Snow chains for Octavia Scout

[4thchicken]

found out the hard way a couple of weeks ago when off to buller that I couldnt hire chains for my RS from the ski shop. Somewhat surprised and annoyed at that fact as had assumed all 'standard' wheels (ie comes with car as standard spec) would be chainable. Meant that the next time I went to the snow (last weekend) and in any future trips, I cant actually take my RS and need to borrow someone else's car.

Dont suppose skoda australia would have chains that they sell/would work?

[K1W1]

There are plenty of places in Melbourne who hire chains try one of those.

I had the same problem with my Land Rover a couple of years ago. One size oversize tyres and no chains of the correct size at the hire place in Bright or somewhere that way. As the sun was shining and the forecast was great I just hired the standard size chains knowing that they would not fit, that nobody ever checks that you have the correct sized chains and that I (hopefully) wouldn't need them. I didn't need them so it worked out well. I wouldn't do that with a 2WD car and I certainly aren't recommending that anybody else does it.

[shayne]

Thanks for the info and tips. And nice to here that the Scout handled the blizzard conditions up and down Hotham.

We don't have may options really. Of the last 4 VAG cars, none of them were "apporoved" to run chains on the "summer" rim/tyre combinations. Somehow, I managed to find workable chain solutions for all cars. Warranty problems? Dunno. We only need to run chains on the front wheels unlike some of the more grand SUVs which require traction aids on all 4 wheels to avoid screwing up the all wheel drive systems that are used.
Options?
A second set of winter tyres and rims? Pricey. Awkward
Buy an Audi The dealers offer, or at least did offer a temporary exchange service to get people up to the snow on winter tyres. Don't see our Skoda dealers offering this service
Auto socks? Seems like an excellent option, except, they are not understood here in Victoria.
Other traction aids? Have hunted for them. More choice OS, but might be a bugger to get them here.
Chains? The problem that we have is clearance b/w the tyre and the suspension strut. You just have to get something that fits in there without fouling. For the Scout at least, fouling on the guard does not seem to be a risk as the car sits pretty high. Damage to alloys? This one you will have to check yourself. For me, I do not see it as a problem.
At the end of the day you have to carry something. The K7s were the only option available at the time. They fit. They work, but because of the small link size, they are horribly fiddly and probably would not work in deep snow. Hopefully you will never need whatever you get - you are driving an AWD after all. I made it up and down Hotham last winter in blizzard conditions with no problems. Impressive really, seeing as the Scout comes equipped only with road tyres.
Good luck in your quest,
Ivars

[shayne]

Heath at Bayford Skoda has promised an answer to this one......but that was several weeks ago and nothing yet......but have faith in Heath letting me know when he knows.

[shayne]

These Thule chains look alot like the RUD Centrax...........similar design but another option....thanks.

What about these? K-Summit K12 - Thule - Thule RV Accessories - Tire Chains

[shayne]

The Konig K7s could be an option...I was wondering where you purchased them......I have been quoted $595 for these here in Melbourne.

Got some Konig K7 chains for the Scout last year ($270 maybe). With a 7mm link they're probably the best you're going to get to fit the front tyres. They have received a trial run with no problems, but who can tell. With the limited space, a change of tyre could throw things out.
Cheers,
Ivars

[shayne]

Similar design to the RUD Centrax....thanks.

What about these? K-Summit K12 - Thule - Thule RV Accessories - Tire Chains

[IBN]

$595? Pricey. I don't remember paying that much. Bought mine from DejaVu in Niddrie. They had to be ordered in, but as the distributor is in Melbourne (or was), should not be a problem. As always, it does pay to shop around.
Cheers,
Ivars

[jackpos]

These look good...

Mita chains testing on Skoda Octavia Scout

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1IILyGDS00

[spud75]

These look good...

Mita chains testing on Skoda Octavia Scout



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1IILyGDS00

That's a thread revival if I ever saw one, but I use biathlon 'chains' and fit with no issue.

[BottomScratcher]

Hi there,

Has anyone had any experience with snow chains and the Octavia Scout? We have 17 inch tyres on at the moment.

I have been told that Skoda only recommend snow chains to fit their winter tyres......this is, however, a very expensive option when only going to the Victorian snowfields 6/7 times a year.

The other option is apparently the RUD Centrax...and I have been quoted $795!!!!

Any other ideas or comments?

Thanks

As woofy says, alloys and snow chains don't play well together, and the chains will win every time.

I don't get Skoda recommending chains over snow tyres. The purpose of snow tyres (winter treads) is to lessen if not totally negate the need for chains. I've spent 8 European winters covered in GoreTex. The last car I had was a BMW M3, and like most Europeans I would alternate my wheels and tyres between summer and winter set ups. I had a set of Pirelli winter treads, and they were magic!

It's EU law to carry chains in a certain period of the year. It's not uncommon for cops to man sections of road before where they deem it necessary for drivers to fit chains. Especially after heavy falls before ploughs and salt/grit spreaders have been over those sections. The major concern is always a truck reverse jack knifing and blocking roads completely. I have been waved through many of these police points where drivers were being pulled over to fit chains before going over mountain passes and the like after simply turning to full lock and pointing to my tyres. The cops saw the healthy winter treads and waved me through. Never once did they make me fit chains.

I'd get a second set of rims with decent, but low end tyres, and use the chains. Our winters are too short to justify a second set of winter treads, but as said, the parks are going to make you carry them - if not fit them - no matter what. The choice really is out of your hands. The prices of chains here are outrageous, because the sellers know that winter treads aren't common, and the parks require chains anyhow. Don't consider driving on winter treads all year either. The noise from the tread pattern on bitumen at speed is deafening.

[pologti18t]

I'd get a second set of rims with decent, but low end tyres, and use the chains. Our winters are too short to justify a second set of winter treads, but as said, the parks are going to make you carry them - if not fit them - no matter what.

Maybe cheap steel rims fitted with some all-season tyres (like USA). Give you adequate highway performance and a modicum of ability in the snow (such that it is in Oz) without fitting chains

[brad]

A cheap set of 16" with 205/60r16. If your willing to put up with something a bit scratched & battered you'll find them for $100-$200.

If want it to look factory fresh then you'll get mint ones for $400. In particular, look for the 16x7.5 Audi alloys with 225/55r16. Would be perfect on a Scout.

15" should fit as well.

All my relatives in Austria & Germany run winter wheels & tyres