Hi Guys, Never had chains for a vehicle before and what with the occassional dumps here making life "interesting" I figured maybe a set tucked away int he corner of the garage wouldnt be a bad idea.
Basically I am planning to tour around a bit now I am in the sth and with the unpredictability of the weather (and my worn tyres) a set of chains might be useful insurance.
Should I get a complete set of 4 or just some for the front?
Ladder or diamond pattern?
Ice breakers?
My tyres are khumo kl71 265/75r16 so what price should I expect?
Can I run chains on my swb 96 Prado with these tyres?
Am I able to buy off the shelf (multi fit) or should I get some made for the tyres (perfect fit)?
Recommendations of anywhere to visit?
I have left this a little late I know but have a trip to Hanmer this weekend and now they are forcasting snow again. The wife suggested maybe some chains would make her feel safer. She didnt feel that some difflocks would help though - Damn it...
Cheers,
Heath
Snow chains
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ActyonMan
- Bush Crasher
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:45 pm
- Location: Burnham, Canterbury, New Zealand
Re: Snow chains
Did you get out and about in the last snowfall?
On the Monday I needed 4wd to get out of my garage, in the Rolleston New World carpark, the council HQ carpark, and on the BP forecourt (before they had it swept) - but I didn't need chains (which I have) and didn't need to let air out of my tyres. Didn't need chains on the roads. It wasn't too bad really.
The biggest danger on the road in the snow is the other idiot drivers who don't slow down at all and hurtle past at any opportunity.
NZTA keep the state highways pretty clear. The road to Hanmer isn't too high, though I've been there in snow I've never driven their when it is snowing, plus any snow is forecast Thursday night and Friday.
ActyonMan
On the Monday I needed 4wd to get out of my garage, in the Rolleston New World carpark, the council HQ carpark, and on the BP forecourt (before they had it swept) - but I didn't need chains (which I have) and didn't need to let air out of my tyres. Didn't need chains on the roads. It wasn't too bad really.
The biggest danger on the road in the snow is the other idiot drivers who don't slow down at all and hurtle past at any opportunity.
NZTA keep the state highways pretty clear. The road to Hanmer isn't too high, though I've been there in snow I've never driven their when it is snowing, plus any snow is forecast Thursday night and Friday.
ActyonMan
Re: Snow chains
hi Heath
chain protection services, birmingham drive, addington, the boys down the are great to deal with. I think that size only comes in ladder style , I got some last year $250 for one set and ice breaker, i went to get some more on the monday of the last snow. but didnt have the tyres mine will fit my 33' and my 31' by taking out 1 ladder and tieing back the extra chain.1 set is good but 2 sets would be better. and you can use them if your 4wheelin in mud etc if you want you can borrow mine for the weekend. could pick them up on the way to hamner. I am in rangiora. pm me if needed.
cheers tony
chain protection services, birmingham drive, addington, the boys down the are great to deal with. I think that size only comes in ladder style , I got some last year $250 for one set and ice breaker, i went to get some more on the monday of the last snow. but didnt have the tyres mine will fit my 33' and my 31' by taking out 1 ladder and tieing back the extra chain.1 set is good but 2 sets would be better. and you can use them if your 4wheelin in mud etc if you want you can borrow mine for the weekend. could pick them up on the way to hamner. I am in rangiora. pm me if needed.
cheers tony
Re: Snow chains
Hi Heath
If you are using them for offroad then the ladder type 'ice breaker' are the way to go but these are vicious on the road. They jar something chronic and wear out quick.
Simple chain link is the best for on the road (snow etc) but if you want the ultimate, ice breaker are the way to go.
I just about always use 4 chains and do so often but on the road usually only one is needed. Put them on the front if on the road, rear off the road if only using one set for the best bang for ya buck.
If you are using them for offroad then the ladder type 'ice breaker' are the way to go but these are vicious on the road. They jar something chronic and wear out quick.
Simple chain link is the best for on the road (snow etc) but if you want the ultimate, ice breaker are the way to go.
I just about always use 4 chains and do so often but on the road usually only one is needed. Put them on the front if on the road, rear off the road if only using one set for the best bang for ya buck.
SWB V6 Paj with one or two mods 
Re: Snow chains
yep chain protection services will sort you out, they got plenty chains. made up a set for my truck real heavy duty ones wat a difference they make driving around the hills 
they dig right down to the hard stuff if you need them too great in the snow like others said tho no good on the road but my advise if your after chains for off road buy a heavy set you wont regret it 
they dig right down to the hard stuff if you need them too great in the snow like others said tho no good on the road but my advise if your after chains for off road buy a heavy set you wont regret it -
IcedJohnno
- Trailer Trash
- Posts: 821
- Joined: Tue Oct 11, 2005 12:00 pm
- Location: Christchurch nr the hills
Re: Snow chains
Hi Heath
Back when the 90 series Prado like yours was new and had just come out with the 65th edition version, I used to borrow the then GF's father's 65th one. This was before I bought my 71 series.
