[Kevin13]

Okay, I've searched but not found a DEFINITIVE answer to this. Maybe I missed it...

Has anyone of you actually put show chains on your Touareg? I mean "for real", in actual use.

Please don't tell me that if you're driving a Touareg you don't need chains (yeah, have read that many times - got it). Or, that if you are in a situation where you'd need snow chains, you shouldn't be out driving. (Yeah, got that too - in California, on occasion the Highway Patrol has the option of forcing you to chain up. Even though many have said they've never had it happen, doesn't mean it can't happen. I'd hate to drive 500 miles only to be turned back 50 miles short of my destination because I didn't have chains with me - cheap insurance. Also, what if weather conditions change when you're in the middle of nowhere? I've seen this happen on Mt. Baldy in SoCal in a matter of a an hour leaving dozens stranded and this is only 20 miles from metropolitan L.A.)

So, if you actually actually have chained up your Touareg, what tire size (diameter and size), and what chain brand and model did you use?

I've tried buying several sets of chains and test fit them on my rig in the driveway here at home before proceeding out. I have 19"s (I know, not optimal, hence my question - I'm trying to figure out what wheel diameter and tire and chain have been PROVEN to work). 255/50R19. I most recently tried SCC Super Z6, SZ435 Cable chain for Pickups and SUV's. Supposedly super low-profile. But in testing in my driveway, still seemed like the connector links on the back side of tire (connecting each crossover "V" to the next) were going to hit the brake line and/or ABS/stability sensor lines on the outside of the A-arm.

Oh, well. Still searching. Just hoping for some input based on actual experience, not hearsay and/or opinion.

 

[noobytoogy]

I know you're not the first with this problem and I don't use chains so you're probably wondering why I'm responding.

But I spotted these the other day. As you will see they have nothing at all going behind the wheel so nothing can get damaged.

They do them in your wheel/tyre size, but they are not cheap and I don't know if you can get them in the US.

Nonetheless I hope it might help.

Thule Snow Chains

 

[Kevin13]

Hi. Thanks. Yeah, I did see these and was blown away at the ~$400/axle price tag (since I want to chain up all four tires if necessary).

But I'm perfectly happy to go with buying a set of winter rims/tires if I know which size have been proven to be chain-up-able since as everyone agrees the 19"s are not good for snow. I'd hate to spring for a set of 17" rims/tires only to find chains still might rub for some reason.

I did get some Auto Socks in the meantime. Have not had opportunity to try them yet. Will report back if I do.

 

[noobytoogy]

I'm not surprised at your response to the price, especially if you want to do both axles. OUCH!

I've been tempted by the Autosocks.

We don't really have much snow normally, though unusually early and very heavy snow this December has completely messed up the London airports and rail and road travel and many peoples' holiday plans too.

Anyway, I'd be very interested to hear if the Autosocks are a success or not.

 

[clint440]

There are also cables that are available which run approx 80 to 100 bucks a set. Cables are a little easier on tires. I am going to pick up a set at autozone since I do alot of skiing and chains/cables are enforced on some of the mountain roads.

 

[Sebbers]

ECS tuning has these cool looking tire covers that do the same as chains...

Pretty neat...

 

[Hammerdog]

In 2007, I had to use Cobra cable chains on my 2004 VW Touaureg V8 to get out of snow covered asphalt driveway at my cabin. At that time, I had OEM VW Canyon 17" wheels, 255/60/17 tires. I suffered no damage, and have since sold that touareg. I don't remember the model number on the chains, but the width of 255/60/17 wheels are the same width as the 255/50/19's you have.

I now have a 09 TDI with 19" wheels. I recently bought some 17" VW Canyon wheels on craigs list and put 255/60/17 snow tires on them so I can park on the driveway at my cabin. I now carry cable chains (SCC Super Z6) to comply with the CA law, but have not attempted to fit them. I will switch back to the 19" wheels in the Spring.

 

[noobytoogy]

As above, the width is the same and so is the overall diameter at 29.0 inches

Tire size calculator

 

[noobytoogy]

ECS tuning has these cool looking tire covers that do the same as chains...

Pretty neat...

Snow socks are a great help but they're not as effective when the going gets tough as chains nor as robust.

 

[rineman1]

Hey Kevin....I have a pair of SCC SZ 441 snow cables that I bought last year for my 19's. I have never used them but carry them per CHP requirements. I just got back from Mammoth yesterday and never had to put them on (over 9 ft of snow in a week). The crappy Continentals OEM worked just fine with 22k miles on them. I didn't drive around a lot when I got up there but chains were required on all vehicles around town except 4 wheel drive. Chains were also required 17 miles north of Bishop on US 395. Do to the limited clearance on the front, if I ever had to chain up I would put them on the back wheels and get them off ASAP. The set of cables I bought cost under a $100.

