snow chains

Post by **cadetchris** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 6:37 pm

just to clarify,

these are still totally illegal to use on the normal roads?

i just ask as their seems to have been a huge surge of them on flebay owing to the actual winter weather we are having

Post by **billlobban** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 6:43 pm

News to me! Lots of people around here use them. I've even got a set myself. Chains are really fantastic pieces of kit especially the later 'easy fit' ones (unlike mine) but the weather needs to be really bad before its worth while putting them on

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 6:55 pm

How much worse do you want it to be Bill ? I would have thought present conditions would be ideal for them in your neck-of-the-woods!

Post by **PSL184** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 7:00 pm

They are not illegal to use at all on snow covered roads but they should be removed when you get to clear roads as they would then effect traction adversely. It is the problem we have in the UK with some roads been salted/ploughed and others not. If the snow was left alone and everyone fitted snow tyres/chains/studs as per other European countries I think we'd be better equipped to cope ?

Post by **billlobban** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 12:38 pm

bmcecosse wrote:How much worse do you want it to be Bill ? I would have thought present conditions would be ideal for them in your neck-of-the-woods!

Even worse today Roy. A lot more snow and this time with a bit of wind. I havnt used the chains yet 'cos the Traveller seems to be able to plough through almost anything even without the snow tyres I promised myself. I live about a 100 yards up a single track and yesterday a tourist (in a BMW) saw Matilda's tracks and decided to follow maybe he thought the golf course was open or possibly hes just plain stupid - several hours later - but youve already guessed. If you have your heart set on a rear wheel drive car BUY a MINOR.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 5:29 pm

Wished I had chains today - got stuck in a carpark at Lanark Loch, with a front drive car too! 8 " of snow - ice below - borrowed shovel, dumped air from front tyres - and 3 kind strangers pushing got it out after a frantic hour.
Wife was livid - it's her new car! Notice it's the ONLY car in the carpark - we soon found out why!
I gather (from the very few words she has spoken) that I am never to drive it again. Yipeee!!<br>

<br>

Post by **billlobban** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 5:35 pm

It's time you winterised the Minor Roy. Well it could be worse at least she is barely speaking to you which must be a result

Post by **MarkyB** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 6:03 pm

These look interesting if a bit pricey;http://www.autosock.co.uk/

Not too heavy to carry around or difficult to fit either.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:03 pm

interesting - I'll suggest she can maybe knit a set for the car ..........

Post by **Kevin** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 4:55 pm

bmcecosse wrote:Wished I had chains today - got stuck in a carpark at Lanark Loch, with a front drive car too! <br><br>

What model car is it Roy as I can't quite make it out.
As for front wheel drive it does seem to vary from car to car as the ones that I have noticed with poor grip have been Clio's and Corsa's but Polo and Golf seem pretty good.

Post by **billlobban** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 5:01 pm

Roy what about tucking a couple of hundredweight of Wolsley brakes under the bonnet to improve traction

Post by **dalebrignall** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 5:17 pm

roy my country lane is a skating rink. i could not turn onto my drive today and kept going straight .i could not go forwards because of a car comming up the hill and could not go back because of going up hill.got dad and pushed my car up and then i could not get up the drive .fat lowprofile tyres are rubbish in the snow,i bet my morris would have got up there no problem.going to get some cat litter and spread it on the drive /lane ive heard its good for grip worth a go

Post by **MarkyB** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 5:56 pm

fat, low profile tyres are rubbish

Absolutely, I abandoned my modern motor yesterday (parked it) and walked over Shooters hill.
It didn't want to go up even the slightest slope, even at tickover.

I have rarely seen such stupid driving as I did going up the hill.
There was a queue of traffic trying to get up so about 6 bright sparks tried going up on the wrong side of the road!
As I went up there was still a Ford transit stuck on the wrong side spinning his wheels on the ice

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 6:41 pm

Kevin - it's a Punto. It drove into the snow no problem - so I parked in my usual place. Of course while we were walking - the heat caused it to sink into the deep snow - which I then discovered had ice below. Part of the problem was that it was 'beeched' on it's underside - and my wife has MS and was unable to push, and not willing to attempt the driving. All my fault of course....... A few words have since been exchanged - so there is still hope.