Mercedes vario 814 self build bus to FLT palace

[Al n Val]

hi Tam

do you prefer snow chains to snow socks and do you only need them on the driving wheels (front in my case)

i've never experience either so wondering which I should go for, also if you have either of these do you still need winter snow tyres as well to keep within the law. I'm mainly thinking about travelling through France in January now tbh. My preference I think would be socks

thanks Al

 

[Figaro]

Check and test the brake fluid too, that might need changing.
If cambelt is done and everything including brakes checked over you should be ok

 

[glenn2926]

hi Tam

do you prefer snow chains to snow socks and do you only need them on the driving wheels (front in my case)

i've never experience either so wondering which I should go for, also if you have either of these do you still need winter snow tyres as well to keep within the law. I'm mainly thinking about travelling through France in January now tbh. My preference I think would be socks

thanks Al

I’m not sure snow socks meet the legal requirements for snow chains. I know they do check around the Chamonix area periodically.

 

[gpat]

I’m not sure snow socks meet the legal requirements for snow chains. I know they do check around the Chamonix area periodically.

I wouldn't have thought you would need snow chains unless you are heading up into the mountains.

 

[glenn2926]

I wouldn't have thought you would need snow chains unless you are heading up into the mountains.

There are certain areas of both France and Germany where carrying snow chains is a legal requirement throughout the winter months. I think October to April. I seem to remember there is a map of the affected areas.

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[gpat]

There are certain areas of both France and Germany where carrying snow chains is a legal requirement throughout the winter months. I think October to April. I seem to remember there is a map of the affected areas.

That's correct. But you can get the the south without can't you. If not I've been breaking the law

I've seen the signs and you are correct but it's usually when I have been heading upwards towards the ski resorts or high passes.

Be good to have the map if anyone has it

 

[Northernraider]

hi Tam

do you prefer snow chains to snow socks and do you only need them on the driving wheels (front in my case)

i've never experience either so wondering which I should go for, also if you have either of these do you still need winter snow tyres as well to keep within the law. I'm mainly thinking about travelling through France in January now tbh. My preference I think would be socks

thanks Al

To be honest ive never used either and hopefully won't need to use these ones but i believe if no winter tyres fitted its a legal requirement now to carry chains . Im hoping to avoid the snow but better being prepared i guess

 

[Northernraider]

That's correct. But you can get the the south without can't you. If not I've been breaking the law

I've seen the signs and you are correct but it's usually when I have been heading upwards towards the ski resorts or high passes.

Be good to have the map if anyone has it

Im just wary that ill be heading through belgium, Germany and Austria etc nearly 2 months later than last year and ill be returning at least a month earlier so not sure what weather ill encounter. Had i been keeping the iveco id have stuck a full set of winter tyres on it ... Tread is all fairly good on the tyres thats on it so the chains were a cheaper option. Hopefully i dont encounter any snow as im heading off to avoid that weather

 

[tacr2man]

Snow tyres help with icy roads and grip on packed snow . Snow socks give a bit more grip but not rated for any great distance. . When both are no longer enough snow chains will sort the problem , but limit speed and are not the easiest thing to fit and remove in adverse conditions , . Al n Val
ps need to be fitted to drive tyres , and ideally steer as well if rwd , if fitted to fwd be wary of loosing rear end if none on rear . If fitted incorrectly , or come loose can cause quite a bit of damage .

 

[Al n Val]

Snow tyres help with icy roads and grip on packed snow . Snow socks give a bit more grip but not rated for any great distance. . When both are no longer enough snow chains will sort the problem , but limit speed and are not the easiest thing to fit and remove in adverse conditions , . Al n Val
ps need to be fitted to drive tyres , and ideally steer as well if rwd , if fitted to fwd be wary of loosing rear end if none on rear . If fitted incorrectly , or come loose can cause quite a bit of damage .

