...or as it happens Tex-Chains to be precise.

 

 With our Christmas holidays up in the highlands and the possibility of the coldest wintery winter ever known to man predicted and no chance of LeasePlan putting snow tyres on the Yeti I thought I would buy some snow chains or snow socks, browsing the internet last night Asda had Tex-Chains for a reasonable £40 so i ordered some. XL for the YETI.

 

 Let you know if they are any good when and IF I get to use them, probably not snow now.

 

LINK

 

 And a Picture too.

 

I bought a set of Weissenfels snow socks a few years ago before I bought the winter tyres. Only used them 'in anger' once or twice but they do work well as a quick fix. The only problem is the speed limitation, which isn't really a problem as you shouldn't be gunning it on snow anyway. They will shred if used on the black-top though.

 

Look forward to the results, or not, depending on whether you believe The Express

These look handy: rubber snow chains

Look like a lot of mither ^^^ to fit on a cold snowy day though, yes?

 

On saying that, not as much mither as getting stuck I suppose?

Edited 3 December, 201312 yr by Mr Ree

I have a set for the (now gone) Octavia and also fit the Superb. 

 

They were excellent when we used them in a snowy Gloucester two years ago. Easily got us to the cottage we were staying at (which was at the top of a very steep snow covered 1mile drive).

 

Excellent VFM and good for those times you need a bit more grip. I carry them in the car over winter now.

TBH- I hail from up there, and driving in snow is sometheng we learn just afer passing test. I learnt to get around in RWD things circa Moggie Minor. No snow chains - just mats on the rear wheels, and a bit of skill on driving. I've yet to get stuck . One year we had a snow plough end up in ditch, whilst we skated around it.

Look like a lot of mither ^^^ to fit on a cold snowy day though, yes?

 

On saying that, not as much mither as getting stuck I suppose?

 

 

They look less fuss than proper showchains, and much more capable than snocks

 

Suspect they might also qualify as snowchains in places where you have to carry them

I have a pair of snow socks in the boot. Used them the other year before I bought winters. Bloody amazing. I did manage to put some holes in them but that was down to toeing a my dads jag XF out the street lol.

Back roads to southport became an effortless pleasure as no one in their right mind would use them lol.

I got mine from the St. Helens vauxhall garage believe it or not.

Auto socks mine are called.

They look less fuss than proper showchains, and much more capable than snocks

 

Suspect they might also qualify as snowchains in places where you have to carry them

I believe that in the French Alps in winter, the Police will send you back down the mountain if they stop you and find that you don't have conventional snowchains with you?  I guess that in the event of heavy snow, they don't want to be having to assist stuck motorists blocking the road and they can't be expected to be up-to-date with every new Taiwanese gimmick from your local "Pound Store".

Auto socks mine are called.

+1

I believe that in the French Alps in winter, the Police will send you back down the mountain if they stop you and find that you don't have conventional snowchains with you?  I guess that in the event of heavy snow, they don't want to be having to assist stuck motorists blocking the road and they can't be expected to be up-to-date with every new Taiwanese gimmick from your local "Pound Store".

 

The french like the italians accept normal metal chains as the required product for winter use in the mountains, i suspect with auto socks and the like they would turn away (or not) depending on the officer, and with the other rubber ones linked they would do the same depending on their interpretation.

 

Officially normal snow chains are the only things accepted, but in reality you may get away with alternative products you may not.

 

Of course the issue would be if you had an accident with these alternative products and then at claim time find that you are not legal to be on the road. Same as having an accident in germany with summer tyres on in the winter (when winters are required).

The problem for us in uk,except the Cairngorms,is how often do we get snow deep enough to warrant chains,socks+rubber do the job here,as most of the time your chains would be running on blacktop.? How good are chains, or how safe are they on sections of road with little or no snow cover,would you need to keep taking them off and putting them back on again?.

they are not good on no snow...

should only be used on snow basically

There may be an EU standards number associated to acceptable chains or whatever that are used? Have loads of chains in work for all sorts of different sizes of wheels. Binning 75% of them as new fleet doesn't fit........ Have sets set aside for Cavaliers still.... Don't think they will be needed or will ever fit anything in the future lol.  

The problem for us in uk,except the Cairngorms,is how often do we get snow deep enough to warrant chains,socks+rubber do the job here,as most of the time your chains would be running on blacktop.? How good are chains, or how safe are they on sections of road with little or no snow cover,would you need to keep taking them off and putting them back on again?.

 

You can't use them on road when there is no snow it is illegal in the UK. They are only of use if you are somewhere that you cannot move without them. Majority of population would have no need, some rural areas I know farmers especially need them, a relative keeps a set on his old defender and only uses it for the snow, he gets snowed in properly though! I haven't needed them on my travels but would be tempted to get the auto socks style ones as they are a lot lighter to leave in boot over winter.