anyone driven to Chamonix, France?

[metalguru]

I`m going skiing to Chamonix in France in March and don`t yet know the local rule regarding snow chains.
I`ve heard if you drive a 4x4 you don`t need them.
Does any body know the rules.
Regardless as to what the French cops want I cant wait to get there just to try driving in snow again.

[Deleted Member D]

Av no idea on the regs but I think we should all go with you to find out please. What dya think ? What type of tyre avya got on at the moment or what will you be going with ? Mud terrains are good for soft snow but crap on hard compact stuff. :lol:

[Deleted Member S]

I think I would get a set just incase as the last thing you want to do is get stuck :roll: In the owners hand book for the T2 it states to use snow chains only on the rear wheels 8O I don't know if this is because of clearance problems with the front suspension etc :roll: So I would check your hand book just incase yours is the same. As for the regs i've now idea :oops:

[JonathanM]

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/snow-chains-winter-tyres.html

This link may help, suggests that for France you should carry them and use them as directed by local signage.

[metalguru]

Thanks for that guys, looks like I`m taking some along.
I`ve got the standard Goodyear m+s tyres the truck came with so I`m hoping they`ll be OK but I am a little worried as the gearbox doesn`t have a centre difflock like my old terrano which was awesome in the snow.
I can`t believe when I test drove it I didn`t look for that as it`s a mega money extra when new and I had the choice of a car park full!!!!!

PS if everyone is coming out for a play give me a ring first so I can cook a few more dinners!!!!!

[JonathanM]

Thanks for that guys, looks like I`m taking some along.
I`ve got the standard Goodyear m+s tyres the truck came with so I`m hoping they`ll be OK but I am a little worried as the gearbox doesn`t have a centre difflock like my old terrano which was awesome in the snow.
I can`t believe when I test drove it I didn`t look for that as it`s a mega money extra when new and I had the choice of a car park full!!!!!

PS if everyone is coming out for a play give me a ring first so I can cook a few more dinners!!!!!

Terrano's don't have a centre difflock due to selectable 4wd - putting it in 4wd is the equivalent of locking a centre diff on a fulltime 4wd, agree that traction is seldom a problem when 4wd is used in a T2.

[metalguru]

Thanks for the advice chaps, seems I have to take snow chains or I will be turned back at Le mountain by Les Gendarmes.
The chap on e_bay wants £39.95 for a set and reckons I need 2 sets.
Has anyone driven one of these beasts on snow with or without chains? and if so what are they like?
Does the price sound right - they are the 16mm commercial variety.

[JonathanM]

I've read some advice somewhere (don't ask me for the reference!) and I have a feeling that in a 4wd it said if you only have 1 pair of chains, fit them to the front, for grip & steering. Not sure if french law wil state anything about this though, and common sense would say 2 pairs of chains would be the most effective way to go.

I've seen chains fro sale in french supermarkets, quite cheap, but don't know if they would fit a typical 4x4 fitment tyre.

[Deleted Member S]

Hi Metalguru :smile: Have you checked that snow chains can be fitted to the front of your truck as I would hate you to buy 2 sets & only be able to fit 1 set :roll: . JonathanM your right about fitting snow chains to the front if your in 4WD & have only one set of chains as it helps the braking & steering, I read it in 4X4Mag last year :wink:
The owners hand book for the T2 states that chains can only be fitted to the rear of a T2/Mav 8O just hopes this is of help to any one wanting some chains

[metalguru]

Hi again,
I still haven`t found out whether they should be fitted to the front, rear or both axles.
It seems likely the gentleman selling them would have a vested interest in selling 2 sets.
I tried the 4wd for the first time last night and I`m convinced there is no centre diff from the way it bounced around the turn off my drive.
I can`t find out what the drive system is and even the dealer doesn`t know.
Does anybody know if there is a centre diff, cos if there isn`t one I know 1 pair is enough.

[JonathanM]

If it is a selectable 2wd/4wd system like the terrano, then there isn't a centre diff, and the bouncing you encountered was transmission wind up. If it is a permanent 4wd system and you lcoked the centre diff then the symptoms you describe are again transmission wind up.

Have you got the owners manual, they suually have the facts in there re chains etc.

[Deleted Member S]

I'm sure it's the same set up as the navara so Jace should be able to tell you for deff

[jace]

mines older than yours an im same as terranos no center diff imagine d40s same just push button 4x4 no good on road youll spit your transfer box onto the tarmac lol!

[metalguru]

I`m convinced now there is no centre diff so it`s just 1 set I`m taking.
Quite honestly can`t wait to go just because of the snow.
I`m not really too bothered about the skiing as my knees are shot to bits anyway - that`s for the kids!!
The best bit is there is a day out to Italy being talked about with a drive straight through the alps in even more snow!!
Full report on eventual return and hopefully some juicy pics.
Any advice, no matter how basic, will be appreciated as I`m a complete novice to this kind of adventure and would describe my driving as "careful amatuer"

[andrewk]

In the owners hand book for the T2 it states to use snow chains only on the rear wheels 8O I don't know if this is because of clearance problems with the front suspension

Don't think so. It says the same in the Patrol handbook.

Cheers
Andrew

[JonathanM]

I've seen these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PEWAG-Brenta-c-4x4-Snow-Chains_W0QQitemZ150210572674QQihZ005QQcategoryZ988 5QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem on the bay, Pewag is a very good brand of snow chain. Don't know if they'll fit your wagon though?

[metalguru]

Thanks JonathanM, Ihave finally picked up a set and they look identical to the ones on e-bay from leisure shack - got them for £34.95 plus p+p, they were very helpful and indeed the only place who could supply the right size for under £100.00.(255/65 x 17 - very rare size it would seem)
Will try the fit tomorrow PM.
There is still some debate as to which axle to fit them on - the supplier says on the front and I`ve read on the net that the back is better, regardless of what the supplier on car manufacturer says.- would seem to be personal preference.
Has anybody driven on chains - what is your preference?

[Deleted Member S]

You are doing the right thing Metalguru by having a trail fit/practice before you have to use them in the snow :smile: I would do it a few times as you'll get faster putting them on each time :wink:
If your in 4WD I would fit them on the front aslong as they dont catch anything as it will increase your braking power & steering control :smile:

[davemud]

Hi metalguru
nice to see your going to test the new machine, we have driven to France skiing 4 time in the past (3 with the T2) last time was Feb 2006.
we arrived to very light snow on the roads No Fun At all!!! But by the 3rd day we had had 2ft of the stuff
the French were using bulldozer's from the local mine to clear the roads, we had 1ft of snow each day till we left,
the worst thing was having to dig the car out so you should carry a shovel (found a fold up army one is the best).

1st you need your chains police wont let you up in the mountain with out them and you need to have them handy not under all your bags.

2nd the rear is where the police will ask you to put them unless you only have front wheel drive, they do look at all cars moving in and out off the villages when snow is on its way, you don't need 2 sets if its that bad every thing just stops, they get all the cars off the road and then go at it with any thing that can move SNOW and yes i mean any thing you wont want your car out there.

3rd Keep you washer bottle 50/50 water and cleaner it can get very cold up in the alp's and with all the salt they use the windows get very dirty.

4th last one for now, be prepared, we have driven to the alp's, in the same time its take to get up them. lost of skiers in and out the mountains only usually one mountain pass.

But buy the way I enjoy the drive in the car nearly as much as on me ski's
have fun and take some pic's

regards Davemud

P.s any thing ells ask and if i can help i will....