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Snow Chains
I live in a very hilly area - and, though we live off a decent quality
tarmac road, we can get effectively cut off quite easily. Year before last (IIRC) we were unable to drive out for about three days. The level roads were mostly passable but the slopes were impossible. So, in my deep ignorance of these matters, I have been contemplating getting some snow chains. Really only think I might need them for extremely local use so certainly not worth spending very much. Hence Lidl's latest has appeal: http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/l...ndex_36482.htm Am I barking thinking they might help in changing the drive from impossible to manageable? -- Rod |
Snow Chains
On 20/11/2012 20:11, polygonum wrote:
I live in a very hilly area - and, though we live off a decent quality tarmac road, we can get effectively cut off quite easily. Year before last (IIRC) we were unable to drive out for about three days. The level roads were mostly passable but the slopes were impossible. So, in my deep ignorance of these matters, I have been contemplating getting some snow chains. Really only think I might need them for extremely local use so certainly not worth spending very much. Hence Lidl's latest has appeal: http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/l...ndex_36482.htm Am I barking thinking they might help in changing the drive from impossible to manageable? Snow chains work, they are (or used to be) mandatory on many alpine passes in the winter. They are a bit fiddly and messy to put on and off. Have a set somewhere but have not used them for many years in spite of having similar difficult hills locally. You shouldn't drive very far on tarmac with them (and are likely to get shouted at by the police if they catch you). Speed with them is limited (30 mph? 50 mph?). You might find the modern fabric boots a bit more convenient; more expensive than these chains but if your journey has a hill at either end with a short-ish bit of level clear road in the middle you might get away with leaving them on (driving slowly) where you might feel the need to remove and replace the chains. Not sure which gives more traction. |
Snow Chains
On 20/11/2012 20:11, polygonum wrote:
I live in a very hilly area - and, though we live off a decent quality tarmac road, we can get effectively cut off quite easily. Year before last (IIRC) we were unable to drive out for about three days. The level roads were mostly passable but the slopes were impossible. So, in my deep ignorance of these matters, I have been contemplating getting some snow chains. Really only think I might need them for extremely local use so certainly not worth spending very much. Hence Lidl's latest has appeal: http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/l...ndex_36482.htm Am I barking thinking they might help in changing the drive from impossible to manageable? Never used or needed them ... but... aren't they a PITA to fit? and you have to take them off whenever you get to tarmac, and then put them back on when you get to the snow? I've heard that mud&snow or such winter tyres are wonderful. I haven't tried them for two reasons - first for my car there is one (1) manufacturer who makes tyres that fit. And they're for sunny warm summer days. And second, the only problem I've ever had with snow darn sarf 'ere is with being stuck in a jam behind someone who can't drive in it. Andy |
Snow Chains
On Nov 20, 8:53*pm, Andy Champ wrote:
On 20/11/2012 20:11, polygonum wrote: I live in a very hilly area - and, though we live off a decent quality tarmac road, we can get effectively cut off quite easily. Year before last (IIRC) we were unable to drive out for about three days. The level roads were mostly passable but the slopes were impossible. So, in my deep ignorance of these matters, I have been contemplating getting some snow chains. Really only think I might need them for extremely local use so certainly not worth spending very much. Hence Lidl's latest has appeal: http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/l...ndex_36482.htm Am I barking thinking they might help in changing the drive from impossible to manageable? Never used or needed them ... but... aren't they a PITA to fit? and you have to take them off whenever you get to tarmac, and then put them back on when you get to the snow? I've heard that mud&snow or such winter tyres are wonderful. *I haven't tried them for two reasons - first for my car there is one (1) manufacturer who makes tyres that fit. And they're for sunny warm summer days. And second, the only problem I've ever had with snow darn sarf 'ere is with being stuck in a jam behind someone who can't drive in it. Andy goggle/ebay "snow socks" Jim K |
Snow Chains
On 20/11/2012 20:53, Andy Champ wrote:
On 20/11/2012 20:11, polygonum wrote: I live in a very hilly area - and, though we live off a decent quality tarmac road, we can get effectively cut off quite easily. Year before last (IIRC) we were unable to drive out for about three days. The level roads were mostly passable but the slopes were impossible. So, in my deep ignorance of these matters, I have been contemplating getting some snow chains. Really only think I might need them for extremely local use so certainly not worth spending very much. Hence Lidl's latest has appeal: http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/l...ndex_36482.htm Am I barking thinking they might help in changing the drive from impossible to manageable? Never used or needed them ... but... aren't they a PITA to fit? and you have to take them off whenever you get to tarmac, and then put them back on when you get to the snow? I've heard that