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

[Traveller1977]

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 once for a ski trip in 3 weeks in Switzerland.
Or, has anyone used a slightly different sized chain on the same tyres and it work just as well for example 235/45/R17 or 235/50/R17 ?
Please let me know (I'm assuming given the weight of the Cali I'm better off with chains than socks if needed, no huge hills but possibly enough to need either) and I'd rather not change to all weather tyres. Thanks all

 

[Aubisque]

Assume you realise that VW advise not to fit chains on 235/55/R17. That's the UK markets obsession with bigger wheels/tyres for you, chains don't fit the standard factory option.
However, many do people run standard chains on this size on the 2WD variant. I wouldn't do it on the 4WD due to space behind the tyre being almost certainly too limited.
The shop here does them.

 

[Azteccamper]

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 once for a ski trip in 3 weeks in Switzerland.
Or, has anyone used a slightly different sized chain on the same tyres and it work just as well for example 235/45/R17 or 235/50/R17 ?
Please let me know (I'm assuming given the weight of the Cali I'm better off with chains than socks if needed, no huge hills but possibly enough to need either) and I'd rather not change to all weather tyres. Thanks all

Try

Snow Chain Pewag N 77 ST Nordic Star

Snow Chain Pewag N 77 ST Nordic Star ✓ Now for £68.95 ✓ Large assortment ✓ Fast delivery | An Etrias webshop

www.snowchainstore.co.uk

£45

 

[Traveller1977]

Assume you realise that VW advise not to fit chains on 235/55/R17. That's the UK markets obsession with bigger wheels/tyres for you, chains don't fit the standard factory option.
However, many do people run standard chains on this size on the 2WD variant. I wouldn't do it on the 4WD due to space behind the tyre being almost certainly too limited.
The shop here does them.

Great thank you. So I had read this, but also read others had fitted with no issues so hopefully it will be okay. Not sure of the issues I may run into but of course would rather not run into any, would these be acceptable?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07J4YZ5DZ/?tag=eliteelect-21

 

[Traveller1977]

Try

Snow Chain Pewag N 77 ST Nordic Star

Snow Chain Pewag N 77 ST Nordic Star ✓ Now for £68.95 ✓ Large assortment ✓ Fast delivery | An Etrias webshop

www.snowchainstore.co.uk

£45

Thank you. I've also now seen these which I'd hope would work and hopefully wont run into any issues?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07J4YZ5DZ/?tag=eliteelect-21

 

[andyinluton]

However, many do people run standard chains on this size on the 2WD variant. I wouldn't do it on the 4WD due to space behind the tyre being almost certainly too limited.
The shop here does them.

Why would the 4wd have less space? You are only supposed to put chains on the front wheels & that end has the same space.

Also don’t you need winter/ 3 peak marked tyres irrespective of carrying chains?

 

[Traveller1977]

Why would the 4wd have less space? You are only supposed to put chains on the front wheels & that end has the same space.

Also don’t you need winter/ 3 peak marked tyres irrespective of carrying chains?

In Switzerland as far as I'm aware it's not a legal requirement to have winter tyres. Unless I'm mistaken, otherwise I then have an issue and have to fork out another £600 or so after just getting new tyres.

 

[Aubisque]

Why would the 4wd have less space? You are only supposed to put chains on the front wheels & that end has the same space.

Also don’t you need winter/ 3 peak marked tyres irrespective of carrying chains?

Thought 4WD needs chains on all driven wheels normally ? Maybe for Haldex as it’s not true 4WD per se, the fronts are the primary axle and therefore the manual advises chains on the front axle. I don’t know for sure.

Don’t think there is a legal obligation for 3PMSF rated tyres in Switzerland in Winter, but you’d have to get there through France/Germany….

 

[Traveller1977]

Thought 4WD needs chains on all driven wheels normally ? Maybe for Haldex as it’s not true 4WD per se, the fronts are the primary axle and therefore the manual advises chains on the front axle. I don’t know for sure.

Don’t think there is a legal obligation for 3PMSF rated tyres in Switzerland in Winter, but you’d have to get there through France/Germany….

Since Nov 2021 you have to either have winter tyres or carry/wear snow chains where directed. We wont be going through Germany but yes through France, but as long as I have the chains I think we should be good. Just trying to find the right ones that I'm assuming is okay if I find fit 235/55/R17's and that they wont damage the bodywork?

