AT20 or MTR for drive to Vic snow resorts?

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I currently run 2 sets of tyres.
AT20s have good tread (75%) and still has sipes visible.
Wrangler MTRs are about 50% tread with no sipes.
Tread depth on both are roughly the same.

Previously when driving around Barrington Tops in wet weather and going around the twisties in bitumen, the MTRs would lose traction momentarily at 40psi if I meet mid corner bumps. Took it down to 28psi and all is good again. I haven't taken the AT20s out on trips as that is mainly used in the city.

What are the road conditions like up to the snow resorts in Vic? We're just heading up for a day trip and will head to Lake Mountain or Mt Buller.

I read that Pro comp ATs are great for snow and looking at the tread pattern, it shows a fair amount of siping in the tread blocks. And sipes are good for wet surfaces.

What are your thoughts? We don't intend to go offroad in this trip. Maybe the AT20s are the go for a more comfy (silent) drive to Vic?

[Hibbo Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hibbo]

Hi amts,

The main roads up to the ski resorts are fine, just windy. Hope no one gets car sick to easily! AT's should be fine, just remember to bring chains or hire them.

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Cheers Hibbo.Yeah we'll need to hire a few things. I read that chains are compulsory in Vic. I was hoping to not have to carry it with driving a 4WD.

[Hibbo Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hibbo]

Yeah thats always a hot topic come winter in our club as well. I think it depends on the serverity of the snow and ice. The signs do say at some points that all, including AWD and 4WD MUST have chains onboard, but I think AWD and 4WD dont have to fit them if the driver doesnt think they need them, where as 2WD must also fit them if the signs say to.

A bit confusing and happy to be corrected but thats the way I have always seen it.

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I think that in NSW, only 2WDs are required to carry chains.If I'm not mistaken, the fine for not carrying chains in Vic is pretty hefty. I guess they are being a bit more cautious about getting a big dump of snow and people sliding all over the place.

[Chris_M Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chris_M]

Victorian Regulations

The Alpine Resorts (Management) Regulations outline the following:
A person in charge of a vehicle who enters an alpine resort must at all times during the snow season, carry wheel chains suitable to be properly fitted to that vehicle.
An authorised officer may, at any time, for reasons of safety or for the control or protection of an alpine resort, direct a person in charge of a vehicle to ensure that wheel chains are properly fitted to the drive wheels of that vehicle or, in the case of four wheel drive vehicle, to either the front or rear wheels of that vehicle.
A person in charge of a vehicle entering or in an alpine resort during the snow season must, when directed to do so by an authorised officer under sub-regulation (2), ensure that wheel chains are properly fitted to the vehicle in the manner directed by that officer.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.
In 2009-10, one penalty unit was $116.82.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Cheers Hibbo.Yeah we'll need to hire a few things. I read that chains are compulsory in Vic. I was hoping to not have to carry it with driving a 4WD.

Hi amts,

The main roads up to the ski resorts are fine, just windy. Hope no one gets car sick to easily! AT's should be fine, just remember to bring chains or hire them.

Yeah thats always a hot topic come winter in our club as well. I think it depends on the serverity of the snow and ice. The signs do say at some points that all, including AWD and 4WD MUST have chains onboard, but I think AWD and 4WD dont have to fit them if the driver doesnt think they need them, where as 2WD must also fit them if the signs say to.

A bit confusing and happy to be corrected but thats the way I have always seen it.

I think that in NSW, only 2WDs are required to carry chains.If I'm not mistaken, the fine for not carrying chains in Vic is pretty hefty. I guess they are being a bit more cautious about getting a big dump of snow and people sliding all over the place.

Hey guys,

I'd be running lower pressure for traction either way.
40psi isn't great in cold wet conditions unless you like sliding around.
Naturally The more aggressive tyres would be better in the snow.
Waste of time having snow chains on Prados, rear might be ok, but no clearance at front UCA (as you might know)
But yes they say you must carry them........
I'd probably just use the a/t unless you were going to do a snow run on to tracks.
Have fun.

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Thanks Chris. Rules are rules I guess. I was hoping not to have any more stuff to carry.Thanks ####. I'll stick with the AT20 then. It'll be a much quieter drive for once when we go away as the MTRs are usually fitted on our trips away.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Victorian Regulations

The Alpine Resorts (Management) Regulations outline the following:
A person in charge of a vehicle who enters an alpine resort must at all times during the snow season, carry wheel chains suitable to be properly fitted to that vehicle.
An authorised officer may, at any time, for reasons of safety or for the control or protection of an alpine resort, direct a person in charge of a vehicle to ensure that wheel chains are properly fitted to the drive wheels of that vehicle or, in the case of four wheel drive vehicle, to either the front or rear wheels of that vehicle.
A person in charge of a vehicle entering or in an alpine resort during the snow season must, when directed to do so by an authorised officer under sub-regulation (2), ensure that wheel chains are properly fitted to the vehicle in the manner directed by that officer.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.
In 2009-10, one penalty unit was $116.82.

Can we fit suitable chains properly?
Going by that we are not allowed at an alpine resort.
Well chains might fit with 265/65?????

[Hibbo Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hibbo]

Can we fit suitable chains properly?
Going by that we are not allowed at an alpine resort.
Well chains might fit with 265/65?????

Chains fit the rear fine, which are drive wheels, so you are fine with the law.

I have only fitted them once to my 165/70/17 size tyres and that was last year when off road in 0.5 to 1m of snow. As you say though, waste of time on the front.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Chains fit the rear fine, which are drive wheels, so you are fine with the law.

I have only fitted them once to my 165/70/17 size tyres and that was last year when off road in 0.5 to 1m of snow. As you say though, waste of time on the front.

I don't want to be a smart arse, but on a Prado the front are drive wheels also.
????mmmm?????

[Hibbo Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hibbo]

I don't want to be a smart arse, but on a Prado the front are drive wheels also.
????mmmm?????

Yeah but the law states "drive wheels" so chains on the rear cover that. You said it yourself you can't fit to front wheels.

You don't need 2 sets fitted just cause it an AWD.

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I'm now back from a week in Melbourne. Wasn't required to carry chains so happy about not having to spend extra $$$. The ski hire place at Marysville didn't mention it either. It seems ridiculous that the Vic rulings do not have an exception written for not having to carry chains if the advisory signs don't say to.