Snow Chains on Alloys a no no..

Larrynwin

Larrynwin

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My Moho handbook warns against using snow chains on alloy wheels which mine has.
Obviously would damage them. What it doesn't mention is an alternative, snow socks I guess.
It's a bummer as I have a brand new unused set of Rud Classic v45 snow chains.
What do you carry if any.
 
Nowt, but just looking in to getting a pair now
 
Larrynwin said:
My Moho handbook warns against using snow chains on alloy wheels which mine has.
Obviously would damage them. What it doesn't mention is an alternative, snow socks I guess.
It's a bummer as I have a brand new unused set of Rud Classic v45 snow chains.
What do you carry if any.
Click to expand...
Just been looking at a few faqs regarding ally's and snow chains.. There is not one chain maker who says they are likely to cause damage..
And only a couple of wheel makers that suggest chains should be used with caution.. One suggesting when fitting snow chains it is worth placing a piece of carpet cut to suit the wheel behind the chains
Seems like a good idea to me :-)
 
I managed to buy a set of steel rims and wheelbolts (steel wheels have different sized bolts)
I then fitted winter tyres to the steel rims
So I do a complete wheel swap in October.
I did take a set of snow socks to France with us.
They work ok on smooth roads with fresh snow
and a sensible slope.

However !!!
I fitted them to get off a car park that was very rutted
and had a steep slope to the exit.
partly shredded one.

They are simply a get you moving tool when it comes to large motorhomes.
Ok for a light car.

Rather than a piece of carpet cut to protect alloys
It would get massively soggy and frozen
Why not cut a piece of camp mat or a piece of the those
rubber tiles that jigsaw together for each wheel
They are easy to cut soft to handle
easy to store and wont be a soggy mess when removed
Kev
 
Jaws said:
Just been looking at a few faqs regarding ally's and snow chains.. There is not one chain maker who says they are likely to cause damage..
And only a couple of wheel makers that suggest chains should be used with caution.. One suggesting when fitting snow chains it is worth placing a piece of carpet cut to suit the wheel behind the chains
Seems like a good idea to me :)
Click to expand...

I've been reading my Hymer manual , it says no so I will probably get some snow socks as insurance.
 
@Larrynwin @Jaws
Jaws said:
Links to stuff on Amazon do not show I am afraid..
Perhaps a description so we can have a search ?
Click to expand...

Try these links, work ok on my lappie
Saw loads of foreign vans using these in the ski resorts over the last 2 years and much neater than chains. We're still using chains but if I had alloys I'd definitely go for this type of thing I've seen them in action and they work.

Amazon product ASIN B018JIFI2Y
Amazon product ASIN B01BS4W7E8

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
I think those look more robust than
snow socks A bit more fiddly to fit probably but on alloys
a good compromise
But remember even chains snap
so gently gently
 
Forestboy said:
@Larrynwin @Jaws


Try these links, work ok on my lappie
Saw loads of foreign vans using these in the ski resorts over the last 2 years and much neater than chains. We're still using chains but if I had alloys I'd definitely go for this type of thing I've seen them in action and they work.

Amazon product ASIN B018JIFI2Y
Amazon product ASIN B01BS4W7E8
Click to expand...
No mate.. When you put in a link to an amazon product on here, YOU can see it, but no one else can I am afraid Rory

What other see is something like:
(open brackets )media=amazon ( close brackets ) id=B018JIFI2Y:tld=uk (open brackets ) /media ( close brackets )
 
Jaws said:
No mate.. When you put in a link to an amazon product on here, YOU can see it, but no one else can I am afraid Rory

What other see is something like:
(open brackets )media=amazon ( close brackets ) id=B018JIFI2Y:tld=uk (open brackets ) /media ( close brackets )
Click to expand...

Sorry John not savvy enough on techie stuff to change it but looking on New posts and the link is perfect on mine even got a picture in it.
 
Just a little note..
I see on both of those adverts they show multiple pieces on each tyre BUT the advert only states 2 or 3 units..
So If anyone orders be sure of exactly how many will come.. Looks like £25 will get you 2, one on each drive wheel...

