Snow Chains

[kingroon]

So.. I'm putting together a Plan to drive to La Tania, France for a Long Weekend of Skiing in a few weeks' time and figure I might need some chains on the rear of the 997.2S to get me up the Mountain..?

Looking for some advice from those that have done this kinda thing before..

Also, given the price of OP Snow Chains [~£600], does anyone have a set I could borrow/buy/rent?

[JasonGibson]

Paul Mabley took his 997 skiing and had chains.

He's offline today but I told him about the post, sure he'll be along tomorrow

[Paul Mabley]

I took my 997.2S to Les Menuires in Jan 2013.

Here's the result:









This was great fun in the car and I'd definitely do it again, we were fastest up the mountain until the last 3 miles on snow with the chains which took an hour and everything overtook us again! We were on the Bridgestone RE050 standard summer tyres on the 19" wheels (305 rear section from memory). In poor conditions it would be hard work.

I did it on summer tyres, my view is that it would be best to get another set of wheels, 18" with winter tyres on to make your life a lot easier. Chains are still essential for driving on snow.

Clearance is OK for chains as standard but the width of the standard tyre makes it very difficult to get chains on, I had to previously remove some plastic protection trim from the rear lower wishbone to increase clearance enough to get even a thin chain on.

My chains were a little small for the car and although I'd gladly lend them would not like to be relying on them if it was me doing the trip again.

Any further help needed, just shout.

[kingroon]

I took my 997.2S to Les Menuires in Jan 2013.

...

We were on the Bridgestone RE050 standard summer tyres on the 19" wheels (305 rear section from memory). In poor conditions it would be hard work.

I did it on summer tyres, my view is that it would be best to get another set of wheels, 18" with winter tyres on to make your life a lot easier. Chains are still essential for driving on snow.

Clearance is OK for chains as standard but the width of the standard tyre makes it very difficult to get chains on, I had to previously remove some plastic protection trim from the rear lower wishbone to increase clearance enough to get even a thin chain on.

My chains were a little small for the car and although I'd gladly lend them would not like to be relying on them if it was me doing the trip again.

Fantastic Paul Thanks for the info..

I have only recently fitted P-Zeroes all round so can't really go a new set of Wheels & Tyres..

What Chains do you have? Are they from the Porsche Shop etc.?

Also, don't suppose you have/could get a photo of the area you removed the trim from?

[Paul Mabley]

I don't have the car any more, if you could take a picture of your suspension arrangement behind the rear wheel I'll tell you which bit it is.

Porsche Chain info here:

http://www.porsche.com/uk/accessoriesan ... nowchains/

These are the chains I have:

958 044 600 13

Cayenne models: For 255/55 R 18 tyres. 911 models: For 285/35 R 19 tyres
Available for

991 / 911 Carrera
991 / 911 Carrera Cabriolet
991 / 911 Carrera S
991 / 911 Carrera S Cabriolet
E2 II / Cayenne
E2 II / Cayenne Diesel
E2 II / Cayenne S
E2 II / Cayenne S Diesel
E2 II / Cayenne S E-Hybrid
E2 / Cayenne
E2 / Cayenne Diesel
E2 / Cayenne S Diesel
E2 / Cayenne S
E2 / Cayenne S Hybrid
E2 / Cayenne GTS
E1 II / Cayenne
E1 II / Cayenne Diesel
E1 II / Cayenne S
E1 II / Cayenne GTS
Price 1)

£ 458.75 incl. 20% VAT
£ 382.29 excl. 20% VAT

You're welcome to borrow them if they fit yours but I think you may need these:

997 044 600 18

For 295/35 R 18 and 295/30 R 19 tyres
Available for

More Models
997 II / 911 Carrera
997 II / 911 Carrera Cabriolet
997 II / 911 Carrera S
997 II / 911 Carrera S Cabriolet
997 II / 911 Carrera 4
997 II / 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet
997 II / 911 Carrera 4S
997 II / 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet
997 II / 911 Targa 4
997 II / 911 Targa 4S
997 II / 911 Carrera GTS
997 II / 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet
997 II / 911 Carrera 4 GTS
997 II / 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet
997 II / 911 Turbo
997 II / 911 Turbo Cabriolet
997 II / 911 Turbo S
997 II / 911 Turbo S Cabriolet
997 II / 911 GT3
997 II / 911 GT3 RS
997 II / 911 GT3 RS 4.0
997 II / 911 GT2 RS
Price 1)

£ 716.80 incl. 20% VAT
£ 597.33 excl. 20% VAT

Aftermarket option:

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehs ... g~2P%7DbOP

This would save the considerable ballache of reaching through wheelarch installing chains over the wide wheels onto the back of the wheel in the cold and negate the need for trim removal.

Not sure how good they are but I'm sure given they're Thule I'd probably think they are having used their bike carriers, roofracks and roofboxes.

Off skiing tomorrow to Les Arcs in the Panamera and expecting decent snow during travel up the mountain so probably won't reply to this for another week but will let you know how we get on!

