Snow chains for Eurovan? I'm reading mixed information...

[mcbbcn]

Hi Everyone,

I own a 1999 EV with GoWesty Lift-Kit.

I'm reading mixed information about snow chains on Eurovans. I even contacted GoWesty and eTrailer and so far, I don't have a clear idea about what is going on.

GoWesty told me to put a good a Winter tire, but we get sometimes black ice with up to 2 inches of flat ice on top of the snow, and it's quite hilly where I live. I've driven a EV in snow with no problems with a Winter tire but ice is a totally different story and I worry about getting stuck at the bottom of a hill and not being able to go up hill. Dennis at GoWesty is asking me if my EV comes with Fox shocks, which I don't know how to check, and make sure the chains do touch the reservoir.

eTrailer told me that they don't recommend snow chains in T4 chassis.

However, I've read about folks putting snow chains in EV's in case you get stuck. I've seen things like the Thule K-Summit which goes on the outside of the tire, never on the inside (behind the tire) and I'm wondering why that would be a problem for a snow chain?

Anyway, lot's of mixed information, not sure where to go from here. If you have any experience, please share.

Thank you,

Miquel

[Zeitgeist 13]

I have a set of cable chains for my van, but the clearance between the tires and fenders is really tight. They make me super nervous when they're installed. The van does really phenomenally in the snow with just good quality studless snow tires, but I assume with ice you actually need studs
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[mcbbcn]

Hi Casey,

I agree with everything you said. I know my EVC has quite a bit of clearance because the GoWesty Lift-Kit. I don't see clearance being too much of an issue with the current configuration. I did not want to put studded tires because I'll be crossing some states in Winter and it's not legal everywhere. I was more thinking if I get stuck because of ice (not snow) going uphill. I would love to have something that I can put on it and give me enough traction to make it through, but it needs to be some type chain or cable that can grip on ice while going uphill...and hopefully, it won't cost an arm and a leg.

Best,

Miquel

[Zeitgeist 13]

I should mention that I'm running 235/60-16 tires which are pushing the limits of clearance as is. The clearance issues I worry about aren't at the top of the arch, but rather the bottom fore/aft sections so I'm not sure whether a lift kit will change anything.
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[mcbbcn]

That’s a good point about the size. I’m running 215/70R16. I think those are smaller than yours.

[Abscate]

Studded snows on steel wheels for winter. Take them off if the season is warm
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.ssS!

[IdeaNerd]

^^^ Guy from upstate New York. Probably worth listening to.

[Abscate]

[Needlenoddlenoo]

This pic was taken after a night of heavy snow up on mt baker WA, when we drove up the plows had stopped for the night so I chained up and when we left 2 days later I was still in chains , we only have 15” tires but they are meaty for all the “off-road “we do in our van. We have no issue with the chains and they came from les swab tires. Although I did only put them on the front. I’m not sure why anyone would suggest that a T4 can’t run on chains?

_________________
Not all who wander are lost

The Tortuga (99 Eurovan)
Elsie (87 vanagon ) sold
Luna -RIP.
Sunny the boxer
Leland,Sawyer,,Gallagher
Wife and I

[IdeaNerd]

[mcbbcn]

[mcbbcn]

[Needlenoddlenoo]

The chains are these, I run big tires LT215/75R-15 , but I’ve used these chains for 3 seasons and had no issues

_________________
Not all who wander are lost

The Tortuga (99 Eurovan)
Elsie (87 vanagon ) sold
Luna -RIP.
Sunny the boxer
Leland,Sawyer,,Gallagher
Wife and I

[mcbbcn]

Thank for the picture. That is a good way to keep it simple. That's all I needed, something to put on in case of major traction issues.

[Zeitgeist 13]

Here's my van after a night of accumulation on Mt. Rainier. You can just make out the chains.

_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[Needlenoddlenoo]

The thing I like about those chains is they go over the wheel , you don’t roll onto them , which is good for us because we often sleep in the van up on the mountain and wake up to snow . Good luck on your road trip .
Ivan

_________________
Not all who wander are lost

The Tortuga (99 Eurovan)
Elsie (87 vanagon ) sold
Luna -RIP.
Sunny the boxer
Leland,Sawyer,,Gallagher
Wife and I

[mcbbcn]

[mcbbcn]

[Abscate]

[mcbbcn]

I ended up buying the Le Schwab ones as @Needlenoddlenoo suggested. Thanks for the reference too. I think if I find myself in a tight situation, it is good to have them as back, when everything else fails. Thanks everyone!