Snow chains . . . again . . . ?

[stockhausen]

I am looking for two pairs of easy to fit, cheapish but reliable snow chains for use in the French Alps and would appreciate any useful, informed feedback. Wheel sizes are 185/60-15 (Alloy) & 195/65-14 (Steel).

I am thinking about Weissenfels Techna M30-06s at about £60 a pair or RUD Grip chains at £55 a pair - has anyone got any experience of either of these?

 

[stockhausen]

I cant stress how important it is to get ones that fit your wheels perfect, I used to work in Sonthofen, and the amount of times people would get these wrapped around the back of the wheels was stupid. Can do a fair bit of damage as well.

Good point. As it happens, I have previously used snow chains and know of someone (a friend) who didn't adequately tighten theirs resulting in a broken chain and damage to one side of an Espace. I always tighten mine up as much as possible, drive 100 yards or so and tighten them again and then check them once more after about a mile of gentle driving.

Snow chains really aren't that difficult to fit, especially if you fit them early enough rather than waiting until you have absolutely no choice. It also makes sense not to drive like a complete lunatic when you have fitted them.

These look pure win

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Konig-K-Summi...s_Skiing_Accessories&var=&hash=item8e07930c93

Not at that price they don't. I don't feel inclined to buy a set of winter tyres and rims for a couple of one-week skiing trips either, I am more than happy to have a set of cheap(ish) snow chains . . . just in case and in order to satisfy the Gendarmerie.

I know someone who picked up some incredibly cheap snow chains in a Carrefour on the way down to the Alps last year - that may be my best solution.

 

[stockhausen]

Yep, there is a Carrefour right in Dunkirk so you can get them right after you get off the ferry. there's probably one in Calais as well.

Just ran a search at the Calais Carrefour web-site and couldn't find snow chains . . . or cheese come to that

On the other hand, I couldn't find lots of other random things for which I searched - though there did seem to be lots of wine & beer


The best I have found online in the UK are THESE at £50 a set - they look OK but they might not protect the alloys too well.

The fitting instructions are HERE and make it sound oh, so very easy - in a nice warm, dry garage where you aren't kneeling at the side of the road, in slush, in the dark, with cars whizzing past inches from your behind

 

[stockhausen]

Those are run of the mill chains, easy to put on, preparation is the key, lay them out in the boot so that everything is untangled, pass the red loop round the back of the wheel, join it, then connect the hooks, pass the red chain through the ratchet tighten as much as possible, drive 10m, re-tighten, drive 1km or so then retighten.

They will be solid as a rock and as long as the red joiner lead has a rubber protector they wont hurt your alloys

They are the ones I have, only bought from their eBay shop at much less than £50, and that's for 18-inchers.

And yes, the red bit is all rubber/plastic coated, no scratches from the chains on my wheels anyway

Thanks for that guys, I have found "NEW SUPERIOR QUALITY POLAR EASY-FIT CAR SNOW CHAINS" which seem to be the same as the £50 jobs above on eBay for £35 and will go for those.

Again, thanks for your replies, all I need now is lots of snow

 

[stockhausen]

Snow chains on undriven wheels?

An associated question on snow chains relates to whether or not it might make sense to use them on undriven wheels for braking purposes?

All the recommendations are that you should use snow chains on the driven wheels but I wondered whether there would be any benefit in using them on the rear wheels of a FWD car.

I ask this because last winter, I was driving over the Honister Pass in Cumbria when I encountered ice on the road (with no snow chains at all); I knew it was there and slowed to a stop before moving gingerly onto it. I was going downhill and even without using the brakes, the car was sliding all over the place.

Had I been going uphill I know that I would have been completely stuffed but fortunately the ice had melted by the end of the day.

This set me to pondering on the question above.



As to the question of spending money improving the appearance of the French Alps - surely Flaine is an obvious candidate?

 

[stockhausen]

I believe that the Gendarmes will not accept Autosocks or WeissSocks as being suitable for use on snow covered Alpine roads - not sure if that is an urban myth?

 

[stockhausen]

Certainly what I've been told when we got stopped for not having chains.

It appears that snow chains ARE Compulsory in France. "Chains should be carried and used as dictated by local signs or road conditions. Reduced speed limits may apply." (AA LINK)

No mention of socks, stockings or suspenders (the French must be losing their grip )

It also seems that chains on the front and rear do offer an advantage - I'll still stick with just a set on the driven wheels.