Snow Chains for Subaru Liberty AWD.

[pboards&mskis]

Having expanded the family recently, we bought a 2007 Liberty wagon to transport all the small persons stuff around.
So now we need new snow chains for it.

Any recommendations : Konig, Tic Tac, Thule (can you get these in OZ anyway)? Anyone tried the new Konig chains which don't go behind the wheel but lock into the wheel like a wheel nut at the front? Any other brands we should look at?

Any suggestions on places to buy chains?

Cheers!!

[powderhog]

As far as I am aware, you don't need chains for an AWD.

[Paul Oberin]

As far as I am aware, you don't need chains for an AWD.He is in Victoria, he has to carry chains at all times in Victorian resorts during the winter months.

[Paul Oberin]

So now we need new snow chains for it.



Any suggestions on places to buy chains?

Cheers!!The snowatch shop sells chains.

[chicco]

I was at a 4x4 shop the other day and they had these new thule chains which dont need any clearance on the inside of the tyre/wheel. They will probably be $$$ but from what I saw of them they will fit a vast number of sizes so if and when you get a new car they should still fit.

[Paul Oberin]

I was at a 4x4 shop the other day and they had these new thule chains which dont need any clearance on the inside of the tyre/wheel. They will probably be $$$ but from what I saw of them they will fit a vast number of sizes so if and when you get a new car they should still fit.Thule own Konig, so probably a Konig chain.

[snowtyres]

There are always issues when this type of snow chain system, Rud Centrax, Konig/Thule K-Summit or Spikes-Spider etc, is used on high performance summer tyres. We have had this occur several time with vehicles that have been at Hotham over a week end and have been “snowed in”, when the vehicle has been driven out, without fully digging it out, the drive wheels have turned inside the chain, the higher the speed rating of the tyre the more this is an issue.

This is because the chain will grip to the snow/ice but the tyre can spin inside the chain, especially if the vehicle has been parked (snowed in) as there is no way the chain can be "tightened” on to the tyre.
The chain is always "loose" by design to provide the automatic-drive away fitting and easy removal features.

The snow chain warranty from Konig/Thule does not cover any snow chains that are fitted to any vehicle that is fitted to a wheel/tyre size combination that is not approved to fit snow chains by the vehicle manufacturer.
Extract from Konig/Thule K-Summit – INSTRUCTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE
“Always check what is written in the car’s “Maintenance and use manual” and follow the instructions in it.”
Extract from Konig/Thule K-Summit GUARANTEE
“We shall not acknowledge damages caused by chains to persons and things.
We do not guarantee all chains used on vehicles for which the producer prescribes limitations or contrary directions.”

With no warranty from the vehicle manufacturer or the snow chain maker you are very much 'on your own' if you use any snow chains on any vehicle where the use is not approved by the vehicle manufacturer.

[Paul Oberin]

The snow chain warranty from Konig/Thule does not cover any snow chains that are fitted to any vehicle that is fitted to a wheel/tyre size combination that is not approved to fit snow chains by the vehicle manufacturer.
Extract from Konig/Thule K-Summit – INSTRUCTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE
“Always check what is written in the car’s “Maintenance and use manual” and follow the instructions in it.”
Extract from Konig/Thule K-Summit GUARANTEE
“We shall not acknowledge damages caused by chains to persons and things.
We do not guarantee all chains used on vehicles for which the producer prescribes limitations or contrary directions.”

With no warranty from the vehicle manufacturer or the snow chain maker you are very much 'on your own' if you use any snow chains on any vehicle where the use is not approved by the vehicle manufacturer.

They can claim all they like, consumer affairs will tell you that there is such a thing as "Implied warranty" and if the chains are not performing as expected, the retailer may have to refund under the "Not fit for use" category.

Those non warranty claims may bluff some people but those in the know about consumer law in Australia won't be bluffed that easily.

[pboards&mskis]

Thanks guys. We looked at the K-summit but decided it was complete overkill for the amount we go to the snow (~$500). We've gone with Thule self tensioning chains, which as Paul notes own Konig, but the Thule ones are made of more metal and look less flimsy than the Konig ones. We decided to skip on the fast release ones for the extra $100 they would cost, as they were not that hard to get off to begin with. But to be honest - it came down to Konig or Thule or cheap chinese copies because that was what the shop that we bought the roof box from stocked, and we put it all together as a package. Cheers!!