Snow chains or Socks for Tyres

Been driving a hire car (vw t cross) in Munich this week. They had 2 foot of snow on Saturday (Goolge some images - it's been pretty bad even for southern germany) and while most roads are finally clear, the minor roads are a death trap of deep snow and compacted snow that's now ice with giant ruts in places.

The winter tyres fitted have been exceptional - my first experience of them and I can't recommend them enough if you're at risk of snow or ice. Never had a point where I thought I would be stuck, in conditions that would have the uk ground to a halt.
 
On Dec 2nd we had the most horrendous snow and when I came out of the pub around 1am it was quite deep.
I thought if I can slowly get off the estate it is slightly down bank, I could get on the main road and I'd be free.
How wrong was I, Stoke Council had sent nothing out and the roads were worse.
To cut a very long story short and an hour to go around 1.5 miles I ended up getting to a roundabout about 150 yards from my house but the roundabout is up bank and I couldn't move.
Over the next 30 minutes I was able to go an inch at a time until I got on the flat leaving a line of cars behind me.
My main worry was around £10,000 worth of music gear in my car, there's no way I'm leaving my car with that stuff in it.
I'd never been so stressed out in my life and that's not going to happen to me again - hopefully.
Just had these delivered.

snowsocks.jpg
 
MissChief said:
Last thing you want to do is be faffing about in a blizzard. Might be worth getting one of those inflatable car Jack's rather than messing with an actual jack under each wheel.
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If you have to faff jacking the car up to put them on then I’d just be buying all season tyres or a set of winter wheels.

If you need to empty the boot out to use a crap scissor jack in the snow, then put some snow socks on to use for a few miles to get to a main road then stop and take them off again before they get shredded on the cleared road.

Where his DJ gear is going during this time, not sure, on the floor in the snow or thrown in the back seat?

Then at the other end of the journey if the road isnt clear put the socks back on again to get from the main road to where your going!
 
Used winter tyres in Europe and chains in NZ. Winter tyres were better by far and feel safer.

Never tried the socks, but yeah you won't need to jack the car up - we didn't fitting chains so I'm not sure why socks would.
 
yes - michelin chains didn't even need you to shift car to attach - can be a bit messy reaching into wheel arch though -
need a long armed rubber gloves , like the equine ones ?
 
The snow socks are really surprising, when we got our 1st 3 series I got a pair and had to use them once, got up a steep hill that a few 4x4s on summer tyres couldn’t get up which made me feel rather smug
 
MissChief said:
I'm 99.99% sure snowchains are banned in the UK? Well, not illegal, but you need to be ready to change them: The use of snow chains is legal in the UK, as long as they are not used in a manner that will damage the road surface. This means snow chains must only be used on snow-covered roads and need to be removed when driving on a tarmac surface.

Studded tyres are illegal though. TBH you'd be just as good buying some proper snow or winter tyres. What do you drive?
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You need to be ready to remove snow chains in any country, regardless of legislation - trust me, you will not enjoy driving on normal tarmac for very long at all with chains fitted.

Chains in actual snow are very good, used them to tow someone out of a ditch in heavy snow once.
 
robinbanks said:
Snow socks are good but unless thick snow they are more hassle then they are worth. Personally I would advise good quality winter tyres.
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I have to agree here, good quality Winter tyres are all most people ever really need. If it gets to the point where these aren't suitable, you should probably stay at home. (Obviously there are exception for emergency services etc)
 
The chances of me going out in thick snow is virtually none however I was in a sticky situation at 1am Dec 3rd with £10,000 worth of gear in my car (not DJ).
All I needed were the snow shoes to get me from here to the flat at the top of that Road and I was home - https://www.google.com/maps/@52.990...Xs8rA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?authuser=0&entry=ttu
Luckily I was able to go an inch at a time and now they're in my boot it won't happen again.

My bassist claimed in his 4x4 he didn't even know he was on snow and got past every stuck vehicle so I should have rang him.
On Saturday he rang me asking if I'd got a tow rope because he'd got stuck on some grass - seriously.
I went along with my Ford B-Max and pulled his 4x4 off it, his excuse he hadn't got 4x4 tyres on it :)
I should have took a picture because it had sunk down into it - https://www.google.com/maps/@52.965...R703w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?authuser=0&entry=ttu
 
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interesting video on snow tyres - surprising how well controlled both cars were with traction control off with (gy ultra grip) snow tyres,
also bmw showing more traction than fwd audi.

 
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