Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Im going to Mt Buller is 2 weeks and I need snow chains for my Bundera. Tyre size is 31x10.50, if anyone can recommend somewhere to get some thats not too far from the Preston area that would be greatly appreciated.

Also I have seen various places saying that you should park in gear and leave the handbrake off, I have been going to Mt buller with my scout group for the last 8 or so years and no one in the group has done this, they simply put the handbrake on. Any advice on this?

if u put the handbrake on it can frezze on if it get really cold & u wont get it off untill it defrosts
Dont lift your windscreen wippers up either because if it snows the weight of the snow will snap your blades
Dan

The BP servo in Mansfield hires snow chains. It's a long way from Preston but is on the way.
Jonesy

Not really game enough to hope that the BP Servo in Mansfield has the chains I need. Anyone know where I can buy some chains apart from Ebay?

EDIT: Would it be better to get chains for all 4 tires or just 2 tyres? As it looks like a lot of Ebay auctions sell chains in pairs.

every ski shop in mansfield will have chains aswell, and there's at least 3 or 4
of them. You could always ring ahead and book a set. used to cost about $15 to hire I think, been a few years since I've hired them though..

There is a snow chain shop in glenferrie somewhere, near glenferrie station... or else try ajays in bayswater, any ski shop in mansfield will be able to help you.

Youll only need 1 pair of chains... snow wont be that thick on the road to warrant 2 pairs...

You should be able to get 'em to fit 31x10.5 just about anywhere. Pullins ski hire at the BP just outside of Mansfeild will definately have them, then theres chain hire in Merijig near the ticket box, base of mountain.

Worst case scenario is to grab any size chains, 'cos the law is you must CARRY them, not FIT them. And i can almost guarantee you that you won't be fitting them at Buller in the next coupla weeks.

I've been skiing at Buller very regularly for the past 20 yrs and have had to fit chains to pass car only a doz or so times and never to a 4by.
The way Buller is situated, you basically drive to the snowline and then the fun starts. It's not uncommon, but not usual either for heavy snow to fall below the carpark.

Are you going on a day trip, or overnight? Snow chains are not required on 4wd or AWD vehicles at Mt Buller at the moment for day trippers. Check the weather conditions on the Mt Buller website.

http://ski.mtbuller.com.au/reports/summary.html

It's stated at the bottom of the first section.

+dj_hansen+ wrote:There is a snow chain shop in glenferrie somewhere, near glenferrie station... or else try ajays in bayswater, any ski shop in mansfield will be able to help you.

Youll only need 1 pair of chains... snow wont be that thick on the road to warrant 2 pairs...

you don't need the chains for the snow it is for the ice on the roads

but they still aren't required for 4wd vehicles. the car will manage it as long as you are sensible

Piranha in Boronia have a range of Chains.

http://www.piranhaoffroad.com.au/produc ... chains.htm

Why don't you give em a call and see if they have a distributor close to you if you don't want to drive over there to get them.

At least if you go there, you should be able to have a look at the range, rather than order them and hope for the best......

hokey wrote:but they still aren't required for 4wd vehicles. the car will manage it as long as you are sensible

you need to carry them by law in any of the Alpine Ski Fields like Mt Buller regardless if you are in a 4WD or car

grimbo wrote:

hokey wrote:but they still aren't required for 4wd vehicles. the car will manage it as long as you are sensible

you need to carry them by law in any of the Alpine Ski Fields like Mt Buller regardless if you are in a 4WD or car

Sorry Grimbo... wrong (sort of...). the law does state that all vehicles must carry chains in alpine regions, however there was an amendment where certain roads were exempted based on them receiving constant manicuring, etc and the requirement to carry chains is based on the local authorities. Thus why the Mt Buller site clearly states on its website the requirements to either carry / or not carry chains. Check my link above and you'll see what I mean.

The reason for the amendment was because the snow fields were losing trade.... The power of the mighty $$$.

grimbo wrote:

hokey wrote:but they still aren't required for 4wd vehicles. the car will manage it as long as you are sensible

you need to carry them by law in any of the Alpine Ski Fields like Mt Buller regardless if you are in a 4WD or car

Actually it is more of a strict recommendation (according to the local coppers here in Bright and Mt Beauty) as there is nothing they can actually do if you dont have chains apart form very insistantly ask you to leave the mountain.
(This may or may not be true ... just what I have heard from one of the rangers here who used to be a cop in Mt Beauty)

Apocalypse wrote:Im going to Mt Buller is 2 weeks and I need snow chains for my Bundera. Tyre size is 31x10.50, if anyone can recommend somewhere to get some thats not too far from the Preston area that would be greatly appreciated.

Also I have seen various places saying that you should park in gear and leave the handbrake off, I have been going to Mt buller with my scout group for the last 8 or so years and no one in the group has done this, they simply put the handbrake on. Any advice on this?

try the melbourne snowboard shop,

593 Plenty rd. Preston Phone 03 9470 1822

thats where we get all our snow gear, really good people and will look after you if you become a regular,

that reminds me have to get my board waxed and filed

dont buy them unless you are going to use them all the time!!!!!

a set of chains for 31-10.5 is common every where (hire places)
and unless you plan on going all out you will only need chains for the front tyres

stu

I work at Buller and can tell you for sure that you can get the chains you need at BP Roadhouse in Mansfield. They will cost $200 to $220 new for a dimond pattern easy fit chain for a 31x10.5

I looked a few years ago and couldn't find them any cheaper in Melb.

It is true that sometimes (the whole time at the moment) day trippers are allowed in without chains. I beleive all vehicles parking overnight must carry chains cos nature is a mother and can change her mind!!!

V8 Middy wrote:It is true that sometimes (the whole time at the moment) day trippers are allowed in without chains. I beleive all vehicles parking overnight must carry chains cos nature is a mother and can change her mind!!!

To contradict myself from earlier, today's update from Mt Buller specified that ALL vehicles must carry chains.

We have 31" diamond style chains for $100 for the pair ATM until sold out

how much would a set cost for 35s?

Well I ended up buying a pair off ebay for $80, now to hope they actually arrive in time.