Snow chains on a double axle?

[wiggy]

Hi Folks!
Looking for a bit of advice from those in the know............ when fitting snow chains to camper van (has a double axle? 4 wheels at the back) do you need snow chains on both sets of rear wheels or just the outside ones?

As always thanks in advance!

Rob

[Sancho]

I would say only the outside ones - I can't imagine how you'd get the over the second set given that chains fasten over the front of the wheel.

[wiggy]

Thanks Sancho thats what i thought (i dont have a camper but a mate of mine is going up to the mountains at the weeked and wasnt sure), in regard to snowchains i have never used them on double wheels and didn't know if there was some kind of contraption for them or not.

Rob

[Sancho]

Thanks Sancho thats what i thought (i dont have a camper but a mate of mine is going up to the mountains at the weeked and wasnt sure), in regard to snowchains i have never used them on double wheels and didn't know if there was some kind of contraption for them or not.

Rob

It's probably front wheel drive anyway isn't it? Chains should always go on the drive (or all) wheels.

[da SLUG man]

It's probably front wheel drive anyway isn't it? Chains should always go on the drive (or all) wheels.

??... only little vans go front wheel drive, smaller transits, renault and peugeot.

double wheels will be RWD

[Sancho]

??... only little vans go front wheel drive, smaller transits, renault and peugeot.

double wheels will be RWD

I thought a camper was a 'little' van? I suppose there is a point about why you would put double rear wheels on a front wheel drive vehicle though.....

[wiggy]

Hi sorry its not a vw kind its one like this (sorry about the pic)

[Ava_Banana]

.......speaking of snow chains.......who's watching these?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Toyota-Hilux-S...09225002r20882

[yoshie]

I would disagree with sancho, drive is not much good if you can't steer.
You should fit 4 so the front works On 4x4 you would always put on the front if you only have one set. The same with a front wheel drive car.

Any rear wheel drive needs a full set or you will have great drive and no control

[Sancho]

I would disagree with sancho, drive is not much good if you can't steer.

And steering's not much good if you're not moving.

Chains are always fitted to the drive wheels, partly for grip to move and partly for traction to allow engine braking.

You're right though, chains on all four wheels makes the most sense if you are rear or 4 wd.

[Apache]

I'm with Yoshie on this. Either have chains on all four corners, or none at all! The last thing you want with no steering *is* drive.

[Albannach]

Is the use of snow chains legal in the UK?

[rbaz]

I'm with Yoshie on this. Either have chains on all four corners, or none at all! The last thing you want with no steering *is* drive.

You only need them on the rear wheels on a rear wheel drive car.
Yes 4 would be better but 2 is OK as long as you understand you have more traction than steering but it will steer.
Parents are in the Pyrenees now and in a Jumbo Transit and needed to use chains at one point. Only used them on the rear no problem at all

[gwh200]

Before I started shovelling shoite for a living I drove wagons and coaches. I drove across many alpine countries during winter and needed to use chains. The convention was chains on the drive axle ( I just copied what the locals did). If you have two sets, all the better but as your reccomended top speed whilst chained was about 15 mph, steering wasn't an issue. I would reccomend putting chains on well before required. You can drive over them, but getting the inner up on a block makes fitting much easier. Remember to fit, tighten, drive 50 feet and retighten.

[KERRSURF]

I have a 4 x 4, do I really need snow chains?

The answer is YES. While 4 x 4 vehicles offer superior grip over conventional 2 wheel drive systems, snow chains significantly increase the available traction, beyond that offered by even specialised snow tyres. In addition to this, when travelling abroad you will find police and local authorities may prevent you from driving into many European ski resorts without snow chains.
How many snow chains do I need?

* Front wheel drive - 1 pair of snow chains fitted to front wheels
* Rear wheel drive - See note below
* 4 wheel drive:
o Permanent 4 wheel drive: 2 sets of chains.
o Manually selectable 4 wheel drive:
+ Moderate conditions: Engage 2wd mode, 1 set of chains. If vehicle becomes stuck in snow, 4wd may be engaged, but should immediately be disengaged once vehicle can be moved freely in order to avoid risk of damage to drivetrain due to differing wheel rolling circumferences.
+ Extreme conditions: Engage 4wd mode, 2 sets of chains.
o Electronically controlled 4wd: 2 sets of chains.
o Land Rover Freelander 1 (including 04 on facelift): 2 sets of chains. If 1 set of chains has to be used, these must be fitted to the rear wheels. Fitting chains to the front wheels only may result in damage to the VCU and/or IRD.

All vehicles will benefit from snow chains fitted to all wheels to gain lateral grip, to either reduce understeer on rear wheel drive vehicles or to reduce oversteer on front wheel drive and 4 x 4 vehicles.
My vehicle is rear wheel drive, should I fit them on the steering or driving wheels?
With rear wheel drive cars, there are basically two options.

1. The safer (but more expensive) option would be to run chains all round. This obviously gives consistent grip at both ends of the vehicle, and maximum resilience against harsh conditions.
2. The alternative is to run chains just on the driven rear wheels. This ensures that the vehicle keeps moving forwards, but leaves you with reduced grip on the front of the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle will have an inherent tendancy to understeer. Conventional wisdom says that if a car is going to either under or oversteer, understeer is the safer option, as most competant drivers can easily assess the available grip, and any loss of control can normally be controlled easily by simply removing any throttle and brake that's being applied until steering is regained.