Snow Chains versus Snow Socks

Adriaadventure

Adriaadventure

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Does anyone have experience of using snow socks and snow chains.
We need one or the other in case of snow around Burgos/Madrid on our way down to Cadiz in early Jan.
We also need to ensure it does not damage 16'' Alloy wheels when in use.
 
I used them once on my BMW M5 Sport.

There was heavy snow during the day, and when I left work I was sliding all over the carpark, as it had very wide tyres, and I couldn't make it up the very slight rise to the main road. I stopped and fitted the Snow Socks. I set off again and got easily onto the road. After a mile of driving slowly on the snowy road, my journey took me up a long, steep hill onto an exposed common. As I turned to go up the hill, I was stopped by the driver of a 4X4 coming down, who said "Not a chance mate, only a 4X4 will get up there!"

Always one to like a challenge, I decided to chance it, and to my suprise by driving slowly, and with the traction control working overtime I made my way up the mile-long hill, even overtaking a 4X4 that had become stranded!

I went another 10 miles on snowy roads, even deliberately driving on small roads, thick with snow, as I wasn't sure whether the snow socks would survive on tarmac. I removed them when I got home (with difficulty) and they appeared to be undamaged, but I never needed them again. I have an unused set in my current car.
 
Personally they are like chalk and cheese, chains every time unless you only have socks,
Socks are marginally better than standard summer tyres in the snow but probably not as good as proper winter tyres,

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I've used chains many times on my cars, and played with motorhome snow socks but not used them in anger.

Chains can be more work to fit, heavier but won't wear out and will give more traction.

Socks are lighter, easier to fit but less traction, can be shredded by tarmac and will wear out sooner.

I have used different brands and types of chains. When I was looking for the motorhome, Rud Rudmatic Classic looked like the easiest to fit.

An easy to fit type of 'instant' chain is made by an Italian firm Trak http://www.trakonline.it/, they attach to mounting points on the outside of the wheel and are self-adjusting. I suspect they're not cheap but I found their suggested dealers didn't reply to enquiries, and the manufacturer themselves also not very communicative.
 
Snow chains for manual and snow socks for automatics
Or so I’m told.
We’ve moved onto autos at work and all snow chains have been replaced with snow socks.
We’ve been told not to use chains on automatics.
 
snow chains more efficient in snow, make sure you have a decent set, not used or worn away as if they fail can damage motorhome underbody considerably. remember to fit on the driving wheels and on both sides.

Socks are okay only on light snow, will wear quickly on tarmac.
images
 
Lots of comments regarding wear on tarmac - surely the idea is to get you out of trouble until such time that you don't need them again, so you then stop and remove them? (socks, that is.) As for chains, the same should apply, in fact I think in some countries, you can be fined for having them fitted, when they're no longer necessary, as you would be damaging the (snow-free) road surface?

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ivorantony said:
Personally they are like chalk and cheese, chains every time unless you only have socks,
Socks are marginally better than standard summer tyres in the snow but probably not as good as proper winter tyres,
Click to expand...
Are you basing your comments on personal experience, or just wild uninformed speculation?
 
As an addition to this

France I understand has made it mandatory to carry chains from Nov 1st until March 31st, would socks be allowed does anyone know or are they no good for France and chains only to be carried

I’ve been trying for ages to find this out tbh

thanks
Al
 
Al n Val said:
As an addition to this

France I understand has made it mandatory to carry chains from Nov 1st until March 31st, would socks be allowed does anyone know or are they no good for France and chains only to be carried

I’ve been trying for ages to find this out tbh

thanks
Al
Click to expand...
If you look on the Auto Sock website it should answer your concerns (I have no affiliation with them.)
 
Al n Val said:
Where will it tell me that mate do you know, will it be the correct info and will the Gendarme accept it lol
Click to expand...
AutoSock have been approved since 2010 for use in France as an alternative to metal snow chains where the B26 snow chain signs require snow chains to be carried. Visitors to France will need to download a sticker to fix to the AutoSock storage bag, and are also advised to print out this document and take it with them; it includes AutoSock's press release.

AutoSock can also legally be used when snowchains must be carried or fitted in Andorra, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy and Slovenia.

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Reply above is a straight cut n' paste from the Auto Sock website: autosockdirect.co.uk (Google is your friend...)

