Snow Chains

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Where I am in the Alpi Apuane mountains in Italy you can choose between fitting snow tyres or keeping your normal tyres and carrying chains. Either is acceptable if you get stopped by the police. I always assumed that chains were a cheaper option, but really inconvenient, and that snow tyres were at least as good in terms of performance on snow and certainly a lot less hassle.

If the roads haven't been treated and you are driving on packed snow then perhaps chains perform better than snow tyres. I don't really know. But once the roads are cleared and gritted you have to take the chains off again. So for me the convenience of snow tyres is a real benefit. Especially for that intermediate stage where its not quite packed snow but its not normal driving conditions either and sometimes the road is in a worse state than at other times.

So, I could be convinced that there are occasions when chains absolutely perform better than snow tyres but where I am, the chances are that snow tyres are all you need. And if you are really worried that snow tyres are not enough you could always carry a set of chains as well just in case :)
 
There you go you answered your own question like I say all depends on conditions at the time
MauroV said:
Where I am in the Alpi Apuane mountains in Italy you can choose between fitting snow tyres or keeping your normal tyres and carrying chains. Either is acceptable if you get stopped by the police. I always assumed that chains were a cheaper option, but really inconvenient, and that snow tyres were at least as good in terms of performance on snow and certainly a lot less hassle.

If the roads haven't been treated and you are driving on packed snow then perhaps chains perform better than snow tyres. I don't really know. But once the roads are cleared and gritted you have to take the chains off again. So for me the convenience of snow tyres is a real benefit. Especially for that intermediate stage where its not quite packed snow but its not normal driving conditions either and sometimes the road is in a worse state than at other times.

So, I could be convinced that there are occasions when chains absolutely perform better than snow tyres but where I am, the chances are that snow tyres are all you need. And if you are really worried that snow tyres are not enough you could always carry a set of chains as well just in case :)
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All I can say is through my experiences I drive up a mountain on a white road from sea level to 800 metres in 8 kilometres with snow tyres I can in fair conditions get only half way i.e. 150mm of snow if it's good snow with chain's on all wheels dif locked its a breeze and really enjoyable experience and you can take the scenery in even ramed through 2 mt drifts no problem for a Landry and the descent is safe
 
MauroV said:
Is it possible to avoid chains or socks and just use winter tyres?
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You can of course use winter tires. Would be the best for snow conditions, but remember they are usually made from a softer rubber compound so will get ripped to bits at the first signs of any off roading and will wear out quicker in temperatures above +9C.
 
brian47 said:
Here in the UK, of course you can, just as long as you have at least 1.6mm of tread on your tyres you can use whatever you like..
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This is something I can never understand, the legal minimum of 1.6mm (& only over 75% of the tread width) is absurd in anything but dry road conditions, I reckon to renew tyres when they get down to 3mm. Another ruling that should be introduced is the maximum age of the tyre.
 
brian47 said:
But illegal in the UK.
Although you can run "studable" tyres, that is tyres which already have the little holes which accept the studs, provided that the studs aren't fitted.
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A few years back a 'friend' bought a van load of part worn studded tyres and I spent a week taking out the studs ... they were a very good make and great tread depth left ...
 
Question - the manual for my Discovery II says only to put chains on the rear, u less the fronts are fitted with a specific tyre in (IIRC) 215 size, or the chains will rip the brake lines off.

I have 235/70/16 and I'm heading to the alps in Feb. I'm worried that chains only on the rear
A) won't be legal
And
B) will provide me with traction going uphill, but limited manoeuvrability and braking.

Do the great and the wise have any comments to make me relax (or worry me further)?

I would get some snow tyres, but I've just shelled out for a new set of all terrains a few months ago (before I knew we were going skiing at 1/2 term...)
 
Balbas said:
I would get some snow tyres, but I've just shelled out for a new set of all terrains a few months ago (before I knew we were going skiing at 1/2 term...)
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I may be wrong, but do you not need to have proper snow tyres fitted when driving in the mountains ?

Cheers
 
Balbas said:
Question - the manual for my Discovery II says only to put chains on the rear, u less the fronts are fitted with a specific tyre in (IIRC) 215 size, or the chains will rip the brake lines off. Do the great and the wise have any comments to make me relax (or worry me further)?
QUOTE]

I can't answer your questions but the fitment directive is interesting, the manual for my RRC states that chains should only be fitted to the FRONT tyres :confused:
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From the manual:-

SNOW CHAINS
Snow chains are designed for use on metalled
roads in extreme conditions only, and are not
recommended for off-road use. If it is
necessary to fit snow chains to your vehicle,
ALWAYS observe the following:
• Front wheels: Snow chains must not be
fitted to the front wheels unless the vehicle
is equipped with 215/75 R16 Pirelli
Scorpion S/T 107T tyres.
• Rear wheels: Snow chains can be fitted to
the rear wheels of any vehicle, provided the
wheels and tyres conform to one of the
original equipment specifications listed in
the handbook (see ‘WHEELS & TYRES’,
page 203).
• Whether chains are to be fitted to the front
wheels only, or to all four wheels, then
ONLY Land Rover approved chains should
be used - these are designed for your
vehicle and will eliminate any risk of damage
to other components.
• Always adhere to the snow chain fitting and
retensioning instructions and the speed
limitations recommended for varying road
conditions. NEVER exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).
• Avoid tyre damage by removing the chains a
soon as the road is free from snow.
For further information about approved snow
chains, consult your Land Rover dealer.
DO NOT fit unapproved snow chains to the
front wheels - this could damage brake
components.
 
Balbas said:
Question - the manual for my Discovery II says only to put chains on the rear, u less the fronts are fitted with a specific tyre in (IIRC) 215 size, or the chains will rip the brake lines off.
Click to expand...
Balbas said:
From the manual:-

SNOW CHAINS

ALWAYS observe the following:
• Front wheels: Snow chains must not be
fitted to the front wheels unless the vehicle
is equipped with 215/75 R16 Pirelli
Scorpion S/T 107T tyres.
DO NOT fit unapproved snow chains to the
front wheels - this could damage brake
components.
Click to expand...

I think you've answered your own question there. LR have specified a particular tyre, probably more for the size rather than the manufacturer, type or tread pattern. The problem as I understand it is one of the parts of the chains "flapping about" or widening the tyre on the inside of the wheel threatening damage to not only the brake fittings but also to some of the suspension and steering parts too.
The excerpt from your manual does say not to use chains not approved by Land Rover on the front probably for two reasons, sales and the possiblility that non-approved chains will fit incorrectly over the wheels resulting in the possilility of the damage mentioned above.
If you are totally satisfied that your chains fit properly on all or any of your wheels then you should be OK. More than likely the warnings while being quite valid are an attempt by Land Rover (and me) to cover thier backs should you come unstuck by fitting or using your chains incorrectly.
 
I use non landrover chain's on all wheels on my Td5 but you have got to fit them correctly after a short distance I normally do about 100 Mets check and retighten them due to the links in the chain's flattening out if you get it wrong it will definitely snag on the front
 
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