Snow Chains on your XR with 17" wheels

[Turbofalke]

Hired a set - 3days for $40. I'll let you know how they go. The suspension bolt looks close by should make it. The self tensioner on the chains should help.

[Turbofalke]

Well, as it turned out I didn't need to use chains anyway, and the word is that the rules are going to change so that carring chains is not required in the park (found this out after a late night drink with the Mt Buller chamber of commerce president)

Quick stats - 500kms round trip from Melb / Ave speed 66kms / 12.2 Lt-100kms.

The 4wd's and Awds rule the mountain - but on the way back the XR showed them how its done! One particular smart arse in a subi liberty who appreared to be in a hurry down the mountain passing what everything that was in front of him was a bit shaken when I blew past him on the flat , Id prefer not to say how fast I was, but lets say fast enough!!

BTW - I used the NAVMAN and decided it totally ignore it after it decided the best way to Buller was via every dirt road on the map It appears to have only two settings - Shortest and Quickest - with no option on road surface.

[Cro]

I know on the Navman pin there is an option to hide unsealed roads..

[Turps]

I know on the Navman pin there is an option to hide unsealed roads..

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nah I just take the patrol down these roads and have fun. The rougher the better in that thing.

[profrat]

Well, I've had a few trips up the mountain with the 16" wheels now (an just because I had them on there was no call to fit chains - Murphys Law) and found one little problem I had not thought of. The 215/60-16's are slightly larger in diam. than the 17's. (This actually made my speedo close enough to spot on rather than 3% fast - checked against the GPS). Problem is on a greasy road the ABS gets a bit confused and want to kick in way too early. I guess it sees the front wheels turning faster than the rears far too well! It didn't create any dangerous dramas so far but it has me thinking again.

Saw an XR6 T at Hotham with a set of standard Fairmont 16" mags on it. At least that gets all the wheels the same diameter.

Now that it is late in the season I have put the 17's back on for the last trip. It's unlikely I will need chains now and if I do have to fit them for a short distance, I will just have to put up with the skinned knuckles. I think I will keep my eyes open for a nice set of 6.5" or 7" x 16" Mags.

[ford_lover]

We didn't have any trouble getting them on despite being told they wouldn't fit. We only drove 10-15km with them on but it doesn't seem to have damaged the car.

[rjn]

We didn't have any trouble getting them on despite being told they wouldn't fit. We only drove 10-15km with them on but it doesn't seem to have damaged the car.

Hi Ford_Lover,

Off to the snow this weekend, but would like to know, what make/model/size are the chains? did you buy or hire?

thanks

[harvyk]

Hi Ford_Lover,

Off to the snow this weekend, but would like to know, what make/model/size are the chains? did you buy or hire?

thanks

When you call up the shop tell them your tyre size (from memory the 17" are 235/45/R17) and they should be able to give you the correct fitting set of chains, just put them on before leaving the store to make sure there are no problems and that the chains only go over the tyre, not the wheel itself.

[profrat]

Another update.

I managed to get away with using the standard wheels all last ski season. Well, there was virtually no snowfall anyway. :-( Didn't fit chains at all last year.

This year I went back to the standard 16" steel wheels on the rear for the first couple of trips up the hill. There was plenty of snow and I fitted chains both time. I got a fright on the way home the second time though. Cruising into a slightly damp tightening corner and the rear started to slide a bit. Plenty of grip on the front. Those standard rears have stuff-all grip on a wet greasy road!! A quick small correction caught it but my daughter was not impressed! Since then it's been the 17" rears only! As luck would have it, no more need to fit the chains anyhow on subsequent trips.

One pair of standard steel wheels and tyres going cheap! I will just have to put up with skun knuckles!

Edited 19/09/07 11:11 AM by profrat

[adaze]

Hi everyone!

Ive just bought my first Falcon (FG XR6) , and heading off to the snow on the weekend. Ive been doing alot of reading about snow chains and peoples experience with them, one of my friends who has just returned from the snow says they are flogging these "Snow Socks" ??

Anyone had any experience with them? Better/Worse? or just go with the diamond chains?

Cheers,

Adam