Snow chains - syncro...

[amazingdave]

Hiya,

Does anyone know whether you need 2 sets of chains for a syncro, or do you just fit them to the rear only?

Also do you need a different type of chain for mud and snow tyres than for standard road tyres?

Looking at these chains, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Snowchains-4x4-Va ... 0234733688

Cheers

Dave.

[Ye Olde Syncrospares]

you need to fit chains to all 4 corners,make sure there good quality as ive used cheap sets and they have broke and then spun around inside the rim destroying the brake pipes and handbrake cables,cj.

[Syncro G]

I think the genral recomerndations for 4WD vehicles is that all wheels should be fitted with chains if your fitting chains at all, sadly that makes it a bit expencive. Putting them on one axle and not the other gives big grip defferences and can make it spin. Would have thought a decent set of chains for that tyre size will be fine regardless of tread pattern, that only makes a slight difference to the size of the tyre though I guess its worth trying them first, loose chains fall off alot!

Unless your going somewhere remote/overseas you'll probubly find the syncro does alright without chains if you drive it thortfully - I find if you aim for fresh snow it'll compress it and get alot of grip from it, pre used tracks with compressed snow on the other hand are more slippy and could have been compressed to ice - thats probubly the sort of thing chains would help on but in the UK you'd probubly have to keep removing them when you run out of snow again. With fresh snow its always worth remembering there could be ice hiding underneath, perticularly if its recent snow fall on top of slightly older and driven on snow.

Keep the speed down, drive smoothly and use low gears instead of the brakes and some deap treaded tyres and you'll probubly find it works pritty well as is. Always puts a smile on my face when driving a 4WD up a road with no drama when you can see the weaving tracks made by a front wheel drive that couldn't hack it. It'll still do that no drama with the front wheel drive tied to the towbar aswell! A couple of years ago I went for a play in the snow and earned more money extracting a RWD taxi from a ditch than I spent on fuel that day - getting payed to play in the snow! Presides my rope all I bother carrying is a spade (plus a camping stove and decent sleeping bag if I'm going somewhere stupid - a syncro camper should have that one sorted!) - all I needed to extract myself [eventully] when I parked it in a snow drift. I got through the snowdrift iventully but it had to be charged at first with a mates Land Rover 101 to make it smaller, was above my knees though - not that common! a very good day though.

[amazingdave]

Cheers for the advice.

I'll wait and see how I cope without chains... I've got goodyear vector cargo M&S tyres on with a very good depth of tread so it sounds from your experiences that I'll be ok... I always go for a play in the snow, whatever vehicle I've got, just to keep my eye in, not got stuck yet. (And the award for Famous last words goes to....)

Even my old nissan micra was good, with chains of course. I too have always found that sticking to the fresh stuff and making your own tracks works best in non drifting falls.

Dave

[toomanytoys]

Syncro's manage to find traction easily.. Just remeber not to use too much throttle, let it find the grip...

Use the chains as a last resort..

Goodyear vector cargo's are cracking tyres..