Snow shoes

[Take2]

Just come across a news item in Ccc mag saying that we need snow shoes, chains or winter tyres. Anyone heard this too?

 

[glenn2926]

Just come across a news item in Ccc mag saying that we need snow shoes, chains or winter tyres. Anyone heard this too?

Depends where you’re going. The Yorkshire Dales? No you don’t need them. Chamonix in the French Alps? Yes you need them between, I think October and April. You will also need winter tyres for the same period.

 

[B-well]

MotorhomeFun

Motorhome Fun The UK Motorhome Community

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Take a look in the ski section.
Although France states you need them my experience is they will not let you travel further into ski sites until the Hazard clears, this may mean awaiting till snow plough has been through, On the Autoroutes they take you off to the side and will not permit travel until safe to do so.

 

[SandraL]

Also even if roads have been cleared that 10 metres or so onto an uncleared aire or pitch could defeat you without chains.
Having said that have carried chains for 5 or 6 years and used them once on Topsham rugby meet!

 

[Lucky]

I’ve not seen the article but if referring to France it has introduced a law whereby snowchains OR snowshoes OR winter tyres (not a combination of these) must be carried in your vehicle if travelling on designated roads, in specific departments, between certain dates, regardless of whether it's snowing, and breaches are punishable by a fine.

It has also stated fines will NOT be imposed this year if you're caught without the necessary. Call it a honeymoon period. For now, therefore, you can chance it if you choose to.

This article will help if you want to know more.

New winter tyre rules take effect on some French roads from November

Vehicles in 48 mountainous departments must be fitted with winter tyres or snow chains between November and March, under a law which aims to improve road safety and avoid hold-ups

www.connexionfrance.com

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[Minxy]

I’ve not seen the article but if referring to France it has introduced a law whereby snowchains OR snowshoes OR winter tyres (not a combination of these) must be carried in your vehicle

Hmmmm .... now I do NOT have any that will fit our MH but do have some car ones ... I wonder if I could get away with having them in the MH and thus being compliant?

 

[Bessy765]

If you cause an obstruction by getting stuck in the snow without the correct equipment it is a heavy fine. If you get stuck in spite of have the correct equipment fitted no fine. The wrong size chains is no excuse and the fine can be unlimited.

 

[Minxy]

If you cause an obstruction by getting stuck in the snow without the correct equipment it is a heavy fine. If you get stuck in spite of have the correct equipment fitted no fine. The wrong size chains is no excuse and the fine can be unlimited.

... but only if you get stuck ... I'm talking more about being compliant by carrying them in a spot check not actually needing to use them.


















PS: I was joking anyway!

 

[Lucky]

Hmmmm .... now I do NOT have any that will fit our MH but do have some car ones ... I wonder if I could get away with having them in the MH and thus being compliant?

Minxy I'm sure you'd charm yourself out of most things and a snooty gendarme wouldn't dare take you on.

 

[Minxy]

Minxy I'm sure you'd charm yourself out of most things and a snooty gendarme wouldn't dare take you on.

You mean "oh monsieur le policier tu es si beau dans ton uniforme!".

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[Bessy765]

In 2010 I got fined as I got stuck when one of my (heavy duty brand new chains) parted and I slid sideways across a road, the tensioning clip had broken. They said it was because they were not correct for my van. I showed them the case they came in it had the instructions and specs in English, French and Italian but no amount of arguing settled it and a fine of E85 and a towing fee of E150. I was made to turn around and go back the way I had come.

 

[ivorantony]

In 2010 I got fined as I got stuck when one of my (heavy duty brand new chains) parted and I slid sideways across a road, the tensioning clip had broken. They said it was because they were not correct for my van. I showed them the case they came in it had the instructions and specs in English, French and Italian but no amount of arguing settled it and a fine of E85 and a towing fee of E150. I was made to turn around and go back the way I had come.

Says it all really, the right equipment for the job, playing about with snow socks when you or some ones life could depend on it, if you are going on a skiing holiday a quality set of chains will costs you peanuts in comparison to the overall costs,
Motorhome owners will spend thousands on lithium batteries and self levelling systems then try and save a few bob on a vital piece of safety equipment,

 

[Bessy765]

The chains I had were recommended heavy duty by the RAC they are also listed by the AA. The makers replaced them free of charge and repaid me my costs as they had never had one fail like mine did. I don’t do cheap buy right buy once buy cheap buy twice or more. But as far as the French police were concerned as they had broke they were not up to the job?

 

[glenn2926]

The chains I had were recommended heavy duty by the RAC they are also listed by the AA. The makers replaced them free of charge and repaid me my costs as they had never had one fail like mine did. I don’t do cheap buy right buy once buy cheap buy twice or more. But as far as the French police were concerned as they had broke they were not up to the job?

Nice to hear the company you purchased from looked after you when their product caused you a problem. Every company has things fail or go wrong. It's how they deal with these things that sorts the good from the bad.

 

[Take2]

Thanks all, we're planning to cross the pyrenees in March, travelling from France into Spain.

So we'll travel with snow socks. Never used the mh that early on in the year before so don't know what to expect!