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Snow chains might seem straightforward, but there’s a right way and a very wrong way to use them. Whether you’re heading into the Aussie High Country or just trying to get through a frosty backroad, these snow chain tips will help you stay safe. They can help you avoid wrecking your rig, and stop you looking like a complete muppet on the mountain.
You can’t just fit ’em and drive
So, you’ve just finished fitting snow chains to your vehicle. You put them on to compensate for slippery and dangerous road conditions. So, technically, you should be able to drive as normal, right? Wrong. Here’s an important tip – driving a vehicle fitted with snow chains can be dangerous! Driving too fast and erratically can snap the chains and damage your fourby. Remember that chains are an aid, not a fix. The road is still covered in ice and snow, so adjust your driving style. It is best to stay around 40km/h.
Yes, track damage is a real thing
Whatever made you decide to fit snow chains, our tip is to remember that how you drive seriously affects track conditions. Keep that right foot on a tight leash. Not only will you avoid pissing off everyone around you, but you’ll also avoid chewing off a lug or ten.
Chains in bogholes… Australia says no!
We made this snow chain tip conclusion for one reason. No, it is not because keyboard warriors on various forums feel this is acceptable and we just wanted to be different. Basically, unless you strip off and take a mud bath before you drive through it, you don’t know what’s in there. There could be more than a few potential chain-snapping snags that you can’t see. You might not even be able to prod them with a stick, for that matter.
Front or rear fitment?
The tips going around the how-to snow chain videos on YouTube are to fit chains to the rear. Yes, we struggled through 67 minutes of ego-infused torture just so you won’t have to. What these vids don’t tell you is that this is the advice for small, rear-wheel-drive vehicles. The rule to remember is to fit the chains to your drive wheels. Although this is not a legal requirement for four-wheel drives. We don’t know about you, but we prefer having steering as well as traction. At the end of the day, it really is a personal preference.
Ice, ice baby
Black ice is a silent killer on roads in the High Country. You shouldn’t just expect to find it on the main drag through Mt Hotham. If you’re camped overnight in the High Country and you plan on packing up early in the morning, pay close attention to track conditions. If there is a lot of ice and snow around, consider fitting chains. Or, at the very least, drop tyre pressures.
This snow chain tip could be the difference between getting home safely or sitting on the side of the road trying to figure out how those EPIRB thingies work. Also, it’s a good thing to remember that compacted snow can be just as dangerous as black ice – so if the road has had a lot of traffic, take care.
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But are they really just for snow?
This is a touchy subject. Many people believe that snow chains are designed for exactly that: Snow driving and nothing more. But let’s run through a scenario that actually happened while we were out testing…
We came across a track that is primarily 4X4 only. The track is wet for most of the year. Consequently, it used to have big ruts until the powers-that-be had it graded. After a 300m barely-controlled slide down part of the track, we steered into a gutter. By this time, the treads were full of soft, sticky mud that gives you an extra 200mm on the bottom of your boots. Lowering tyre pressures did nothing. The steep downhill grade was too soft and sticky and traction was zero.
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We decided to air up a bit and fit the chains. And (you guessed it), they worked a charm. We idled the rest of the way down safely without incident. We passed tracks of other vehicles that had veered one way or another off to the side. In this situation, chains were an excellent driving aid. They caused no more track damage than other methods, and it felt nice to have almost full control of the vehicle. Our snow chain tip here is to use them if you need to. Particularly if it will safely get you out of a sticky situation.
There are different types of chains
There are a few different types of chains to consider. Firstly, the most common chain is a diamond pattern. It is designed to have a section of chain in contact with the road at all times. These diamond pattern chains can be found in most chain hire stores. The chains are for general on-road use, but they come in common mud/all-terrain tyre sizes.
Ladder-style chains are the ‘old style’. They are most often found in a bucket on the top shelf of grandpa’s shed, gathering dust. Our snow chain tip to remember is that Victorian alpine resorts have guidelines prohibiting the use of ladder-style chains. This is because they have been deemed unsafe. They do not prevent a sideways slide, whereas a diamond pattern does.
Off-road chains are specifically designed for 4X4 use. They retain a diamond pattern but use a stronger design and faster self-cleaning methods. They are built to handle more aggressive use in both mud and snow.
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I have several times been in the exact same situation as you described above with not having control on a reasonably steep wet soft surface and sliding uncontrolled to rest at the bottom. Fortunately no contact made or damage done. However there was very little to none chance of retracing my steps if needed. The good news was I was in fact carrying chains for all four wheels. No use in the box they came in, right.
But knowing they were there and could be used was the difference to that being a stress not having an option. With only a hand winch at the time they were a relatively inexpensive piece of insurance when travelling as a lone vehicle all be it just an over night trip.
The second thing I would like to comment on is this. We all have seen, as you have already mentioned, the cut up state of many tracks we have the pleasure of coming across. I think it would be reasonable to say that is highly likely the reason for the cut up condition is not from a responsible 4×4 owner out enjoying the fresh air and their beloved vehicle, rather extra large mud tyres on a cowboys rig seeing how many of those horses he can unleash all at once.
With intentional and considerate use, chains can reduce damage to tracks and vehicle and provide a far safer option than throwing the outcome to the whims of Mr Gravity and Mrs Chance.