mud&snow or such winter tyres are wonderful. I haven't tried them for two reasons - first for my car there is one (1) manufacturer who makes tyres that fit. And they're for sunny warm summer days. . And second, the only problem I've ever had with snow darn sarf 'ere is with being stuck in a jam behind someone who can't drive in it. Andy Well in that dreadful pre-Christmas snow (if that three years ago now?), it took me over nine hours to get about 12 miles home - and I had to abandon car and walk up hill. And that is in the sarf! And, as I said, more recently we simply got stuck here. The council had decided not to grit the roads and the only cars going down from here were literally sliding out from the kerb with no driver and carrying on until they reached the crossroads at the bottom. The police complained to the council quite severely. It was really annoying being able to see people driving around town but being unable to get down there to do so myself. I too have heard chains are a pain to fit. Also heard the fabric ones are better on snow than they are on ice? Looked for decent winter tyres and could not find any available for my car. -- Rod |
Snow Chains
In message , Andy Champ
writes On 20/11/2012 20:11, polygonum wrote: I live in a very hilly area - and, though we live off a decent quality tarmac road, we can get effectively cut off quite easily. Year before last (IIRC) we were unable to drive out for about three days. The level roads were mostly passable but the slopes were impossible. So, in my deep ignorance of these matters, I have been contemplating getting some snow chains. Really only think I might need them for extremely local use so certainly not worth spending very much. Hence Lidl's latest has appeal: http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/l...ndex_36482.htm Am I barking thinking they might help in changing the drive from impossible to manageable? Never used or needed them ... but... Only really needed them once (well, not quite true), that was going up the San Bernardino pass ... and my snow chains were on top of my wardrobe in Milan -- geoff |
Snow Chains
On Nov 20, 9:08*pm, polygonum wrote:
On 20/11/2012 20:53, Andy Champ wrote: On 20/11/2012 20:11, polygonum wrote: I live in a very hilly area - and, though we live off a decent quality tarmac road, we can get effectively cut off quite easily. Year before last (IIRC) we were unable to drive out for about three days. The level roads were mostly passable but the slopes were impossible. So, in my deep ignorance of these matters, I have been contemplating getting some snow chains. Really only think I might need them for extremely local use so certainly not worth spending very much. Hence Lidl's latest has appeal: http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/l...ndex_36482.htm Am I barking thinking they might help in changing the drive from impossible to manageable? Never used or needed them ... but... aren't they a PITA to fit? and you have to take them off whenever you get to tarmac, and then put them back on when you get to the snow? I've heard that mud&snow or such winter tyres are wonderful. *I haven't tried them for two reasons - first for my car there is one (1) manufacturer who makes tyres that fit. And they're for sunny warm summer days. . And second, the only problem I've ever had with snow darn sarf 'ere is with being stuck in a jam behind someone who can't drive in it. Andy Well in that dreadful pre-Christmas snow (if that three years ago now?), it took me over nine hours to get about 12 miles home - and I had to abandon car and walk up hill. And that is in the sarf! And, as I said, more recently we simply got stuck here. The council had decided not to grit the roads and the only cars going down from here were literally sliding out from the kerb with no driver and carrying on until they reached the crossroads at the bottom. The police complained to the council quite severely. It was really annoying being able to see people driving around town but being unable to get down there to do so myself. I too have heard chains are a pain to fit. Also heard the fabric ones are better on snow than they are on ice? Looked for decent winter tyres and could not find any available for my car. |
Snow Chains
Andy Champ wrote:
On 20/11/2012 20:11, polygonum wrote: I live in a very hilly area - and, though we live off a decent quality tarmac road, we can get effectively cut off quite easily. Year before last (IIRC) we were unable to drive out for about three days. The level roads were mostly passable but the slopes were impossible. So, in my deep ignorance of these matters, I have been contemplating getting some snow chains. Really only think I might need them for extremely local use so certainly not worth spending very much. Hence Lidl's latest has appeal: http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/l...ndex_36482.htm Am I barking thinking they might help in changing the drive from impossible to manageable? Never used or needed them ... but... aren't they a PITA to fit? and you have to take them off whenever you get to tarmac, and then put them back on when you get to the snow? I've heard that mud&snow or such winter tyres are wonderful. I haven't tried them for two reasons - first for my car there is one (1) manufacturer who makes tyres that fit. And they're for sunny warm summer days. And second, the only problem I've ever had with snow darn sarf 'ere is with being stuck in a jam behind someone who can't drive in it. http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/q...0/100_0263.jpg I had a day off work that day. -- Adam |
Snow Chains
On 20/11/2012 21:29, Jim K wrote:
