Anyone tried snow chains on mud?

[Dead-Eyed Duck]

I was a passenger in a Nissan 4 x 4 the other day when the numpty driving managed to get us stuck in mud - it took 2 hours to extricate ourselves. He didn't even have a spade or towrope or pieces of timber with him to help.

 

An idle thought - has anyone any experience with snow chains, and would they have helped in such a situation? If they had only been fitted to the non-stuck wheels would this have helped with the diff lock engaged?

 

I have not yet been stuck in my Yeti, and tend to avoid boggy patches with my road tyres. However, I do like to be prepared.

[huffhuff]

I thought they were illegal in the UK? Although, I guess that's only on public roads.

[Beretta28g]

They are called snow chains for a reason.

[stubby]

maybe he should just get a decent 4x4, my vitz never gets stuck,

[utectok]

Always carry a shovel !! I do and a couple of traction pads small ones but better than nothing

[Conygree]

Hi Dead Eyed Duck, Short answer they are brill in mud & snow I would never be without them.

 

10 yrs ago I had a 4x2 ranger and had the idea of buying snow chains more for mud, I saw a film of them being used on army 6x6 wheeled trucks in deep mud in Italy during ww2. Take a look on the Brindley chain site, these are quality chains from Austria made for all cars up to giant quarry trucks - says it all.

 

The problem with the UK is many think I have by big 4x4 so I don't need chains, mud tyres will fill with thick mud and they won't grip on greasy mud or ice, even driving down a slippery slope and you can easily do some unpaid hedgelaying.I went up a steep snow cover track with my L200 pulling a trailer and it lost traction (M/T's fitted) Chains work by cutting into the compacted surface and won't clog up like mud tyres. I have used chains over mud tyres but they are harder to fit.

 

Another myth is chains damage tyres - I now have x3 sets of chains, the old Ranger set also fit the Jimny and the largest set I brought for my L200 after nearly getting stuck in mud diff lock just got me out. Last winter I got caught out in a snow storm 10" of snow - fitted my chains and off I went no probs, even towing a car up a steep hil, part way up I looked in the mirror to see the car was going up nearly sideways, I played about in snow up to say 18" no probs. I ended up driving for 15 miles on and off snow over the next few days and no probs with the tyres.

 

The trick of using chains in mud is to fit them 'before' you get stuck

[Dead-Eyed Duck]

Hi Dead Eyed Duck, Short answer they are brill in mud & snow I would never be without them.

 

10 yrs ago I had a 4x2 ranger and had the idea of buying snow chains more for mud, I saw a film of them being used on army 6x6 wheeled trucks in deep mud in Italy during ww2. Take a look on the Brindley chain site, these are quality chains from Austria made for all cars up to giant quarry trucks - says it all.

 

The problem with the UK is many think I have by big 4x4 so I don't need chains, mud tyres will fill with thick mud and they won't grip on greasy mud or ice, even driving down a slippery slope and you can easily do some unpaid hedgelaying.I went up a steep snow cover track with my L200 pulling a trailer and it lost traction (M/T's fitted) Chains work by cutting into the compacted surface and won't clog up like mud tyres. I have used chains over mud tyres but they are harder to fit.

 

Another myth is chains damage tyres - I now have x3 sets of chains, the old Ranger set also fit the Jimny and the largest set I brought for my L200 after nearly getting stuck in mud diff lock just got me out. Last winter I got caught out in a snow storm 10" of snow - fitted my chains and off I went no probs, even towing a car up a steep hil, part way up I looked in the mirror to see the car was going up nearly sideways, I played about in snow up to say 18" no probs. I ended up driving for 15 miles on and off snow over the next few days and no probs with the tyres.

 

The trick of using chains in mud is to fit them 'before' you get stuck

 

That's exactly the reply I was looking for, rather than some of the previous woffle that helps nobody :good:

 

Now here's another question - how are the chains fitted - do you 'drive onto them' and then fits clips, or do you loop then round the tyres in situ?

[al4x]

you have to drive onto them, so basically once you get said skoda special needs vehicle stuck its too late. Personally I can't be faffed fitting chains before a trip in the countryside so use the old grey matter to avoid as far as possible getting stuck.

