Which is better for driving in snow: chains or socks?

[Tony50]

Driving from Calais to Spain end of January , would you recommend chains or socks in snow / ice conditions

 

[Ava the Adria]

Some would say the roads are cleared quickly in winter but can’t beat being prepared!
We have winter tyres on and also carry snow chains, having spent a month in January skiing in Austria previously and used them.
Some parts of France require you to carry them.
Got them with us now „just in case“ although we’re coming back in November. Not cheap but highly recommended.
Have no experience of socks. Seen them for cars, but do socks work on a 4 Tonne Moho?

 

[Two on Tour]

Snow socks will rip to shreds within seconds if they come in contact with the road surface with no snow, snow chains every time.

 

[stevewagner]

I carry chains. Tried socks and they were useless in anything but a very minor covering of snow

 

[Bleau’s]

Been wondering the same but been advised socks are no good over 3.5 ton and to buy good chains we are 5.5 ton and going to Spain in December so will be buying chains for the right weight

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[EuroTrotters]

I would make sure you have good winter or all season tyres

 

[ChrisL]

Some would say the roads are cleared quickly in winter but can’t beat being prepared!
We have winter tyres on and also carry snow chains, having spent a month in January skiing in Austria previously and used them.
Some parts of France require you to carry them.
Got them with us now „just in case“ although we’re coming back in November. Not cheap but highly recommended.
Have no experience of socks. Seen them for cars, but do socks work on a 4 Tonne Moho?View attachment 827653

My 6 tonne van came with snow socks but I've never used them and I doubt the previous owner did.

 

[Bailey58]

What about those slipper socks with the rubber bobbly bits on the soles?

 

[Phill D]

Chains that you have practiced putting on and taking off , with gloves on.
I guarantee that if you need to put them on it won’t be in ideal conditions .

 

[Rob Turner]

Here you go, speak to the experts.

Van, SUV, 4x4 & Motorhome Snow Chains | SnowChains.com

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[Two on Tour]

Chains that you have practiced putting on and taking off , with gloves on.
I guarantee that if you need to put them on it won’t be in ideal conditions .

Another advantage of having a levelling system, lifting the drive wheels off the ground gives you more wheel arch clearance and no need to drive forward to fit or remove the chains.

 

[iamarobot1999]

Driving from Calais to Spain end of January , would you recommend chains or socks in snow / ice conditions

Definitely chains. Used both in the Alps but chains are much more reliable.
Be sure to practice putting them on and taking them off a few times so you know what you’re doing and have a pair of waterproof gloves, a head torch and something to kneel on handy.
Putting on chains at night in a blizzard is no fun with freezing fingers! Ive been there!

 

[RogerIvy]

Socks help somewhat in mild-ish condition and are easy to fit.
The "usual" snow chains are much better for rough conditions, especially if they are 12mm or bigger. However, they are not as easy to fit and you need to travel with a kneeling mat (if your knees are bad), gloves and a can-get-muddy jacket (to hug the wheel when you put the chain on).
Or ... get some Thule/Konig Easy-Fit Snow Chains. Not as heavy duty, only 9mm, but really easy to fit. Also way more expensive (about £350).

 

[tonka]

Many regions now covered by new law / rules.. Worth a google.

"In areas established by the prefects, vehicles will be required to:

• have in their trunks metal snow chains or snow socks suitable for fitting at least two driving wheels; or
• or be equipped with 4 winter tires, mounted on at least 2 wheels of each axle. For the coming winters, from 2022 to 2024, the appellation « winter tire » cover all tires identified by one of the markings « M+S », « M.S » or « M&S » or by the joint presence of « alpine symbol » (recognized as « 3PMSF » (3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake) and one of the markings « M+S », « M.S » or « M&S ». From 1er november 2024, it will only cover tires identified by the joint presence of the marking « alpine symbol » (recognized as « 3PMSF » (3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake) and one of the markings « M+S », « M.S » or « M&S »."

 

[Garfields]

Some would say the roads are cleared quickly in winter but can’t beat being prepared!
We have winter tyres on and also carry snow chains, having spent a month in January skiing in Austria previously and used them.
Some parts of France require you to carry them.
Got them with us now „just in case“ although we’re coming back in November. Not cheap but highly recommended.
Have no experience of socks. Seen them for cars, but do socks work on a 4 Tonne Moho?View attachment 827653

Clack & Go would be my choice if getting chains again.
As chains go they are easy to fit and remove and are self tensioning.
I now have the winter tyres on our car for the winter and all season on the van.

Only ever had to fit them twice in anger and never when I have had winter tyres on the car.

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[AlunandFelicie]

I’ve got a set of the Thule Zip Transport.in my case purchased as they are also recommended for muddy field use as we do a lot of music festivals
haven’t used them yet and hope never have to

 

[Reallyretired]

To comply with the French law I carry a set of the cheapest snow chains I could find. I have no intention of ever using them.