On Nov 20, 9:08 pm, polygonum wrote: On 20/11/2012 20:53, Andy Champ wrote: On 20/11/2012 20:11, polygonum wrote: I live in a very hilly area - and, though we live off a decent quality tarmac road, we can get effectively cut off quite easily. Year before last (IIRC) we were unable to drive out for about three days. The level roads were mostly passable but the slopes were impossible. So, in my deep ignorance of these matters, I have been contemplating getting some snow chains. Really only think I might need them for extremely local use so certainly not worth spending very much. Hence Lidl's latest has appeal: http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/l...ndex_36482.htm Am I barking thinking they might help in changing the drive from impossible to manageable? Never used or needed them ... but... aren't they a PITA to fit? and you have to take them off whenever you get to tarmac, and then put them back on when you get to the snow? I've heard that mud&snow or such winter tyres are wonderful. I haven't tried them for two reasons - first for my car there is one (1) manufacturer who makes tyres that fit. And they're for sunny warm summer days. . And second, the only problem I've ever had with snow darn sarf 'ere is with being stuck in a jam behind someone who can't drive in it. Andy Well in that dreadful pre-Christmas snow (if that three years ago now?), it took me over nine hours to get about 12 miles home - and I had to abandon car and walk up hill. And that is in the sarf! And, as I said, more recently we simply got stuck here. The council had decided not to grit the roads and the only cars going down from here were literally sliding out from the kerb with no driver and carrying on until they reached the crossroads at the bottom. The police complained to the council quite severely. It was really annoying being able to see people driving around town but being unable to get down there to do so myself. I too have heard chains are a pain to fit. Also heard the fabric ones are better on snow than they are on ice? Looked for decent winter tyres and could not find any available for my car. -- Rod go on.... what size? Jim K Can't remember! Have to go out to look, not huge but a slightly odd combo. And when I looked few were made and none were available. -- Rod |
Snow Chains
On 20/11/2012 21:32, ARW wrote:
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/q...0/100_0263.jpg I had a day off work that day. This was at the bottom, much flatter, part of the hill as it all cleared up. All those vehicles had been abandoned. https://dl.dropbox.com/u/318411/Snow%20Hill.jpg -- Rod |
Snow Chains
On 20/11/2012 21:27, geoff wrote:
In message , Andy Champ writes On 20/11/2012 20:11, polygonum wrote: I live in a very hilly area - and, though we live off a decent quality tarmac road, we can get effectively cut off quite easily. Year before last (IIRC) we were unable to drive out for about three days. The level roads were mostly passable but the slopes were impossible. So, in my deep ignorance of these matters, I have been contemplating getting some snow chains. Really only think I might need them for extremely local use so certainly not worth spending very much. Hence Lidl's latest has appeal: http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/l...ndex_36482.htm Am I barking thinking they might help in changing the drive from impossible to manageable? Never used or needed them ... but... Only really needed them once (well, not quite true), that was going up the San Bernardino pass ... and my snow chains were on top of my wardrobe in Milan Sets the mind wondering why they were... :-) -- Rod |
Snow Chains
"polygonum" wrote in message ... I live in a very hilly area - and, though we live off a decent quality tarmac road, we can get effectively cut off quite easily. Year before last (IIRC) we were unable to drive out for about three days. The level roads were mostly passable but the slopes were impossible. So, in my deep ignorance of these matters, I have been contemplating getting some snow chains. Really only think I might need them for extremely local use so certainly not worth spending very much. Hence Lidl's latest has appeal: http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/l...ndex_36482.htm Am I barking thinking they might help in changing the drive from impossible to manageable? I have a set somewhere. They do work wonderfully well in snow and you can easily drive at 30mph but as soon as you get onto a road which has been gritted with tarmac showing through you have to slow down to about 10mph just when everyone else is starting to speed up. You then have to find somewhere in all the snow and slush to take the chains off without impeding the other traffic. Your fingers freeze and you need some seriously waterproof trousers. I used them in bad winters in Derbyshire to get the last half mile up the side of the valley. I've only used them once since we moved to Suffolk, in a very bad winter. One other thing - you do need clearance around the wheel arch for the chains to flail around. A lot of modern cars, especially with alloy wheels and low profile tyres which come close to the wheel arches are not suitable for snow chains. Used them on a Peugeot 504 Estate (wonderful car) and a Volvo 760 Estate. Too scared to use them on my current Volvo 850 - I think there is a high risk of damage. On the subject of M&S tyres - had them on the rear of the Volvo 760 and they were O.K. for a little mud or minor bits of snow but didn't make an amazing difference over normal tyres. No comparison in heavy snow with snow chains, and IMHO if you are contemplating needing chains then M&S tyres just won't cut it. Chains are designed to be fitted without taking the tyre off or jacking up the car. Long time since I did it, but roughly... You drape the (loosened) chain over the top of the tyre, hold it in place with a temporary clip, then roll forwards for half a wheel turn then tighten everything up. You may have to lay it out first and drive into the middle of it - as I say, long time ago. Run for a little, stop, and tighten up again. After that, loads of fun as long as you are on a decent depth of snow. Generally need to do it one wheel at a time, so a long time to fit especially the first few times. Cheers Dave R -- No plan survives contact with the enemy. [Not even bunny] Helmuth von Moltke the Elder (\__/) (='.'=) (")_(") |