 

[andyinluton]

Thought 4WD needs chains on all driven wheels normally ? Maybe for Haldex as it’s not true 4WD per se, the fronts are the primary axle and therefore the manual advises chains on the front axle. I don’t know for sure.

It’s VW that say chains must only be fitted to the fronts.

France seem to be demanding Winter tyres and/or chains. Having read it a few times I now read that as still needing chains available even if you have winter tyres.

 

[Aubisque]

Since Nov 2021 you have to either have winter tyres or carry/wear snow chains where directed. We wont be going through Germany but yes through France, but as long as I have the chains I think we should be good. Just trying to find the right ones that I'm assuming is okay if I find fit 235/55/R17's and that they wont damage the bodywork?

It's the gap to the shock support on the inside of the wheel that's the main issue.

 

[Traveller1977]

It’s VW that say chains must only be fitted to the fronts.

France seem to be demanding Winter tyres and/or chains. Having read it a few times I now read that as still needing chains available even if you have winter tyres.

Okay. I've read it that "Since 01 November 2021, it has been a legal requirement to have either winter tyres fitted or to carry/ wear snow chains where directed. The French winter tyre law is in place for 48 departments located in or near the French mountains (Alps, Corsica, Massif Central, Massif Jurassien, Pyrenees, Massif Vosges)."
and for the below it appears it is an either/or but the department imposes how they seem fit, "choose to apply the rules to all of their area, some of their area, or not at all."

MAP: where in France do you now need winter tyres or snow chains?

A new law means the requirements can be enforced in 48 mountainous departments, but not all have opted to bring the rule in

www.connexionfrance.com

 

[Traveller1977]

Okay. I've read it that "Since 01 November 2021, it has been a legal requirement to have either winter tyres fitted or to carry/ wear snow chains where directed. The French winter tyre law is in place for 48 departments located in or near the French mountains (Alps, Corsica, Massif Central, Massif Jurassien, Pyrenees, Massif Vosges)."
and for the below it appears it is an either/or but the department imposes how they seem fit, "choose to apply the rules to all of their area, some of their area, or not at all."

MAP: where in France do you now need winter tyres or snow chains?

A new law means the requirements can be enforced in 48 mountainous departments, but not all have opted to bring the rule in

www.connexionfrance.com

Winter tires, chains: mandatory equipment in mountain areas from 1 November 2023

Winter tires or snow chains: mandatory equipment in mountain areas from 1 November 2023

www.service-public.fr

I think it's either/or...

 

[kurienp]

It's the gap to the shock support on the inside of the wheel that's the main issue.

With 235/55 - the gap is very less - about 10 mm ... so I would be wary of chains that fit around the tyre. The chains that go around the tyre for this weight of vehicle, you will need at least 12 mm chains. Most of them are 16mm and will damage the shock absorbers.

The recommended ones are the Konig K Summit V k87, which are expensive at about 400+ GBP wherever you look https://www.snowchainstore.co.uk/konig-k-summit-van-k87

Personally, I would not go without at least winter tyres ... and the snow chains are there as insurance.

Just returned from Switzerland in Dec 2022 - 235/55/ r17 Winter tyres on and chains as insurance if required. Thankfully did not need.

 

[Traveller1977]

It's the gap to the shock support on the inside of the wheel that's the main issue.

So I'm guessing/hopeful that people haven't come across issues on here so fingers crossed....Thanks for all your help.

 

[Johnny Rocket]

If you do take chains, then don’t leave it until your wheelarches are packed full of snow and you’ve almost slid off the edge of the mountain to try fitting them for the first time.
Practice on a spare wheel, OFF the car, then next on the car, otherwise you’ll be very unhappy.

(I once fitted chains to the rear twin-tyred axle of a double-decker bus in heavy falling snow for the driver duo on a school ski trip to Austria which my teacher wife led; they hadn’t the first idea what to do - it wasn’t a lot of fun to do without a prior dry run !)

 

[soulstyledevon]

I would personally get the 3PMSF tyres fitted they will make all the difference to how far you can drive in the snow.
Then have a look at SnowSock. I have those as a backup and so far never needed them. Just check which countries allow the sock.
I think France is OK

 

[Wesel]

Chains are the solution in deep snow and over short distances. On the other hand, when the snow cover is weak, they are not usable. For those who go to the mountains in winter, winter or 4-season tires are the solution.

