its too cold for me to go out to the car to check for sure!


I imagine when I buy a spare set of steelies they are going to have cheapass tyres on them. I'd prefer a decent set on the back atleast :P

You want the good tyres on the front. Steering and traction in the snow and ice is actually quite important believe it or not.

TH owners manual is useless, heres the page:

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/9494/10062009002.jpg (http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/9494/10062009002.jpg)

When I had VRX series II wheels (17x7, +46, with 225/50/17 tyres) could not fit chains because there was not enough space between tyre and the strut. Diameter of the wheel is not the problem but width of the rim is.
Your rims are 7.5" wide with ... offset ? Even if you have clearance between tyre and the strut you will not have enough clearance between tyre and the guard or vice versa.

Not quite sure if my front springs are low or super low, part number is KCFL-42, but front of the car is 50 mm lower than it was with factory springs. That makes fitting chains harder than before, but I can still do it without using jack.
Sleeves need to be rolled above elbows, a pair of disposable gloves and a rug help to keep arms/hands dry and clean afterwards.

I am assuming this will be your first snow trip so I would suggest not to rush and buy spare wheels. You can try to borrow a pair of standard wheels (they can be either 15" or 16" but they need to be 6" wide).

Some hire shops have a choice of standard wheels so people do not damage their expensive light wheels. When you hire the chains you replace front wheels with theirs and they store yours until you return from the mountain. Not sure if there is additional cost for that. Ring a few hire shops where you intend to hire the chains and check with them.

I remember seeing somewhere that you can't fit chains on Magna's with 17" wheels.

TH/KH model came with 15" and 16" by 6" rims and 205/65/15 or 215/60/16 tyres and there is no problems to fit chains on either of them.
Later models with 16" and 17" by 7" wide rims are the ones that can't be fitted with chains.

Guys,

You can fit chains to the VR-X series 2 rims.....

You won't be able to rent them... (No-one I've found has them)

but you can buy the low profile chains. Freakin' expensive.
From memory Rud-matic has them. (Expect $400+ AUD)

There is lot's of room for these particular chains... (They're only 10-15mm high)
They are designed for sports cars, BMW's Merc's etc.

Personally as a regular snow goer...
slip on some stock steelies without the hub caps, and rent them... cheap and common as house bricks to rent these sizes.

And as was mentioned before... practice putting them on before you hit the snow....
if you hear scraping noises. STOP and re-tension the buggers...

over the last 20 years I've seen front and rear guards almost chewed off from some numb nuts that let chains get loose.

Steve

Just came from Hotham and I go up the snow every W/E during the season, good tyres on wide rims on the back are going to do SFA for you. Snow driving is about getting the thinest tyre possible so it will bite through rather than float on the surface, believe it or not cheap tyres on steel rims will be perfect, they are usually hard as so they will bite through. Good tyres/wheels and chains is a waste of a good tyre as the chains will damage both rims and tyres (a bit). Get some steelies put some thin tyres on and have fun! Make sure you buy a cheap tarp to lay on!

Look at your chains and see that they are not tangled place them over from the top so they are right over with one hoop on the inside and one on the outside, now spread the tarp out and reach in a clip up the inside hoop. At the outside hook the links of the chain as tight as you can get it, then the rubber strap through. When you've done that move forward about 3 meters and tighten the whole thing up, might need to tighten it again in 500 meters. Going up the hill should be fine coming back just don't be first off the mountain and stay in the tracks of the car in front, use brakes gently and if they lock, take your foot of the brake and re-apply gently. Hope you have a ball:facejump:

To get them off again is reverse of putting them on only I just let them fall on the road and then drive back and pick them up and wrap them in my tarp and chuck them in the boot.

i have a set of steel rims and tyres you can have, old tread though. and off a TR, 15' though.

came of my car when i got rims. good condition just sitting round for 3 yrs.

i have a set of steel rims and tyres you can have, old tread though. and off a TR, 15' though.

came of my car when i got rims. good condition just sitting round for 3 yrs.

Sounds good, only need 2 anyways :P

Drive around with VL syndrome :)

when you want em? im moving this week (start wednesday)so the less i have to move the better. was actually gunna toss em out.

Whenever man, car is unregistered atm - so picking up is a slight issue at present :P Feel like gokarting this weekend? Dave and I, possibly others are going this saturday after some wiring work on Dave's car...

um........ woulld love to but like said im moving into my new house! you can help if you like... haha

Can you get away without chains in an AWD magna? I'm going in a month, and have 16"x7" rims.

Can you get away without chains in an AWD magna? I'm going in a month, and have 16"x7" rims.

That is the $1000 question. Where are you going?? My understanding is in Victoria you need to carry them regardless. In NSW "4wd is exempted". I have been going every year (many times twice or more) for the past 16 years and every "AWD" Subaru / Audi sedan wagon thingy has been waved thru when chains are required. Have driven the old man's Forester many times and never needed to put then on (He ski's too and has the national park pass). I asked the question last year and the man in fluro last year and he said anything AWD is fine as long as it is "engaged" which we are.
Hope this helps?

That is the $1000 question. Where are you going?? My understanding is in Victoria you need to carry them regardless. In NSW "4wd is exempted". I have been going every year (many times twice or more) for the past 16 years and every "AWD" Subaru / Audi sedan wagon thingy has been waved thru when chains are required. Have driven the old man's Forester many times and never needed to put then on (He ski's too and has the national park pass). I asked the question last year and the man in fluro last year and he said anything AWD is fine as long as it is "engaged" which we are.
Hope this helps?

Cheers mate. I've driven in snow in Tassie without chains, was no problem, but it was on back roads that no one checked. I'm going up to Thredbo / NSW snowies, so its good I can get away without the chains. I hired the chains when i went up to Lake mountain in VIC, but that was in the old camry :)

Cheers mate. I've driven in snow in Tassie without chains, was no problem, but it was on back roads that no one checked. I'm going up to Thredbo / NSW snowies, so its good I can get away without the chains. I hired the chains when i went up to Lake mountain in VIC, but that was in the old camry :)

If you are going ot Thredbo then the chance of snow being on the road is a lot less then Perisher. Had a mate work at Thredbo for a season and she only needed her chains once.

Cheers mate. I've driven in snow in Tassie without chains, was no problem, but it was on back roads that no one checked. I'm going up to Thredbo / NSW snowies, so its good I can get away without the chains. I hired the chains when i went up to Lake mountain in VIC, but that was in the old camry :)

If you are going ot Thredbo then the chance of snow and ice being on the road is a lot less then Perisher. Had a mate work at Thredbo for a season and she only needed her chains once. Perisher on the otherhand.... need them at least once everytime I have gone.

If you are going ot Thredbo then the chance of snow and ice being on the road is a lot less then Perisher. Had a mate work at Thredbo for a season and she only needed her chains once. Perisher on the otherhand.... need them at least once everytime I have gone.

Will probably do some back road stuff too (going hiking). snowdonuts! Yeah!