Snow Chains
In message , polygonum
writes On 20/11/2012 21:27, geoff wrote: In message , Andy Champ writes On 20/11/2012 20:11, polygonum wrote: I live in a very hilly area - and, though we live off a decent quality tarmac road, we can get effectively cut off quite easily. Year before last (IIRC) we were unable to drive out for about three days. The level roads were mostly passable but the slopes were impossible. So, in my deep ignorance of these matters, I have been contemplating getting some snow chains. Really only think I might need them for extremely local use so certainly not worth spending very much. Hence Lidl's latest has appeal: http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/l...ndex_36482.htm Am I barking thinking they might help in changing the drive from impossible to manageable? Never used or needed them ... but... Only really needed them once (well, not quite true), that was going up the San Bernardino pass ... and my snow chains were on top of my wardrobe in Milan Sets the mind wondering why they were... :-) Thats another story ... -- geoff |
Snow Chains
On Tue, 20 Nov 2012 21:08:03 +0000, polygonum wrote:
http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/l...ndex_36482.htm Am I barking thinking they might help in changing the drive from impossible to manageable? aren't they a PITA to fit? and you have to take them off whenever you get to tarmac, and then put them back on when you get to the snow? Yep. Getting 'em is not pleasant unless you have a good coat, gloves etc, don't forget it'll be cold, possibly dark, snowing and blowing. You really should only use chains on deep snow or compacted snow, you risk damaging the tyres on tarmac. So you can end up spending ages putting the things on, taking them off. Speed with chains is limited and they need to be a good fit and properly fitted to the tyre. I have my doubts about a "one size fits all" set of chains. A chain breaking will do the body work no favours and could damage brake pipes or get caught around suspension components locking the wheel up or bending bits... I've heard that mud&snow or such winter tyres are wonderful. Proper winter/snow tyres are very good on snow but it depends a little on what you already have fitted how much improvement you will notice. The current Discovery came with some "go faster" things, once it got cold and wet you could notice the lack of grip. On snow they were useless, a Discovery that couldn't get up a 1:30 covered with 4" of fresh snow WTF! Currently have Pirelli Scorpian STR, they are pretty good but the Vredestein Wintrac Extreme (in the garage) are better. The Wintracs will allow the same car to go up a 1:7 on snow without any drama. What really gives the grip on snow are the "snipes" the narrow slits across the tread pattern, take a look at these images of the above tyres. http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/images/...ac4extreme.jpg http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/images/...corpionSTR.jpg http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/images/..._ventus_st.jpg I think the Hankooks were so crap on snow because of the combination of a hard summer compound and lack of snipes. Of course even the best winter tyre won't help if the driver doesn't know how to drive on snow... it took me over nine hours to get about 12 miles home - and I had to abandon car and walk up hill. And that is in the sarf! You could have walked it in half that time, even on in snow. And, as I said, more recently we simply got stuck here. The council had decided not to grit the roads and the only cars going down from here were literally sliding out from the kerb with no driver and carrying on until they reached the crossroads at the bottom. That sounds more like sheet ice rather than snow or compacted snow. Not a lot will help on ice. -- Cheers Dave. |
Snow Chains
Dave Liquorice wrote:
What really gives the grip on snow are the "snipes" the narrow slits across the tread pattern I thought they were called "sipes"? |
Snow Chains
On 20/11/2012 22:10, Dave Liquorice wrote:
On Tue, 20 Nov 2012 21:08:03 +0000, polygonum wrote: http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/l...ndex_36482.htm Am I barking thinking they might help in changing the drive from impossible to manageable? aren't they a PITA to fit? and you have to take them off whenever you get to tarmac, and then put them back on when you get to the snow? Yep. Getting 'em is not pleasant unless you have a good coat, gloves etc, don't forget it'll be cold, possibly dark, snowing and blowing. You really should only use chains on deep snow or compacted snow, you risk damaging the tyres on tarmac. So you can end up spending ages putting the things on, taking them off. Speed with chains is limited and they need to be a good fit and properly fitted to the tyre. I have my doubts about a "one size fits all" set of chains. A chain breaking will do the body work no favours and could damage brake pipes or get caught around suspension components locking the wheel up or bending bits... I've heard that mud&snow or such winter tyres are