 

[biorig]

Used chains for the first time

I traveled to Central Oregon with the family as we do every every winter. We drove through moderate snow over Santiam Pass without any problems. However, when we arrived at Black Butte Ranch (a resort community) about 8pm things got interesting. As we drove in on the narrow road that winds through the resort, we came upon a small downhill section followed by an uphill section. At the bottom was a Land Rover and a Lexus SUV. They hadn't collided but it looked like they were talking. So I thought that I would pull alongside to see if they needed assistance. As I entered the downhill I applied the brakes and immediately realized why both cars were at the bottom - there was no traction. I began to slide, and narrowly missed the Lexus, before coming to a stop at the bottom as well. I rolled down my window to check on the other drivers. The woman (no judgement) in the Land Rover said "I don't know what happened...my brakes didn't work". Neither required assistance so I decided to drive on.

Here's where it gets interesting... I began driving up the hill and within 10 meters to the top began sliding BACKWARDS once again toward the other cars. I tried full power, full brake, ESP off while sliding backwards down the hill, this time narrowly missing the Land Rover. Perhaps because I can be a bit stubborn I thought I would take another run at the hill, this time getting more speed. Well, the same thing happened...10 m from the top and backwards I go. Not wanting to chat with the drivers a 3rd time, I steered my Touareg into a snowbank midway up the hill.

Okay, at this time it is apparent that I need to put on chains if we are ever going to get to our cabin. I step out of the car and immediately fall on my a$$ and begin sliding down the hill. Did I mention that this hill wasn't that steep? So in rather comical fashion I put the chains on while on all fours, doing things like holding the flashlight with my teeth, hanging onto the wheel well with one hand while installing the chains with the other.

Once the chains were in place I drove out of the snow bank and up the hill with relative ease. I drove through that same section again later that evening to get groceries ( with chains on) with no issues.

I did have the temptation to go back to that section later that evening to experiment with different strategies (diff lock, not stopping at the bottom, etc), but after two narrow misses I decided not to push my luck.

 

[noobytoogy]

Yes, I did laugh! And get yourself a decent head torch - teeth are expensive to fix!!

And some easy to slip on shoe crampons too :

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Veriga-City-Track-Over-Shoe-Crampons/dp/B004DDG6VW

 

[Hammerdog]

biorig- Needless to say, it is a very scary feeling sliding out of control. I have been there and done that in a steep downhill driveway at my cabin. Whenever it snowed, I would have to park my touareg at the roadway above my cabin and walk in. The alternative was to chain up in order to use the driveway.

However, this year, I switched over to dedicated snow tires on 17" wheels. The snow tires grip the roadway and allow me to pull in and out of the driveway even with snow. Out of curiosity, what type of tires are you running on your touareg?

 

[biorig]

i have Nokians WR's, 255/55 R18. And to answer the original poster's questions, I have Super Z LT Chains

SCC Super Z LT

They are easy to put on (except when in a snow bank)

 

[bbecker]

Would the SCC Super Z's LT work for 19"s? I too have 19"s and have not found anything.

 

[Hammerdog]

i have Nokians WR's, 255/55 R18. And to answer the original poster's questions, I have Super Z LT Chains

SCC Super Z LT

They are easy to put on (except when in a snow bank)

Those Nokians are suppose to be great in the snow, so you must have hit some major ice......the type of roadway only studded snow tires would grip....

 

[biorig]

I am not sure if they would work for your tires or not. Here are the specs on the box...

 

[jcandringa]

Tire Chains

I live @ 4800' in the mountains of North Carolina a mile up a steep gravel road.
Deep snow and Lots of ice, without chains it just isn't possible to get to our house as we live there year round.

I have two Touaregs an 05 with air 255/55/18's and 06 with steel 275/45/19's.
I use Thule XB12 Pro's on all fours, easy on and easy off .

They claim that they fit both size tires I listed for me Tregs but after dry fitting them for the first time they were a little large for the 255/55/18's. I spoke with tech support and they had me add a couple quick links to the outside chain and they still fit the 19's.
No clearance issues and no rubbing lock to lock.

If you look at the Thule website and use the UK as your country they have a fit guide that lists the Tregs as approved, in the US fit guide they just list tire sizes.

Hope this helps someone.

 

[Robbennie]

used the auto socks on my VW Golf Diesel wagon. They were great. If I got stuck, it took mere minutes to put them on and with them on you just backed up a couple of feet and headed off up the hill. Then throw them in the washing machine when you are done. Don't leave them on though if the road is not covered in snow as they are fabric and the rocks will wreck them quickly. But they go on and off so quickly you don't need to put them on early.

 

[random1]

I did get some Auto Socks in the meantime. Have not had opportunity to try them yet. Will report back if I do.

The snowsocks are awesome. I have no idea if CHP lets you use them instead of chains. I use them on my GTI, which I rarely drive in snow (that's what the Touareg is for!), but it does come up. In Killington, VT, going up a very packed/icy driveway, GTI would not move, but rolled up like it was nothing with the socks on. Really impressed. But, you cannot use them on pavement, as soon as your not on snow/ice, they have to come off or they'll get destroyed.

It looks like they are allowed, but CHP can arbitrarily stop you anyway?