Snow chains

[Chubba]

Hi all, can anyone tell me if snow chains are available for hire in Mansfield and if so what sort of price am I looking at?

[Bloodyaussie]

Yes snow chains are available in many locations in that area.......

[Chubba]

Thanks mate.What sort of cost do you think for a week?

[Bloodyaussie]

Could not say... where are you going?? you know you drive a 4wd??

[Chubba]

I thought snow chains were compulsory to carry in the vic high country in the winter?

[Bloodyaussie]

If you think you will be going off road in some major way it is a good idea but a decent 4wd copes very well.. we went to licola last year on a forum trip and got chains as we were heading off road and it was a waste of money..

Maybe speak to Mudrunner or even Evil as they have gone on some big snow trips..

[MudRunnerTD]

Nah if your heading to the ski fields then its compulsory. They even make you test fit them in front of them on occasion so they make sure you have the right size and not just a box of chains.

The issue is Black Ice on Bitumen. They can call for snow chains at any time and understand they will police it heavily heading up the mountain beyond the gates.

If you going OFFROAD on a snow trip then we should talk though.

[AB]

Whereabouts are you thinking of going up there?

[Bloodyaussie]

Like I said ask Mudrunner..... cheers Daz!!

[Chubba]

Whereabouts are you thinking of going up there?

We will be staying in Jamieson and doing day trips out from there. Staying in a warm bed every night.

[Drewboyaus]

What MudRunner said..... I had to carry my chains last year when we went to Mt Selma (Kosciusko) even though there was no snow on the roads. Off road it's less of an issue but have had to put them on and use them to get up a boggy, clay hill on a snow trip some time in the past...... Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[mudski]

We will be staying in Jamieson and doing day trips out from there. Staying in a warm bed every night.

Theres a joint just out of Mansfield on the left at the servo and after the servo too. Drop into Milweld too while your going past and get some sliders or a new bar while your there...

[MudRunnerTD]

Be prepared to have your 4x4 scruteineered by the Mansfield Police. They take Themselves VERY SERIOUSLY. If your vehicle is not spotless and has mudflaps and Weill within spec expected to gain their attention. Regardless, prepare to gain their attention.

They have a particular interest in GQs and Modfied 4x4s

[Drewboyaus]

Be prepared to have your 4x4 scruteineered by the Mansfield Police. They take Themselves VERY SERIOUSLY. If your vehicle is not spotless and has mudflaps and Weill within spec expected to gain their attention. Regardless, prepare to gain their attention. They have a particular interest in GQs and Modfied 4x4s
Not bloody wrong Daz..... I've had good interaction with the cops up there before but last time I was up there a bloody MC cop eyeballed me the whole time I was there (he was already occupied when I rolled in) and I reckon it was only that I had the kids with me that he left me alone in the end. He actually looked like he was waiting for me to finish eating lunch to have a crack......and my ride is legal-as.
Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[MudRunnerTD]

Yes I would not drive through Mansfield any earlier than 1am in the GQ and would drive around where possible. Not a Chance that they will ever see mine.

For those that have seen my GQ on the High Country trip last year you may never see it again! Lol. After Dark and Happy is where it's at!

Drive all night, sleep all day!! Happy Dayz

[liftlid]

Check if the hire place has chains big enough for the tyres your running as 33 inch and bigger may not be stocked

[Bloodyaussie]

Check if the hire place has chains big enough for the tyres your running as 33 inch and bigger may not be stocked

This is true as most places only stock at the very most 265....

[lhurley]

Check if the hire place has chains big enough for the tyres your running as 33 inch and bigger may not be stocked

I got mine from the first ski hire place when we went to the snow last year. Can't remember what it's called but when heading into town (from melb) it's the very first ski hire place on your right. They had 33" chains. Can't remember how much they were but they weren't much. $60 for a week maybe?

[Ironman 4x4]

Up in mansfield there isn't anywhere from memory that'll stock chains for tyres that are 33 inches or more and wider than 285. I know my 33-12.5r15s and the 35s I had on previously were near impossible to get chains for up there. Since I'm a real snow bunny and head up there most weekends during winter, I just ended up purchasing a set.

Don't forget the laws on chains are getting tougher as well. You can't you ladder pattern chains any more, they need to be diamond pattern, and you definately need a set that fits your vehicle (I've seen far too many people just hope that they wont need them), because even if you don't need them on the drive up there, the next morning might be a completely different situation.

There are a number of stores along the mansfield strip that hire chains though. So give them a call in advance to your trip to pre-prepare chains if you do need them. I personally step down to a 33" tyre during winter when going to the snow 1. because it's legal and 2. because it means my chains will fit.

Stay safe out there guys. And in this case do the right thing! I've seen dozens of cars and busses go off the road due to lack of driving knowledge/skill in the snow and not having fitted chains when the conditions called for it.

Cheers,

Matt

[BillsGU]

If you are going to do a lot of snow driving it would be more economical to buy a set of chains. You can sometimes pick up a second hand set for the price of hiring them - especially if you are hiring them for a week or so. Remember - chains are not only good in the snow - they will get you out of trouble in mud and up steep tracks on wet days.

[Ironman 4x4]

If you are going to do a lot of snow driving it would be more economical to buy a set of chains. You can sometimes pick up a second hand set for the price of hiring them - especially if you are hiring them for a week or so. Remember - chains are not only good in the snow - they will get you out of trouble in mud and up steep tracks on wet days.

Very true! Though I'd be careful in stating that you can use all chains for offroad use. Many of the more SUV based brands aren't strong enough to handle offroad driving. If you do plan to get a set as a dual purpose they will cost a fair bit more for a quality, heavy duty set. But worth their weight in gold! Especially if you don't have lockers!

[Sir Roofy]

Just to confuse him more look up vic roads snowchains

[BillsGU]

The stupidity of cross border regulations!!!!
In NSW 4WDs do not have to carry chains to resorts in winter (however it is recommended that they do). 2WDs must carry chains and they must be diamond pattern (not ladder). Fom RMS web site.
In VIC 4WDs must carry chains to resorts. Diamond pattern are recommended but you can carry ladder chains if you wish. Fron VIC Roads web site.

Living here on the border we are used to these stupid differences. We call them border anomolies. Last count there were 1800 of them. Get rid of state governments!!!!

[Chubba]

If you are going to do a lot of snow driving it would be more economical to buy a set of chains. You can sometimes pick up a second hand set for the price of hiring them - especially if you are hiring them for a week or so. Remember - chains are not only good in the snow - they will get you out of trouble in mud and up steep tracks on wet days.

Thanks to all who responded to my chain question, I think I will buy a set for the trip, with the added bonus of steep wet tracks as well.

[Chris79]

I have hired chains that fitted 35's from a place on the left as you drive into the main drag.
The guy wasnt sure, so we test fitted and all was cool.

Ended up using them too :)
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee178/CHRISMAV_2007/4WD/Mavericksnow2.jpg (http://s235.photobucket.com/user/CHRISMAV_2007/media/4WD/Mavericksnow2.jpg.html)