What ‘snow’ equipment do I need to buy?

Carpmart

Carpmart

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Just a tad..
So, it seems that the grace period is now up and even travelling the western route south to Spain, one now needs to carry snow chains or socks to comply with ‘the rules’ for the last part (department) of the French route before the Irun border.

I know I could change tyres to comply, will do this next autumn, but what do I need to comply? It’s a twin wheel rear axle on our van (can I just carry equipment for two tyres rather than 4) and I honestly think if the weather is bad enough to need chains or socks, I shall park up and allow conditions to improve rather than fitting the equipment, but I wish to remain ‘legal’!

225/75 R16 tyres and it’s a five ton rear axle, so I guess I will need substantial equipment. Any recommendations for make?

Or, do I just not worry and carry on without tyres, chains, socks for another year before replacing the tyres?

Thoughts appreciated!
 
Is it worth spending out on chains etc if you are going to change tyres next year? May make sense to put that money towards a new set of tyres this year. May even be able to sell old tyres.
 
I looked into some reviews of snow socks on YouTube as an alternative to chains Harvey, but it seems that if snow socks are used on anything but full snow or ice, then the road surface tears them to shreds in no time.
Snow socks and chains seem to be about the same sort of price, so for me, snow chains are a no brainer as an insurance policy to carry.
 
Another vote for all seasons tyres. Two years running we spent Oct, Nov, Dec above the arctic circle and never used chains despite ice and snow all the time. They’re brilliant! We didn’t take chains the second time as we didn’t use them at all the year before in the same conditions.

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Thinking of putting winter tyres on our Skoda Octavia. Of to Germany in 3 weeks so makes sense really. I’ve used snow chains in the dim and distantly past and would not want to do it again. As Lenny HB mentioned I’d be running the winter tyres all year. We’ll need new tyres soon so it’s a bit of a no brainier.
Need to be mindful though of the difference between winter tyres and all season. In Germany tyres have to have the alpine symbol to qualify as ‘tyre with winter properties’ I don’t know about other countries.
 
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Soycd said:
Thinking of putting winter tyres on our Skoda Octavia. Of to Germany in 3 weeks so makes sense really. I’ve used snow chains in the dim and distantly past and would not want to do it again. As Lenny HB mentioned I’d be running the winter tyres all year. We’ll need new tyres soon so it’s a bit of a no brainier.
Need to be mindful though of the difference between winter tyres and all season. In Germany tyres have to have the alpine symbol to qualify as ‘tyre with winter properties’ I don’t know about other countries.
Click to expand...
I used the term ‘all season’ but not sure if that’s the correct trade name of our tyres. They have various symbols on the tyre walls to denote that they do comply with winter use.

We keep them on all year. They’re very good.
 
Carpmart said:
So, it seems that the grace period is now up and even travelling the western route south to Spain, one now needs to carry snow chains or socks to comply with ‘the rules’ for the last part (department) of the French route before the Irun border.

I know I could change tyres to comply, will do this next autumn, but what do I need to comply? It’s a twin wheel rear axle on our van (can I just carry equipment for two tyres rather than 4) and I honestly think if the weather is bad enough to need chains or socks, I shall park up and allow conditions to improve rather than fitting the equipment, but I wish to remain ‘legal’!

225/75 R16 tyres and it’s a five ton rear axle, so I guess I will need substantial equipment. Any recommendations for make?

Or, do I just not worry and carry on without tyres, chains, socks for another year before replacing the tyres?

Thoughts appreciated!
Click to expand...
I did this route this year, never saw any signs saying I needed them. However, I pulled off the main road onto a side road for a short break and there were signs up for snow tyres/chains.
 
I have winter tyres on and summer set left at home, but also carry chains, only had to use them once surprisingly in Derbyshire a couple of years back,
after trying a snow covered incline and only getting a 1/4 of the way up, I fitting the chains what a revelation, straight up with no problem, definitely will keep them on board for winter trips,
 
Thanks for all the replies.

My tyres are 8k miles and 2.5yrs old and it just seems VERY wasteful, not very green etc to be replacing them now, hence waiting another year so I don’t feel so guilty!

So, with a set of chains on board, do you still need full snow tyres to comply, or spun around the other way, can I just have chains and standard non winter tyres and comply with regulations in France?

Driven wheels, does that mean all driven wheels on the same axle or can I be legal (may be sub optimal) with two of the four driven wheels having chains.

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Nothing to stop you keeping your old tyres for summer use and putting winter tyres on now,
you will only need chains for the outside rear wheels to be compliant,
 
ivorantony said:
Nothing to stop you keeping your old tyres for summer use and putting winter tyres on now,
you will only need chains for the outside rear wheels to be compliant,
Click to expand...

Only issue is storage of the tyres and the cost to keep swapping them around.

Thanks for the confirmation on only outside rear wheels for the chains.
 
