Snow Chains

[Phatboy]

Hi guys

Planning a ski trip to Mt Baw Baw Taking the R34 GTR with its AWD for the 1st time. Apparently even though I've never used them, it's mandatory to carry snow chains, otherwise they won't let you in the resort.

The snow chain hire places should have sizes for stock rims yeah? Does the resort staff actually check every car to see if you have them? On the few trips to Mt Buller they never did. I don't mind hiring the chains, I am just hesitant to put the chains on and scratch the hell out of my rims.

Has anyone had any significant damage from chains? I was wondering if places sold/hired chains with the plastic sleeving over the rim part to minimise damage. That would be an easy solution without going buying the ultra-expensive plastic snow chains you can find online. Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks.

[180Roman]

put tape on your rims before the trip,

so that if you get metal chains they rub on the tape and don't damage wheels

i've seen people tape their whole front of the car, when going for long trips, to avoid chips in paint and bugs splatered on paint

[West]

You won't need it on Baw Baw, even Buller the way things are going atm. You're required to carry them in the boot but i doubt you'll need to have them on.

[bombtrack]

^^

What West said. Given the option though, I would not put chains on my LMGT4's. I'd do my best to beg borrow or steal a car more suited to the trip

[Rekin]

^^

What West said. Given the option though, I would not put chains on my LMGT4's. I'd do my best to beg borrow or steal a car more suited to the trip

good idea!

Phatboy I have a Hyundai Getz I will glady swap for the GTR for your snow trip

Make sure you bring it back with a full tank of petrol cause Im doing a favour for you

[bombtrack]

lawl

Just quietly, I'm not sure a Getz is suitable

[West]

Don't you guys prefer seeing the torque gauge going off it's tis when you drive up and down on the MT ?

[ChakGTR]

I went to Baw Baw last yr thinking that i didn need chains... So i just chucked some dodgy chains in the boot that i had lying around just in case someone stopped me.. Paid to get in, and never made it up the mountain, was so icy and snow covered the car was just slidin everywhere... Its a pretty steep incline so u really need them if 2WD.... There is noooooo way i would put chains on a R34 but if u just put it onto full AWD u will get up easy... WRX's without chains where doing fine gettin up...

[chopobo]

went baw baw last season

you definitely need chains

the incline up the slope is pretty steep and it doesn't seem like they clear the roads properly so its covered in ice.

had a lot of trouble last year with a fwd mazda3 with chains getting up.

i would suggest taking a different car up there, as the car will be prone to damage from various factors.

[funkymonkey]

have you tried finding someone who has snow tyres lying around? grab set of cheap wheels and chuck em on.

[ashneel]

not sure with baw baw chain hire but when i went to mt bullar last year mate had 18's on his car. that actually asked for width size and tyre profile best suited. they even came out and showed us how to put it on and the chains were no where near the rims.

you GTR rims will be fine. just make sure you get proper chains that has the plastic tubing around the out wheel area as that gets the chain sitting nicely.

[antonio]

Get snow tyres, go around to a few importers and they should have some laying around.. then your sweet to not run chains

[Phatboy]

Thanks for all the replies. Unfortunately the only other car available to me is a Mazda2 which likely doesn't have enough power to make it up the mountain when icy with 2 passengers and ski gear even with snow chains fitted.

I've heard snow tyres apparently don't work as well as chains. They would be more of a hassle to get on anyway.

Anyway, will ring around the mountain and see if anyone's leasing snow chains specifically for wide, low-profile rubber with decent rims. My suspension is stock, so hopefully clearance won't be an issue.

Cross my fingers that 300 awkw in a heavily laden vehicle will be enough and the chains will stay where they belong next to the subwoofer in the boot

put tape on your rims before the trip,

so that if you get metal chains they rub on the tape and don't damage wheels

What kind of tape? Just normal duct tape? Hmmm... might have to look into this as the easiest option.

Phatboy I have a Hyundai Getz I will glady swap for the GTR for your snow trip

Make sure you bring it back with a full tank of petrol cause Im doing a favour for you

LOL. BP98 ok?

[180Roman]

What kind of tape? Just normal duct tape? Hmmm... might have to look into this as the easiest option.

We use 50mm wide tape for line marking at work, its like duct tape, but does not leave as much sticky residue

it also comes in a range of colours, as far as i know it comes in: blue, red, yellow and white coz that is what we use at work

sorry i don't know the brand, but i'll be at work later today and can have a look

it costs something like $8 per roll and is around 15-20m

[paulr33]

why on earth would you even consider taking your GTR up there, let alone posting about it?

thats absolutely crazy

[West]

Thanks for all the replies. Unfortunately the only other car available to me is a Mazda2 which likely doesn't have enough power to make it up the mountain when icy with 2 passengers and ski gear even with snow chains fitted.

Why not the Mazda?

I take a 1.5lt manual Colt to Buller twice or three time last year.

[KamikazeNinja34]

Personally i wouldnt risk it. Even if you got the chains and all went well...id always be paranoid that something would happen to it if it ever left my sight.

[bombtrack]

I'd be in the Mazda any day.

Chains are definitely a necessity, you won't need them for years then ONE DAY, you'll be up sh1t creek without a paddle.

[West]

Seriously,

The whole idea of owning a car that you love, a gtr for instant, is to be able to take it with you everywhere, enjoy the drive and not to leave it in the garage cover up or avoid increasing milage or offcourse unless its a dedicate Track Car or such.....!

I've taken my old 33gts, 32gtr to the snow many time.........but that's just me though.

[xRHETTx]

Its a $2200 fine for not carrying chains above the snow line (even if you have a 4WD car and don't need to fit them).

A friend of mine has used two circles cut out of one of those blue sleeping mats and he swears by it.

For sizes, the link below is the sizing chart for Konig chains (one of the most popular brands). I got some for the Stagea last time I went up in size 100 to suit 235/45R17 tyres and there was no problem with availability. My wheels are the RS4s/R34 GTT 17x7". But I'm glad I didnt have to fit them as I'm sure they would have rubbed on my guards and hit the seat of the shocks. You might struggle with anything bigger though. I'd recommend ringing ahead.

http://www.snowchains.com.au/sitebuilderco...igcarchains.pdf

That said, which wheels have people fitted chains to on ATTESSA equiped cars? My (poorly translated) Stagea owners manual mentions to only fit them to the front wheels, then in the next section contradicts itself and says only fit them on the rear wheels. I think it might be a translational error and the rear wheel fitting refers to 2WD Stageas. I would imagine that fitting the chains to the front wheels is the way to go.