i'm leaning towards socks tbh, i've watched video's and they do seem to be the easiest to fit, also having E&P levellers on I can lift the wheels off the ground to aid fitting. I'm travelling along the A75 through France (maybe) in january so these will need to be onboard at least before setting off

thanks for the info and I hope I haven't sidetracked Tam's thread too much

thanks

Al

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[glenn2926]

i'm leaning towards socks tbh, i've watched video's and they do seem to be the easiest to fit, also having E&P levellers on I can lift the wheels off the ground to aid fitting. I'm travelling along the A75 through France (maybe) in january so these will need to be onboard at least before setting off

thanks for the info and I hope I haven't sidetracked Tam's thread too much

thanks

Al

I would check that the area you’re travelling through isn’t an area that stipulates snow chains as I don’t think snow socks are accepted. The A75 does traverse some biggish hills.

 

[Al n Val]

I would check that the area you’re travelling through isn’t an area that stipulates snow chains as I don’t think snow socks are accepted. The A75 does traverse some biggish hills.

whoooo!!!!

that’s something i hadn’t thought of, how can I check.
Al

 

[glenn2926]

whoooo!!!!

that’s something i hadn’t thought of, how can I check.
Al

I seem to remember there was a map showing the areas .

 

[Littlewheels]

I'm travelling along the A75 through France (maybe) in january

Hi, l would definitely have a rethink about your route this road though free and direct is almost definitely going to have snow in January lots of seriously climbs and descents. l am not sure of your final destination but going down the west side is definitely less hazardous at that time of year.

 

[Clarky]

The A75 does traverse some biggish hills.

The highest is just over 1100m.
There are a number of quite steep climbs particularly at the southern end.

Richard.

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[busby]

The highest is just over 1100m.
There are a number of quite steep climbs particularly at the southern end.

Richard.

It's not the climbs that are the problem,,it's the downhill sections,,some are really long and steep..BUSBY.

 

[glenn2926]

It's not the climbs that are the problem,,it's the downhill sections,,some are really long and steep..BUSBY.

Yeah, it’s always the down hills when driving in snow that worry me the most. I might have twice as much go with 4x4 but I don’t have any more stop. Once it’s sliding you’re pretty much a passenger really.

 

[Riverbankannie]

whoooo!!!!

that’s something i hadn’t thought of, how can I check.
Al

Does this article help, it lists the departments affected.

New winter tyre rules take effect on some French roads from November

Vehicles in 48 mountainous departments must be fitted with winter tyres or snow chains between November and March, under a law which aims to improve road safety and avoid hold-ups

www.connexionfrance.com

 

[Langtoftlad]

I seem to recall your return was a bit hairy on a couple of days Tam Northernraider and you went through an area you said the signs indicated mandatory snow chains...

Your pix!

 

[eurajohn]

This might shed some more detailed light on the requirements, the following is an extract from an official French government web site translated to English.

What equipment is now mandatory?​

In the areas established by the prefects, light vehicles, utility vehicles and camper vans must:

• either have metal or textile snow chains in the trunk, allowing at least two drive wheels to be fitted
• or be fitted with four winter tires. For the next 3 winters, from 2021 to 2024, the designation “ winter tire ” will cover all the tires identified by one of the “ M + S ” , “ MS ” or “ M&S ” markings or by the joint presence of the marking of the " alpine symbol " (recognized as " 3PMSF " (3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake) and one of the markings " M + S " , " MS " or " M&S ". From the 1 st November 2024, it will only cover the identified tires by the joint presence of the marking " alpine symbol " (known under the name the name " 3PMSF " (3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake) and one of the markings " M + S " , " MS " or " M&S " .

This obligation does not apply to vehicles fitted with studded tires.

Note: Coaches, buses and heavy goods vehicles without a trailer or semi-trailer will also be subject to these obligations with the choice between chains or winter tires. Heavy goods vehicles with a trailer or semi-trailer must have snow chains enabling at least two drive wheels to be fitted, even if they are fitted with winter tires.
Source https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/actualites/A14389

As you can see from the above if your van is fitted with Michelin camper tyres they are M&S marked so OK for next couple of years, although in reality from my experience of those tyres you might as well fit slicks

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[gpat]

This might shed some more detailed light on the requirements, the following is an extract from an official French government web site translated to English.

