Snow chains

You need a full set of four for a RWD vehicle yes.

In countries that mandate snow chains - they're for the driven wheels only as you're supposed to fit them to get up and down things and then take them off and rely on winter tyres for the rest. Driving in snow chains is VERY slow going, so you're not going to be going far in them.

Nothing is really going to work on proper ice it’s best not to drive on it

snow chains are designed for erm snow

Ice tyres are designed for ice, the ones with metal studs in

If you're in a large van with such issues, why go out in such conditions?

For a start anyone else without good tyres or chains is going to block you and you end up stuck.

Secondly, is it worth the risk?

I've never seen snow chains on a vehicle - I live in a currently very snowy part of the highlands. I thought the only people still advocating there use where snow chain manufactures holding on by the skin of their teeth.

^ I used to have a some and used them maybe once a winter. But that was when my commute was 8 miles of South Loch Tay single track road which the council rarely ploughed or gritted, saw 4-8 of us a morning use, rarely saw speed above 30mph even in good weather, lots of hills..

They're still in the shed if anyone wants them.

https://flic.kr/p/dNSrso

https://flic.kr/p/7ADtdZ

Had you considered snow socks as a compromise? Lightweight and less chance of damage and whilst ultimately not as effective as chain, a get out of trouble option

The bin wagon was on chains this week.  All four wheels for reference, but they have to get down a lot of roads that aren't very well cleared

You need a full set of four for a RWD vehicle yes.

Errr, the manual for my rear wheel drive BMW explicitly says "Fit snow chains in pairs and only to the rear wheels."

I've used chains a fair bit in the Alps, not the UK

On a front wheel drive van it was very easy to get into full Tokyo drift mode. Scary.  If I was on rear chains only I reckon it would be a bit nerve shredding. Maybe the engine weight helps though

Chain use has always been limited to fresh heavy snowfall on clear tarmac IE just nothing for winter tyres to grip. Tread full, rubber lifted above tarmac on slidey snow

If your vehicle is not recommended for front chains there could be a good reason like there is not enough clearance behind the wheel and between strut. Have a good check if you do it. If you change wheels for example to bigger rims then you probably reduced clearance

Had you considered snow socks as a compromise?

This. If you need them they are brilliant - very good traction even on sheet ice, easy to fit and store. Will cost way less than chains.

Thanks guys. Yes, loads of room in the wheel arches both ends so can fit whatever I fancy.

Likely to be used very infrequently, but the reason for asking now is the Puffer access track at the weekend, that could be interesting. I'm expecting the roads to be gritted all the way there. No harm in having them just in case at other times though, I nearly got stuck trying to do a three point turn last time it snowed, it was fine on the road but the rears just dug in after the the second point and I spent some time at ninety degrees to the road, would have got me out of that much more easily. So would a sand-ladder but that's obviously not the answer for things like the Puffer track.

I hadn't considered the sock things. Ben seems to like them, anyone else tried them? And do they do them in huge sizes? I could Google that I guess. 215/75R16 if that makes any difference, chains are available but less common that big.

I’ve never seen snow chains on a vehicle

Driving to the Alps in winter? You have to have chains or the Police turn you round if you don't and they're required to get up into the ski resorts.

I've got snow socks for my Merc Viano, mine are 225/55/R17 I think that puts them into the XXL category, but I can't remember which ones they are. Think they are from Halfords in a red bag!

They work though, I've used them a couple of times. Also used chains in the past with other cars in the Alps and socks are soooo much easier to get on and off.

And do they do them in huge sizes?

Ive had some for my van, Ive had some for the silly wide tyres on a sports car I once had, we had some for the Toyota we owned.... I once spent an evening helping people stranded at the bottom of the hill I live on get up the bank, fitting one of our sets of socks to their cars - even cars on winters weren't getting up it as a crash had prevented the plough getting through and with traffic on it it soon polished up to ice, but with even badly fitting socks on cars with summer tyres were going up the bank no problems. Cars going down were just playing pinball though... It was car-nage.

I still have the ones for the transit I think, probably similar size to what you need if you want a s/hand set.

And do they do them in huge sizes? I could Google that I guess. 215/75R16 if that makes any difference, chains are available but less common that big.

Yes. I see them on all sorts up here in the grim north (of europe) i had some for my van (before it was sold) and that was on some 19" wheels (something like 255/45, sold it 10 years ago, so memory not quite so good!).

Also have a set for my current car, though i haven't actually used them since i drove to the alps about 15 years ago on summer tyres (can't use studded tyres in Germany, but can use summers in Sweden for up to 14 days).

@benpinnick I might take you up on that if you're local? I'm in the Borders and heading for the Puffer so if you're somewhere between here and there I'd be delighted to buy them off you

Used them a number of times on the sheet ice at the puffer fire road  to great effect. They are also the bomb in the quagmire on the side of the fire road.

My rwd van is entirely hopeless in anything but tarmac -all terrains improved it day to day and Snow chains meant it could actually go up and down glass like ice without concern.

Practice fitting them before hand and fit them before you need to as it's infinitely more difficult once stuck and you cannot drive onto them

Im just south of the border, sorry! I could ship them...

Thanks, but unfortunately I've left it a bit late for posting, setting off tomorrow. Going to sleep in the queue Thursday night and then a practice lap and general faff on Friday. I'll grab some from Halfords in Straiton on the way passed

I‘m living in remote Norway since almost 6 years now, came here with a VW Caravelle (front wheel drive). I was so scared of winter conditions that I bought chains upfront. Honestly, they are still brandnew and unused in my carport.

In winter we use spike tyres (October til Easter holidays), since three years 4WD and spike tyres. The best insurance & invest for the family, even on massive ice - you slip as soon as you leave the car, but driving is no problem 🙂

Studded car/van tyres are not legal on uk roads

I am a big believer in snow tyres, but I still carry snow chains. I also think on shiny boiler plate ice they are the only thing that works (studded tyres excepted) Ive probably only driven a total of a few hundred yards in all the years I've used them but they mean I can get out of almost anything and not worry if I have to go somewhere a bit ropey to get to a river or trail.

I once ill advisedly pulled into a cairngorm carpark with a downslope on the entrance, couldnt even get moving on the flat  on the way back out and it was so iced I could push the car sideways wearing spikes. Had no chance of getting out but put the chains on and just chugged out. forty foot later took them back off and went on my way.