I think this doesn't apply to the area close to the coast between France and Spain, so looks like you can make the trip without any special winter equipment. The attached image comes from French government website.
 

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Sixty-nine Chevy said:
I think this doesn't apply to the area close to the coast between France and Spain, so looks like you can make the trip without any special winter equipment. The attached image comes from French government website.
Click to expand...
Agreed, unless they go way off track no requirement, just normal tyres.

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If your tyres are marked M+S you are okay until 01/11/24 been doing the western route to Spain for a good few years now never had to use chains yet they seem to be one of those items you think you need them like the "angle morts" stickers only to sell at a later date ;)

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

France Winter Tyre Rules

Extract from Connexion Winter tyre rules enforced On November 1, people driving without winter tyres or chains in mountainous areas where they are required will risk a fine of €135. The Loi Montagne applies to 48 French departments, which can choose to implement the rules across their...
www.motorhomefun.co.uk www.motorhomefun.co.uk
 
I carry a pair of snow socks just for compliance. Like you, if the weather was that bad I'd parked up and sit it out, well I would now!

We got caught out in January '21 with real heavy snow down in Spain on our way back to the UK. Teruel to Zaragosa to Burgos, complete white out. The police were stopping southbound traffic but we just carried on northbound cause Boris was introducing the test to enter rule in 3 days time and we had to crack on.

We didn't have socks or chains with us either at that time.....
 

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Good Morning,

I too have been chasing for a solution to the 'Winter in France' conundrum.

I found these on Amazon which will fit 225 x 75 x 16

Give me a min. Amazon won't copy.
Put into Amazon 'Snow Chains 77935' Set the price as 'Low to High' and go down to £61.68. There you will find a set of 'Goodyear 77935'.
They should fit.
However, I have managed to find a set on Facebook Marketplace which I intend to pick up on Friday.

Having scoured for this size, it falls between stools and is somewhat difficult to source, Good Luck.

Regards
Derek
 
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Don't listen to me (ever) but I feel the need to explain that I have driven back and fro to and from Blighty to Portugal for decades (through France and Spain) and I have never ever had any "winter" tyres or snow chains...

...always completed the trips without incident.

JJ :cool:
 
Emmit said:
Good Morning,

I too have been chasing for a solution to the 'Winter in France' conundrum.

I found these on Amazon which will fit 225 x 75 x 16

Give me a min. Amazon won't copy.
Put into Amazon 'Snow Chains 77935' Set the price as 'Low to High' and go down to £61.68. There you will find a set of 'Goodyear 77935'.
They should fit.
However, I have managed to find a set on Facebook Marketplace which I intend to pick up on Friday.

Having scoured for this size, it falls between stools and is somewhat difficult to source, Good Luck.

Regards
Derek
Click to expand...

Thangs again Derek. I picked up a brand new set of very nice quality chains, off FaceBook Marketplace, for £27 delivered

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Amazon currently have

Goodyear GODKN120 Metal snow chains. at £29.95​

 
Ok
a bit like how long is a piece of string
On a heavy vehicle snow socks are a complete waste of money
they get you out of a snow car park
But they will not take any long range punishment they just shred especially if you get any wheel spin
The police in my experience are only going to stop and check tyres and chains if the snow conditions are bad.
If you are on ordinary tyres and no chains STOP AND PARK before the snow
So many say they will, then you see them half way up a mountain road sideways on or shunted into a bank or other vehicle.
if you have an accident the police WILL be interested in tyres and chains.

So my best advice
Go on your trip look at the forecast listen to it as you drive and if its going to be below freezing and bad weather stop until it picks up
In mountainous areas the road crews are brilliant at clearing roads once the snow has stopped.
Fit all season tyres when you renew
As for Snow chains get the easy fit ones (That statement is a lie but they are easier than some
practise putting them on in the summer on a lovely hot day. Then do it again on a lovely hot day
and again on a hot day. That way when its freezing your bits off and cars are flashing bye in the snow you will be grateful you practised.
Oh some thin gloves wear those when you practise and wear them in the snow keep them in the chain box.

and Smile snow is wonderful

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If your going to park up if weather is bad I would think any snow chains or socks just to show the police if checked would keep you legal..Fitted snow chains on my old Volvo some years ago to get up the hill from our road to the main road..Took ages to fit but when I got on the main road it was clear so had to remove them,,what a nightmare taking them off..Will walk if it happens again, BUSBY.
 
Bushy
you have a point
Just carry some old chains with you to show the police
They wont check the sizes
 
If you plan to fit and use chains, keep a bag or something waterproof, as you will be amazed at the water that comes off them when you remove them.
 
Steve and Denise said:
Hagnap has some in classified at the moment.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately don’t fit my van, just bid £5 on eBay on a set of socks, just to chuck at the French plod. I will never fit them, cannot even pull a wheel spin on sheet ice at -6c not like these fwd boys on wet grass.

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