Snow chains - advice pls (1 Viewer)

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We are hoping to spend Feb and Mar at Tavira in Portugal. According to my Boy's Own atlas we have to cross the Pyrennees somewhere/somehow and, in case global warming is a myth, we have to carry snow chains.

Never having needed them I know nothing about them so would welcome your advice on snow chains generally and also on the "best" non-toll route from the A20 north of Cahors. Our MH is an FWD Fiat Ducato with 16 inch wheels, can't remember tyre spec.

Thanks in advance.
 

MikeD

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If you cross at either end of the mountain range I doubt you will need snow chains

We came though Spain (Bilbao/Torre del mar) last year in early March and whilst there was plenty of snow on the hills the main roads were clear.
 
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My comment "we have to carry snow chains" is not based solely on a perceived need but rather the risk that an officious gendarme will turn me back just because I don't have them.

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If you are driving down through France you should be able to buy chains from a autoroute service station. The fiat wheels are pretty common.

Having said that, the Pyrenees have some pretty long tunnels that will bypass the snow. Very much doubt you would need chains on the main routes.
 

Imbiber

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I bought our last pair from here < Broken Link Removed>; delivered from Germany in a matter of days.

We have a Ducato FWD also on 16" wheels and ours are the Weissenfels Rex TR 17mm.
 

pappajohn

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You need specific chains for your tyre dimensions.....not just 16" chains.
Too slack and tyre, and possibly wheel arch, damage will be possible.
Too tight and you won't get them on the tyre.

I have a pair of Thule chains, specifically for 265/60/18 tyres....they fit like a glove.

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TerryL

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In 17 years of coach driving, most of the winters doing ski trips, I only ever put the chains on once and that was only because we had an early evening departure from resort and the snow ploughs had finished for the day.

You'll find that even in bad weather the authorities keep the main roads clear and chains are only required if you decide to be, shall we say, a little adventurous. There will be signs saying if snow chains are required. Safest to go round the ends or use Somport Tunnel.

But if you decide to purchase do make sure you get the right size for your tyres and get for both front and rear no matter what end your driving wheels are at.
 
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On the France/Spain border, You'll be almost at sea level. Not much snow around ;)
 
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If you are driving down through France you should be able to buy chains from a autoroute service station.

But as a mean buffer I do my best to avoid tolls so don't see too many 'A' service stations. I plan to buy the chains before departure so that if we encounter snow or officious officials there won't be a last minute panic trying to find them.

You'll be almost at sea level. Not much snow around ;)

Good point, IIRC Scott etc worked on that principle when holidaying in Antarctica.

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My comment "we have to carry snow chains" is not based solely on a perceived need but rather the risk that an officious gendarme will turn me back just because I don't have them.

Yep , this is the right thing to do! Carry them and don't listen to who ever tells not to. Being myself an old froggy, I usually tend to say , forget about the rule. Except that this one might just stop your travel. Gendarmes won't let you carry on with your travel. better be safe than sorry. If no snow.... good for you, but at least if any , you'll wave at all the ones who didn't want to bother and who will stay stuck on the edge
 

Duck Truck

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Hi LL
When you need chains you need chains.
Gendarmes apart. If you get caught in a dump even slight slopes become very very tricky without chains
and bearing in mind you may have a queue of traffic behind cursing you. Buy easy fit chains
and at least have a good look at them before starting out
ideally have a practise putting one on.
Its a world of difference fitting them when its wet with cars whizzing past and your fingers are frozen
kev

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TerryL

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ideally have a practise putting one on.
Its a world of difference fitting them when its wet with cars whizzing past and your fingers are frozen
kev

Had to have a bit of a chuckle - we had occasional training days when new drivers were trained how to fit snow chains. A coach wheel and tyre were brought into a nice warm training room and the trainee was given a bag of chains which had, of course, been stored overnight in the training room. I used to get on the instructors wick when I told them what they should do is take the trainees outside in their shirtsleeves to a coach parked on the wash, blindfold them and turn the wash on. Now fit the chains 'cos that's the more likely scenario!
 
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I have started a separate thread on snow chains/alloy wheels which might be of interest.

