Driving in snow

Hello

I live in the french alps and have a 97 disco with bfg a/t tyres.

My road is steep and covered in snow most of the winter so i have bought snow chains for the vehicle.

I have got into a bit of a debate with my neighbours as to whether it is best to fit to front or rear of vehicle, half seem to favour front ,half rear with one guy choosing to fit to all four wheels!

Any help/advice much apreciated.

if you have so much snow for months at a time, have you not thought of studded tyres?


ps. this may answer your question.

Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles.

The first thing to know about these vehicles is that they do not make you invincible. The false sense of security these vehicles provide lead to a disproportionate number of them being found in ditches when the roads start to ice over. But they do provide better manoeuvrability, because when all four wheels receive power, they provide better traction and are less likely to slide. And as all wheels are driven, the main driving force (as with FWD vehicles) is in the front where the bulk of the weight is. Also, as four wheel drive (4WD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles are usually (but not always) trucks and SUVs, they will be of heavier construction all around, and larger vehicles provide more protection in the event of a crash.

Andy
I used to live in Spain and travelled several times a year through southern France, the Pyrenees and northern Spain during blizzards, deep drifts and frozen ice. In your situation I recommend fitting to all 4 or none at all. The fronts need to be in control especially when steering and braking. If you don't fit any on the rear you'll be hanging out every time you touch the brakes especially down hills and conversely if you only fit them on the rear you'll slide away on every corner whilst the rear stays on line. If you know you’re going to be in snow and ice for some time try to fit tyres which take studs. I prefer them as you can screw in replacements and different lengths when you need to. It does mean jacking up each wheel and taking a few minutes to screw them in but the performance and sense of security is well worth the effort. On snow and ice there much quieter than chains and unlike chains they don’t break and take out your underside. Unless you’re constantly in deep snow and mud choose short studs to drive on multiple surfaces (varying between snow, ice and dry roads). They’re a bit noisy on dry surfaces and don't give as good grip but if you know you’re going back to the rough you can drive on them for a short time. If you use them too much in the dry they’ll wear down quicker and some will break out. Obviously you can take the studs out in summer and use the tyres as normal. Mine lasted for years with care. Once you've driven with them you'll want to be a rally driver for ever.

Your neighbours who say the back I think are a bit daft, because in the end, you might as well just fit skis to the front, your back wheels are going to push your fronts where they like.

I would put 4 chains on, 2 is just playing at it.

Thanks for replys.

Studded tyres will not be practical because once down the steep mile and half of road the roads are then ploghed gritted and kept in reasonable condition. I also think studded tyres are illeagal on french roads.

4 chains definitely seem to be the way ahead but will take twice as long to fit! Anyone who has fitted chains in sub zero temperatures will know how unapealing that seems!

aye, but better than falling off the island.

The great thing with 4x4's is that you get further in to the ****e before realising it.
The great thing is trying to get out ot it!

Snow chains for all four wheels for sure, as you probably know it is illegal to use some roads in France unless you are carrying snow chains, the Police will stop you and not let you go on without fitting them. For general winter use though it is better to put the BFG AS/t's away and fit winter tyres the compounds will give you far more grip than any off road tyre at temps below 5 degs. most roads are cleared of snow pretty quick so running chains on tarmac kills them fast and it's a real pain to have to keep putting them on and off in between good & bad bits. So buy the chains put them in the back for when the plod tell you to put them on or it's really bad & get your self some proper Winter tyres. You'll be amazed at how much more grip you have.
Ive spent a lot of time in the Fench Alps as a ski instructor, where abouts do you live?

If you can't use studs get a CV6 and fill it with Garlic. The CV6 will go anywhere in any weather and the french will think your one of them. Garlic also covers up the stink of brandy which you'll need after driving a CV6 down a mountain in snow.