It was the factory standard LWB NZ-new, all bells and whistles version, with centre diff lock from memory. Same size tyres as yours but in a road tread version.
I easily put my 31 x 10.5 icebreaker chains on all four wheels and thrashed the vehicle hard in very deep snow on the side of a mountain track, normally for summer-only use. This was usually in the weeks leading up to season opening weekend on our ski-field. I maintain the ski tows.
I never had any issues with that Prado, other than the beeper going off when the traction control got all hot and bothered. The owner was pleased to see it being used too. He used to walk up! At the point that the alarm was going off, it was usually in nearly 2 feet of hard pack snow, cutting its own track up the trail. This is not a situation many find themselves in, so have confidence in your vehicle with chains on all fours.
I find my 71 Prado (swb) with no centre diff (part time 4wd as opposed to permanent 4wd) and the two axle diff locks to be great in snow. Will cut through loose snow on the same track another 1/2 foot deeper and that is still on 31's.
Beware of this type of activity though. 2 hours to drive 1km and constant digging away the snow under the vehicle lead me to a knee op! Leveraging a shovel whilst kneeling ((.
I too get my chains from CPS.
I never buy anything less than the heavy duty ice-breaker version. Remember low range puts lots of torque reaction into the tyres. Especially when I am spinning the tyres/chains constantly, throwing rocks. I can fill my trailer with 50mm of shingle over that 1km journey in deep snow!
I avoid using the ice-breakers on tarseal cos they get rooted really quickly.
There is an even tougher version with 4 prongs that stick down 15mm from every cross-bar link, as well.
It would be very painful to use these on a tarseal road though.
If you want them for road use only then get the diamond pattern small square link ones. Just don’t expect to be able to abuse them off-road.
They are way more comfortable on-road and offer some steering ability as well.
Unless playing in deep mud (32 Simex's) I run KL-71's as well. The chains are a wee bit of a fiddle to get over the Kumho lugs but no biggie.
I find it important to get them really tight,and have twice as many extra wire connectors on the rubber tensioning bungys. Before getting those on, I drive 100 metres and re-tension my chains. It saves wearing away my fibreglass flares and the ripping out the electrical wires to my front hubs. On the latter, I have bent the mounting brackets inwards away from the tyres to give more clearance.
Back when the 90 series Prado like yours was new and had just come out with the 65th edition version, I used to borrow the then GF's father's 65th one. This was before I bought my 71 series.
It was the factory standard LWB NZ-new, all bells and whistles version, with centre diff lock from memory. Same size tyres as yours but in a road tread version.
I easily put my 31 x 10.5 icebreaker chains on all four wheels and thrashed the vehicle hard in very deep snow on the side of a mountain track, normally for summer-only use. This was usually in the weeks leading up to season opening weekend on our ski-field. I maintain the ski tows.
I never had any issues with that Prado, other than the beeper going off when the traction control got all hot and bothered. The owner was pleased to see it being used too. He used to walk up! At the point that the alarm was going off, it was usually in nearly 2 feet of hard pack snow, cutting its own track up the trail. This is not a situation many find themselves in, so have confidence in your vehicle with chains on all fours.
I find my 71 Prado (swb) with no centre diff (part time 4wd as opposed to permanent 4wd) and the two axle diff locks to be great in snow. Will cut through loose snow on the same track another 1/2 foot deeper and that is still on 31's.
Beware of this type of activity though. 2 hours to drive 1km and constant digging away the snow under the vehicle lead me to a knee op! Leveraging a shovel whilst kneeling ((.
I too get my chains from CPS.
I never buy anything less than the heavy duty ice-breaker version. Remember low range puts lots of torque reaction into the tyres. Especially when I am spinning the tyres/chains constantly, throwing rocks. I can fill my trailer with 50mm of shingle over that 1km journey in deep snow!
I avoid using the ice-breakers on tarseal cos they get rooted really quickly.
There is an even tougher version with 4 prongs that stick down 15mm from every cross-bar link, as well.
It would be very painful to use these on a tarseal road though.
If you want them for road use only then get the diamond pattern small square link ones. Just don’t expect to be able to abuse them off-road.
They are way more comfortable on-road and offer some steering ability as well.
Unless playing in deep mud (32 Simex's) I run KL-71's as well. The chains are a wee bit of a fiddle to get over the Kumho lugs but no biggie.
I find it important to get them really tight,and have twice as many extra wire connectors on the rubber tensioning bungys. Before getting those on, I drive 100 metres and re-tension my chains. It saves wearing away my fibreglass flares and the ripping out the electrical wires to my front hubs. On the latter, I have bent the mounting brackets inwards away from the tyres to give more clearance.