Snow chains (1 Viewer)

[Steve devon]

Going up over the Pyrenees in a couple of weeks with motor home and I am thinking snow chains might be a good idea, I've seen Thule chains for £153, but I've also seen a make called ideal chains for £60 . What do you think, go for the cheapies or pay the price for quality .

 

[The Wino]

Depends how likely you are to need them we usually buy them at French supermarkets and just get basic ones

 

[Speve]

I just bought a new set for our new van got them from Mytyres £46-70 seem to be good quality we have always carried them with us on our winter trips to Spain but never used them.
Best be safe than sorry

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[Glandwr]

Have dealt with this company for 6 years for all my tyres. Here is their advice on chains. Very prompt delivery.
Broken Link Removed

Dick

 

[Lenny HB]

Oh, the intellect of BMW drivers, picture says it all.

 

[Lenny HB]

Lidl have some chains at the moment range of 4 sizes biggest size (100) look like the would fit most van tyres £14.99.
I was a bit dubious, but found some reports on the web where people have used them without problems.

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[jonandshell]

Look for some with at least 16mm links. Car ones are not up to the job IMO.

These ones will be fine for the limited use of most motorhomers. They are identical to the ones we carry.

http://www.snowchains.com/4x4-snow-chains/polar-16mm?ts=0

 

[tonka]

You say "over" the Pyrenees.. What road exactly do you plan to take and why go over the very top when there is a lovely tunnel (somport) or the big motorway via Irun...

This was late March right at the top...!! No chains as the roads themselves were lovely and clear..

 

[Steve devon]

You say "over" the Pyrenees.. What road exactly do you plan to take and why go over the very top when there is a lovely tunnel (somport) or the big motorway via Irun...

This was late March right at the top...!! No chains as the roads themselves were lovely and clear..
View attachment 86245

We were planning to go to st gaudens and then over or through the Pyrenees to vielha

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[Scattycat]

Leave it until you get to France and buy some from either a super market or visit a shop like norauto or similar, they are a bit like Halfords. I'd also consider getting some snow socks as well.
When you only need them for short distances they are ideal because they are much quicker to fit.

 

[Steve devon]

You say "over" the Pyrenees.. What road exactly do you plan to take and why go over the very top when there is a lovely tunnel (somport) or the big motorway via Irun...

This was late March right at the top...!! No chains as the roads themselves were lovely and clear..
View attachment 86245

Where was the photo taken ?

 

[tonka]

Where was the photo taken ?

A136 Near Frontera del Portalets... we were on way back and usually use the somport tunnel but decided on a change.. Very narrow and many turns on the French side Scenic but not a nice drive really in a van.. Would be great in a car...

HOWEVER.. Same place August 2015

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[Steve devon]

A136 Near Frontera del Portalets... we were on way back and usually use the somport tunnel but decided on a change.. Very narrow and many turns on the French side Scenic but not a nice drive really in a van.. Would be great in a car...

HOWEVER.. Same place August 2015

View attachment 86248

That looks cool, I love a challenge, it's the n230 we are going to use

 

[gus-lopez]

Look for some with at least 16mm links. Car ones are not up to the job IMO.

These ones will be fine for the limited use of most motorhomers. They are identical to the ones we carry.

http://www.snowchains.com/4x4-snow-chains/polar-16mm?ts=0

They are identical to mine bought here In Eroski's. 22€

 

[Minxy]

If anyone has a Ford based FWD MH/camper check first if your particular model can use them as our Mk 7 version (and probably the latest model) hasn't got enough clearance under the wheel arches for you to fit chains and still turn the wheels without them catching! We got some snow socks instead but never needed them (if you do go for snow socks make sure you get the genuine & Europe wide approved Autosocks and not one of the many copy/cheaper versions.

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[jonandshell]

Apparently, for FWD Transits you can fit an alternative tyre size if you wish to use chains, so the manual says.

 

[Minxy]

Apparently, for FWD Transits you can fit an alternative tyre size if you wish to use chains, so the manual says.

