Fitting of wheel (Snow/Mud) Chains

[Crisp Image Member Find all posts View Profile Close Crisp Image]

First post as I only got my Prado last week so here goes.
My question relates to fitting of wheel chains to the front wheels. My signature does say this is my first 4WD owned however I have been driving one for a number of years at work.
Now when we did our 4WD course our instructor said one of the best places to fit chains is the front wheels to give you "pull and steer and brakes" which I tend to aggree with.
The book says not to install on the front.
Is there a reason why? will it cause damage to the front end. has anyone done it?
Finally what brand of chains do people use. I have to have them to enter the declared hazardous areas in snow season to go skiing.
I look forward to your replies and using this forum to further my knowledge.
Regards
Crisp Image

[weasal4x4 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close weasal4x4]

Re: Fitting of wheel (Snow/Mud) Chains

You need to go skiing up in New South Wales where 4wd's don't need chains. :wink: If the roads are that bad that 4wd's have to put chains on then they'll close them!
When driving cabs up in Jindabyne I've always put them on the drive wheels but that was in 2wd vehicles. If you do put them on make sure there correctly fitted because when you throw a chain or have a loose end flopping around they can do some serious damage to your panels!



Better still if it's at night and there's no one to stop you and tell you to put them on then just cruise in a low gear and use the transmission to slow you down. DONT touch the brake!

[Davey69 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Davey69]

Re: Fitting of wheel (Snow/Mud) Chains

Forget the chains - stay warm and dry. Obviously you should carry them if it is the rules but they are not necessary on a 4WD. I used to commute to Guthega (at Perisher) regularly and drive through some howling blizzards with snow and ice on the road without a problem in a WRX (awd) with road tyres. I got stuck just once after leaving it parked in a blizzard for a few days. The car was snowed in while it was parked in a parking bay that angled down away from the road. A lip of snow and ice built up around the tyres. 4WDs around me in low range got out no worries (& snatched me out too!). A 4WD does not need chains on a snow and/or ice covered road. Slow down and drive to the conditions and you'll be fine without them. Save possible damage to your bodywork, brakes & suspension too.

[Crisp Image Member Find all posts View Profile Close Crisp Image]

Re: Fitting of wheel (Snow/Mud) Chains

Not fitting chains is the ideal however I ski in Victoria and it is a requirement that I carry and fit chains where directed. Yuo can be fined if you enter the resort areas withut them. The likelyhood of fitting them to a 4WD is very low except for Mt Baw Baw which has the steepest access to an alpine area in the state and possible OZ. Thay is why car makers test their brakes on that hill.
Regards
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[katerin Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close katerin]

Re: Fitting of wheel (Snow/Mud) Chains

No chains, the car is just perfect, i have a lot of snow driving here in Bulgaria.

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: Fitting of wheel (Snow/Mud) Chains

The book says not to install on the front.
Is there a reason why?

The reason is the clearance (or lack of it) between the tyre and suspension components, mainly the upper control arm/ball joint.

Mick

[barajak Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close barajak]

Re: Fitting of wheel (Snow/Mud) Chains

Up in NE Vic the 4WD club runs 4WD snow trips every winter and chains are fitted to the rear of the vehicles. Lack of clearance at the front can be an issue but for us, traction on the up hill slopes is the biggest issue. With most of your weight on the back wheels when going up a decent grade, that is where you need the chains. You need diamond pattern mud chains on a 4WD. If you really need chains on a Prado, standard snow chains will break. barajak

[Crisp Image Member Find all posts View Profile Close Crisp Image]

Re: Fitting of wheel (Snow/Mud) Chains

Well I picked up a set of chains and for the experiment I fitted one to the front and one to the rear (inthe shed) just to see what was going on. Well after inspecting the front ones I decided that there was not enough clearance for the chains so confirmed the reason not to fit chains on the front.
So thanks for the input and comments.
As they say on the TV "Case Closed!"
Regards
Crisp Image