[Dead-Eyed Duck]

you have to drive onto them, so basically once you get said skoda special needs vehicle stuck its too late. Personally I can't be faffed fitting chains before a trip in the countryside so use the old grey matter to avoid as far as possible getting stuck.

 

Please read the post.

 

I have never got stuck in my Yeti - is is a superb vehicle for what I use it for - fitted with the large sun roof out of which 100's of rabbits have been shot. It's also a company car that I do a 1,000 miles a week in. I don't yet have the luxury of a dedicated 4 x 4 off roader - like the Nissan that did get stuck.

 

It's funny how sarcasm in some posts help nobody - they presumably give the poster a smart,warm feeling but leave most others cold.

Edited September 2, 2011 by Dead-Eyed Duck

[Conygree]

Hi again - Firstly 'no you don't have to drive onto them', When buying a sledge for my son years ago I brought one made in Finland - same logic when buying snow chains I brought a set made in Austria = they know .

 

The brindley chains I use are from their basic 4x4 range say £120 for the L200 but the higher grade are £200+ but I didn't need them. For fitting you lay them out and push the wire behind the tyre and loopup around the back of the tyre - them pull the chains around the front and hookup, pull the adjuster chain to hook on - then drive forwad a bit and re adjust ( I adjust again after say 50m) and off you go - tip put in a pair of thin gloves and an old plastic jacket to save getting muddy arms. Ok it needs practice to put them on in the dark but they are colour coded, the best case I ever had was driving over the Kirkstone pass one Feburary in my 4X2 Ranger in the dark, a sudden snow storm brought all traffic to a stop a the snow quickly packed down to ice - there were inexperience 4x4 drivers and AA landrover all frightened to drive down the twisty steep wall sided ice road to Patterdale.

 

I pulled onto the side a quickly fitted my snowchains with my 13 yr old son driving it forward to adjust the tension - then off I went driving down the outside past the lot, after a couple of miles the snow I started to look for somewhere safe to take the chains off but carried on for another couple of miles to find a layby. No

 

Nothing came down behind us, off we went into Patterdale to the Chalet but no traffic came down that evening

 

I was waiting for the 'If you have a Landrover you never get stuck or have an erection problem

 

last winter the Brindley site crashed with overload during snowball britain.

Edited September 2, 2011 by Conygree

[al4x]

Please read the post.

 

I have never got stuck in my Yeti - is is a superb vehicle for what I use it for - fitted with the large sun roof out of which 100's of rabbits have been shot. It's also a company car that I do a 1,000 miles a week in. I don't yet have the luxury of a dedicated 4 x 4 off roader - like the Nissan that did get stuck.

 

It's funny how sarcasm in some posts help nobody - they presumably give the poster a smart,warm feeling but leave most others cold.

 

 

the sensible part of the reply is exactly that be aware where you are going and you shouldn't get it stuck. Keeping chains for when you do sounds ok but you won't get them on unless you jack it up. For me thats too much agro I'd just stick within the limits which has the perks you won't wreck your everyday transport. When its wet leave it on tracks and walk its far easier in the long run

[Conygree]

the sensible part of the reply is exactly that be aware where you are going and you shouldn't get it stuck. Keeping chains for when you do sounds ok but you won't get them on unless you jack it up. For me thats too much agro I'd just stick within the limits which has the perks you won't wreck your everyday transport. When its wet leave it on tracks and walk its far easier in the long run

 

Check out the 'low profile snow chains' on the Brindley site. I think in Austria all cars have to carry snowchains in the winter so they make them for all. For me I wouldn't buy cheap snowchains and risk them breaking but these are hi-grade steel with welded links. Now I have the L200 I don't use them much only snow and working in deep woodland pulling out trees. The good thing about chains is you don't need noisy mud tyres for 99% of your driving just pop a set of chains in the back. All I can say is I never get stuck or have a problem in bed.

