Snow sock or chains ?

[Goose]

After last winter I have started thinking about these but have issues finding anything to fit 12" Wheels. I could get chains alright but I think its a bit extreme and not sure if my wheels would clear the arches with chains anway (no Hi-lo kit fitted). Any suggestions or input lads ?

[Billy]

Check with your insurance company. I heard on Mooney this afternoon that you would have to have your insurance informed in case of an accident.

[Goose]

Check with your insurance company. I heard on Mooney this afternoon that you would have to have your insurance informed in case of an accident.

Thats a little silly.....would they prefer I dont take precautions in the event I have to drive my car in snow. very counter intuitive. Was there much conversation about it Billy ?

[Billy]

Yes, Snow tyres/chains are great if it's snowing all the time. They're crap when it's not. The tyres work best at sub-zero temperatures. They are not designed for normal use. Chains on tarmac reduce your ability to brake.

[swalker]

it would be better to have a set of winter wheels, one with skinny mud tyres, the type used by autograss, from my days of that apart from the normal square stud tyre, avon also do a road legal snow tyre that was better to live with when it was dry.

chains on tarmac, that would show up anything loose!!

[StanO'Toole]

I'm making snow chains for my 13' steelies, just have to find chain since Woodies want 15euro a metre

[Goose]

Yes, Snow tyres/chains are great if it's snowing all the time. They're crap when it's not. The tyres work best at sub-zero temperatures. They are not designed for normal use. Chains on tarmac reduce your ability to brake.

Live up in the hills and last year it got really bad for about two weeks Billy. It was deep enough for chains. Obviously chains will wear themselves, damage tarmac and reduce braking.....but its better than being stuck in a ditch upside down ....but as I said I reckon they might be slight overkill. Has anyone had experience with Snow socks for the drive wheels. Would be more suited for sporadic snow like we get but would probably need chains in the winter anyway....but more than likely on the van.





....and that was before the snow got bad !!!

[DAVEY_C]

i've heard alot of good recomendations for the snow socks but haven't used them personally.... snow socks won't damage your wheels/tyres like chains will...

[daveq]

My dad was telling me that years ago he used to cut blue rope into lengths and tie it arcoss the wheels like snow chains. He said it worked, when you got to tarmac it was soft enough on tyres and it wouldn't scratch alloys.

[whiskersdolmio]

No experience with the socks but do have a set of chains. Best thing I ever bought. Used them the whole time last year. The set I got is so simple to put on I use to drive until the conditions got bad.......stop.....pop on the chains and GRIP GRIP GRIP

Got them in a place over the northside, motorfactors for about €40, cant remeber the name of the place though...it'll come to me though!

[dayoungfella]

I've a set of mud/snow tires that I stuck on the mk1 last night...all I need is some snow now!

[DaveC]

By coincidence I just received an email from Mick's Garage advertising snow socks:

http://www.micksgarage.co.uk/tyre-snow- ... dium=email

[keith]

smallest tyre size available on that site is 13"....

edit: from the manufacturers website (http://www.weissenfels.com/ita/content/ ... 0webit.pdf) the *sock* is fro 13" tyre upwards. (page 33)

[StanO'Toole]

How much are those snow socks going for? I was told today fast fit has them..... Never heard of them till today.

[des]

I've used snow chains in heavy snow, and there brilliant, I could not believe how much grip they gave driving in mountains, and a lot of fun too, but on light snow they give a horrible ride, and very poor breaking and control.

[dayoungfella]

Well...snow tires work, that's for sure!

Have had great craic driving around without difficulty. They obviously don't give much benefit on ice, but they work a treat on everything else!

[StanO'Toole]

Well...snow tires work, that's for sure!

Have had great craic driving around without difficulty. They obviously don't give much benefit on ice, but they work a treat on everything else!

Were did you get them Neil?

[dayoungfella]

Got them from Simon Evans, he used them for forestry rallying. Not sure where you'd be able to buy new ones.

[des]

Just drove into work behind a van, he had big tie-wraps over the tyres and trough the steel wheels, looked like a quick and cheap idea, not sure how effective.

[keith]

i have used short lengths of rope in the same manner. about 10mm diameter.