Snow socks, I'll try in here first

[Demannu]

Obviously for a mowta, anyone used them and what were your opinions of them.
Due to space constraints I cant use chains and unfortunately in all the southern depts it's 'the louwer' to carry snow gear.

[Horse]

FWIW

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-11853611

[Demannu]

FWIW

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-11853611

That just looks like 'what's the cheapest option' sticking plaster thinking.
For a fwd van, a pair of snow tyres on the front axle will get them most places.
When I taxi'd back in the day, I'd throw a couple of cheap snow tyres on and never had an issue all winter (this was the Forest of Dean, not Norfolk btw)

I know the correct answer is to fit snow tyres, but not going to look for snow, just have to drive through depts that require some preparedness, and having a UK plate is guaranteed to have les flics sniffing around.

[Rockburner]

Obviously for a mowta, anyone used them and what were your opinions of them.
Due to space constraints I cant use chains and unfortunately in all the southern depts it's 'the louwer' to carry snow gear.

I've not used them tbh - but why can't you use chains?

If you're just carrying them for the legal requirement then just tuck them into a corner of the car somewhere.

[Demannu]

Obviously for a mowta, anyone used them and what were your opinions of them.
Due to space constraints I cant use chains and unfortunately in all the southern depts it's 'the louwer' to carry snow gear.

I've not used them tbh - but why can't you use chains?

20231115_151835.jpg (884.94 KiB) Viewed 752 times

20231115_151854.jpg (498.79 KiB) Viewed 752 times

Does that answer your question?

[Horse]

Is that an albino version of Noddy's car?

[Rockburner]

Obviously for a mowta, anyone used them and what were your opinions of them.
Due to space constraints I cant use chains and unfortunately in all the southern depts it's 'the louwer' to carry snow gear.

I've not used them tbh - but why can't you use chains?

20231115_151835.jpg20231115_151854.jpg
Does that answer your question?

Just because they're a bit harder to fit?

TBH I was more wondering if you were actually going to use them, or just needed to carry them for legal reasons.


What exactly is the car? (obviously an old Merc - but what model?)

[Mussels]

My car can't use snow chains so I bought a set of these, easy enough to use but disappointing performance. I struggled to get up a hill and was overtaken easily by a Skoda just on tyres, I also struggled to stop from very slow on an almost clear road. You should have more options with steel wheels.
https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbveh ... 67&TID=398

[Gregor]

I looked at snow socks a while back but decided it was less hassle just to fit winter tyres, who wants to crouch outside in the cold to fit them. Opted for some GT Radial 4 seasons which work well in the snow.

Do you still have to carry chains if you have winter tyres fitted ?

[Demannu]

I've not used them tbh - but why can't you use chains?

20231115_151835.jpg20231115_151854.jpg
Does that answer your question?

Just because they're a bit harder to fit?

TBH I was more wondering if you were actually going to use them, or just needed to carry them for legal reasons.


What exactly is the car? (obviously an old Merc - but what model?)

Sprinter based A class motorhome

A bit harder to fit! You're having a larffff
OK if you're Mr Tickle, but for anyone less than simian, impossible unless you take the wheels off.
I've fitted chains on coaches roadside in the dark in Austria, so not adverse to getting hands dirty.

[Demannu]

I looked at snow socks a while back but decided it was less hassle just to fit winter tyres, who wants to crouch outside in the cold to fit them. Opted for some GT Radial 4 seasons which work well in the snow.

Do you still have to carry chains if you have winter tyres fitted ?

Nafaik, but as I have said, I'm driving through depts that require winter equipment, but probably unlikely to get snow there. More likely to get it down towards Madrid on the Spanish plains. I have no desire to spunk €300 on an axle of 4 season tyres when not really needed.

[Noggin]

Snowsocks are fine. They aren't as good as chains, but they tick the legal box and will be adequate if you aren't driving up a mountain - guessing you won't be doing that in the MH in winter?!!

