 Poster: A snowHead
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We've got a new car and even though we've already got two sets of chains neither fit. Are wheels getting wider or something?
Anyhow, it's been a while since we bought any and the last pair we did buy was a kind of emergency purchase in Tignes Val Claret a decade ago.
Seems like you can spend anything between £20 and £200+. What's the sweet spot?
Seems sizing is a bit of a issue with reviews saying it's supposed to fit but doesn't. Human error or a bit of a minefield?
Any suppliers/makes to avoid? Missus seems to be just trawling Amazon.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Buy second hand off ebay or facebook market place. Loads of examples of chains never used, swap cars and no longer fit. Would not pay more than £80
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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No specific recommendations - but The Roof Box Company is the place to go, rather than Amazon!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Origen, Searched there already and the cheapest is £245!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@Boarderfarce, nothing used on ebay, only a few new options. Marketplace is rubbish for this sort of thing. No easy way of searching for the right size and what the product/state is.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Socks and Cross Climate 2s are the solution you're after (admittedly the tyre price stings a bit but worth it).
Socks should get you out of a mess if it's really really bad. Tyres work when people in summers need chains.
If it's too bad for that combination, stay inside and have a brew.
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IMHO, it sounds like you're having difficulty because, as you suspect, your new car's wheels are probably not "standard". For example, my Mini Countryman came fitted with low profile, runflat tyres. When I came to buy chains, the only ones I could find to fit were Spyder Strikes, at £250. Looking back, maybe it would have been better to junk the wheel/tyre combo and go for a much more "standard" size wheel.
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@joffy69, not really, can find plenty on Amazon - wife looking at these
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@paulhinch, we've just purchased good quality all weathers.
Not sure about snow socks. Similar sort of price but not as durable?
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| Layne wrote: |
| Not sure about snow socks. Similar sort of price but not as durable? |
If you live somewhere that regularly gets the sort of snowfall that needs chains, proper chains every time. You'll use them more than once so get yout money's worth and they won't wear out.
If you're just popping to the Alps once a year for the annual ski holiday though snow socks are fine. You'll probably never use them but if you do get a snowmagedon it will probably be just arrival day or departure day, and socks will get you out of trouble once or twice.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Quote: |
If you're just popping to the Alps once a year for the annual ski holiday though snow socks are fine. You'll probably never use them but if you do get a snowmagedon it will probably be just arrival day or departure day, and socks will get you out of trouble once or twice.
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I thought that when I drove down with a new car, for which I had no chains. I bought socks, but when I practised putting them on I found them a right pain - and I'm good at chains. In the event they weren't needed. There was snow on the ground at the destination, and a hill up, but I have Michelin Cross Climate tyres and didn't need them.
If the Roofbox company won't sell you that kind of "classic" chain for your car it probably means they wouldn't fit, because of arch clearance issues. But they are perfectly fine, if they DO fit - just a bit harder to fit than some. Just need to practice in nice dry conditions at home.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Those cheap chains will be "lighter quality" but fine for an emergency. But the roof box company sells those kind of chains too!
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| Layne wrote: |
@paulhinch, we've just purchased good quality all weathers.
Not sure about snow socks. Similar sort of price but not as durable? |
I got socks for my car because standard chains wouldn't fit the arches and they were cheap (£60) and small enough to just keep under the boot floor all year.
As someone said above, depends on your use case. Where I live, it hardly snows. I go somewhere where I might need them a week or two a year (and the car is parked up most of the time). So, for me, it's get me out of bother if the worst happens rather than drive around on them for any length of time.
If I needed chains for more than that, I'd probably get some smaller steel wheels for winter anyway so that chains fit.
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You know it makes sense.
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I bought my car, with very low mileage, which had been sitting round in a garage for several years (Covid). I thought the tyres had not improved in that time, so bought Cross Climates. They seem to me a no brainer, and weren't expensive for my car, which doesn't have super wide tyres (which are, of course, not good at all in snow!).
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Quote: |
I haven't used the chains yet - but they look like they will work well
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and you will be trying them out before you go? My annual chains practice used to entertain the neighbours.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Origen, Yes - even though I have no immediate neighbours. I also have a set of winter wheels fitted with winter tyres that I swap onto my vehicle - the chains are intended as a last resort.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I have had theoretically self-tightening chains. But it still pays to stop and tighten them up!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Markscotski, That would definitely be the ideal. Or studded tyres - like the hire cars in Tromso.
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I wish I’d bought the expensive ~£300 Spike Spider EASY chains I have have sooner. If I had, I’d not have three chain sets from previous cars in my garage. Because the Spiders fit a much wider range of wheel sizes and would have been transferable. So I ended up spending more on ‘cheap’ chains anyway.
Add to this the undoubted simplicity of fitting front-fit (front of the wheel, not the front wheels) chains like the Spikes and others mentioned here, which really do only take a few minutes. Plus that the low-profile wheels fitted to many UK vehicles ex-factory can’t take conventional chains anyway - not without the risk of them fouling the suspension, brake pipes and if FWD, steering.
