Chains for 235/55/R17 T6.1 -- roofbox says "vehicle and tyre size combination is not suitable for any traditional chains, and most automatic chains"

The Tall Luthier said:

We’ve just comeback from 2300m in the snowy French alps.

If you can justify them I suggest getting snow tyres over chains, every single day of the week.

Chains are PITA getting them on and off the wheels. You can’t drive very far on tarmac in them without risk of damage. Most alpine roads are kept in good shape by the snow clearers.

If you’d prefer snow chains go to any large French/German supermarket near the alps. They’ll sell every size available for a reasonable price

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Snow Chains for 235/55/R17 size tyre looking to buy/advice

Hi all, now I never thought it would have been such an issue to find a cost effective snow chain for the size tyre 235/55/R17 we have on our Cali. If anyone has any second hand/new they're willing to sell please let me know. I've seen them upwards of £60.- £300 but I'm only likely to use them...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

turnitdown said:

thanks. I do have snow tyres, have just thought chains might be helpful/necessary too. Read some posts from folks in Livigno (which is one of the areas we are going to) and they said they were lost with just snow tyres and the chains saved them. Maybe it's overkill.

Before posting I had done a search on the site and didn't find anything that seemed that relevant, but using google just now searching for snow tyres VW California Ocean, I found this:

Snow Chains for 235/55/R17 size tyre looking to buy/advice

Hi all, now I never thought it would have been such an issue to find a cost effective snow chain for the size tyre 235/55/R17 we have on our Cali. If anyone has any second hand/new they're willing to sell please let me know. I've seen them upwards of £60.- £300 but I'm only likely to use them...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

which suggests that, yeah, this tyre size is a problem for chains on the Cali.

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turnitdown said:

thanks. I do have snow tyres, have just thought chains might be helpful/necessary too. Read some posts from folks in Livigno (which is one of the areas we are going to) and they said they were lost with just snow tyres and the chains saved them. Maybe it's overkill.

Before posting I had done a search on the site and didn't find anything that seemed that relevant, but using google just now searching for snow tyres VW California Ocean, I found this:

Snow Chains for 235/55/R17 size tyre looking to buy/advice

Hi all, now I never thought it would have been such an issue to find a cost effective snow chain for the size tyre 235/55/R17 we have on our Cali. If anyone has any second hand/new they're willing to sell please let me know. I've seen them upwards of £60.- £300 but I'm only likely to use them...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

which suggests that, yeah, this tyre size is a problem for chains on the Cali.

Click to expand...

The Tall Luthier said:

We’re just asking the Mont Blanc end of Italy this week. Is Livigno to be recommended?

We could drive over

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turnitdown said:

thanks. I do have snow tyres, have just thought chains might be helpful/necessary too. Read some posts from folks in Livigno (which is one of the areas we are going to) and they said they were lost with just snow tyres and the chains saved them. Maybe it's overkill.

Before posting I had done a search on the site and didn't find anything that seemed that relevant, but using google just now searching for snow tyres VW California Ocean, I found this:

Snow Chains for 235/55/R17 size tyre looking to buy/advice

Hi all, now I never thought it would have been such an issue to find a cost effective snow chain for the size tyre 235/55/R17 we have on our Cali. If anyone has any second hand/new they're willing to sell please let me know. I've seen them upwards of £60.- £300 but I'm only likely to use them...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

which suggests that, yeah, this tyre size is a problem for chains on the Cali.

Click to expand...

• Low profile chains are probably your best bet. They'll perform on both ice and snow but are a hassle to put on and take off as are all chains. Check out the (Thule) König XG-12 Pro.
• Snow socks will get you through moderate snow, but not ice or heavy snow. They will wear down quickly on tarmac, so typically you can't just leave them on.
• Don't even look at the nylon options. You'll be lucky if you get more than a few meters use out of them.

pluc99 said:

If you want to drive an extra 6 hours. I've been to Livigno on weekends a couple of times. It's ok but I honestly wouldn't plan a vacation there.
Did I understand correctly and you are in or around Courmayeur? If so then for a change of pistes you can go to La Thuile-La Rosière, Pila, Cervinia or Chamonix.

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The Tall Luthier said:

As my kids would say “like , ooh me god!”

Just driving back from La Thuile as I type, had a fantastic day skiing in both Italy and France.

A really brilliant place to spend a day or two.

Great suggestion. Thanks

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leeb said:

Winter (marked with 3 peaks and a snow flake) every time. Note these are not really "snow tyres" just tyres that function brilliantly in cold below 7c, on ice and, of course, in snow. Standard issue summer tyres in the above are pretty useless.
If you have them in the french Alps (not sure about other countries )you do not have to carry chains. I have two sets of rims, one summer tyres and one winter, changing them in April and November. Initial outlay a bit high...but, obviously, each set of tyres lasts "twice as long"!

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leeb said:

Not quite true...."all season" are marked M&S...these are ok in snow but you will still have to carry chains...at least in french Alps you do

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A guide to MICHELIN UKâs winter tyre markings

Winter tyre symbols help you choose from the various models available. But what is the difference between M+S and 3PMSF tyres? Read our advice to find the best option for you.

www.michelin.co.uk

VincentVan said:

Last year for a trip in Europe I got the Husky snow chains from the club shop. They fit 235/55/17’s and I practiced putting them on several times before going- they fitted well. They seem a quality product and at £70 were inexpensive. Didn’t need them on the trip but have them in case.

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Aubisque said:

Sorry, but that's not true. Most decent UK market 'all seasons' such as Cross Climates or Goodyear Vectors are winter rated with 3PMSF symbols. The Gendarmes are happy as they meet the spec.

In fact modern All Seasons outperform dedicated winters from a few years ago.

A guide to MICHELIN UKâs winter tyre markings

Winter tyre symbols help you choose from the various models available. But what is the difference between M+S and 3PMSF tyres? Read our advice to find the best option for you.

www.michelin.co.uk

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Aubisque said:

Those definitely go on fine and tonnes of wheel arch clearance, but it’s clearance on the inside against the suspension struts that’s the likely issue.

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turnitdown said:

Looking to buy chains for an upcoming trip to the Alps. When I put VW T6 2024 and tyre size into the snow chains search engine thing at roofbox.co.uk, I get this message:

"Our snow chains suppliers tell us that your vehicle and tyre size combination is not suitable for any traditional chains, and most automatic chains; this is probably because any chain links placed on the back of the tyres are likely to snag on the shock absorbers. We believe that all the chains shown below are safe to use; for example, ladder track chains do not put any chain behind the tyres."

They then give me some pricey non-traditional options (£325-£500).

Does this seem right?

Slightly related questions, does everything sold as a snow chain, even on eBay, meet a minimum standard for quality? I can imagine buying some cheap ones and the metal being absolutely soft and useless and them breaking the first time you use them.....

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turnitdown said:

Looking to buy chains for an upcoming trip to the Alps. When I put VW T6 2024 and tyre size into the snow chains search engine thing at roofbox.co.uk, I get this message:

"Our snow chains suppliers tell us that your vehicle and tyre size combination is not suitable for any traditional chains, and most automatic chains; this is probably because any chain links placed on the back of the tyres are likely to snag on the shock absorbers. We believe that all the chains shown below are safe to use; for example, ladder track chains do not put any chain behind the tyres."

They then give me some pricey non-traditional options (£325-£500).

Does this seem right?

Slightly related questions, does everything sold as a snow chain, even on eBay, meet a minimum standard for quality? I can imagine buying some cheap ones and the metal being absolutely soft and useless and them breaking the first time you use them.....

Click to expand...