wonderful. Proper winter/snow tyres are very good on snow but it depends a little on what you already have fitted how much improvement you will notice. The current Discovery came with some "go faster" things, once it got cold and wet you could notice the lack of grip. On snow they were useless, a Discovery that couldn't get up a 1:30 covered with 4" of fresh snow WTF! Currently have Pirelli Scorpian STR, they are pretty good but the Vredestein Wintrac Extreme (in the garage) are better. The Wintracs will allow the same car to go up a 1:7 on snow without any drama. What really gives the grip on snow are the "snipes" the narrow slits across the tread pattern, take a look at these images of the above tyres. http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/images/...ac4extreme.jpg http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/images/...corpionSTR.jpg http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/images/..._ventus_st.jpg I think the Hankooks were so crap on snow because of the combination of a hard summer compound and lack of snipes. Of course even the best winter tyre won't help if the driver doesn't know how to drive on snow... it took me over nine hours to get about 12 miles home - and I had to abandon car and walk up hill. And that is in the sarf! You could have walked it in half that time, even on in snow. And, as I said, more recently we simply got stuck here. The council had decided not to grit the roads and the only cars going down from here were literally sliding out from the kerb with no driver and carrying on until they reached the crossroads at the bottom. That sounds more like sheet ice rather than snow or compacted snow. Not a lot will help on ice. Too much time on eBay, Dave! Sipes, methinks. But thanks - I am currently thinking I might go for them even if it is only the half mile between here and (probably) relatively clear roads. Yes - was hard-packed snow, freezing harder. I actually watched as a couple of abandoned cars simply started sliding by themselves. -- Rod |
Snow Chains
On Tue, 20 Nov 2012 21:38:47 +0000, polygonum wrote:
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/q...0/100_0263.jpg https://dl.dropbox.com/u/318411/Snow%20Hill.jpg Niether look like snow to me: http://www.flickr.com/photos/allsort...72157623194502 480 B-) -- Cheers Dave. |
Snow Chains
On 20/11/2012 22:26, Dave Liquorice wrote:
On Tue, 20 Nov 2012 21:38:47 +0000, polygonum wrote: http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/q...0/100_0263.jpg https://dl.dropbox.com/u/318411/Snow%20Hill.jpg Niether look like snow to me: http://www.flickr.com/photos/allsort...72157623194502 480 B-) Fair enough! -- Rod |
Snow Chains
On 20/11/2012 20:11, polygonum wrote:
I live in a very hilly area - and, though we live off a decent quality tarmac road, we can get effectively cut off quite easily. Year before last (IIRC) we were unable to drive out for about three days. The level roads were mostly passable but the slopes were impossible. So, in my deep ignorance of these matters, I have been contemplating getting some snow chains. Really only think I might need them for extremely local use so certainly not worth spending very much. Hence Lidl's latest has appeal: http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/l...ndex_36482.htm Am I barking thinking they might help in changing the drive from impossible to manageable? I tend to the view that, if I am ever going to need snow chains, I am going to need a good pair. I have Stop and Go Compact NT chains in my car. They are relatively simple to fit and remove and, being self-adjusting, you don't need to stop and re-tension the chains after driving for a bit. Of course, I hope the winter tyres, which go on this weekend, will mean I don't need the chains. Colin Bignell |
Snow Chains
On 20/11/2012 23:06, Nightjar wrote:
On 20/11/2012 20:11, polygonum wrote: I live in a very hilly area - and, though we live off a decent quality tarmac road, we can get effectively cut off quite easily. Year before last (IIRC) we were unable to drive out for about three days. The level roads were mostly passable but the slopes were impossible. So, in my deep ignorance of these matters, I have been contemplating getting some snow chains. Really only think I might need them for extremely local use so certainly not worth spending very much. Hence Lidl's latest has appeal: http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/l...ndex_36482.htm Am I barking thinking they might help in changing the drive from impossible to manageable? I tend to the view that, if I am ever going to need snow chains, I am going to need a good pair. I have Stop and Go Compact NT chains in my car. They are relatively simple to fit and remove and, being self-adjusting, you don't need to stop and re-tension the chains after driving for a bit. Of course, I hope the winter tyres, which go on this weekend, will mean I don't need the chains. Colin Bignell I can understand that entirely. If I seriously expected to need more than a couple of miles, I might be persuaded. They look good. When we were stuck, I was happy enough to walk and get food, but it truly felt like I was swinging the lead when I could not get to work - with others travelling dozens of miles successfully and I couldn't do the one mile to get to clear roads! -- Rod |
Snow Chains
On Tue, 20 Nov 2012 22:16:27 +0000
Andy Burns wrote: Dave Liquorice wrote: What really gives the grip on snow are the "snipes" the narrow slits across the tread pattern I thought they were called "sipes"? I think you're right. 'Snipes' are large birds, which conjures up an interesting vision if used in this context. -- Davey. |
Snow Chains
The best thing to do is stay at home.