But I’d concede that if you are in a lease car, or just change your car every 3-4 years, then chains are a big investment for just a short trip and may never be used. One of those things, though, where you have a risk-cost-probability calculation to make.
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Sat 23-11-24 13:03; edited 1 time in total
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@Layne, have you checked with the manufacturer that your car and tyre/wheel will take chains? Either wheel arch clearance or back space between the wheel/tyre and suspension can mean it wont take some types. That might be why TheRoofBoxCo search doesn't come up with any cheaper ones. Amazon sellers probably aren't bothered.
Are tyres getting wider? Generally yes, but you should know that from the tyre size.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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The Goodyear chains for £29.95 on Amazon are fine. No need to spend more. Just practise fitting them a couple of times.
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Yes, just because you can buy conventional chains that fit your tyre, it doesn’t mean they will have enough space to safely rotate in the space left behind the wheel. You need to consult your Owners Manual or ask your garage or a tyre specialist. This particularly applies to SUVs and performance models, although many mainstream cars nowadays get fitted with low-profile wheels+tyres to make them look sportier. And be careful even with the Owners Manual if you’re not the first owner: a previous owner may have fitted outsize wheels/tyres that aren’t standard on your model.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| Layne wrote: |
We've got a new car and even though we've already got two sets of chains neither fit. Are wheels getting wider or something?
Anyhow, it's been a while since we bought any and the last pair we did buy was a kind of emergency purchase in Tignes Val Claret a decade ago.
Seems like you can spend anything between £20 and £200+. What's the sweet spot?
Seems sizing is a bit of a issue with reviews saying it's supposed to fit but doesn't. Human error or a bit of a minefield?
Any suppliers/makes to avoid? Missus seems to be just trawling Amazon. |
Both of these, along with the geometry they want to use in the suspension design.
As a very basic/crude first level assessment, place your hand flat on top if your tire palm down, now slide your fingers over the rear side at the 12 o'clock position, there's usually a suspension joint now touching your knuckles here, that space is ordinarily the closest the tire and rim come to the static components.
As noted, it's a very basic check, but if you can't get your fingers in that gap easily, then chains are likely to be doubtful with "conventional" design. Reasonable space at that point will facilitate the 8 or 9mm type generally available chains.
By reasonable, that means your hand on the tire and no touching of your knuckles on the suspension element.
Some manufacturers state that 8mm 9mm dimension as suitable and give that with provision of the tire and wheel size that will be OK. These are probably the smallest practical link size that would commonly be used for most chains.
If you can't get your fingers in there with ease, that would indicate that you're looking at more comprehensive options OR even a wheel change to make more clearance.
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You know it makes sense.
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What size do you need? I have a set that have been in my loft for a few years, but, as someone said earlier in thread, change of cars meant they didn’t fit my new car and I never got around to selling (a bit like the 3 spare sets of roof bars!). I think I used them once.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I have had three different sets of the Weissenfels over the years.
Only one set was ever used in anger.
Easy to fit as chains go and self tensioning.
The self tensioning is the important bit get that wrong on the cheaper chains and you can get lots of damage.
Never had any problems selling them on.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Layne, you might want to have a look at Michelin Easygrips. They may not be suitable for your circumstances. They sit somewhere between socks and chains - look a bit like trawlermans’ nets. The sizing is flexible to a certain degree. I’ve had them for years although only had to use them in anger once and they were very effective albeit on a 4x4. Certainly more robust than socks and easier to handle than chains.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| Layne wrote: |
@paulhinch, we've just purchased good quality all weathers.
Not sure about snow socks. Similar sort of price but not as durable? |
What exactly do you mean by "all weather"? The important bit is the "three Alps with snow flake" logo. If yours have it, then it's performance on the snow/ice should be close to the actual winter tyres. How close depends on the quality of that particular model, e.g. Michelin cross climate are known to be one of the best.
If your tyres don't have that symbol, there is no guarantee of anything. So be careful what you get.
For the socks. Short answer: unlikely to make any difference with winters/proper all seasons. Not a replacement for chains in extreme conditions. But they make a massive difference with summer tyres.
Long answer:
Wen I was on summer tyres in VT - any sheet ice or packed snow sent the summer tyres into a free spin, I couldn't even pull out of the parking bay next to the estate agents. Socks worked like a charm, and even later that evening when it started snowing and I had driven up a short but steep road with about 20cm of fresh snow on top of old ice/hard pack.
I then got cross climates, and I didn't have a situation yet, where socks on top of the cross climates would have made any difference whatsoever. Ice, hard pack, up to a foot of fresh snow - no socks were needed
My feeling is that anything more extreme that will require chains, socks won't do, but I haven't tried yet. I carry front fitting RUD Centrax, practice fit them every year, but am yet to use them in anger.
In other words, socks are a good solution for summer tyres in mildly snowy/icy conditions - especially variable conditions on the road where most of the time it's clear, but you get short stretches with snow and ice. Chains in such condition will make a for a very poor and noisy experience. Winter or all season with 3PSFM will be able to deal with these conditions without socks.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Oleski, Pirelli 235/45 R18 98Y XL, Seal Inside (GAN) Cinturato All Season SF 3
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