Snow Chains For Rav4 T180

[Gustaw]

Hi,

I promised to post some more questions ...

Here is one.

2008-2009 skiing season is just round the corner.

I consider taking my new RAV4 T180 for a ride to the Alps.

Is it a stupid idea ? Possibly.

Anyway, I would need a set of snow chains and I wonder if anybody on the forum used ones with T180 and

if anybody may have any recommendations, comments, suggestions about different makes and designs.

I did a brief search of the RAV4 forum and found no info.

Thanks and Regards

Gustaw

[hughgengine]

Hi,

I promised to post some more questions ...

Here is one.

2008-2009 skiing season is just round the corner.

I consider taking my new RAV4 T180 for a ride to the Alps.

Is it a stupid idea ? Possibly.

Anyway, I would need a set of snow chains and I wonder if anybody on the forum used ones with T180 and

if anybody may have any recommendations, comments, suggestions about different makes and designs.

I did a brief search of the RAV4 forum and found no info.

Thanks and Regards

Gustaw

Hi Gustaw,

I'm very much interested in an answer to this too, as I plan on doing the exact same thing with my T180. Incidently, what are you doing regards to carrying a spare, or are you just going to hope for the best with the run-flat set-up?

[Gustaw]

what are you doing regards to carrying a spare, or are you just going to hope for the best with the run-flat set-up?

Hmmmm, OK, I had my old Focus for 8 years and only once or twice got a flat tyre and it happened ... outside our house ... :D

Therefore, yes, stupidly I assumed it should not happen to me while travelling abroad and therefore, as it stands, I still hope for the best.

I think I should at least find addresses of Toyota dealers located along our way to Alps.

Would it suffice ? It is hard to predict.

The other thing to consider is :

- if we need snow chains at all (possibly this is legal requirement in some parts of Alps)

- how snow chains coexist with RFTs

Gustaw

[bothwell_buyer]

as a general point, I think I read that snow chains will fit anything within reason. Try some of the specialist 4x4 serious off-roaders suppliers. I've got extra chain if you want to make your own, or you can buy it quite cheaply. Otherwise there are sets you can buy that are easy to put on/off. I've never used them here, and I've got the landrover to look at if it does get that bad!!

If you google snow chains a host of suppliers pops up - eg http://www.snowchains.co.uk/main/index_4x4_chains.htm

I've not done a link, but just as an example.

[hughgengine]

what are you doing regards to carrying a spare, or are you just going to hope for the best with the run-flat set-up?

Hmmmm, OK, I had my old Focus for 8 years and only once or twice got a flat tyre and it happened ... outside our house ... :D

Therefore, yes, stupidly I assumed it should not happen to me while travelling abroad and therefore, as it stands, I still hope for the best.

I think I should at least find addresses of Toyota dealers located along our way to Alps.

Would it suffice ? It is hard to predict.

The other thing to consider is :

- if we need snow chains at all (possibly this is legal requirement in some parts of Alps)

- how snow chains coexist with RFTs

Gustaw

I'm not sure I could trust that there is enough dealership density and ability of Toyota dealers across Europe to fit tyres to the T180's unique run-flat system, especially given the limited distance you can travel on them. Personally, I'm having all the support-rings removed upon tyre renewal and opting for buying a spare wheel. :(

As for snow chains being a requirement in the Alps, you'd be well advised to buy or hire a set for your holiday regardless. The AA, RAC and many snow-chain firms all say the same thing on this subject, that on most alpine routes it is compulsory to carry them.

Personally I can't see any issue with fitting your T180 with snow chains regarding the run-flats, because the tyres used are completely standard Bridgestone D687's - nothing special about them at all, i.e. they haven't got reinforced sidewalls.

[Christia]

hughgengine, so T180 also have the BSR /Bridgestone support ring/?

I was curious if T180 have it too or it has just normal run flat tyres with reinforced sidewalls.

Also I would like to know what is the difference between T180 and D-Cat Rav or normal 2006 D4D Rav. I mean what T180 means as a modification? I saw it for first time here in the forum.

Does it comes with 17 wheels or with 18?

I couldn't find information on the net and didn't see differences.

