Snow chain question - quick reply if poss

[Trevor]

Sis is currently in France in LWB Collie, only has one set of snow chains. Does she fit to front or rear axle when CDL is engaged. She asked me and I've no idea and don't want to guess at this one.

Anyone got a definitive answer for this one?

 

[clivehorridge]

I'd put them on the back.

I have a pair, but never used them in anger, I tried them out though, front and rear. On the front they make steering very difficult. On the back they really cut-into pack ice.

Remember, if its not essential, don't use them, because they're horrible to drive with.

But in an emergency, they will get you out and about.

 

[silvercruiser]

if it was me id put them on the back , but leave a lot more room for steering/braking. at least the weight of the engine's over the front axle.
but if shes fully loaded in the back you might be better putting them on the fronts to aid traction/steering/braking.

sorry if this just confuses you even more.

 

[silvercruiser]

beat me to it Clive

 

[Trevor]

I'll give her both scenarios and she can decide from that, cheers chaps for the swift responses

 

[clivehorridge]

Not knowing Collies, I suspect they have a rear wheel bias on an open CD so the back would be better in theory.


They are not pleasant things, either to fit, remove or drive with.

But as I said, if making way is close to impossible, then they can be a life saver.

Mine are heavy duty and I only carry them as an added insurance. Thankfully I've never needed them, as they keep the main roads pretty clear here whatever the weather. On tracks though, I may be forced to use them one day.

 

[Trevor]

She has a CDL and RDL as her first 2 options and BFG's so should be just fine, seems like it's first real world experience of some fairly bad conditions and now all sorts of questions have hit her. At least she can make some informed decisions now.

 

[uHu]

Sis is currently in France in LWB Collie, only has one set of snow chains. Does she fit to front or rear axle when CDL is engaged. She asked me and I've no idea and don't want to guess at this one.

Anyone got a definitive answer for this one?

Definitely at the back.

With CDL you get all the power to the chains. Just beware - if you engage RDL as well, don't expect beeing able to steer.

That goes for most vehicles, and particularly on the cruisers, as most chains come to close to sensitive parts up front, and will more easily intefere.

 

[wobbly]

She in the Alps? If so, stay inside and off the roads.

 

[cmcmill01]

She in the Alps? If so, stay inside and off the roads.

Just arrived last night at 2am in the LC80, went cross country for about 8 hours, let the tyres down a bit but no need for the snow chains. Took 23 hours all in, cruiser never missed a beat. Engaged CDL a few times but don't think it was really necessary


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[sae70]

I've only ever used snow chains in 6"+ deep snow and if only fitting one set I've found that I get a much better result if they are fitted to the front with the centre diff locked. When fitted to the front they give much improved steering control, cut up the compact snow and ice allowing the rears to dig in a little and help to push you along and give far better control under braking as the grip is biased to the front as it would be in normal conditions. When I've fitted the snow chains to the rear wheels only you soon get delayed as the front tyres can't cut through the deeper snow as it builds in front of them and the rears then just dig a big hole.

If I'm in conditions requiring the use of snow chains and I have a set with me then I'd be fitting them to the front

Ideally you'd be fitting a set to the front and a set to the rear

http://www.landcruiserclub.net/forums/showthread.php/40798-Snow-Chains?highlight=snow+chains

The chains in the photo are not the £30/£60 ones that you find on the bay! Although the same make these ones are truck ones and were £200+ a set!!! The links are really very large!

They were great when we were up in Wales in April with all of the snow and really made the difference between pushing on or being thwarted

We were making good progress here without the chains.





In the end though we just could not get any further, so decided to have a play with the chains.





















They were excellent and so long as the snow that your driving through is not deeper than your ground clearance they definatly made the difference between making progress or not

 

[silvercruiser]

Correct me if im wrong, isn't Trevor's sister out in europe in that exact landcruiser but with all terrains on

 

[Trevor]

Nope, that Cruiser I now own. Sis has swapped Fiery for a LWB Collie but made me swap wheels over so she's still running on her BFG's

 

[silvercruiser]

Ok i remember her Having some probs and you working on it but i thought it had gone back over.

i do hope you sisters not one of these
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...lps-as-massive-snowfall-traps-15000-cars.html

 

[Shayne]

Conversely because i don't want to add any element of doubt and i'm happy to accept the advice of far more experienced members , i was surprised the rear was the answer . My very limited experience of driving on snow tells me a front wheel drive vehicle performs far better than a rear wheel drive vehicle when there's little traction to be had . Of course this is a 4x4 but doesn't being dragged along rather than pushed along give better control ? I accept chains on the rear will bite better on snow compacted by the front tyres and so keep you moving which is great if your in a field but if the rear keeps pushing when the steering is not responding in town you have no choice but to stop .

It's a question not an opinion !!!!

 

[Trevor]

i do hope you sisters not one of these
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...lps-as-massive-snowfall-traps-15000-cars.html

Yes Joe, she's caught up in that lot.

 

[silvercruiser]

well i hope shes coping ok and gets to her destination safely.

 

[silvercruiser]

Conversely because i don't want to add any element of doubt and i'm happy to accept the advice of far more experienced members , i was surprised the rear was the answer . My very limited experience of driving on snow tells me a front wheel drive vehicle performs far better than a rear wheel drive vehicle when there's little traction to be had . Of course this is a 4x4 but doesn't being dragged along rather than pushed along give better control ? I accept chains on the rear will bite better on snow compacted by the front tyres and so keep you moving which is great if your in a field but if the rear keeps pushing when the steering is not responding in town you have no choice but to stop .

It's a question not an opinion !!!!

Thats why i asked how the LC was loaded so see what the weight distribution was like and once the CDL is locked, you have 50/50 drive to front and back. like steve said earlier, really you want chains on all four tyres, but in this case she hasn't so just trying to find out the best of the situation. and from steve's experience he found out that it seemed better on the front. I personnaly have never had to use chains but if it was me i would of put them on the back purely as i said earlier because you have the weight of the engine helping on the front. only my non expert opinion though.

 

[Edward Moyse]

I've only ever put chains on all four wheels but with two I'd probably go for back. Chains in the front make steering harder and back should be easily enough traction in most conditions. I suspect either would work though!


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[sae70]

Another point I would make about snow chains is that the second you get out of the worst conditions and back onto a slushy surface or tarmac they soon become a real pain in the arse, particularly at speed! Steering and control under braking quickly goes in the opposite direction becoming vague and dangerous and the chains become loose and need constant adjustment at anything over 20/30mph and they are really shitty to get on and off in poor conditions! Nothing beats a good set of snow flake tyres slightly aired down with some sensible considered driving. Unless your driving a BMW then just pull over, wrap up in your emergency blanket and open your flask allowing the rest of us past while you await rescue