Snow Chains

[BaskettoBase]

Hi,we are trying again to visit Aviemore in Feb...even more snow than last year,going to be fun !

About to buy some snow chains for the 2005 Jeep Cherokee.

Any advice appreciated,size,type,which axle etc.

I found some on Ebay for about £50 delivered.

Done loads of offroad racing but never used chains (illegal)

With all the snow around at the moment, surprised any left.

Thanks Terry

 

[Sproket]

I had some about 15 years ago, brilliant only had them on the back of a old cortina, they take 2 mins to put on and same to take off, if i was buying some for my 4x4 i would buy 2 sets, so you can still steer and drive at the same time, if you just put a set on the back you will get traction, but the front end will just wag about, especially if there is ice under the snow..

 

[Heethers]

Talked to me brother about snow chains for the delivery van we have, when enquired he was told they are now illegal. (Merc Vito total crap on snow) just check before you buy.

 

[Chrisbee]

I'd be surprised if they are illigal, they were fitted to fire brigade and ambulance vehicles in my area last week.

 

[Lutz]

They might be illegal if the road is not covered in snow, but who in their right mind would keep them on then anyway?

 

[Sproket]

A bit more imfomation for you:

Q.&.A. regarding snow chains

snow chains-more reading

 

[Countrylass]

We had a Jeep Cherokee on hire in Mammoth Mountain and Heavenly Valley, California in March 2004 and never needed snow chains. We drove through a snowstorm to Heavenly from San Francisco and the overnight snowfall was around a metre. The California Highway Authority place chain requirements on roads if they deem it to be neccessary but this does not apply to 4 wheel drive vehicles.

We've travelled to the slopes at Glenshee for the last few weekends and still had no need of chains for our Subaru Forester.

 

[Garfield]

Hi,

We use chains on a regular basis driving to ski resorts, as far as I know, the uk law prohibits the use of anything that can damage the road surface so chains should be ok as long as there's plenty of snow but they are not that simple to fit for the uninitiated. When we bought our S-max we told the salesman that it would be used for skiing but when we read the manual after delivery it stated that chains could not be used on the size of tyre fitted to our car (presumably due to lack of clearance between tyre and strut).

We bought some snow socks which are fabric and just as effective as chains in most cases. last year we were about 40 miles from the resort when everyone stopped to chain up, we stopped next to a car where the driver already was out and unravelling his chains, I got out, stretched the socks over each front tyre, rolled forward half a turn, pulled the rest of the sock over the wheels, rolled forward a few turns, checked the socks, then drove off before the other guy had even got one chain on!, the last I saw of him, he was open mouthed, staring at us dissapearing.

 

[Mikey1]

I would like to add that the snow socks are briliant.

 

[machighlander]

agree with you mikey, i used mine to hang on the mantlepiece for santa coming, holds loads of pressies

 

[Gafferbill]

.....are they approved for use on roads where snow chains are mandatory?

 

[Douglas_374404558]

HI! Basket to base .if you are going up to Aviemore and thinking of going up to the Cairngorms you will not need chains as the road up is closed by snow gates. if there is even the slightest chance of anyone getting stuck all the rest of the roads are open at this time (i live in the area ) so no need to buy them .if you use them you will be the only one nobody up here uses them .

cheers Duggie

 

[lohr500]

Bit of a grey area if you search the various forums.

When I was looking into them prior to a ski trip last year, some said that the French ski resort police wouldn't accept them, others said no problems.

They loked a great idea to me, but in the end I bought chains and left them in the boot of our Audi A3 Quattro. The handbook for the Audi said chains weren't suitable for my tyre size but I thought it best to have a set in case pulled up on alpine roads.

 

[BaskettoBase]

I had some about 15 years ago, brilliant only had them on the back of a old cortina, they take 2 mins to put on and same to take off, if i was buying some for my 4x4 i would buy 2 sets, so you can still steer and drive at the same time, if you just put a set on the back you will get traction, but the front end will just wag about, especially if there is ice under the snow..

