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"

[turnitdown]

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.....

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

Try Autosock AS695 for £75

 

[The Tall Luthier]

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

 

[turnitdown]

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

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.

 

[The Tall Luthier]

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.

I know that in fifteen years of driving vans and rear wheeled cars with snow tyres I’ve never needed snow chains.

I am biased though, I absolutely hate the things. We got caught in a blizzard once coming back to England and the traffic backed up. Why? Because of all those people stopping in the middle of the road to put on their chains as they didn’t have snow tyres. Grrrrr

The journey took eight hours door to door, unfortunately it was the same door, as we had to turn back

 

[colintfcolintf]

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.

Livigno is at the top of and not far from Stelvio from memory. 2600m above sea level and pretty much snowed up this time of year. Stelvio can still be closed in May due to snow

 

[The Tall Luthier]

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

We could drive over

 

[colintfcolintf]

Cheap fuel from memory