(The embedded links above don't work, but the relevant bits are reproduced in the following 2 replies)
 
WoldsSunlight said:
Are you basing your comments on personal experience, or just wild uninformed speculation?
Click to expand...
Personal experience, I have used socks and chains and there isn’t any comparison the chains wins hands down,
A bit of a pain to put on admittedly but if you want to make progress in snow with the exception of studded tyres their is nothing better,
The socks give additional grip but don’t last long if their are patches of tarmac and good quality winter tyres will give better grip without ripping their selves to pieces,
 
Al n Val said:
As an addition to this

France I understand has made it mandatory to carry chains from Nov 1st until March 31st, would socks be allowed does anyone know or are they no good for France and chains only to be carried

I’ve been trying for ages to find this out tbh

thanks
Al
Click to expand...
The law says winter tyres or snow chains.
We came across the Pyrenees this afternoon, had some light sleet.
I've got winter tyres & carry snow chains.

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Al n Val said:
As an addition to this

France I understand has made it mandatory to carry chains from Nov 1st until March 31st, would socks be allowed does anyone know or are they no good for France and chains only to be carried

I’ve been trying for ages to find this out tbh

thanks
Al
Click to expand...
I live in France and subscribe to an online newsletter that covered this topic. It said either studded tyres, socks or chains are accepted.

I don't know whether the following link will work if you don't subscribe but here it is anyway https://www.connexionfrance.com/Fre...w-tyre-law-starts-today-what-you-need-to-know
 
Socks much easier to fit and remove
Chains much better traction overall
If you are in MH you have the advantage if weather get serious you just need to get to somewhere safe to park up and then you can hunker down till conditions improve
Winter tyres dogs dangly bits but not really helpful to the ops question
 
Al n Val said:
As an addition to this

France I understand has made it mandatory to carry chains from Nov 1st until March 31st, would socks be allowed does anyone know or are they no good for France and chains only to be carried

I’ve been trying for ages to find this out tbh

thanks
Al
Click to expand...

Not all of France just the areas in red
Screenshot_20211102-131445_Samsung Internet.jpg
 
I heard (YouTube vlog) that the Departements have been asked to identify the roads for which the snow chain or winter tyre rule will apply, and signpost them. They won't fine anyone this year, that's starting next year.

The existing chain signs will still remain where you're required to fit chains if it's snowy - unless you have snow tyres and it says 'pneus neige admis'.

I like the look of the Maggi Traks, as they should be a lot quicker to fit and remove than chains, and nearly as effective. I spoke to the designer and he is selling the last of Maggi's stock for cars and SUVs via the trakonline.it website. A Slovenian company called Veriga will soon be selling the Tractiva, a new version of the Trak chains for cars: https://www.veriga-lesce.com/?lang=en

There are no more Maggi Traks for trucks, but he designed the Alpitruck for Weissenfels, a Rud brand which works in a similar way for trucks: http://www.weissenfels.com/en/snow-chains/alpitruck

Apparently Weissenfels subsequently introduced versions for lighter vehicles, although he thought they'd compromised the original designs.
 
Well ive used socks in deep fresh snow there fantastic and if your going to a ski resort like i have in italy with 4 or 5 tunnels just leave yer socks on imagine taking the chains off and on 5 times its a no brainer socks everytime
 
Revolvor said:
Always one to like a challenge, I decided to chance it, and to my suprise by driving slowly, and with the traction control working overtime I made my way up the mile-long hill, even overtaking a 4X4 that had become stranded!
Click to expand...
Twice I couldn't get up our drive in the car in the recent snow.
Twice I had to use chains....pain in the arse just to go 20ft.
Third time, switched off traction control.....got straight up.
TC was braking the spinning wheel causing the other to spin instead.....and cause a lack of momentum.
 
pappajohn said:
Twice I couldn't get up our drive in the car in the recent snow.
Twice I had to use chains....pain in the arse just to go 20ft.
Third time, switched off traction control.....got straight up.
TC was braking the spinning wheel causing the other to spin instead.....and cause a lack of momentum.
Click to expand...
In my case, I suspect the RWD helped.
 
pappajohn said:
Twice I couldn't get up our drive in the car in the recent snow.
Twice I had to use chains....pain in the arse just to go 20ft.
Third time, switched off traction control.....got straight up.
TC was braking the spinning wheel causing the other to spin instead.....and cause a lack of momentum.
Click to expand...
Several times with the Motorhome I've noticed on gravel or wet grass it struggles more when the Traction control cuts in than when it doesn't. A pain in the butt as you can't turn it off on a Fiat.

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