You could go with a set of dedicated winter tires or competent all seasons.

Or better yet a smaller set of rims with winter tires or competent all seasons.


Not sure what tires you have but my Touareg came with the Pirelli Verdes and they were sub-par last winter with brand new tread. Found myself regretting not having adequate tires.
Purchased Nokian WR G2 for both my New England Touaregs this winter.

 

Dang -Pirellis not good in snow??



I was hoping to avoid having to get a second set of wheels for my 2013 Touareg. It came with the Pirelli Scorpion Verde tires (18") , and with only 8400 miles on them so far, they have wear on the outside blocks.

I had a second set of wheels for my previous Toyota 4Runner, because all-seasons just don't work well in snow on a heavy SUV, especially in the hilly area of Connecticut that I live in. I've never required chains on the 4Runner, I only needed traction getting up the steep hills where I live and it had no problems with Blizzaks.

Buying a second set of 17" wheels for the Touareg seems to be in my future. Fortunately , I already have a set of 80% used Blizzaks that can be remounted to the new wheels when I get them

 

You just have to look a little harder, there are chains with no portions on the interior of the tire, here is one brand http://www.spikes-spiders.com and Thule makes a similar product. I have to warn you, they are pricey.... As for 17" rims, they were very common on the earlier Touaregs, and often found at a very reasonable price. I run them with 235/65 winter tires (and carry chains for all four corners) on my '12, and love them. I think what the manual means is if you have only one set of chains, and regular tires, they should be fitted to the front wheels. Google AWD and snow/tire chains, and educate yourself on how, and why they work on AWD, and the various recommended placements for specific conditions. There's a lot of good info out there. This is a great link for seeing how different rims, tire size and back spacing affect your inner clearance. I used my stock 275/45-20 as a baseline for minimal clearance, and went from there. http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/tire-wheel-gearing-calculator.htm
And here's a link to Touraeg rim dimensions.
http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/wheels/touareg-wheels-gallery.htm

 

You just have to look a little harder, there are chains with no portions on the interior of the tire, here is one brand Spikes-Spider: Easier, Better than Tire Chains - Winter Driving and Thule makes a similar product. I have to warn you, they are pricey.... As for 17" rims, they were very common on the earlier Touaregs, and often found at a very reasonable price. I run them with 235/65 winter tires (and carry chains for all four corners) on my '12, and love them. I think what the manual means is if you have only one set of chains, and regular tires, they should be fitted to the front wheels. Google AWD and snow/tire chains, and educate yourself on how, and why they work on AWD, and the various recommended placements for specific conditions. There's a lot of good info out there. This is a great link for seeing how different rims, tire size and back spacing affect your inner clearance. I used my stock 275/45-20 as a baseline for minimal clearance, and went from there. Tire, wheel, gearing calculator with engine rpm, top speed, spacer, and offset information
And here's a link to Touraeg rim dimensions.
OEM VW Touareg and Audi Q7 stock wheel picture gallery database 5x130 lug bolt pattern

Useful info. Did the old 17" wheels fit directly to your 2012 Touareg hubs? Did the bolt patterns line up exactly? Or did you need some sort of adapter or off-set device? The smallest factory wheel wince 2011 is 18" so I'm surprised that 17" wheels are OK.

Again... thanx

 

Yes, I'm pleased with my Nokian WRG2 SUV tires too. Very capable!

 

I'm going to try the Auto Sock. I've seen some good comments on those but am skeptical. They cannot be used on dry roads.

I assume all 2011 and later Touaregs with 19" or 20" wheels will have same problem. If anyone has a better solution than Auto Socks please post.

Thanx,

Snow sox are an emergency get you home, easily torn and can be rendered useless in moments especially when there's a 2 ton SUV riding on them. It would be like putting your wife's pantyhose [or your own if you're that way inclined] on a wheel of your mountain bike!

For your own safety, get yourself a set of used 17 or 18 inch wheels and fit proper WINTER tires - not All Terrains marked up as M+S as a lot do not have either the proper winter compound or a winter tread pattern - one with lots of tiny sipes and tread blocks that deliberately hold snow in to be able to grip snow on the ground.

The tire sizes are 235/65/17 or 255/55/18.

Whilst this wheel set is on your car, you're not wearing out your summer tires and, when you sell the car, you can sell the winter wheels if you don't buy another Touareg.

 

Turn up the volume, sit back and . . .

 

Turn up the volume, sit back and . . . [FULL] Not for the Faint Hearted Japanese SHOCK Tactic to Sell Tyres | SCARY Japanese Commercial - YouTube

LOOOOOOOL

 

THis is 80% worn - not to bad looking

So these are 4 Winters old... A lot of the sipes are worn off, but they blow away a standard all-season for tread and snow bite. Plus these this are hella gummy. They worked fine the last time I used them, and new ones would run $800+.

 

Thanx all for responses to my original post.

VW did finally clarify that putting 1 set of snow chains on front tires for Touareg is the official factory reco when driving on streets. They say use 2 sets of snow chains (ie all 4 tires) when driving off road. The owners manual was very unclear on this point but OK I get it now. Of course, for 19" wheels they say use no snow chains-- too bad, so sad you are own your own to solve that problem.

So, my problem is I have 19" wheels. Thanx for reco of Spikes-Spiders and Thule. Interesting designs that might work. It is frustrating that most manufacturers of such devices show no photos of their device installed at INSIDE of tire-- most only show the outside and tread area-- but problem is on INSIDE of tire so I need to see that. Once you get below the tire inner circumference VW has all sorts of mechanicals that protrude into the inner wheel hub. Bottom line is that at $700 this is not a solution for a 1X/year ski trip from Atlanta. Ditto on buying 4 17"/18" wheels and 4 sets of snow tires.

FYI I have a new set of Michelin Latitude Tour HP tires on the Touareg now. They are all season and I assume will work reasonably well on snow for flat and mild inclines. My fear in coming down a ski slope mountain road and sliding into a tree or off the side of a mountain. A set of reasonably priced snow chains that fit my vehicle/19" wheel would be welcome for my annual ski trip.

Again, thanx to all for input.

 

FYI I have a new set of Michelin Latitude Tour HP tires on the Touareg now. They are all season and I assume will work reasonably well on snow for flat and mild inclines. My fear in coming down a ski slope mountain road and sliding into a tree or off the side of a mountain. A set of reasonably priced snow chains that fit my vehicle/19" wheel would be welcome for my annual ski trip.

.

Look at the snow and ice traction rating for your Tours:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Latitude+Tour+HP

I wouldn't be putting them to the test on snow and ice covered mountain roads.

These are better in your tire size, but you can't beat a set of 17/18 inchers with something like Nokians on board.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...Model=Latitude+Alpin+HP&partnum=655HR9LAHP&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

 

Thanks Nooby...Japanese zombie

CK, wish you just went out and got real snows. Radial chains suck to deal with and are only good in deep snow. You're more likely to be challenged by changing conditions before you need deep snow chains.

Current conditions outside in your zip codes right now reinforce the point.

Good luck and remember big rigs are easier to get going then stop...

 

Don't know about that, and with how uncommon hybrids are, it wasn't even in my thoughts. And I think the OP has a Lux.
Mea culpa.

 

I love my 18's