Bill |
Snow Chains
In message , Bill Wright
writes The best thing to do is stay at home. Ah, but which home I was travelling from my Milanese home to my Nuernberg home -- geoff |
Snow Chains
Bill Wright wrote:
The best thing to do is stay at home. Yep, leave the roads free for those who can drive. -- ’DarWin| _/ _/ |
Snow Chains
In article , polygonum
writes On 20/11/2012 21:29, Jim K wrote: On Nov 20, 9:08 pm, polygonum wrote: On 20/11/2012 20:53, Andy Champ wrote: On 20/11/2012 20:11, polygonum wrote: I live in a very hilly area - and, though we live off a decent quality tarmac road, we can get effectively cut off quite easily. Year before last (IIRC) we were unable to drive out for about three days. The level roads were mostly passable but the slopes were impossible. So, in my deep ignorance of these matters, I have been contemplating getting some snow chains. Really only think I might need them for extremely local use so certainly not worth spending very much. Hence Lidl's latest has appeal: http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/l...ndex_36482.htm Am I barking thinking they might help in changing the drive from impossible to manageable? Never used or needed them ... but... aren't they a PITA to fit? and you have to take them off whenever you get to tarmac, and then put them back on when you get to the snow? I've heard that mud&snow or such winter tyres are wonderful. I haven't tried them for two reasons - first for my car there is one (1) manufacturer who makes tyres that fit. And they're for sunny warm summer days. . And second, the only problem I've ever had with snow darn sarf 'ere is with being stuck in a jam behind someone who can't drive in it. Andy Well in that dreadful pre-Christmas snow (if that three years ago now?), it took me over nine hours to get about 12 miles home - and I had to abandon car and walk up hill. And that is in the sarf! And, as I said, more recently we simply got stuck here. The council had decided not to grit the roads and the only cars going down from here were literally sliding out from the kerb with no driver and carrying on until they reached the crossroads at the bottom. The police complained to the council quite severely. It was really annoying being able to see people driving around town but being unable to get down there to do so myself. I too have heard chains are a pain to fit. Also heard the fabric ones are better on snow than they are on ice? Looked for decent winter tyres and could not find any available for my car. -- Rod go on.... what size? Jim K Can't remember! Have to go out to look, not huge but a slightly odd combo. And when I looked few were made and none were available. If you want to try the winter tyres route then maybe play with the sizes and aspect ratios eg: 215/55 is the same rolling radius as 195/60 205/55 is within 2% of 185/60 Playing round a little like this (and being very careful with making sure that the new width is still ok for the rim) may get you fixed up but of course 4 new winter tyres will cost a few bob more than some Lidl chains. -- fred it's a ba-na-na . . . . |
Snow Chains
On Tue, 20 Nov 2012 21:34:20 +0000, polygonum wrote:
Looked for decent winter tyres and could not find any available for my car. go on.... what size? Can't remember! Have to go out to look, not huge but a slightly odd combo. And when I looked few were made and none were available. Biggest pain is having to swap them at the start/end of the season; most people around here keep a second set of wheels and just swap those over instead (and nice alloys for the summer if the car has them and whatever cheap and crappy junkyard steel wheels will fit for the winter) cheers Jules |
Snow Chains
On 20/11/2012 23:50, Bill Wright wrote:
The best thing to do is stay at home. Which would rather defeat the object of fitting winter tyres (required in Germany in winter conditions) and carrying snow chains (required in France if driving on snow). Colin Bignell |
Snow Chains
On 21/11/2012 02:04, Nightjar wrote:
On 20/11/2012 23:50, Bill Wright wrote: The best thing to do is stay at home. Which would rather defeat the object of fitting winter tyres (required in Germany in winter conditions) and carrying snow chains (required in France if driving on snow). Colin Bignell With the exception, so they claim, of one brand of fabric snow sock thing - apparently approved in France. But they still advise downloading a document from some gendarmerie saying so. -- Rod |
Snow Chains
On 20/11/12 22:10, Dave Liquorice wrote:
That sounds more like sheet ice rather than snow or compacted snow. Not a lot will help on ice. Studs. -- Ineptocracy (in-ep-toc-ra-cy) a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers. |
Snow Chains
Nightjar wrote:
