VIKING wrote:

Hi Attox.

I have been several times to the Mediterrainian in the summer, and the Alps in the winther.
Driving conditions in the Alps in the winther was exactly the same as in Norway, so yes you definitely need a proper set of winther tyres. -And if the law require you to have chains, well you have to obide.

Snow hasn't come here yet, but I expect it will come in a month or so. In the mountains it is probably just another week or so.

This week-end I am borrowing a FL 2 to take up to my cabin in the mountains. I have asked them to put winther tyres on, even if there is still no snow there. But it can come quickly.

I almost cant wait to get my own FL 2 delivered in December. Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells.....

VIKING wrote:

The easy answer is: More rubber in contact with the snow, -the better the grip.

QUERCUS wrote:

VIKING wrote:

The easy answer is: More rubber in contact with the snow, -the better the grip.

Not sure I agree with this. The wider the tyre, the more contact with the snow but the less effective grip due to the tyre "floating" in the snow. Also, are we talking with studs or without studs? Wider tyres with studs are more effective on hard surfaces because the studs are more effectively spread. I chose the Nokian Hakkapeliitta SUV 5 with studs on standard LR 18inch rims. I would have chosen narrower tyres with smaller rims if I was expected to drive more on soft snow. The bottom line is; it depends on the conditions you expect to drive in.

Do normal chains fit on the front 18inch tyres ? It is not cleasr from the following text:

• Snow chains can only be fitted on the front
and rear wheels of vehicles fitted with 16
inch diameter wheels.

• Single sided Spike-spyder traction devices
can only be fitted to the front wheels of
vehicles fitted with 17 or 18 inch diameter
wheels

Clear is only that Spike Spyder should not be fitted on rear wheels.

botterill wrote:

Do normal chains fit on the front 18inch tyres ? It is not cleasr from the following text:

• Snow chains can only be fitted on the front
and rear wheels of vehicles fitted with 16
inch diameter wheels.

• Single sided Spike-spyder traction devices
can only be fitted to the front wheels of
vehicles fitted with 17 or 18 inch diameter
wheels

Clear is only that Spike Spyder should not be fitted on rear wheels.

VIKING wrote:

Well Quercus, you are actually saying the exact same thing as I am. I am talking without studs.

When he is back from Morrocco, speak to Chris Tyler from the D3 site, he has a fair bit of experience driving with chains or not in the Alps in deep snow etc D4 HSE Lux for me
FL2 HSE Zermatt & Alpacca for the wife now gone
Skoda Yeti L&K for the wife.

pelyma wrote:

When he is back from Morrocco, speak to Chris Tyler from the D3 site, he has a fair bit of experience driving with chains or not in the Alps in deep snow etc

VIKING wrote:

pelyma wrote:

When he is back from Morrocco, speak to Chris Tyler from the D3 site, he has a fair bit of experience driving with chains or not in the Alps in deep snow etc

Since there was a little debate whether or not 4 chains were necessairy, I put the question to the local Norwegian Freelander forum. So far it seems noone has undestood the question, because all the replies I have received so far is: What on earth do you need chains for?

They all say.

Two exceptions: One adviced to let air out of the tyres rather than put chains on, and the other said; Yes I use chains when driving off road through the woods in the winther. But never on road.

I also asked my salesman. What do you need chains for, he said.

So, well......

attox wrote:

Hi VIKING,

from a practical point of view you are all right.
I never had to use snow chains with a 4X4 or even a 2 wheel drive equipped with proper winter tyres, with two execptions: One in case the snow is very wet and frozen on a very steepy slope, second for legal requirements as already mentioned.

Yes, a proper set of good winther tyres will do. Even now with my frontwheeldriven Chrysler Voyager (And I have no studs on my tyres.) I have never had troubles climbing up the mountainroad to my cabin. Except one time.

The road was all ice. I was nervous driving up there. Imagine driving up a steep mountain road covered with ice. Well, I climbed, slipped, slided, climbed and moved foreward. (or rather upwards) Passed other vehicles who came no further. Until I could not get any further because the road was too steep and icy. Now I was only "slippin & slidin" (rock & roll, yeaahhh). There were a few other cars there who also came no further. So we stood there.

And along comes a Range Rover passing us all on his way up..... -having no problems.... ( and no chains)

Fortunately shortly after came a truck spreading sand on the road so we could get a grip. So we came up.

Guess when the idea to get a 4x4 came to mind...

But apart from that, -a good set of tyres will get you there. 2008 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Automatic, Caspian Blue, Alpaca, Moon roof, Exclusive pack.

VIKING wrote:

And along comes a Range Rover passing us all on his way up..... -having no problems.... ( and no chains)

Low Range combined with a good four wheel drive system makes for a wonderful thing

Sorry Attox ...

I am going in Austria this week end and my dealer told me that even if law is not clear at the moment we MUST have chains on board .... so I am going to buy the original chains instead of a Konig 16 or 12mm wide chain.

At the moment I have all-seasons wheels and - IN CASE OF CONTROL - I must show chains on board.

Bye,

PH I LOVE my FL2

so what tires are you guys switching to? ideas?

lrlr2 wrote:

so what tires are you guys switching to? ideas?

PleaseHelp wrote:

Sorry Attox ...

I am going in Austria this week end and my dealer told me that even if law is not clear at the moment we MUST have chains on board .... so I am going to buy the original chains instead of a Konig 16 or 12mm wide chain.

At the moment I have all-seasons wheels and - IN CASE OF CONTROL - I must show chains on board.

Bye,

PH