Cheap from China but postage is not :(
 
Got it now Ror.. it was AdBlocker that was not letting me see the links.. sorry mate
 
tonka said:
Just a little note..
I see on both of those adverts they show multiple pieces on each tyre BUT the advert only states 2 or 3 units..
So If anyone orders be sure of exactly how many will come.. Looks like £25 will get you 2, one on each drive wheel...

Cheap from China but postage is not :(
Click to expand...

You're probably right I just put those links up so the OP could get the idea of an alternative not reccomending that particular item.
If I was looking for a pair I'd be buying from Europe not China seem to remember Outdoor Bits used to sell something similar but a search would soon find some. Even saw delivery trucks and bin lorries using them last year in the Alps so must be ok.
 
Forestboy said:
You're probably right I just put those links up so the OP could get the idea of an alternative not reccomending that particular item.
If I was looking for a pair I'd be buying from Europe not China seem to remember Outdoor Bits used to sell something similar but a search would soon find some. Even saw delivery trucks and bin lorries using them last year in the Alps so must be ok.
Click to expand...

They look a great idea (y)
Thanks on posting..... Something I will keep a look out for...
Found a few suppliers in China, pack of 10 for 20 dollars and costs more for shipping... Still worthwhile, but i will let someone else try them first ;)

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Interesting as almost all cars come with alloys nowadays, and I've not had a problem with chains. But "chains" is something of a misnomer as mine are plastic covered metal cables which don't actually touch the wheels but are pulled tight onto the tyres with tensioner bands.
Snow socks are a pain to put on and get off, I gave up last time.
 
image.jpeg
These are the ones I have , photo on a trial fit on my last RV. May try one on current mohome to see if chains clear wheels.
Maybe some pipe insulation on the yellow chain would do the trick.
 
Snow socks are next to useless on roads that are rutted by ploughs, shovels etc.
They lack the bite to climb over lumps of ice and spin helplessly in such conditions.

Chains are the only way to go if you value your safety and want to actually get to where you are going.
 
Or
I send sue out ahead of me with a big shovel
 
before thinking about chains, what's your intended use ?

most people that buy them simply never use them or give up after trying to fit them.

if you're sure to be spending time above 1000m in winter then yes you'll need chains but fitting 4 season tires serves most people much better, better still winter tires as someone mentioned above.
 
Winter tyres are Ok
But on front wheel drive motorhomes are not up to it
Good chains are essential in a heavy snowfall
 
Ridgeway said:
before thinking about chains, what's your intended use ?

most people that buy them simply never use them or give up after trying to fit them.

if you're sure to be spending time above 1000m in winter then yes you'll need chains but fitting 4 season tires serves most people much better, better still winter tires as someone mentioned above.
Click to expand...

For me they are insurance when travelling north or south through France and Spain in winter months. Catch a bad spell of snowfall and could well come in handy.
 
Jaws said:
Just been looking at a few faqs regarding ally's and snow chains.. There is not one chain maker who says they are likely to cause damage..
And only a couple of wheel makers that suggest chains should be used with caution.. One suggesting when fitting snow chains it is worth placing a piece of carpet cut to suit the wheel behind the chains
Seems like a good idea to me :)
Click to expand...
Some chains are provided with rubber buffers between wheel and chain.
Only one part of mine are near the wheel and that's an elasticated auto tension strap.
As you set off the tension increases to keep the chain tight.

£150 a pair though.
will this be the fifth winter they have stayed in the car boot ?

XG12_s.jpg

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Last edited:
A subject I can help with, snow skiing and using the van in snow.

Buy Michelin Easygrip - superb product high quality and does not damage alloy wheels. Fitted or removed in minutes. Never used my original chains since buying these, take van to ski resorts at least twice every year. You will find them on eBay/Amazon.
 
kev1 said:
Winter tyres are Ok
But on front wheel drive motorhomes are not up to it
Good chains are essential in a heavy snowfall
Click to expand...

Not trying to be controversial but totally disagree, I have a set of proper snow tyres on steel rims (swap when going skiing) and they make a huge difference on my fwd drive. See my avatar picture for set up.
 
Hi Philly
Not controversial at all
All vehicles are different
We have winter tyres on steel rims yes they make a difference
yes you can move around in snow on them
However if you get caught in a dump on the way up or down to a resort
winter tyres will not do the job.
That's why resort roads have chainage areas for people to fit the chains on
 

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