Yeti 4x4 not legal in the snow fields in winter!?

[Ryeman]

Just an aside
why do vehicles traveling to NSW snow fields carry chains ..... if they never fit them?
imagine getting caught out in a snow storm on the v lightly trafficked southern approaches to Thredbo and then finding out they were basically useless.....I would imagine you'd be a little bit p....d off.
And the FWD version is worse because they have the same wheel/tyre combo.

Skoda AU .... Not happy!

[brad]

I believe the NSW law says you have to carry chains but it doesn't say you have to fit them. In fact, I have friends that carry chains that don't even fit the car to comply with the law. When they need it, they fit snow socks (or similar).

You realise how backward Australia is in regard to snow / tyre accessories when you start looking at European snow "chain" tests.

[Ryeman]

I believe the NSW law says you have to carry chains but it doesn't say you have to fit them. In fact, I have friends that carry chains that don't even fit the car to comply with the law. When they need it, they fit snow socks (or similar).

You realise how backward Australia is in regard to snow / tyre accessories when you start looking at European snow "chain" tests.

Yeah, but why do they require you to carry them if you never have to use them, is my point.
How many owners of 4WD vehicles think there might be a practical issue in fitting chains?
Are there ANY FWD Asian vehicles that can't fit chains to their car? The FWD Yeti can't go to Victorian ski fields!
I'm starting to wonder if this only relates to VAG vehicles.

[brad]

I assume bureaucracy and failure to close a loophole. NSW RMS is only concerned if they can see a revenue stream from non-compliance.

[Ryeman]

I assume bureaucracy and failure to close a loophole. NSW RMS is only concerned if they can see a revenue stream from non-compliance.

Shock, horror, how can you be so cynical Brad?. D
I'm actually more concerned for those who take their FWD one to our snow fields....they'd be completely stranded.
Once I've worn out my current ones I'll be looking to update to 'appropriate' tyres.

[wai]

Yeah, but why do they require you to carry them if you never have to use them, is my point.

A couple of decades ago I took my brother's family to Threadbo. On the way there, there was a point which was signposted "SNOW CHAINS MUST BE CARRIED PAST THIS POINT", and there was a convenient hire shop for snow chains.

As for fitting them, there are regular points on the way to the snowfields where police or parks rangers will set up and not let you past until you have fitted chains. So, you have to carry them, because once in the area where they might be required, you can be directed to fit them.

The thing is that here, we are not in the same position as in Europe where once the snow starts to fall, people swap wheels and tyres for winter tread tyres with matching wheels. It is just one of the things that you have to live with if there is snow.

[Ryeman]

A couple of decades ago I took my brother's family to Threadbo. On the way there, there was a point which was signposted "SNOW CHAINS MUST BE CARRIED PAST THIS POINT", and there was a convenient hire shop for snow chains.

As for fitting them, there are regular points on the way to the snowfields where police or parks rangers will set up and not let you past until you have fitted chains. So, you have to carry them, because once in the area where they might be required, you can be directed to fit them.

The thing is that here, we are not in the same position as in Europe where once the snow starts to fall, people swap wheels and tyres for winter tread tyres with matching wheels. It is just one of the things that you have to live with if there is snow.

So you're effectively in the same boat.
Looking further into this, with regard both Yetis, you can't simply fit smaller higher profile tyres to get around this - you have to change the wheels too.....7J x 17s are the problem in both instances.

[gldgti]

Ryeman, how do you know a fwd yeti can't have chains on the front? I assume you don't also own one of those, so couldn't have checked the manual.

Edit - my research tells me that it's only the 17" wheel option on the yeti that means you can't put chains on the front. If you have stock 15 or 16 it seems it's OK.

So surely, all you need to do to avoid this problem is not go for the big wheel option if you are a keen skiier? Or buy some 16" rims

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[Ryeman]

[QUOTE=gldgti;1148876]Ryeman, how do you know a fwd yeti can't have chains on the front? I assume you don't also own one of those, so couldn't have checked the manual.
The web site specs are the same for wheels and tyres and I seriously doubt there would be a different strut/hub spec.