[kingroon]

I don't have the car any more, if you could take a picture of your suspension arrangement behind the rear wheel I'll tell you which bit it is.

...

Aftermarket option:

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehs ... g~2P%7DbOP

This would save the considerable ballache of reaching through wheelarch installing chains over the wide wheels onto the back of the wheel in the cold and negate the need for trim removal.

Not sure how good they are but I'm sure given they're Thule I'd probably think they are having used their bike carriers, roofracks and roofboxes.

Off skiing tomorrow to Les Arcs in the Panamera and expecting decent snow during travel up the mountain so probably won't reply to this for another week but will let you know how we get on!

Thanks again Paul, I've seen the Thule Setup on my Google Travels, but don't think they cater for 295+ tyres.. I did come across these on the RoofBox Website: http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehs ... 11&TID=536

Generally the same principal which is to not wrap around the rear of the tyre/wheel as this is the troublesome zone.. They do look really aggressive Kinda wondering how soon is too soon to put them on the tyres? I can see a great deal of damage being done to tyre [and road!] if shod too soon..

Hope you have a great trip and look forward to hearing you got on!

[JasonGibson]

We didn't need our snow chains yesterday, I followed the Panamera , light snow and slush on the mountain roads . Both cars were Fab but Paul does have winter tyres.

Sometimes when snow is bad you are told to fit chains. Otherwise, fit when you start to loose traction.

[kingroon]

We didn't need our snow chains yesterday, I followed the Panamera , light snow and slush on the mountain roads . Both cars were Fab but Paul does have winter tyres.

Sometimes when snow is bad you are told to fit chains. Otherwise, fit when you start to loose traction.

Yeah I hear the Snow isn't that "good" at the moment so I guess that will make dirving conditions easier..

I've narrowed down my Snow Chain choice to the Thules, but undecided on the Winter Tyres.. Just got quoted ~£1300 from my OPC [they store the "Summer" tyres etc.]

Funny thing is, I could rent a Cayenne, unlimited mileage, from Avis for ~£1200 http://www.avisprestige.com/quote-139-P ... ne_4x4.php

[Paul Mabley]

Winter tyres are definitely the answer to hassle free travel in the Alps, good for home in the winter too.

I sailed up a steep snowy road without the chains without even breaking traction, came back down the other side without engaging the ABS, surprising how hard you can actually brake before skidding too (tested it as generally just drove in low gear downhill). Very confidence inspiring on the damp icy roads up and down the mountain too.

Chains will always be needed though as if you get a big dump of snow and a few inches are lying on the road you will need to use them and the Police can enforce this at the bottom of the mountain, only 4x4 with full winter tyres are allowed up the mountain without chains at these times.

With regard to when to put chains on, it needs to be full snow coverage and when you start to loose traction, take the nearest 'aire de chainage' aka layby and put them on. They are a total nightmare on tarmac, like riding a jackhammer!

[kingroon]

Winter tyres are definitely the answer to hassle free travel in the Alps, good for home in the winter too.

I sailed up a steep snowy road without the chains without even breaking traction, came back down the other side without engaging the ABS, surprising how hard you can actually brake before skidding too (tested it as generally just drove in low gear downhill). Very confidence inspiring on the damp icy roads up and down the mountain too.

Chains will always be needed though as if you get a big dump of snow and a few inches are lying on the road you will need to use them and the Police can enforce this at the bottom of the mountain, only 4x4 with full winter tyres are allowed up the mountain without chains at these times.

With regard to when to put chains on, it needs to be full snow coverage and when you start to loose traction, take the nearest 'aire de chainage' aka layby and put them on. They are a total nightmare on tarmac, like riding a jackhammer!

Thank you so much, for all the comments and advice on this Thread

I have gone for the Spikes Spider option http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehs ... 05&TID=532

Leaving next Tuesday, returning Sunday, so will let you all know how I got on

[Paul Mabley]

Look forward to hearing about it!

[JasonGibson]

who needs snow chains

[kingroon]

Well.. I made it..

Couldn't have been an easier Trip if I'm honest.. There had been a Heavy Dump of Snow on the Weekend and none since so by the time I arrived, the Gritters / Ploughs had done their Jobs and the road up the Mountain to the Resort was as clear as any..

Having caught a Late Train over on the Tuesday, I stayed over in Reims and the morning's Drive from Reims was a Beaut..



The Wolverine got my back on the way down, warding off Evil Gendarmes..



Little Traffic, Clear Skies and amazing French RNs meant I got to La Tania mid arvi..



..in time to enjoy the Snow, and the Sunshine



The next day's Skiing was just as stunning..



..and by Day Three, I was Stoked



Belted back to Reims for another stop over..



..before the Train back early Sunday morning

[Paul Mabley]

Tremendous!

[JasonGibson]

Looks like you had a great trip

I think we should have a Tipec Ski Trip