Autosock vs Thule K-Summit vs V2 Traction diamond chains.

[Eaglen00b]

Hi all,

In just under 4 weeks time, my wife and I will be heading off on a massive road trip from Perth to the eastern states and back in the CC. The plan is Perth - Balladonia - Ceduna - Broken Hill - Dubbo - Sydney - Canberra - Cooma - Jindabyne - Melbourne - Mt Gambier - Adelaide - Ceduna - Balladonia - Kalgoorlie - Perth.

We'll be spending a few nights in Jindabyne and exploring the area and the Alpine Way while we're there.

Has anyone used any of these three traction aids on their CC; Autosocks, Thule K-Summit (size K33) or V2 Traction (size KN100) diamond chains?

Wheels are the factory 235/40 R18 Continental ContiSportContact 5 on Lakeville rims. Replaced the tires about a week ago (even though there's about 50% tread left on them) with the same factory rubber.

There doesn't seem to be much room at all between the wheels and the wheel wells and suspension components.

I did some research on snow and ice traction aids and it seems Thule K-Summit size K33 chains suit low profile wheels with little or no clearance to the suspension components. I quite like the design and look of these and my gut feeling is to go with them.

My research also found that autosocks are pretty good and are supposedly a doddle to fit and remove.

I rang up a snow chain, ski & snow gear hire place in Cooma (I won't mention the business, but they are apparently quite well known) and the advice I got from the guy thoroughly confused the living fork out of me.

The dude in Cooma said I have to have "significant technical expertise" to use the K-Summits, and I should use the V2 Traction size KN100 chains. The shop has both available for hire but he was most definitely trying to push me towards getting the V2 and away from the K-Summits.

My original plan was to carry autosocks AND a set of Thule K-Summits as backup. Because of Cooma shop dude's "advice", now I'm not sure if K-summits are the go, or should I go with his very very very strong recommendation that I go with the V2 diamond chains instead.....

Unfortunately Jindy only has chains and not the K-Summits either and no one seems to have autosocks.

Any feedback/comments/tips/pearls of wisdom from the collective would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers!

PS. Images showing the three traction aids are below.

THULE K-SUMMIT:



AUTOSOCK:



V2 Traction diamond pattern chains:-