 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi guys I have Thule / Konig easy-fit chains and they aren’t tensioning -
I fitted them as per the instructions, on first assembly I had a problem with it, the red cable did not automatically tighten when driving
I fitted it as per the instructions and put both grab handles round the back- then stood on the lever and it went click, but the cable never got tight. I drove it for 50 meters but it still didn't go tight.
I was able to remove the chain with the foot pedal in the bottom position and it didn't rise up when I released the safety / release buttons
Any suggestions????
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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?
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It’s not that, but thanks for commenting. One side works but the other side doesn’t. I fitted the left hand side and it went tight, but the right hand side it’s as if the red cable isn’t attached to the pedal, so when you push it down nothing happens
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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We had the same problem with one of ours. I messed around with it for a long time- fed all the cables back around the chain, looked at the other one to see exactly how the cable was fitted through all the mechanism and eventually got it to work but it’s never been the same again if I’m honest. The other one works perfectly, but this one just isn’t quite right. It was fine the first couple of times we put it on.
After fiddling with it I got the tension back into it and when we drive a few meters on it , it’s secure, but it has to be taken off very carefully so the tension is ok.
It took me about an hour to mess around and get the mechanism working again- patience and perseverance.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Oh gosh - that’s frustrating. I was hoping you d say you could easily reattach it - I ll see what Konig / Thule suggest. Annoyingly I bought them brand new in November and only now 2 weeks before the trip I’ve tried them and they sound pretty broken
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I’d be interested to hear what they say. We use ours ok- but we just have to be aware of its little issue.
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Accidental duplicate post.
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Sat 1-02-25 20:57; edited 1 time in total
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To me many of these "easy fit" chains are a solution looking for a problem. Never had a problem fitting conventional chains (removing them after a couple of weeks when everything is frozen can be interesting though), even with limited wheel arch clearance. None of the locals use anything other than bog standard chains. I've seen loads of tourists with all sorts of weird contraptions completely fail to go anywhere because they won't drive round the carpark to allow them to self tension or to retension if normal chains before trying to drive up our street. None of the residents ever need chains even when they only have 2 wheel drive because none of them touch the accelerator pedal, a little bit of grit to get started is usually enough.
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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.
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@Chris_n, I’m sure you’re right in some ways. I grew up in North America near the Canadian border. Chains were an everyday thing. Now, at nearly 70 and being a relatively small person at 5ft, I find wrestling chains on go a tight clearance CRV quite hard to be honest. We live in the Yorkshire Dales and we actually needed them in early January - the week before we drove to France- as we had a foot of snow and live down a half mile track. It’s the first time in 25 years we needed them at home. Self tensioning chains are really good when you only use them in unusual circumstances. But, horses for courses as they say!
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| lynnecha wrote: |
| @Chris_n, I’m sure you’re right in some ways. I grew up in North America near the Canadian border. Chains were an everyday thing. Now, at nearly 70 and being a relatively small person at 5ft, I find wrestling chains on to a tight clearance CRV quite hard to be honest. We live in the Yorkshire Dales and we actually needed them in early January - the week before we drove to France- as we had a foot of snow and live down a half mile track. It’s the first time in 25 years we needed them at home. Self tensioning chains are really good when you only use them in unusual circumstances. But, horses for courses as they say! |
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Quote: |
To me many of these "easy fit" chains are a solution looking for a problem. Never had a problem fitting conventional chains
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I have some sympathy with that - I didn't find fitting chains a problem, but my cars didn't have difficult wheels with no clearance and not having alloys I wasn't bothered about scratches etc (I'm not prepared to cherish car wheels!). I did sometimes struggle getting them off because my hands aren't very strong and they're always filthy. And why is it, when you put both on together, that they NEVER both come off without moving the car a bit to get the clippy thing at the back at the top of the wheel?
Now I'm retired. When we needed chains at Christmas my son in law did it! But I'm sure that, with practice (and I always did practice before driving out) I could still fit chains if some fit youngster was not around.
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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.
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@Origen, thankfully, good winter tyres and a 4w drive CRV gets us through most things!
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| Origen wrote: |
| Quote: |
To me many of these "easy fit" chains are a solution looking for a problem. Never had a problem fitting conventional chains
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I have some sympathy with that - I didn't find fitting chains a problem, but my cars didn't have difficult wheels with no clearance and not having alloys I wasn't bothered about scratches etc (I'm not prepared to cherish car wheels!). I did sometimes struggle getting them off because my hands aren't very strong and they're always filthy. And why is it, when you put both on together, that they NEVER both come off without moving the car a bit to get the clippy thing at the back at the top of the wheel?
Now I'm retired. When we needed chains at Christmas my son in law did it! But I'm sure that, with practice (and I always did practice before driving out) I could still fit chains if some fit youngster was not around. |
If arches are tight it is best to get the clippy thing at the front of the wheel then apply full lock so you can see them and get at them easier. Always have a pair of marigolds in the car for extra grip and to keep your sleeves clean.
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You know it makes sense.
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@lynnecha, Did you take the back off the main vertical slider? It looks like there’s some Allen bolts that might give you access to the channel to re attached the red cable to the foot push lever
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