What equipment is now mandatory?​

In the areas established by the prefects, light vehicles, utility vehicles and camper vans must:

• either have metal or textile snow chains in the trunk, allowing at least two drive wheels to be fitted
• or be fitted with four winter tires. For the next 3 winters, from 2021 to 2024, the designation “ winter tire ” will cover all the tires identified by one of the “ M + S ” , “ MS ” or “ M&S ” markings or by the joint presence of the marking of the " alpine symbol " (recognized as " 3PMSF " (3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake) and one of the markings " M + S " , " MS " or " M&S ". From the 1 st November 2024, it will only cover the identified tires by the joint presence of the marking " alpine symbol " (known under the name the name " 3PMSF " (3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake) and one of the markings " M + S " , " MS " or " M&S " .

This obligation does not apply to vehicles fitted with studded tires.

Note: Coaches, buses and heavy goods vehicles without a trailer or semi-trailer will also be subject to these obligations with the choice between chains or winter tires. Heavy goods vehicles with a trailer or semi-trailer must have snow chains enabling at least two drive wheels to be fitted, even if they are fitted with winter tires.
Source https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/actualites/A14389

As you can see from the above if your van is fitted with Michelin camper tyres they are M&S marked so OK for next couple of years, although in reality from my experience of those tyres you might as well fit slicks

Thats really useful. What about the continental vanco campers

 

[Northernraider]

I seem to recall your return was a bit hairy on a couple of days Tam Northernraider and you went through an area you said the signs indicated mandatory snow chains...
View attachment 546604
Your pix!

Yes thats why I bought chains

 

[Southdowners]

Winter tyres are brilliant. We spent months above the arctic circle in heavy snow and ice and never needed to put the chains on.

 

[Northernraider]

Winter tyres are brilliant. We spent months above the arctic circle in heavy snow and ice and never needed to put the chains on.

Aye but at least £400 a set compared to £10 for the chains

 

[Dutch 68]

Just to point out that no rain is forecasted in sunny Cheltenham for the next seven days or so, so I hope you get the same weather up in polar bear country

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[Jamesh]

Come on tam get cracking!!

Bright sparks and clean welds.....

Cheers James

 

[Northernraider]

Just to point out that no rain is forecasted in sunny Cheltenham for the next seven days or so, so I hope you get the same weather up in polar bear country

Yeah we had a dull but dry day yesterday so i got solar finished on iveco and all the brakes etc checked.


And the windows out of the vario ...as its supposed to be the same today and most of tomorrow . Neighbour is coming round at 2pm to hold panels up for me so ive s few hours to prep the frames before then ....after i take the old one to asda for her shopping

 

[appydaze]

And the windows out of the vario ...as its supposed to be the same today and most of tomorrow . Neighbour is coming round at 2pm to hold panels up for me so ive s few hours to prep the frames before then ....after i take the old one to asda for her shopping

IF YOU STICK A BROOM UP UP YOUR ARSE YOU CAN SWEEP THE PATH ON THE WAY OUT...

 

[gpat]

Aye but at least £400 a set compared to £10 for the chains

Yes I agree. Chains are a PIA, but if it takes a tenner to be legally compliant then thats a tenner well spent.

PS I did use a set once and after the faff of putting them on they turned the car into an off road monster.....well for 200m they did and then one side broke.

 

[glenn2926]

Yes I agree. Chains are a PIA, but if it takes a tenner to be legally compliant then thats a tenner well spent.

PS I did use a set once and after the faff of putting them on they turned the car into an off road monster.....well for 200m they did and then one side broke.

Used them quite a few times on trucks (fire appliances) they work very well at getting out of slippery situations. Don’t be tempted to drive fast with them on. Make sure you fit them correctly as if they are not tight enough they will break and quite probably cause some fairly substantial damage.

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