Snow chains or snow socks?

[Kelso]

I drive a Fiat Ducato McLouis Glen motorhome and I am finding the front wheel drive traction very, very light.
I have already been caught out a few times on mud and wet grass etc.
I am planning a trip to Denmark for xmas and I was thinking about snow-chains and then I came across snow socks at Halfords.
Does anyone have any experience of how good (or not) they are?

Grateful for any comments.
Thanks, Kelso

 

[pappajohn]

The problem with socks is they wont last 100mtrs on snowless roads.

You may spend time taking them off only to put them back on 1/4 mile further on.

Chains shouldnt be used on clear roads but will stand a bit of abuse

 

[Kelso]

Thanks for the info. I have hedged my bets and bought both.. Just hope I don't have to use them. lol

 

[Deleted member 29692]

I am finding the front wheel drive traction very, very light

You don't have too much weight on the rear axle do you? If it's that light at the front all the time a trip to the weigh bridge may be in order.

 

[pappajohn]

Thanks for the info. I have hedged my bets and bought both.. Just hope I don't have to use them. lol

Bought chains for my car 2 years ago.......one was test fitted, the other has never been out the case.

Might get used this year but i wont hold my breath as we're having another mild winter.

 

[Jon and Shell]

Bought chains for my car 2 years ago.......one was test fitted, the other has never been out the case.

Might get used this year but i wont hold my breath as we're having another mild winter.

Yep!
Its that time of year when snow chain hysteria grips the forums!!!!!!

 

[TerryL]

You don't have too much weight on the rear axle do you? If it's that light at the front all the time a trip to the weigh bridge may be in order.

It shouldn't feel "light" on the front. As well as your loading, check tyre pressures - and there's a minefield! Search Tyre Pressures for extensive posts on this subject.
But there's only one way to get an accurate figure and that's to weigh the van, front & rear axles separately, then contact the tyre manufacturer. You may well be surprised....

 

[DiggerJon]

Snowsox are OK for very short trips or when there is constant snow on the road, but a short trip on the road or if they start spinning, watch your investment shred to rags in a very short time - believe me - I know!!!

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[Jon and Shell]

I would only consider socks if they used them on Ice Road Truckers!

Heavier vehicles need chains!

 

[Judge Mental]

Chains are a legal requirement some places....socks? I doubt they make the grade....

 

[MattR]

Snow and mud tyres / winter tyres would help give better traction in a wider range of conditions than socks or chains.

 

[sadlonelygit]

firstly you really should fit M+S tyres. i used to use these on my taxi and never got stuck! even used to fly past 4x4's on some of the steep hills.
if conditions are that poor that winter tyres aren't working, then possibly you should be off the road! however a set of chains to get you somewhere safely are the only other option.

 

[Kelso]

OK thanks all - I will look into m/s tyres, that sounds like a good idea for all year round.

 

[MattR]

OK thanks all - I will look into m/s tyres, that sounds like a good idea for all year round.

If you can afford and have space to get summer tyres as well, you'll get the best traction and wear throughout the year. I believe that the downside of m/s tyres is that they wear faster during the warmer months than summer tyres. We don't have space for two sets so only have m/s.

 

[pappajohn]

Snow and mud tyres / winter tyres would help give better traction in a wider range of conditions than socks or chains.

But not on ice or heavily compacted and polished snow which is when extra grip is most needed.....studs (illegal) or chains will get you out.

Snow tyres have a blockier tread and softer rubber but dont have magical gripping power on ice.

 

[Puddleduck]

f
if conditions are that poor that winter tyres aren't working, then possibly you should be off the road! however a set of chains to get you somewhere safely are the only other option.

Totally agree. Luckily I don't have to travel to work so if it looks like it is a pig to drive in or on then I don't.

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[MattR]

But not on ice or heavily compacted and polished snow which is when extra grip is most needed.....studs (illegal) or chains will get you out.

Snow tyres have a blockier tread and softer rubber but dont have magical gripping power on ice.

Yep. Not magic but better than socks or chains for a wider range of conditions. If I was the op, I would return the socks and get m/s tyres with chains as a backup.

 

[sadlonelygit]

But not on ice or heavily compacted and polished snow which is when extra grip is most needed.....studs (illegal) or chains will get you out.

Snow tyres have a blockier tread and softer rubber but dont have magical gripping power on ice.

a decent winter tyre will stop/grip far better on ice/compacted snow than an ordinary tyre........fact. from experience i stopped my old taxi on a steep incline because cars were spinning off left right and centre. i put the handbrake on and started to get out and noticed she was on the move down the hill, so jumped back in and put the old girl in gear and she stopped (winter tyres were front only). ime winter tyres find grip when most tyres have given up the ghost, but the most useful asset is the ability to drive properly in the first place!

 

[TerryL]

Just to re-iterate the point about tyre pressures, if they're too high (which would give the "light" feeling) NO tyre is going to grip properly. You just don't have the footprint in contact with the road.

 

[Larrynwin]

Bought chains for my car 2 years ago.......one was test fitted, the other has never been out the case.

Might get used this year but i wont hold my breath as we're having another mild winter.

Thank you Michael Fish

 

[Jon and Shell]

I support the argument for m+s tyres.

We have Yokohama all season tyres on our Transit base and never need the chains on, even on quite steep gradients.

That also includes compacted, smooth snow and ice. The rear wheel drive and reasonably narrow (185) tyres help in these conditions too!