 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hi All,
I need snowchains for a 285/40/22" tyre and after much research I basically got down to just two models available - Konig K-summit (XXL K77) or Spikes Spider (Sport XXXL). Not wanting to spend a fortune on something that will likely not get used (like all my other sets of chains) I came across a set of Spikes on Ebay and went with those.
Have now received them and the test fit has been a disaster. I cannot see that these are big enough at all. I have moved all the chain links to the 'second' hole so the diameter is the biggest it can be, but the problem is the width of the arms - at their max width the 'bend' that sits on the tyre shoulder is way short of fitting, measuring about 26" where the tyre is more like 29".
First question - How do I know the chains are actually XXXL model? There is no size / model that I can see anywhere, other than someone has written XXXL in biro in the instruction book.
Second question - Does anyone have spiders in this size who could check the measurements of the arms, please?
Final question - does anyone share my tyre size, in which case, what chain do you use?
Thank you!
David.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
XXXL spikes should have a code number of 14.700 on them. I resized mine to fit some 245/50/20 and there is still plenty more size I could get by adjusting the links.
Roofbox.co.uk were very helpful when I needed bigger wheel nut fitting things.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
Thanks Endoman,
Mine don't have that number on them. They have a white barcode sticker with 'artikelnummer' 00093100 written on it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Looks like L on the Roofbox site?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| captaindarling13 wrote: |
| Looks like L on the Roofbox site? |
Not a clue I'm afraid. I'm just going off what they told me , I bought mine from them, all be it a long time ago, ( 15 years) yet they still helped me out. Of course they have never been used.....
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
@captaindarling13 My Spike Spiders have an arm adjustment that has three settings. This is for the arm and crosspieces that fits onto the two extended bolts. I had to adjust the arm first, on the basis of a chart, and then only use the chain link adjustment for 'fine-tuning'. What does the instruction manual say? My are only for 17" wheels but as they came, they wouldn't have fitted on the wheel without the arm adjustment being set one size up first i.e. they seem to come ex-factory on the smallest setting for the range of sizes they nominally fit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It's a bit odd. Looking on Roofbox.co.uk, they list all the parts that each size is made up of. Mine have all the right part numbers / qty of part numbers for the XXXL, except for the main grey carrier, which is almost certainly size L. The joys of ebay!
They sell that part separately, albiet currently out of stock, but I've emailed them to see what they can do.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Good plan.
I used to use SpikesSpiders on my BMW many years ago, and with roofbox.co.uk help I was able to swop out the links I needed to convert the same kit to fit a Honda Accord later on.
Fitting a spikesspider can be an art. Fit the hub first of all (making sure that the hub bolt caps are the right dimensions for your specific vehicle.). Make sure that the right spacers are fitted to push the hub out far enough to be level with the tyre.. the chain will never fit on if the hub is fitted too close to the wheel.
Then fit the black tracks onto the top and sides of the wheel, leaving the green "flexible" track resting against the tyre.
Put down some cardboard that you can drive over the top of (otherwise you're about to damage your driveway!).
Slowly drive the car onto the cardboard. as the wheel rotates the green track will be pulled onto the centre of the tyre. I never had the strength to push it there by hand. If you're on the snow, this will happen after around 10metres. If you're on that piece of cardboard at home, you might need to roll forward/backward for a metre 10x.
They are an amazing piece of kit. I was able to drive a rear-wheel-drive BMW v8 up an iceroad/slope to a chalet front door using them!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
Mmm, a green track? I don't have a green track! I have 4 identical black pieces (part number 93081) on each quarter. On one quarter the chain makes a cross with a big washer.
Anyway, Spikes confirmed that XXXL will fit my tyre, so I have ordered the XXXL carrier from roofbox.co.uk, and will see how we go!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
May I ask about the locking wheel bolt? The fitting instructions appear to suggest replacing the locking bolt with a standard one? Is that right?
(I noticed the adapter looked like it was going to be tight, so I didn't fit it for my test fit)
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
@captaindarling13 Many owners are now replacing their locking bolts with plain ones, because unless you have special super-whizzo expensive Italian racing alloys, they don't get nicked any more. And their downside is that they're particularly prone to being stripped when removed, especially when a careless fitter previously over-tightened them with an air gun. It also sounds like their different form makes them a problem for bolt extenders. So all-in-all, you may want to consider replacing them with a plain standard version. I'm on a car owners forum and there's a long-standing thread on there describing the various ways that locking bolts get stripped and the even more complicated and time-consuming solutions for drilling them out. Most posters who experience their locking nuts being stripped say they wish they'd just replaced with plain ones earlier.
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
|
I have wheel nuts. Spikes fit on 4, so locking wheel but not involved. You should have a green section to the track.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
Couldn’t you take vehicle with more suitable tyres for driving on snow?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
Thanks for the replies!
Assume there are no balance issues by not fitting the one on the locking bolt?
DJL - this is the only vehicle I have, the tyres on it are M & S, so not full winters, but sufficient for my trip.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