On 20/11/2012 23:50, Bill Wright wrote: The best thing to do is stay at home. Which would rather defeat the object of fitting winter tyres (required in Germany in winter conditions) and carrying snow chains (required in France if driving on snow). Colin Bignell No it wouldn't. The object of those things is to reduce accidents. By not making non-essential journeys accidents would be reduced even further. I think people need to get a sense of proportion about this. In the UK there are only two or three days in the years when snow makes driving more dangerous. To simply not go out on those days is a very good defensive driving technique. Most people can employ themselves profitably at home for a couple of days. Surely you'd agree that unnecessary driving in thick fog, or when you've got the flu, is just plain daft. This is only the same. It's actually a public duty to stay at home on bad days. It avoids accidents, each of which costs the taxpayer a fortune. It helps keep the roads clear for essential users. It reduces stress, which helps the NHS. There's no point in being stubborn and setting off for work when the journey is obviously going to be a nightmare and might end in disaster. Stubborn stupidity doesn't make you a hero. Bill |
Snow Chains
On 21/11/12 00:35, Jules Richardson wrote:
On Tue, 20 Nov 2012 21:34:20 +0000, polygonum wrote: Looked for decent winter tyres and could not find any available for my car. go on.... what size? Can't remember! Have to go out to look, not huge but a slightly odd combo. And when I looked few were made and none were available. Biggest pain is having to swap them at the start/end of the season; most people around here keep a second set of wheels and just swap those over instead (and nice alloys for the summer if the car has them and whatever cheap and crappy junkyard steel wheels will fit for the winter) cheers Jules I am running M&S all year round On the land rover -- Ineptocracy (in-ep-toc-ra-cy) a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers. |
Snow Chains
On 21/11/2012 07:49, Bill Wright wrote:
Nightjar wrote: On 20/11/2012 23:50, Bill Wright wrote: The best thing to do is stay at home. Which would rather defeat the object of fitting winter tyres (required in Germany in winter conditions) and carrying snow chains (required in France if driving on snow). Colin Bignell No it wouldn't. The object of those things is to reduce accidents. By not making non-essential journeys accidents would be reduced even further. I think people need to get a sense of proportion about this. In the UK there are only two or three days in the years when snow makes driving more dangerous. To simply not go out on those days is a very good defensive driving technique. Most people can employ themselves profitably at home for a couple of days. Surely you'd agree that unnecessary driving in thick fog, or when you've got the flu, is just plain daft. This is only the same. It's actually a public duty to stay at home on bad days. It avoids accidents, each of which costs the taxpayer a fortune. It helps keep the roads clear for essential users. It reduces stress, which helps the NHS. There's no point in being stubborn and setting off for work when the journey is obviously going to be a nightmare and might end in disaster. Stubborn stupidity doesn't make you a hero. Bill There is a lot of sense in that - and if it is likely bad all the way, I would stay at home. It is very much the hill issue round here. Once escaped from that, can probably drive perfectly well. Decent gritting/clearing might even sort that but it does not happen. There are, in total, four roads from my 'plateau' - two were not cleared at all, the very steepest was partially cleared by council but still impassable, and one was fairly well cleared by local farmer! -- Rod |
Snow Chains
On Wed, 21 Nov 2012 07:49:11 +0000, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
That sounds more like sheet ice rather than snow or compacted snow. Not a lot will help on ice. Studs. Even less practical in this country having to change tyres on rims or whole rim/tyre combination when going from snow to tarmac. B-) Not even sure that studded tyres are street legal in this country. -- Cheers Dave. |
Snow Chains
On Tue, 20 Nov 2012 23:23:11 +0000, Davey wrote:
What really gives the grip on snow are the "snipes" the narrow slits across the tread pattern I thought they were called "sipes"? I think you're right. Yep brain fade into "little cuts" being "snips". 'Snipes' are large birds, Sea shore wader, often seen in groups running up and down the beach chased by waves. Wouldn't call 'em large, small/medium. -- Cheers Dave. |
Snow Chains
On 21/11/12 08:15, Dave Liquorice wrote:
On Wed, 21 Nov 2012 07:49:11 +0000, The Natural Philosopher wrote: That sounds more like sheet ice rather than snow or compacted snow. Not a lot will help on ice. Studs. Even less practical in this country having to change tyres on rims or whole rim/tyre combination when going from snow to tarmac. B-) Not even sure that studded tyres are street legal in this country. whilst all you say is totally true I w3as merely repsonding to 'not a lot will help on ice' and of course studs do. -- Ineptocracy (in-ep-toc-ra-cy) a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers. |
Snow Chains
On Wed, 21 Nov 2012 01:27:48 +0000 (UTC), Jules Richardson wrote:
