No going to the snow in a 162TSI :(

[Tigger162]

This is not a victoria thing it's a Hotham thing or a great alpine road thing. These diamond pattern rules don't exist for fallscreek and buller for example. Yes still need to carry but more freedom. I agree with the above poster, just don't go to Hotham lol.

[xzar]

This is not a victoria thing it's a Hotham thing or a great alpine road thing. These diamond pattern rules don't exist for fallscreek and buller for example. Yes still need to carry but more freedom. I agree with the above poster, just don't go to Hotham lol.

Hi Tigger162,

So if going to Falls Creek, getting chains with sufficient clearance is possible for the tiguan highline 18"/20" wheels?

I'm looking at the tiguan highline with r line pack and was thinking about going to Fall Creek next winter so the ability to fit snow chains had to factor into the decision making process.


Thanks!

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[Tigger162]

Hi Tigger162,

So if going to Falls Creek, getting chains with sufficient clearance is possible for the tiguan highline 18"/20" wheels?

I'm looking at the tiguan highline with r line pack and was thinking about going to Fall Creek next winter so the ability to fit snow chains had to factor into the decision making process.


Thanks!

Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk

If you look at the chain post of mine earlier, there is a chain that clamps on the tyre and has no hardwear on the inside of the wheel, so these would do the job but o oh if your not off to Hotham. You could always park at the bottom and get bus up hill. I wouldn't be bothered factoring the snow on a car purchase considering it's something you only do a few times a year unless your a hardcore all winter user, I prefer something that is good 95% of the time.

[Rooboy]

It is annoying. In over 20 years of going to Falls Creek, I've only used chains on 3 occasions and none of those are in the 5 years I've had the Yeti. Going to Hotham, I probably would have had to use them more due to the nature of the road in but it's still hard to justify why Hotham are so pedantic.

[latearrival]

OP here. Summarising what I've learned so far:

1. 0mm clearance chains such as the Thule K Summit and Weissenfels Clack and Go Quattro are acceptable everywhere except Hotham.

2. In 2017, 4WD/AWD vehicles don't need to carry chains for going to the snow in NSW. It's possible this will change in future (apparently the regs in NSW are from the 70s, predating SUVs/AWDs).

3. Winter tyres do not negate the need to carry diamond-pattern chains at Hotham.

4. Fitting wheels/tyres to increase clearance and then using diamond-pattern chains is an option. See this post for specifics.
Alternatively, fit wheels with winter tyres (and more clearance) for the 3 months of winter (and still carry chains).

5. Hire a car? Nope. Apparently car rental companies don't allow their cars above the snowline

6. After-market spacers? Nope. Illegal. Invalidates new car warranty. Invalidates insurance.

7. Other suggestions - Get the bus. Borrow a car. Avoid Hotham.

Updated 24 August 2019 based on further discussion in this thread.

8. Fit diamond-pattern chains to rear-wheels only. Not recommended by VW (and so possibly not safe) but acceptable to Hotham.

9. Fit 0mm clearance chains to the front wheels (safety) and diamond-pattern chains to the rear wheels (to appease Hotham).

[Tigger162]

Nice summary. Just found this, seems winter tyres can let you off the hook for chains. Costly route to take but for those that are regular would be the go.

Australian regulations | Snow Tyres

[snowtyres]

No going to the snow in a 162TSI 😞

The issue with snow chain clearance is not only with 2017- Tiguan.
It also applies to
Skoda Kodiaq
Volvo XC 90, current model
Audi Q7, current model
Audi Q5, new model

[GeorgeMK1]

If you really want to go to buller, why not just buy a second hand pair of wheels and snow tyres? Lets be realistic, the 5x112 stud pattern is readily available (audi/skoda/merc/vw). Find a second hand set of wheels which Ive seen go for as little as $150 for a set, and then find some second hand tyres to allow you to fit the snow chains. Heck, you can even find a set with a lower offset so that you have more clearance.
It's really not that hard? Or as mentioned use spacers and just be done with it.

[pologti18t]

I can guarantee the tyres fitted to the R-Line will not like the cold and snow one little bit.

Europeans fit a set of winter rims/tyres.

Do what people do in NSW... park below snowline and catch bus or whatever to the slopes.
Or take the risk... and make sure you make a beeline to your car at the first sign of a blizzard.

There are issues when diamond pattern snow chain systems are used on high performance 2WD or AWD ‘summer’ tyres. On summer tyres snow chains will grip to the snow/ice but the tyre can slip or spin the chain even when they are correctly tensioned on to the tyre. The problem is worse when the vehicle has been parked at the resort because the low ambient temperature makes the tyres harder and therefore has even less grip to the chain.

[GeorgeMK1]

Do what people do in NSW... park below snowline and catch bus or whatever to the slopes.

That is what I did last week at Mt Buller. It's the worst snow I've ever seen there and chains were mandatory and I didn't want to damage my BBS, so I parked down the bottom and caught up a bus. Easy peasy

[latearrival]

If you really want to go to buller, why not just buy a second hand pair of wheels and snow tyres?....
It's really not that hard? Or as mentioned use spacers and just be done with it.

Yeah, buying another set of wheels/tyres is an option for some. If you live in an inner city apartment though, like I do, there's nowhere to store a bike yet alone 4 wheels/tyres for the rest of the year.

And Buller isn't the problem because you can fit 0mm clearance chains.

It's Hotham that has the more stringent standards (diamond-pattern). And you still have to carry chains even with winter tyres fitted.

Non-factory fitted spacers are aren't really a viable option. They're illegal and invalidate your warranty and car insurance.

[latearrival]

Nice summary. Just found this, seems winter tyres can let you off the hook for chains. Costly route to take but for those that are regular would be the go.

Australian regulations | Snow Tyres

Good find! But I think the Hotham regulations have changed since that was produced (May 2015). That chart says that spider & ladder chains are permitted at Hotham, but that definitely isn't the case any more.

EDIT - IGNORE THIS. I was looking at the wrong column

[NW3192]

Track down a member named 'adioz'. He's dealt with all of this.


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[Tigger162]

Good find! But I think the Hotham regulations have changed since that was produced (May 2015). That chart says that spider & ladder chains are permitted at Hotham, but that definitely isn't the case any more.

Check again, it says not permitted

[latearrival]

Check again, it says not permitted

Right, thanks, sorry. God knows what I was looking at

The info for Hotham seems a bit ambiguous tho'. Under Permitted Chain Types it says:
Diamond pattern chains - Mandatory.
Winter/snow tyres - Accepted

Does this mean winter tyres are accepted in-lieu of chains? Or does it mean that you can drive with winter tyres but you still need the mandatory diamond pattern chains?