Snow chains

[The rehctub]

How many snow chains would I need travelling through France down into Spain in January, and will need any for towing a trailer with small car on it

 

[Lenny HB]

One set of two (unless 4WD) you only need them of the driven wheels.

 

[L' Hobo]

One set of two (unless 4WD) you only need them of the driven wheels.

Sorry Lenny, I disagree. have a another set for the the car JUST in case you get in deep s**t and need to use it! Let's face it, a few more pounds spent could solve a LOT of problems.

 

[gus-lopez]

yes in reality I'd put them on all four as no good fwd & the back takes the front out.
rear wheel drive I would be happier only on the back only.

 

[jongood]

Have the rules changed? I've never needed them before to pass through on main roads.

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[L' Hobo]

yes in reality I'd put them on all four as no good fwd & the back takes the front out.
rear wheel drive I would be happier only on the back only.

When I was doing ski work with my coach and ONLY had 2, when on REALLY icy roads, the trick was to put the chains on the wheels FURTHEST from the curb, front AND back.

Beside, or in the curb there is usually enough dirt and gravel to give those wheels SOME grip and then SLOWLY move forward or the flailing chains, if they become slack, can rip the steering off!

 

[599]

Have the rules changed? I've never needed them before to pass through on main roads.

hi jongood. yes winter tyre's or snow chains but this year just a warning to give people time to get them . val

 

[Lucky]

I've read somewhere that if towing you require chains on both axles.

 

[L' Hobo]

When I was doing ski work with my coach and ONLY had 2, when on REALLY icy roads, the trick was to put the chains on the wheels FURTHEST from the curb, front AND back.

Beside, or in the curb there is usually enough dirt and gravel to give those wheels SOME grip and then SLOWLY move forward or the flailing chains, if they become slack, can rip the steering off!

Sorry, that curb should have read KERB of course!

 

[Lenny HB]

Have the rules changed? I've never needed them before to pass through on main roads.

Yep chains are required if you don't have winter tyres in I think 47 departments from the 1st Nov this year.
They did announce last week they wouldn't prosecute offenders for the first year.

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[pappajohn]

If it's FWD you don't need any on the rear....even if the rear slides sideways it will continue forwards and eventually pull the rear back in line.
RWD could be easier with chains on both axles to aid steering but fronts will do nothing for traction.
I have a set of 18" for the last car and a set of 16" for current car......never used either as deep snow has been relegated to Christmas cards for the last 10 years around Scarborough.

 

[jongood]

Yep chains are required if you don't have winter tyres in I think 47 departments from the 1st Nov this year.
They did announce last week they wouldn't prosecute offenders for the first year.

Just been and checked, got the snowflake so happy days, highest I'm likely to get is Somport Tunnel anyway

 

[gus-lopez]

If it's FWD you don't need any on the rear....even if the rear slides sideways it will continue forwards and eventually pull the rear back in line.

Only if you are Ari Vaatenaan . It is the same as putting the new tyres on the front .they grip, back goes & spins it out. Same with chains.

Just been and checked, got the snowflake so happy days, highest I'm likely to get is Somport Tunnel anyway

As long as it is open when you get there & you don't have to go over the top.

 

[pappajohn]

Only if you are Ari Vaatenaan . It is the same as putting the new tyres on the front .they grip, back goes & spins it out. Same with chains.

Only if you drive like a fecking idiot, then you deserve to crash painfully.
You're using chains to get you out of the mire, not to drive as though the roads were dry.

There's a reason they are only sold in pairs and not fours.

 

[jongood]

Only if you are Ari Vaatenaan . It is the same as putting the new tyres on the front .they grip, back goes & spins it out. Same with chains.

As long as it is open when you get there & you don't have to go over the top.

Don't worry I will be checking the reports long before I get there, no way am I going over the top in December. Other options are available as they say

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[gus-lopez]

Don't worry I will be checking the reports long before I get there, no way am I going over the top in December. Other options are available as they say

December !! I had to go over the top in July 2014. Fog was so thick I had to look out the side window for the remains of the white line. Hadn't done that for 40 years. What usually adds 30 minutes & is a nice route on a sunny day took best part of 2,5 hours.

 

[gerry mcg]

I can't speak for special chain requirements when towing, however in general, chains should only be fitted in pairs to the driven Axle.
If you are FWD, then a pair on the front axle, if you are RWD, then a pair on the rear axle.
Check your vehicle handbook.
My RWD mercedes requires chains only on the rear only.
My previous x drive bmw was rear chains only

 

[The Wino]

A tip for the op if you do get some for the toad get them at a french hypermarket they will be a lot cheaper. Could do for the mh too unless you want the reasurance of having them before you go

 

[Eddieb]

Snow chains are only by law in certain areas please see link to french goverment site

Nouveaux équipements hivernaux

Entre le 1er novembre et le 31 mars, il est obligatoire d'équiper son véhicule en pneus hiver ou de détenir des chaînes ou chaussettes à neige, dans certaines communes des massifs montagneux (Alpes, Corse, Massif central, massif jurassien, Pyrénées, massif vosgien). 34 départements sont soumis à...

www.securite-routiere.gouv.fr

 

[L' Hobo]

Snow chains are only by law in certain areas please see link to french goverment site

Nouveaux équipements hivernaux

Entre le 1er novembre et le 31 mars, il est obligatoire d'équiper son véhicule en pneus hiver ou de détenir des chaînes ou chaussettes à neige, dans certaines communes des massifs montagneux (Alpes, Corse, Massif central, massif jurassien, Pyrénées, massif vosgien). 34 départements sont soumis à...

www.securite-routiere.gouv.fr

but what's Law and what's sensible is, sometimes, two different things.
For £35 s/h (mine are good ones but plenty cheaper), I prefer to be sensible (even in this country)

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[jongood]

Snow chains are only by law in certain areas please see link to french goverment site

Nouveaux équipements hivernaux

Entre le 1er novembre et le 31 mars, il est obligatoire d'équiper son véhicule en pneus hiver ou de détenir des chaînes ou chaussettes à neige, dans certaines communes des massifs montagneux (Alpes, Corse, Massif central, massif jurassien, Pyrénées, massif vosgien). 34 départements sont soumis à...

www.securite-routiere.gouv.fr

Thanks thats pretty much what I thought.

 

[L' Hobo]

Thanks thats pretty much what I thought.

Two points of interest too me on the map, snow socks are allowed instead of chains and Grenoble is not included?