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/q...0/100_0263.jpg That's a pretty healthy pile 'o snow. Here's a quick one of a passing plough taken through the office window a couple of years ago: http://www.patooie.com/temp/snow.jpg I'd have thought that was just a light sprinkling for you Jules. Would have expected larger versions of this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/allsort...72157625381514 631 To be far more common on your roads. We've not had a good snow storm yet this season; We normally expect snow from late Oct/early Nov on, so far at our level we've only had a bit of sleet. The tops were well covered for a few days at the begining of the month but the snow line was just above us. -- Cheers Dave. |
Snow Chains
On 21/11/2012 07:49, Bill Wright wrote:
Nightjar wrote: On 20/11/2012 23:50, Bill Wright wrote: The best thing to do is stay at home. Which would rather defeat the object of fitting winter tyres (required in Germany in winter conditions) and carrying snow chains (required in France if driving on snow). Colin Bignell No it wouldn't. The object of those things is to reduce accidents. By not making non-essential journeys accidents would be reduced even further. They would be completely eliminated by never making any journeys at all, although staying at home is statistically even more dangerous. Winter tyres are a legal requirement when driving in Germany in winter conditions and I don't know where you can get accurate weather forecasts for the whole of a two week trip. In any case, winter tyres are superior to summer tyres whenever the temperature drops below 7C. Not an unusual event, even in the UK, in winter. I think people need to get a sense of proportion about this. In the UK there are only two or three days in the years when snow makes driving more dangerous. On average, it gets 16.5 days of settled snow every year - 27.7 days in Scotland. In 2010, Germany, which is of rather more interest to me, had 80-120 days of settled snow in various parts. To simply not go out on those days is a very good defensive driving technique. If possible, but certainly not practical two and three winters ago. Most people can employ themselves profitably at home for a couple of days. However, not so much when abroad and scheduled to be travelling on those days. Surely you'd agree that unnecessary driving in thick fog, or when you've got the flu, is just plain daft. I have radar for the fog and if you have real flu, you won't even be getting out of bed. This is only the same. Not really. You can train to drive in winter conditions - there is an excellent school in Austria - and, if you have taken the proper precautions, driving in snow is no more dangerous than driving in heavy traffic. It's actually a public duty to stay at home on bad days. It avoids accidents, each of which costs the taxpayer a fortune. It helps keep the roads clear for essential users. It reduces stress, which helps the NHS. There's no point in being stubborn and setting off for work when the journey is obviously going to be a nightmare and might end in disaster. Stubborn stupidity doesn't make you a hero. You seem to have missed the point that I was talking of being abroad on holiday, not driving to work, which I don't have to do on a good weather day. Colin Bignell |
Snow Chains
On 21/11/2012 07:42, polygonum wrote:
On 21/11/2012 02:04, Nightjar wrote: On 20/11/2012 23:50, Bill Wright wrote: The best thing to do is stay at home. Which would rather defeat the object of fitting winter tyres (required in Germany in winter conditions) and carrying snow chains (required in France if driving on snow). Colin Bignell With the exception, so they claim, of one brand of fabric snow sock thing - apparently approved in France. But they still advise downloading a document from some gendarmerie saying so. I can't say that I am convinced that snow socks work, at least not as well as snow chains. I certainly wouldn't want to try to explain that they do to a, probably harassed, French policeman who is telling me I cannot drive any further. Colin Bignell |
Snow Chains
On Nov 20, 8:11*pm, polygonum wrote:
I live in a very hilly area - and, though we live off a decent quality tarmac road, we can get effectively cut off quite easily. Year before last (IIRC) we were unable to drive out for about three days. The level roads were mostly passable but the slopes were impossible. So, in my deep ignorance of these matters, I have been contemplating getting some snow chains. Really only think I might need them for extremely local use so certainly not worth spending very much. Hence Lidl's latest has appeal: http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/l...ndex_36482.htm Am I barking thinking they might help in changing the drive from impossible to manageable? -- Rod The alternative is ti nip down the scrappy and get a couple of spare wheels and fit some really knobbly mud and snow tyres. Chains can bugger your tires up if you drive on the highway. Haven't seen any for sale for years anyway. Or buy a Subaru. |
Snow Chains
On Nov 20, 9:08*pm, polygonum wrote:
On 20/11/2012 20:53, Andy Champ wrote: I too have heard chains are a pain to fit. Also heard the fabric ones are better on snow than they are on ice? We had an ambulance down our hill in the snow with them and they shredded to pieces in seconds once they hit tarmac and the wheels spun. Looked useless to me. Jonathan |
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