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Hi LL
When you need chains you need chains.
Gendarmes apart. If you get caught in a dump even slight slopes become very very tricky without chains
and bearing in mind you may have a queue of traffic behind cursing you. Buy easy fit chains
and at least have a good look at them before starting out
ideally have a practise putting one on.
Its a world of difference fitting them when its wet with cars whizzing past and your fingers are frozen
kev


Yes you're right , snowy slopes being dangerous for your life are far more important than gendarmes! Things is people tend to forget about danger and seem to be far more concerned by fines and being stuck .....
 

TerryL

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I don't worry about getting stuck - I just don't go there. And whilst I would never deliberately go into snowy conditions, I've got snow rated winter tyres which should help as long as it doesn't get silly.
 

Duck Truck

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Terry
Yer dead right mate
I also laminated the instructions and have a copy in the storage box
my memory being what it is.
I watched a group trying to fit chains in the pouring rain and snow as the instructions they had disintegrated in their hands
lol

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Duck Truck

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I also cut a small piece of camp mat that fits inside the box holding the chains
Better to kneel on than a wet road at - something degrees
 
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At last I have begun my search and I note that some have "automatic tensioning" and some "manual". I am guessing that the former would be more suitable for the maladroit - is it really that simple a choice?

TIA
 
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Would snow socks not be an option, they are a bit easier to fit but would they satisfy the Gendarmes?

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Duck Truck

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Neil snow socks are a get you moving on a nice smooth snowy surface option
Alpine roads are frozen rock solid with jagged holes in them covered by a layer of ice
on top of which is snow compacted by 52 seat coaches and wet slurry.

Chains ocassionally snap
Snow socks are not a replacement for chains
Kev
 

mick noe

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we are off through France and down to Benidorm area next thursday....THIS IS WORRYING I did not know snow chains would be mandatory? I have no plans to travel in heavy snow as the ducato is bad enough on wet grass or a wet greasey inclines so snow is deffo out. Should we rethink our plans?
 
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Would snow socks not be an option, they are a bit easier to fit but would they satisfy the Gendarmes?
Really a waste of money.
Just a set of self tensioning chains at about 70/80€
The problem is you are driving on snow, ice, tarmac, snow, tarmac, ice etc. A very variable surface as the snow/ice melts in the sun.
Living in the Pyrenees, and skiing regular, snow chains are a must.
When you have them, driving in the snow is nearly like driving on good road, plenty of grip with them, when correctly fitted.

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Snow chains are not mandatory in the Pyrenees France, but you could be turned back if the roads are bad in the mountains.
Common sense really.
If you are worried take the main roads / Autoroutes near the coast either side of the Pyrenees, they are always clear.
 

Jaws

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We actually take a slightly longer route to Beni so as to avoid the higher regions.. Drop down through Toulouse and then over to Perpignan
So far ( he says touching wood and whistling ) even when it has been snowing we have not had a problem
 
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Snow socks may be an option but my French friends say that they are not chains.

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we are off through France and down to Benidorm area next thursday....THIS IS WORRYING I did not know snow chains would be mandatory? I have no plans to travel in heavy snow as the ducato is bad enough on wet grass or a wet greasey inclines so snow is deffo out. Should we rethink our plans?
At Oloron-Sainte-Marie & Col du Somport last week it was sunburn that was the problem.:laughing:
 
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Snow socks may be an option but my French friends say that they are not chains.
Would not waste my money on them, they are NOT chains and I have seen them last 5 mins before disintegrating on icy tarmac and gravel!!
Ok if you want to stop every 5 minutes and put them back on in virgin snow!!
Really a waste of time. Chains are the best, I have done 100's of km with chains and never a problem. Only cold hands lol !!
 

Duck Truck

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we are off through France and down to Benidorm area next thursday....THIS IS WORRYING I did not know snow chains would be mandatory? I have no plans to travel in heavy snow as the ducato is bad enough on wet grass or a wet greasey inclines so snow is deffo out. Should we rethink our plans?

Mick choose the coastal routes you should be Ok
and listen to the weather forecasts

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Duck Truck

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Mick we are snow hunters not snow avoiders
so please do not worry too much. Enjoy your journey and holiday.

if the weather is particularly bad pull over where its sense and make a cup of Tea
Kev
 

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