Downside of the sox is that they aren't as hardy as chains, so I'd take it a bit slower.

I know snow socks can spin off if you get to tarmac and don't take them off basically as soon as you get to tarmac.


LOTS of people use them here, often for the same reasons you want them.

Personally I would always have chains, but then if I drive to the shops, it's (as you know) at least 1000m of altitude to deal with! So it's better for me.

For people not living on a mountain and only having to have something to tick the legal box or get you out of trouble if it does happen to snow, socks are fine

[Yorick]

Sorry. Came in by mistake. I'll shut the door quietly

[Horse]

That just looks like 'what's the cheapest option' sticking plaster thinking.

I know the correct answer is to fit snow tyres, but not going to look for snow, just have to drive through depts that require some preparedness, and having a UK plate is guaranteed to have les flics sniffing around.

Surely, if you're not intending to use them, you want the cheapest / most compact option?

If you are likely to have to use [whatever] but can't fit chains, then that narrows the choice?

[Demannu]

That just looks like 'what's the cheapest option' sticking plaster thinking.

I know the correct answer is to fit snow tyres, but not going to look for snow, just have to drive through depts that require some preparedness, and having a UK plate is guaranteed to have les flics sniffing around.

Surely, if you're not intending to use them, you want the cheapest / most compact option?

If you are likely to have to use [whatever] but can't fit chains, then that narrows the choice?

You are correct as it narrows the choice to snow tyres, socks or travel later and not need any of the above.
My question still remains valid as I would like to know the effectiveness if reqd to use them.

[Jody]

Obviously for a mowta, anyone used them and what were your opinions of them.
Due to space constraints I cant use chains and unfortunately in all the southern depts it's 'the louwer' to carry snow gear.

I've not used them tbh - but why can't you use chains?

20231115_151835.jpg20231115_151854.jpg
Does that answer your question?

No,
a soapy £10 says I can fit snow chains on your van in under 15 Minutes

[Demannu]

I've not used them tbh - but why can't you use chains?

20231115_151835.jpg20231115_151854.jpg
Does that answer your question?

No,
a soapy £10 says I can fit snow chains on your van in under 15 Minutes

In the snow, without damaging anything, I doubt it.

And most importantly, you'll not be given the chance either!

[Noggin]

That just looks like 'what's the cheapest option' sticking plaster thinking.

I know the correct answer is to fit snow tyres, but not going to look for snow, just have to drive through depts that require some preparedness, and having a UK plate is guaranteed to have les flics sniffing around.

Surely, if you're not intending to use them, you want the cheapest / most compact option?

If you are likely to have to use [whatever] but can't fit chains, then that narrows the choice?

You are correct as it narrows the choice to snow tyres, socks or travel later and not need any of the above.
My question still remains valid as I would like to know the effectiveness if reqd to use them.

Am I blocked??!!

They aren't as good as chains for going up a mountain

But, they are perfectly adequate to manage on 'normal' roads in an emergency. Especially if you can't fit chains!

If I wasn't driving up a mountain, then I'd be happy with snow socks

[Demannu]

Surely, if you're not intending to use them, you want the cheapest / most compact option?

If you are likely to have to use [whatever] but can't fit chains, then that narrows the choice?

You are correct as it narrows the choice to snow tyres, socks or travel later and not need any of the above.
My question still remains valid as I would like to know the effectiveness if reqd to use them.

Am I blocked??!!

They aren't as good as chains for going up a mountain

But, they are perfectly adequate to manage on 'normal' roads in an emergency. Especially if you can't fit chains!

If I wasn't driving up a mountain, then I'd be happy with snow socks

I was being rhetorical!

[Horse]

But, they are perfectly adequate to manage on 'normal' roads in an emergency. Especially if you can't fit chains!

Are chains allowed on clear roads? IIRC 'socks don't damage surfaces. Could save a lot of faffing if snow & ice is patchy.