Is this a model only for UK?

I didn't see it when I was looking /monts ago/ in mobile.de.

Just expanding my Rav4 knowledge

[anchorman]

Christia

The T180 has the 130kW engine like yours but the "standard" engine here in the UK is a 100kW derated version. This latter engine shares most of the fundamental components of the 130kW engine but the cylinder head is different. Your cylinder head is modified to significantly reduce emissions and incorporates different injectors and a fifth injector that adds fuel to the exhaust. This sounds strange but in fact is necessary to balance the chemicals in the emissions.

There is also a different arrangement of catalytic converters.

The T180 does have the support ring system in the tyres

[hughgengine]

hughgengine, so T180 also have the BSR /Bridgestone support ring/?

I was curious if T180 have it too or it has just normal run flat tyres with reinforced sidewalls.

Also I would like to know what is the difference between T180 and D-Cat Rav or normal 2006 D4D Rav. I mean what T180 means as a modification? I saw it for first time here in the forum.

Does it comes with 17 wheels or with 18?

I couldn't find information on the net and didn't see differences.

Is this a model only for UK?

I didn't see it when I was looking /monts ago/ in mobile.de.

Just expanding my Rav4 knowledge

Hi Christia, just to add to anchorman's reply, the Rav4 T180 was a very high specification model that was available through UK Toyota dealer network with the D-Cat engine, 18" wheels and BSR, although I don't know if it was available outside of the UK. Here's one of many reviews for the T180... http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/fi..._rav4_t180.html

[Hoovie]

looking at the Toyota GB Website and the Toyota Germany website, the UKs "T180" is near enough identical to the "D-CAT Executive"

And what they have in Germany that they do not here (and many people wish for, I think) is the D-CAT engine on a lowered trim level WITHOUT the BSR System, but standard 17" ones.

If you want the D-CAT engine in France, you need to buy the "RAV4 Clean Power" and you are stuck with the BSRs with that spec.

Move over to Spain and you have THREE models with the D-CAT engine, 2 of which have the BSR systems (called Run Flat Tyres BSR there) - the XR and the Premium Cross Sport, and the Premium has 17" standard wheels.

[Robert6920]

Hi,

I promised to post some more questions ...

Here is one.

2008-2009 skiing season is just round the corner.

I consider taking my new RAV4 T180 for a ride to the Alps.

Is it a stupid idea ? Possibly.

Anyway, I would need a set of snow chains and I wonder if anybody on the forum used ones with T180 and

if anybody may have any recommendations, comments, suggestions about different makes and designs.

I did a brief search of the RAV4 forum and found no info.

Thanks and Regards

Gustaw

Hi Gustaw

I don't have the runflats but I am probably going to plump for Weissenfels snow chains for my 17" Michelin Tour HP Alpin tyres. They have an obviously named UK distributor snowchains.co.uk, for the 4x4 try here

Personally, I would think very seriously about taking a spare - it might just save the day if you go off-piste, unintentionally, of course

[Gustaw]

I don't have the runflats but I am probably going to plump for Weissenfels snow chains for my 17" Michelin Tour HP Alpin tyres. They have an obviously named UK distributor snowchains.co.uk, for the 4x4 try here

Personally, I would think very seriously about taking a spare - it might just save the day if you go off-piste, unintentionally, of course

Just a quick update.

I checked the Snow+Rock's winter edition catalogue.

I remember they used to stock some premium snow chains and they still do sell them.

The make is ... Weissenfels ... :D

If no other recommendations are made then I would go for a pair of their snow chains.

Which model is a different question (they suggest 3 different models for SUVs).

I found two online retailers :

http://www.snowchains.co.uk/main/index_4x4_chains.htm (same as the one you found, Robert6920)

and

http://www.roofrackshop.com/snowchains.aspx

Prices on both sites seem to be identical.

I checked the tyre size on my T180, just to confirm -> 235/55 R18 M+S

"M+S" (i.e. Mud+Snow) appears to be important as when selecting the snow chains online one is actually asked if the tyres are M+S or not

(it is stated that sizes of M+S and non-M+S tyres are slightly different).

Gustaw