Snow chains

[whiterabbit]

Hi,
does anyone have experience with snow chains on your Grenadier or other 4x4 ?
Which axle do you fit the snow chains to? Only front axle or only rear axle or on both axles?

Thanks in advance!

 

[artschool]

manual says recommended both axels or rear if you only have one set

 

[Tinerfeño]

Some earlier discussions:

Snow Chains

I used to use snow chains on my defender in deep snow in Bosnian winters in the mountains. Any one have any thoughts on the best chains for the Grenadier or even if they are superfluous? RUD look professional but at 800 euros a pair they aren’t cheap. I have 265 / 70 / 17 BFG Goodrich tyres. I...

www.theineosforum.com

Airing down Steelies and stock tires? Suggested ranges?

With the stock steelies and either set of stock tires, what would be the recommended tires pressures to air down to and still be safe?

www.theineosforum.com

 

[whiterabbit]

Thank you! I'm going to get a second pair of chains.

 

[CrazyOldMan]

Hi,
does anyone have experience with snow chains on your Grenadier or other 4x4 ?
Which axle do you fit the snow chains to? Only front axle or only rear axle or on both axles?

Thanks in advance!

I’ve ditched chains for K&K snow socks - they’re designed in Canada and manufactured in Europe. I think they perform better and are easier to put on - I bought 2 sets (all four wheels). I also have dedicated snow tires and recovery boards.

Smart Alternative to Tire Chains - K&K Automotive Snow Socks | K&K Auto Accessories - Snows Socks & Premium Car Mats

snow sock, snow chain, alternative traction device, snow chain alternative, atd, snow tire, tire sock, car sock, auto sock, automotive sock, sock for tires, car snow sock, snow cable, winter driving, car emergency kit, traction aid, easy tire chain, snow tire chain, snow storm, tire chain for...

knkcar.com

View: https://youtu.be/sPkM1CL4oGY?si=vB0g3yCnjZvKoa5g

 

[whiterabbit]

Looks nice and simple to install, but I don't know if snow socks are acceptable when snow chains are mandatory like in the Austrian Alps...? I'll buy a second pair of snow chains and that's it.

 

[CrazyOldMan]

Looks nice and simple to install, but I don't know if snow socks are acceptable when snow chains are mandatory like in the Austrian Alps...? I'll buy a second pair of snow chains and that's it.

 

[CrazyOldMan]

I guess the Austrians know something the Swiss and French do not? All part of the Hapsburg Snow-Chain Industrial Megaplex ;o)

 

[Tinerfeño]

Snow socks and snow chains are totally different products.
To say which is better one needs to say in which conditions.
I wouldn't waste my money on snow socks.

 

[CrazyOldMan]

Snow socks and snow chains are totally different products.
To say which is better one needs to say in which conditions.
I wouldn't waste my money on snow socks.

Coming from one of the colder regions of North America, I’ll say this. Snow chains are better if you’re in an extreme situation - like on a steep incline on solid ice. For the deepest snow - that’s why God invented snowmobiles. And if you insist on driving your truck in that, you really want a specialist tire for those deep powder off-road situations (which suck on road). For hardpack, snow socks I think work better - both on acceleration and braking. And I’ve enjoyed their simplicity - hated the untangling and latch hooks on chains. So yes, depends on the application.

 

[HelgeL]

Hello everyone,
quick question regarding snow chains and differential locks: what is the correct procedure when using chains only on the rear axle? Should the center diff always be locked? Or only when going uphill? Should front and rear diff locks only be engaged when absolutely necessary? Are there any issues due to the different rolling circumferences of the wheels?

When the snow becomes less deep, the chains should be removed immediately – even if conditions improve only briefly and then return to deep snow?

We are currently in the Alps on a high mountain farm, and my experience with driving through deep snow on forest roads is still quite limited, especially since the Bridgestone Duelers are not ideal...

Thank you very much!

 

[drinkmorejava]

Hello everyone,
quick question regarding snow chains and differential locks: what is the correct procedure when using chains only on the rear axle? Should the center diff always be locked? Or only when going uphill? Should front and rear diff locks only be engaged when absolutely necessary? Are there any issues due to the different rolling circumferences of the wheels?