Which model manual is that in? It wasn't in the one for our Mk 7, just said we couldn't use them! Still a bit drastic though and only worth doing if you live in a country where you're likely to need to use the snow chains fairly often.

 

[jonandshell]

I am sure I read it in our Mk7 manual. Will check on that!

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[MR. FUSION]

I used more expensive pewag brenta c's on my 3 ton disco because as it explains in this video, car grade chains are not up to the job for a truck type chassis......unless of course you want them possibly wrapped around your driveshafts....

 

[yodeli]

We were planning to go to st gaudens and then over or through the Pyrenees to vielha

DO TAKE THEM!!!! The weather changes within a snap of fingers over there! And if you don't have them , you'll get stuck by the police and your hols will be spoilt.
@tonka Please Tonka , don't tell them they won't need them. At this time of year they might find snow any time. Of course there's 1 chance over 2 they won't need them.
I'm used to the weather there, and I can tell you each day is another one.

Amicalement

Frankie

Edit: You can buy them in France of course, here is the link to this specific area to help you in your decision. Right now the weather is quite warm.

http://www.meteofrance.com/previsions-meteo-france/viella/32400

 

[tonka]

@tonka Please Tonka , don't tell them they won't need them.

http://www.meteofrance.com/previsions-meteo-france/viella/32400

My dear Frankie... . I think you will find that I never said they won't need them.
Most of those routes I would not consider In winter, prefer to stick with the main crossing via N10/ A63 at Irun. Maybe somport tunnel but only after a local weather check. On some roads its a legal requirement to carry chains or as you say could get in trouble with police.
Any snow and my wheels will stop and the kettle goes on.. !!

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[yodeli]

You are very right , you never used the words "don't take them" , it was much more something like "in my experience, I didn't have to use them" . I'm so used to people jumping onto conclusion that I was anticipating any reaction of the kind Typical "Nanny attitude"

 

[Jac Sprat]

Can anyone post a link for the correct approved snow socks?

 

[Larrynwin]

Consider snow chains as a one off insurance premium .
Its more likely to happen if you havent got them.

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[zac]

We didnt need them going last year but coming back was a different story, this was in late December. Luckily for us it got bad just as we reached the peak and started to go down the otherside. There were loads of cars trying to come up that were stuck as no chains, first and only time i have used hill descent on the motorhome. That came in very handy although nerve racking for sure as motorhome was only a few weeks old

 

[Jac Sprat]

@zzzzac
What is hill descent? Not heard of that
Just on new mohos?

 

[jonandshell]

Can anyone post a link for the correct approved snow socks?

Snow socks? No just don't, really just don't!
Chains really are the only thing to give you proper grip on a snow covered Alpine gradient.

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[zac]

@zzzzac
What is hill descent? Not heard of that
Just on new mohos?

Its on my new Autotrail Delaware 2015 Model, it is called "HDC (Hill Descent Control), a function more commonly seen on off-road vehicles that brakes the van automatically to help descend steep gradients safely" that was taken from Fiat review. It was very helpful for us, there is a button you press with a picture of a van going down hill.

No idea if the pre 2014 vans have them but our 2015 AT which is on a 64 plate Fiat base has

 

[Minxy]

Can anyone post a link for the correct approved snow socks?

As far as I'm aware only Autosocks are approved for use in France in place of snow chains, see the answer to Q.12 on the below:

http://www.autosock.co.uk/faqs/#q12

There's also more info in answer to other questions and lower down the page too.

This is the main website with lots of info on, and you can put in your wheel/tyre details to check what size you need.

http://www.autosock.co.uk/autosock-for-vans/

There's some on Ebay at the moment so once you know your size you can see if there's something on there, alternatively buy direct from one of the recommended suppliers on the Autosock site, probably around £70.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=autosock&rt=nc&_dmd=2

 

[Minxy]

Snow socks? No just don't, really just don't!
Chains really are the only thing to give you proper grip on a snow covered Alpine gradient.

Snowchains are great if you CAN fit them but if your vehicle cannot use them (such as the Mk7 Transit) and you don't want to replace your wheels, Autosocks are the only alternative!

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