Hi all,

Does anyone have any experience with sticking chains on an, as we are planning a trip to a chilly/hilly bit of France ?

He/she is currently running 18" Conti Cross Contact UHP, but I am planning on getting a set of Cooper Discover M+S 2 which look to be quite good in the cold stuff, and with a decent deep tread, could also make a useful set of 'dirty' tyres for occasional offroading...

Contemplating picking up a set of used rims from fleabay, but a set of nice new black steelies is just as cheap.

Options seem to be 7x17 with 235/65r17 or 6.5x16 with 225/75r16.

Of these, the 16s are looking favourite to give the best suspension clearance, but I guess a set of 5 ro 10mm hubcentric spacers could be added if it's still a bit tight?

Any thoughts appreciated!

Ian

Hello mate, I bought a set of chains last year for when I was doing a tour of "up north" these were for a just in case moment as I only had summer tyres on at the time so never used them. Let me know if you want mine, you can have them for £25 collection from "trashford"

Can send pics if you want, lt

Let me know.

Shamus

Ooo, tempting!

Did you ever brave a trial fit ? & what sizes do they claim to do...

I'm near Canterbury, so would be an easy spin over.

I am certainly not an expert, but asked similar questions when we booked our snow sliding a couple of months ago. This is what I found:

There are various post on here on the subject (too many to list), and many opinions aired.

LR handbook says you should only use conventional chains on 16” wheels, presumably because they run narrower tyres and have a bit more clearance to the suspension struts.

I had a look at my own car which has stock 17” wheels with Conti 235/65 R17 tyres. At the rear there is barely a finger thickness between tyre and suspension. At the front there is a bit more clearance.

My main concern was not so much about getting through any snowy roads, but more about keeping the French plod happy. I’ve driven to the Alps many times in conventional vehicles and only once had to put chains on for that last couple of km. Even then it was only because we were told we had to, and in reality if we hadn’t I think we’d have still got through.

My conclusion, (right or wrong) – bought just one set of chains to fit on the front only. Cost me £45 from green-lanes on fleebay. I’ve tried them on and they seem to fit OK. Hope I don’t need them when we get down there at the end of Feb.

Personally I've found snowchains to be a bit of a pain to fit - especially half-way up a cold mountain in the middle of winter.

I've used snowsocks before with great results and very easy to fit. I have no idea if they satisfy the relevant legislation in France though....

http://www.autosock.co.uk/

Hi IDL,

Appeasing the foreign law enforcement is certainly a contributory factor, and seems your line of thinking is pretty parallel with mine

What thickness are your chains?

I think I'll pick up the used ones from Shamus if they'll do 225/75/16 and experiment when the new wheels arrive.

My chains have a 16mm link size (that's not the thickness of the metal). I think most chains for our size of tyre will be 16mm as opposed to 9mm for conventional cars.

I'm not sure what size the steel cable that sits inboard of the tyre is, but at a guess I'd say it's 10 or 12mm with it's plastic coating. Hope this helps?

All good info - ta

Having popped off a wheel and offered a 16" steel from another car, it looks like there's not going to be a lot of clearance for the calliper. Just a teeny gap perfect for sucking in gravel and other crud off road.

I'm thinking now that the 17" steels would be a more sensible size, especially as you've managed to stick a chain on 17's yourself...

Ian

Hello. I bought them to fit my 18" wheels, my understanding is all the wheels are actually the same physical size and the difference between 17,18 and 19 is how more more or less rubber/ alloy there is?

As for fitting them, took the spare wheel out of the boot and practiced putting it on that. Pretty painless tbh, but then this was in the warm with a brew. never actually needed to fit them as the roads were always clear. Your more than welcome to nick over and have a look. Am your side of m20 up behind junc 9.

Hi Shamus,

Should be good then as I'm going to go 235/65R17.

I'm stuck on call for work over the weekend, so not much running about - but perhaps one eve next week would be ok ?

I just fitted some cooper discover at3's which are rated m+s they're 235/65/17
We had a little bit of a flurry of snow on Boxing Day and I took advantage of testing out the new boots. They were great, especially with the snow setting set on the traction control. Had a play in the mud too and they are also decent... Well I didn't get stuck.

Spagley wrote:

Hi Shamus,

Should be good then as I'm going to go 235/65R17.

I'm stuck on call for work over the weekend, so not much running about - but perhaps one eve next week would be ok ?

Hi Shamus,

Sounds good, let me know when you are about !

Cheers

Ian

Standard 18" Pirelli, Dunkeld LR Experience. Amazing what FL2 can do on standard OE road tyres, the excellent instructor helped a lot.
 All FL2's (3) Gone
2011 Mercedes C180 CGI Gone
FL2 GS Auto SD with heated leather, factory tints, alloy spare and a few other bits.

Good to know that the FL2 is handy in the snow on road rubber!

I'm looking forward to getting the new boots into the chilly stuff !



How busy was the TR to keep traction? Did you play to see the difference that 'snow' made over 'general' ?