Snow - chains, driving, etc....

[jessef]

It's officially another season with snow and it's already begun to fall on the ground.

Discussion for snow chains, tires, driving tips on/off road, etc...

[jessef]

Driving offroad up in whistler on the Black Tusk FSR was fun in deep snow about a foot.

Cables vs. Chains :

http://www.delica.ca/forum/chains-versu ... -6808.html

Real chains for real Delica's :

http://www.delica.ca/forum/chains-3904.html

Courtesy of Falco



Falco has a nice set that was done locally as well.



Tires I've used in the past years specific to driving in snow conditions :

BFG All-Terrain T/KO
BFG MT Mud tires
BFG KM Mud tires
Nokian Vatiiva All Terrain
Goodyear Silent Armour
Goodyear MTR w/ Kevlar
Goodyear Duratrac All Terrain

Various vehicles and sizes.

My personal preference is the Goodyear Duratrac. To me, it's the best hybrid tire that is acceptable on ice/slush and excels in deep snow and the fluffy stuff.

The mud tires performed a bit better in the deep snow but suffered on ice/slush.

There are lots of new 'hybrid' tires out there that are becoming a good alternative to using two sets of tires (dedicated snow/dedicated summer).

Chains :

Don't buy the cheap cable chains from Canadian Tire/Costco. They actually make things worse and slip easily.

If using one set of chains, the best place to use them is the rear.

Of course, chains on all four's is the best option.

Using chains in the front : be absolute certain they are attached properly and check the clearance at full lock (turn wheel) both ways and under articulation. I have seen a complete side fender ripped off because the chains were too close and tore the wheel well apart.

L400/Pajero owners : When driving on ice/slick/roads dusted with light snow, use 4H (all-wheel drive mode). You will feel much more stable while driving in this mode compared to the 4HLc (part-time 4x4). In deep snow, use 4HLc.


This is a good site for chains :

http://www.tirechain.com/TRUCK-SUV-CHAINS.HTM

http://www.tirechain.com/DIAMONDSTYLECARCHAINS.htm

There are local companies that will make the chains suited to your needs/vehicle/tires as well. May cost more or less depending on where you/shop around.

[almac]

nice writeup man!

never used chains before.
are they hard to put on? they look like a PIA.

bah!
i need no stink'in chains. my van gets me anywhere i need to go; at least at the moment...
<knock on wood> LOL!

[FalcoColumbarius]

Quality Chain Canada.

They are located at:

• Unit# 1, 7688 132nd Street,
  Surrey, BC
  V3W 4M9
  (604)-507 9734 {ask for Travis Endersby}
  Toll free phone: 1-888-591 5366

These guys are good, CNV FD introduced me to them.

Chains



The snow in the picture is about a foot to a foot and an half deep. At the top of the ridge it was shallow but shortly after that I was climbing/ploughing a twenty degree hill, with two feet of snow. Between the Chains and the front skids the Miss Lil' Bitchi is pretty skukum in the snow.
The only thing about chains is you don't want to exceed 50 KPH and you want to be sure they are just snug.

Falco.

[delicat]

Always loved that last picture. Wonder who took it?

[Jaz]

If using one set of chains, the best place to use them is the rear.

Ke? Isn't it best to put them on the front wheels, particularly in a 4x4 vehicle, that way you can still steer and have propulsion. Sticking them on the back means you'd more likely just propel yourself, understeering, into a ditch, right?

[fexlboi]

If using one set of chains, the best place to use them is the rear.

Ke? Isn't it best to put them on the front wheels, particularly in a 4x4 vehicle, that way you can still steer and have propulsion. Sticking them on the back means you'd more likely just propel yourself, understeering, into a ditch, right?

Nice Falco - I like the gnarly chains and the guys who like their dogs. About using them, if one had only on set of chains for a 4x4, would they be best on the front or rear? And that's a great heads-up on the front wheel clearance and the chains jfasang - makes me quesy just thinking about it The tires (Tyres for the UK contingent ) are sure close on our bus, without chains.

Just came across this site: http://4wheeldrive.about.com
So if you really have just one pair of chains mount them on the rear axle with 4WD/AWD

[Jaz]

Interesting reading. For me, reading that and the rejoinder article, I'd still be tempted to put them on the front. Yes, the back may swing around faster, but it would also depend on the conditions really. If you're in snow over a couple of inches, the back is way less likely to come round, and you're more likely to need steering. On ice or something like that, I'd agree that rear is probably the better way to go.

As they say though, both is best :)

[fozzie]

Does anyone have any opinion on studded tires. I have Arctic claws on and wonder how much better they could be if they were studded. They're pretty good as is but would always love to have a little extra help. Also how about oil pan heaters. Anybody got anything good or bad to say on them.
Bring on the snow!
cheers,
Matt

[FalcoColumbarius]

Does anyone have any opinion on studded tires......
cheers,
Matt

The Miss Lil' Bitchi already has a stud The chains are there to keep her in order.

[jessef]

Does anyone have any opinion on studded tires. I have Arctic claws on and wonder how much better they could be if they were studded. They're pretty good as is but would always love to have a little extra help. Also how about oil pan heaters. Anybody got anything good or bad to say on them.
Bring on the snow!
cheers,
Matt

Anything to keep your engine warm. Block heaters are the best. Oil pan heaters are good. Together, they're great.

Studding tires works well on icy/frozen snow very well. It depends on where you live.

In the lower mainland, studding tires is not the best option as it's quite mild here in the winter and we don't get roads with sheets of permanent ice.

A good set of winter tires will do you good.

[Shaun Van Ramen]

Today was the first snow drive for Shaun Van Ramen. We were pleasantly surprised with 4H. Even with it's moderate all-seasons on. Bring it on!!!!

Keep offering opinions on tires as SvanR will need new whellies in the near future. I find first hand info always useful (provided it is objective).

My only gripe is a white Deli in a snow filled parking lot hard to find :)

[FalcoColumbarius]

Camo. Just like the Miss Lil' Bitchi when it's not snowing, the bottom colour is like the pavement and the top colour reflects all around it. I understand your plight, having to ask strangers: "Excuse me... but have you seen my little Shaun Van Ramen? She's cute, she's white, with black markings ~ can you help me?" Perhaps we can hook you up with a bell to put on her collar so you don't have to put posters up around the local shopping mall car park... but you have to buy the bonnet and the crook...grins... you're not blond are you?

[RichD]

Falco, that's a gorgeous set of zig zag chains. Thanks for the lead.

[FalcoColumbarius]

No worries... smiles. And thanks to Jesse for bringing it up.