 

[Aubisque]

I agree, as the other issue is that given the chains aren't a recommended fit, you'd be avoiding putting them on until conditions are really bad, and that means relying on summer tyres that are massively compromised. You really don't want to be that numpty UK driver blocking the road for everyone else.

All Season 3PMSF rated (so winter) are now so good, that I don't know why non-sports cars don't have them on all the time.

 

[Traveller1977]

Thanks all for all your help and advice. My concern is some areas it's suggesting VW do not recommend using chains on this tyre size "235/55/R17" but why not on other size tyres, why specifically to this tyre size?
The shop sell these and they said they've sold loads under this size and no-ones come back to complain or advise they haven't worked or that they've damaged the car in any way.

Husky Pro 16mm Snow Chains (Pair) HUPR235

Husky Pro 16mm Snow Chains (Pair) HUPR235- fit various size wheels. Maximum safety. Amazing grip

vwcaliforniaclub.com

I know the area I'm going to and more the most part the road is always cleared up to the section where I need to use to get to the chalet. This is also usually cleared to the best part, but on occasion it may still have snow/ice and I would rather not shell out on the 4x winter tyres when I would have thought the chains would be suitable. But the confusion around the "unsuitability" for the tyre size is massively confusing.
Out of interest, anyone have a recommendation for either winter or 3PMSF tyres (they do not have to be all singing/all dancing all season tyres)

 

[NLB]

Slightly off topic ( and doesn't solve immediate Chain issue ) , was in French Alps 10 days ago when big dump came , have Michelin Agilis Cross Climate ( M&S) on the van all year round , was bullet proof when driving down snowy mountain and in Blizzard for an hour on motorway , i had a set of Snow Socks in van as a back up for real issues

 

[Tim Hook]

I purchased these chains in 2017 - Weissenfels Uniqa Clack & Go M32 140 - but they've never been taken out of the box to use. If you're local to me, you're very welcome to borrow them for your trip. I've been driving to France/Austria for many years and only once have I needed snow chains, probably 'cos I then had summer tyres! If you drive very slowly and stop to ensure the chains are tightly fitted it will help reduce any possible damage.

 

[kurienp]

Thanks all for all your help and advice. My concern is some areas it's suggesting VW do not recommend using chains on this tyre size "235/55/R17" but why not on other size tyres, why specifically to this tyre size?

because the tyre is wide (235 mm) and the clearance between the tyre and the shock absorber is just about 10 mm (if the tyre is correctly inflated) , or less. For a van, the chains are 16mm or 12 mm min thickness and they will hit and damage the suspension components behind the wheel.

Put your hand behind the front wheel at the top of the wheel and feel around - the clearance is about 10 to 12 mm.
Put your hand behind the rear wheel at the top of the wheel and feel - the clearance is much less.

edit: read post #14 above.

 

[Traveller1977]

I purchased these chains in 2017 - Weissenfels Uniqa Clack & Go M32 140 - but they've never been taken out of the box to use. If you're local to me, you're very welcome to borrow them for your trip. I've been driving to France/Austria for many years and only once have I needed snow chains, probably 'cos I then had summer tyres! If you drive very slowly and stop to ensure the chains are tightly fitted it will help reduce any possible damage.

hi Tim, thank you, that's really very kind of you, however I'm in West Sussex so unfortunately not so local. Perhaps I may look to go the winter/all round tyre, store my other tyres and swap them over when I return so at least I have them for if I drive again. I usually fly and dont drive to the winter areas but with all the uncertainty and flight costs/cancelling we decided to drive this year, so usually not a problem. @kurienp I have just felt the gap between the back of the tyre and the shock support bar. I see what you mean about the gap being relatively small, I just would have thought with the chains I am looking at commenting on being suitable for 235/55/R17 that there shouldn't be an issue, understand just because no one has come to this forum complaining doesn't mean there isn't/hasn't/wont be a problem.

 

[Traveller1977]

So I also found these, a little more expensive however safer I think that the first one (Approx £125) allows for zero clearance on the inside of the wheel, the second one has an allowance of 7mm clearance (£85) these were recommended by Pewag when you enter VW Cali T5 235/55/R17.
Hope this could be helpful to anyone else and thanks so much all for all of your input....