[Conygree]

Just had a look on the Brindley chain site - forestery section ( big scrowl down near the end)and there's a large forwarding tractor with chains on over the tractor tyres - says it all

[Redditch]

Yep, snow chains work brill on mud too. Many farmers and forestry people use them on the continent. As regards the lagallity of using snow chains on public roads here, I think they are legal (Most places they are in Europe), so long as there is DEEP snow, and in anycase in winter you should really have snow tyres fitted (Proper ones, not the M&S **** from China or the States, but European ones, check out the tests on the German ADAC site), as they will grip excellently in snow, on ice, and to a reasonable amount in mud too. However do NOT fit spiked tyres, these are forbidden in most European countries on public roads, and are really designed for ice roads (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland) during the bleakest winters. I drive on winter tyres all year, but some have a speed limit on the tyres (Check the tyre) as they can overheat and explode !! The more expensive winter tyres are okay in the summer too, I paid £ 146.00 each for mine, and I can drive any speed in any weather with them, and they are good on milage too, which can´t be said for the cheaper ones.

Edited September 2, 2011 by Redditch

[mark g]

i carry a 12v inflator and let the tyres down to about 8psi if i get stuck, it increases the contact area of the tyre, then inflate when out, works 99% of the time but best done before you are down to the axles

[stokeshooter]

I was a passenger in a Nissan 4 x 4 the other day when the numpty driving managed to get us stuck in mud - it took 2 hours to extricate ourselves. He didn't even have a spade or towrope or pieces of timber with him to help.

 

An idle thought - has anyone any experience with snow chains, and would they have helped in such a situation? If they had only been fitted to the non-stuck wheels would this have helped with the diff lock engaged?

 

I have not yet been stuck in my Yeti, and tend to avoid boggy patches with my road tyres. However, I do like to be prepared.

[stokeshooter]

I was a passenger in a Nissan 4 x 4 the other day when the numpty driving managed to get us stuck in mud - it took 2 hours to extricate ourselves. He didn't even have a spade or towrope or pieces of timber with him to help.

 

An idle thought - has anyone any experience with snow chains, and would they have helped in such a situation? If they had only been fitted to the non-stuck wheels would this have helped with the diff lock engaged?

 

I have not yet been stuck in my Yeti, and tend to avoid boggy patches with my road tyres. However, I do like to be prepared.

[stokeshooter]

Got a set of snow chains in garage doing nothing dont need them as i drive a landy make me an offer

[larson]

im sure snow chains reck your tyres so i wouldnt bother. ive seen plenty nissans on youtube that go almost anywere so i would just buy a good set of tyres....

[njc110381]

I agree that seeing yourself getting stuck and acting before you've made matters worse is the best way to go. Letting the tyres down low is a very good way to get out that many people don't know about. In fact it is that good that many large modern agricultural vehicles and also Unimogs have a "central tyre inflation system" where you can actually lower or raise tyre pressures from the cab at the flick of a switch! They use an onboard compressor to make adjustments so as you pull into a field you can drop almost all the pressure to avoid surface damage and increase traction then when you get back on the road you can get them right up high to improve handling and keep the tyres cool at speed.

 

I've never tried chains but have seen them used on various kit in the past and they do seem to work. In mud anything that sticks out to help you dig in has to be good. Assuming that it has an open enough pattern not to clog and become smooth when slipping that is - which I should think a chain would do very well as they're spaced very widely on the tyre.

[four-wheel-drive]

All that I can say is people who say that they never get stuck it because they never go in the mud any 4x4 will get stuck if the mud is deep and all of the mud tyres and diff locks in the world are not going to help when you are axle deep in mud.

[crosshair]

All that I can say is people who say that they never get stuck it because they never go in the mud any 4x4 will get stuck if the mud is deep and all of the mud tyres and diff locks in the world are not going to help when you are axle deep in mud.

 

 

I agree, anyone who claims he has never been stuck has never been anywhere.

[Conygree]

Got a set of snow chains in garage doing nothing dont need them as I drive a landy make me an offer

 

well if you got stuck they wouldn't be much use in your garage.

 

Like the the time I was going up a steep snow slope with crampons and an ice axe when I met a climber who had left his crampons in the boot of his car.

 

trust me snowchains really work well on mud, especially on steep greasy slopes and they won't damage tyres

Edited September 5, 2011 by Conygree

[CZ550Kevlar]

do you have to use 4 chains on say for example an all wheel drive daihatsu terios? or can you fit a pair?

[CharlieT]

do you have to use 4 chains on say for example an all wheel drive daihatsu terios? or can you fit a pair?

 

 

 

You can fit a pair.