Vans are definitely NOT renowned for their outstanding traction on ice/snow… if like us you plan on using your campervan as a base camp for skiing, consider snow chains a safety feature rather than a gizmo. If you’re still not convinced, some area REQUIRES you to have snow chains (or a 4×4) when road conditions are bad (bad road conditions = awesome skiing conditions!!). The Thule/Konig XG-12 PRO snow chains are not the cheapest, but we don’t like to cheap out on safety device. We researched most of the high-quality options available and we selected them for the following reasons:

What we Like about the Thule/Konig XG-12 PRO snow chains

• They have a patented self-centering, self-tensioning system. In plain English, it means they are quick and simple to install; as opposed to some chains, they don’t need the vehicle to move during the installation process. That’s really appreciated when putting them on during a blizzard!
• They have a color-coded connection points to help with installation.
• The tensioning system is plastic coated so you don’t freeze your hands when installing them.
• Diamond Pattern: this type of pattern provides the most traction with minimal noise or vibration.
• They come in a compact plastic case, so they’re easily stored in the vehicle.

What we Don’t Like…

• Although it’s a comment about chains in general, it’s worth mentioning that installing them require practice. The Thule/Konig are easy enough to install, but still: make sure to practice BEFORE you need them in the Blizzard. Seriously.

Anything else to know?

• Per manual, they require at least 12mm (1/2 in) clearance between the tire and any vehicle structure. With our BF Goodrich KO2 LT255/70R16 tires installed on a Ford Transit, minimum clearance (3/4in) is between the rear tire and the plastic trim (after the chains are installed; in other words measured from the chain to the plastic trim). Those with bigger tires (245/75R16) installed on their Ford Transit should get approximately 1/2in clearance measured after the chains are installed.

• If like us you’re using them on the Ford Transit, be aware that the Transit is delivered with the following notice: “DO NOT USE SNOW CHAINS”. We decided to use them anyway (like many others) making sure of being EXTRA careful to install them properly so they won’t tear apart the brake lines and other stuff on the inside of the wheel… It is YOUR decision to follow the Ford notice or not, not ours…
• The maximum driving speed is 30 mph with the chains on.
• All snow chains are installed on the driving wheels only… no need to buy chains for the front wheels if you have a propulsion vehicle!
• What’s the deal?? Are these snow chains made by Thule or Konig?? It looks like Thule bought Konig years ago, or the other way around, who knows. From Thule website: “Our snow chain department has been divested to Konig in Italy. Please contact them on info@konigchain.com”

Where to Buy

First of all, make sure to select the correct chains size:

• Fit Guide (hint: click on “I can’t find my car” to choose by tire size instead of by car model and then select “VAN and Motorhomes” car type)
• For example, we got 255 chain size for our BFGoodrich KO2 LT255/70R16 tires.

Then, click the following Amazon link and add the selected chain size to your cart!

Installation

Here is the official installation guide from the manufacturer: Installation Manual

And here is our take on it:

1- Put the chain on the ground and make sure there is no twist in it

2.1- For the right wheel: start from the rear of the van and slide the chain toward the front of the van (or if you prefer: hold the yellow end of the loop in your right hand)

2.2- For the left wheel: start from the front of the van and slide the chain toward the back of the van (or if you prefer: hold the yellow end of the loop in your right hand, yes in the right hand again!)

3- By now the chain should look like this

4- Close the loop on top of the wheel

5- Place the chain roughly on the tire and attach the red hooks together

The chain size (ours are 255) should be visible, it should not lie on the tire side

6- Pull on the tension strap from the bottom of the wheel and attach it to the hook on top

7- Route the tension strap into the pulley

8- Well done!

9- Make sure everything look neat and centered

10- Drive forward to tension the chains

Not much to see here…

It feels GREAT knowing we can get around safely despite the ice everywhere…

Removal

1- Drive forward (or back) to position the chain as follow and remove the tension strap from the red hook

2- Detach the tension strap from the pulley

3- Detach the red hooks

4- Detach the loop

5- The chain can now be removed

(you might have to drive slightly forward/back to remove it from under the tire)

Operation

Snow chains are a temporary device for the worst conditions (ice/steep/etc), remove them when they are not required and don’t drive faster than 30 mph with the chains on.

At the time of writing these lines (December 2017), we haven’t actually drive with the chains on (we’re currently in Arizona but we are starting our journey to British-Columbia in just a few days); we will report back as soon as we hit some bad weather!

Subscribe to our Mailing List to be notified of any update.

Reliability

It’s too soon for us to discuss about reliability, but durability and reliability is one of the reason we chose the Thule/Konig XG-12 PRO so we expect them to last!

We will keep you updated! Subscribe to our Mailing List to be notified of any update.

Resources

• Konig Website
• Installation Manual
• Fit Guide (hint: click on “I can’t find my car” to choose by tire size instead of by car model)

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