 

[Tony50]

Another advantage of having a levelling system, lifting the drive wheels off the ground gives you more wheel arch clearance and no need to drive forward to fit or remove the chains.

Thanks but If I had levelling a system I would be overweight.

 

[bubble63]

I’m the odd one out here
I have spiders and socks , both easy on /off used both , work well , spiders are for real snow , neither can stand any time in the road

 

[Tony50]

There are so many make's and different prices for chains , for 225/75/16 tyres. I'm also worried about if chains will damage alloy wheels, any advice?

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[Ridgeway]

Winter tyres are a much, much better choice unless you’re travelling on roads where chains are mandatory.

If you do buy chains, wait until it’s -5 and dark and then try fitting them by the roadside with vehicles whizzing by…..

It’s actually rare you would ever need chains as they are only effective when you have a decent covering of snow which in any decent country is anyway cleared within a few hours and if you need to wait for that then you’re in the best vehicle with a kettle and a loo so no big deal. Remember once you get to any bit of tarmac that is clear of snow the chains have to come off.

Winter tyres will give you a benefit all winter long on icy roads or anything with the slightest bit of snow/slush etc.

You can of course fit winter tyres and leave them on all year round so maybe consider them at your next tyre change.

 

[ceejayt]

On the Iveco there are double wheels at the back - could you use snow tyres just on the outer two - or all 4 or should you have them on all 6 wheels?

 

[bigtwin]

You really should have them on all wheels.

I’d certainly want to realise 100% of the potential grip on the rear axle rather than 50% of the potential grip.

Ian

 

[PaulW2]

Winter tyres are a much, much better choice unless you’re travelling on roads where chains are mandatory.

If you do buy chains, wait until it’s -5 and dark and then try fitting them by the roadside with vehicles whizzing by…..

It’s actually rare you would ever need chains as they are only effective when you have a decent covering of snow which in any decent country is anyway cleared within a few hours and if you need to wait for that then you’re in the best vehicle with a kettle and a loo so no big deal. Remember once you get to any bit of tarmac that is clear of snow the chains have to come off.

Winter tyres will give you a benefit all winter long on icy roads or anything with the slightest bit of snow/slush etc.

You can of course fit winter tyres and leave them on all year round so maybe consider them at your next tyre change.

I’ve long been under that impression.

I remember years ago crossing the Jura mountains along a narrow mountain pass in midwinter. Ski resorts alongside etc. Even there chains would have been pretty much impossible. (I had them. They were not used.)

30 metres of snow and ice, followed by 500 metres of tar, followed by 20 metres of ice on a corner, followed by 1km of tar, followed by 100 metres of slushy snow, followed by…

So chains on, chains off, chains on, chains off, chains on…?

In that weather, on that road, with that traffic? Forget it.

All season tyres, or winter tyres, are infinitely superior.

 

[PaulW2]

I would think if you’re crossing from France to Spain over the Pyrenees, your chances of needing to, or being able to, use chains on any part of the arterial route would be zero.

Winter or all season tyres? Definitely.

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[ceejayt]

Michelin Agilis cross climate which have the necessary mountain snowflake mark and can be used all year round approx £230 a tyre (225/75 R16) - so £1400 for a six tyre change.

Just double checked my planned route to Spain this year which crosses from France to Spain at Perpignan - no high altitude to worry about. When I get the next tyre change I might go for these

 

[PaulW2]

Michelin Agilis cross climate which have the necessary mountain snowflake mark and can be used all year round approx £230 a tyre (225/75 R16) - so £1400 for a six tyre change.

Just double checked my planned route to Spain this year which crosses from France to Spain at Perpignan - no high altitude to worry about. When I get the next tyre change I might go for these

Good choice. I had them on my last van and will, when the opportunity arises, also fit them to my current van.

 

[ANDKEZLULA]

Michelin Agilis cross climate which have the necessary mountain snowflake mark and can be used all year round approx £230 a tyre (225/75 R16) - so £1400 for a six tyre change.

Just double checked my planned route to Spain this year which crosses from France to Spain at Perpignan - no high altitude to worry about. When I get the next tyre change I might go for theseI

I would be very interested in your route as I plan to do a similar trip around mid December to Barcelona & wanted to cross the border into Spain on the med side without having to get involved with snow chains etc on the way.

 

[Podney]

I like socks. I’d go as far as saying that putting on a brand new pair of socks is one of life’s great pleasures,but I’m easily pleased. The last socks I bought was a pack of six from TK Max. They are multi coloured and bright,and fit perfectly. Just thought I’d mention that.

 

[ceejayt]

I would be very interested in your route as I plan to do a similar trip around mid December to Barcelona & wanted to cross the border into Spain on the med side without having to get involved with snow chains etc on the way.

We are taking in some very specific sights on the way but this should give you an idea. We will probably take 2 weeks to do this. This also shows you the campsites (mostly aires and CCP sites) we have planned to use

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