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ladder or diamond chains

Submitted: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 21:02

nigelp

Thought I would get a pair of chains as back up. I recall from my stint in the North that a pair of changes made the 4wd pretty much unboggable. Now today the retailer tells me that diamond rae better, and about to become compulsory for snow(?). Now I suppose there is a chance that we'll go to the snow sometime, but that would be minor. So, what knowledge out there: are diamond chains worth the extra money, esp for mud?
np
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ThreadID: 44992 Replies: 6
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AnswerID: 237270   Submitted: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 21:14

Richard Kovac replied:

nigelp

I have Ladder type had them since the 80s and haven't used them since... but did the CREB. track with them had been in the rain, rears of a 720 ute would never have made it with out them, so I still have them you never know ...

Richard
Camped under Mt Leisler
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Reply 1 of 6
AnswerID: 237300   Submitted: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 22:38

atoyot replied:

You get better steering bite with diamond chains, but ladder chains give you better driving forward traction.

Andrew
Reply 2 of 6
FollowupID: 498311   Submitted: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 22:51

Shaker posted:

Can diamonds be fitted when you are stuck?
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 237331   Submitted: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 06:35

Wayne (NSW) replied:

np,

Learn how to drive with out them.

They are the biggest destroyer of a track I have seen.

YOU will leave ruts in the track that will make it impassable for other drivers and that track WILL be closed because of YOUR actions.

If you think that you will need them, then the track is too wet to drive on.

Please leave the chains at home and only use them when required to drive on the roads in the snow fields.

Wayne
Canning Stock Route 2009
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Reply 3 of 6
FollowupID: 498339   Submitted: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 07:11

On Patrol (Aust.) posted:

Well said Wayne. I totally agree.
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FollowUp 1 of 6
FollowupID: 498353   Submitted: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 08:14

Robin posted:

Guys

In some countries you aren't allowed to drive without chains in the mud because
you can do more damage without them.

Robin Miller
Survivor -Top Crossing Hut Trk
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Robin Miller
FollowUp 2 of 6
FollowupID: 498378   Submitted: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 10:23

Member - Kiwi Kia posted:

You use chains to PREVENT track damage !

It's the wheel spinning that does the damage and makes ruts, not chains.
FollowUp 3 of 6
FollowupID: 498485   Submitted: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 18:53

Wayne (NSW) posted:

Robin,

Australis is not one of those countries and we can all be thankful for that.

Kiwi Kia,

Can you honestly say that you will not spin a tyre if you have chains fitted?

Even if this can be done the fact that the chain links dig into the soft track has to chew it up. That is how they get grip by digging in to the track.

As I said before If you think that you will need chains the track is to wet to drive on. Wait unit the track dries or find another way.

Wayne
Canning Stock Route 2009
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Good - Better - Best
Never Let It Rest
Till Your Good Is Better
And Your Better Best

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FollowUp 4 of 6
FollowupID: 498490   Submitted: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 19:03

Member - Kiwi Kia posted:

Hi Wayne, You are absolutely dead right.

Sorry if I implied that you just put on chains and keep going as I only meant that they can get you out of a fix and did not mean you just strap them on and keep going for km after km. Yes, if you have a heavy right foot and wheel spin with chains you will dig BIG holes and very quickly too! Trying over and over again to get home up a slippery hillside without them will also dig holes and ruin the track. Driving gently (as on snow or ice) at least you can still proceed and should not spin much at all.
FollowUp 5 of 6
FollowupID: 498526   Submitted: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 20:27

nigelp posted:

Thanx to all replies. As often, informed users give a good guiding consensus, and clearly Diamonds are better in snow and sloping mud. A comment re 'leave them at home'. I do take the point and agree that it is irresponsible use that leads to track closures, a huge frustration to us all. As I said though, it's back up: in 10 yeras in the Tropics I think I averaged a bogging once a year (i.e. i'm not looking for'driving adventures'), and used chains once. Would have been there a long time without them, though!
np
FollowUp 6 of 6
AnswerID: 237343   Submitted: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 08:19

Robin replied:

Hi Nigel

Big fan of chains here , there is nothing that can increase tracion as much for the dollars, and I never drive anywhere without carrying a set.

The diamonds are better where there are slopes and generally better all round.

You don't need expensive ones , each year by snow season the lightweight chinese ones come into shops at under $150 a set and are a steal.

They have got me where my lockers and winch can't , including saving my life when we got into a bad bog and were if fear of missing out on the last episode of JAG. We got out and home just in time and I was forgiven and lived.

Robin Miller
Survivor -Top Crossing Hut Trk
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Robin Miller
Reply 4 of 6
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AnswerID: 237371   Submitted: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 10:25

Member - Kiwi Kia replied:

Diamonds are best on side slopes. Ladders are fine on ordinary roads.
Reply 5 of 6
AnswerID: 237428   Submitted: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 15:57

nigelp replied:

Thanx to all replies. As often, informed users give a good guiding consensus, and clearly Diamonds are better in snow and sloping mud. A comment re 'leave them at home'. I do take the point and agree that it is irresponsible use that leads to track closures, a huge frustration to us all. As I said though, it's back up: in 10 yeras in the Tropics I think I averaged a bogging once a year (i.e. i'm not looking for'driving adventures'), and used chains once. Would have been there a long time without them, though!
np
Reply 6 of 6