I was thinking of one set on the front as I would only use in 4x4,so i agree to have drive & steering is a must....thanks

 

[BaskettoBase]

They might be illegal if the road is not covered in snow, but who in their right mind would keep them on then anyway?

Sounds like common sense to only use on snow covered roads,so probably "illegal" to rip the tarmac up.

 

[BaskettoBase]

A bit more imfomation for you:

Q.&.A. regarding snow chains

snow chains-more reading

Good links thanks a bunch.

 

[BaskettoBase]

We had a Jeep Cherokee on hire in Mammoth Mountain and Heavenly Valley, California in March 2004 and never needed snow chains. We drove through a snowstorm to Heavenly from San Francisco and the overnight snowfall was around a metre. The California Highway Authority place chain requirements on roads if they deem it to be neccessary but this does not apply to 4 wheel drive vehicles.

We've travelled to the slopes at Glenshee for the last few weekends and still had no need of chains for our Subaru Forester.

Three years ago we visited Aviemore in one of the worst blizzards possible,driving in snow is not a problem, the only time the chains will be used is manoevering the caravan from the main road to the pitch. Dont fancy relying on the warden to drag our pride & joy .Not sure on the insurance angle either ?

 

[BaskettoBase]

Hi,

We use chains on a regular basis driving to ski resorts, as far as I know, the uk law prohibits the use of anything that can damage the road surface so chains should be ok as long as there's plenty of snow but they are not that simple to fit for the uninitiated. When we bought our S-max we told the salesman that it would be used for skiing but when we read the manual after delivery it stated that chains could not be used on the size of tyre fitted to our car (presumably due to lack of clearance between tyre and strut).

We bought some snow socks which are fabric and just as effective as chains in most cases. last year we were about 40 miles from the resort when everyone stopped to chain up, we stopped next to a car where the driver already was out and unravelling his chains, I got out, stretched the socks over each front tyre, rolled forward half a turn, pulled the rest of the sock over the wheels, rolled forward a few turns, checked the socks, then drove off before the other guy had even got one chain on!, the last I saw of him, he was open mouthed, staring at us dissapearing.

Like the idea of socks will investigate....Thanks.

 

[BaskettoBase]

I would like to add that the snow socks are briliant.

Definately have a look.

 

[BaskettoBase]

agree with you mikey, i used mine to hang on the mantlepiece for santa coming, holds loads of pressies

Didn't get any snow chains in your socks u r not going to use ?

 

[BaskettoBase]

HI! Basket to base .if you are going up to Aviemore and thinking of going up to the Cairngorms you will not need chains as the road up is closed by snow gates. if there is even the slightest chance of anyone getting stuck all the rest of the roads are open at this time (i live in the area ) so no need to buy them .if you use them you will be the only one nobody up here uses them .

cheers Duggie

Yep ,been up for the last 8 years only going to use them to drag caravan to pitch & off.If I wasn't taking van a couple of shovels for the wife & daughter would do ! !

 

[BaskettoBase]

Bit of a grey area if you search the various forums.

When I was looking into them prior to a ski trip last year, some said that the French ski resort police wouldn't accept them, others said no problems.

They loked a great idea to me, but in the end I bought chains and left them in the boot of our Audi A3 Quattro. The handbook for the Audi said chains weren't suitable for my tyre size but I thought it best to have a set in case pulled up on alpine roads.

Some say that they are compulsory in certain areas abroard,always better to be overdressed in my opinion,ebay will dispose of them if you boo boo.

 

[Lutz]

Yes, it is true that some cars are not approved for use with snow chains. It would be a big mistake to ignore such disapproval as it could cause serious damage to your car if you do. The only option in such a case is to fit smaller, usually narrower, tyres that would take snow chains without a problem. The car manufacturer will normally advise what alternative sizes you can use. In rare cases, where the car manufacturer does not make such a recommendation, the car will just have to remain outside areas where snow chains are a legal requirement.