When the snow becomes less deep, the chains should be removed immediately – even if conditions improve only briefly and then return to deep snow?

We are currently in the Alps on a high mountain farm, and my experience with driving through deep snow on forest roads is still quite limited, especially since the Bridgestone Duelers are not ideal...

Thank you very much!

I'd like to hear it from someone who know what they're doing, but my guess is you wouldn't want to lock thing ups. The circumference difference and the fact that your front offroad tires are probably going to have a moderate amount of traction anyway mean you're going to be constantly spinning something and putting a ton of stress on the transmission. Ideally you would only engage if you're stuck...but at that point it might be too late, which is sort of the catch 22 with snow and diffs.

Also, wouldn't you put them on the front? The rear is really just for rear wheel vehicles, but front wheel drive is better in the snow.

 

[Lollo050968]

Best is 2 pairs, all wheel chained. Than you can lock what you want.
Second choice: Uphill in the front and no locks (personally i never needed uphill with 4x4 chains), Downhill back side, no locks. On the back because while bracking the chains support you to hold the right way.

 

[grnamin]

 

[Tinerfeño]

This is a repost sent earlier on the first link sent earlier:

In off-road conditions I always put first set to front. Then I have maximum traction, steering and braking.

On an icy road it is little bit tricky. If speeds are low I may put first set to front if I expect harder conditions ahead. But at any higher speeds one set of chains need to be in the back. Otherwise you loose traction from rear and the car spins. This has happened to me couple of times. If you tow a trailer, chains to the rear axle, otherwise you are not able to reverse the trailer at all.

It's the same with tyres: If you have uneven pairs, put the best to the rear. I had year ago bad alignment on front of my L322 and the tyres wore at no time. As the rears were good I just bought 1 pair and it was easiest to put into the front. But after a week in winter conditions i needed to rotate the tyres because the handling was so bad. After this no problems.

 

[Tinerfeño]

And some pictures:

2018 Mini-Kumlinge

landrover.kuvat.fi

2013 Mini-Kumlinge III

landrover.kuvat.fi

2013 Talvioffi

landrover.kuvat.fi

2011 Ketjuoffi

landrover.kuvat.fi

2010 Ketjuoffi

landrover.kuvat.fi

2010 Silinterioffi

landrover.kuvat.fi

 

[HelgeL]

Great thanks!
The reason to put them on rear axle was - despite saying so in the manual - my fear to spin on the steep and slippery downslope. So its best to buy a 2nd set of chains and keep CDL open if possible.
Cool pics
Helge

 

[AZGrenadier]

I have always locked the center otherwise it is still possible to lock up both tires on one axle. I would never lock the rear unless I wanted to do donuts. Locking the front you wouldn’t be able to turn if it is slippery so that would be a pretty bad idea. That said I drove through a pretty crappy storm when I first got the truck and it seemed that it handled better letting the traction control figure things out while on iced over tarmac. This was definitely different from my past experiences. I also was probably still running the factory tire pressure at the time.

 

[Tinerfeño]

With snow chains I always lock centre differential when off-road. On-road depending on conditions and speed.
Rear locker can be used off-road practically all the time. Sometimes in side slopes it may be better to open it to give more transverse traction.
Front locker only on special cases.

With chains it is usually OK to use road pressures.

 

[CrazyOldMan]

With snow chains I always lock centre differential when off-road. On-road depending on conditions and speed.
Rear locker can be used off-road practically all the time. Sometimes in side slopes it may be better to open it to give more transverse traction.
Front locker only on special cases.

With chains it is usually OK to use road pressures.

Agreed - I lock center Offroad in snow -

@HelgeL - we know you’re in the Alps - do you live in the mountains or just visiting? I just ask because, at least in terms of on-road driving, if you’re up there a lot or live there, you might want to consider snow tires or even studs for the winter, and just keep the chains for when you’re stuck or off-road. Of course the studs have a speed limit restriction and are actually dangerous once you get onto dry pavement.