Member Since: 02 Jun 2014
Location: Surrey
Posts: 7
snow chains on d4 (for mud use)
Hi,
I know the topic of snow chains has been covered, and I have read all the threads. My question is two-fold. Firstly, there are some new chains that I've not seen covered in the forums - the Thule Easy Fit (Thule CU9-265), which seem to have the best of both worlds - they have full coverage like regular diamond chains, but are easy to fit.
I can't see reference to whether they'll work on the front wheels of a Disco 4 (except for the fact that they are not 'the official' chains). I'm surprised there would be a clearance issue behind the front wheels on this car, but if anyone has any info that would be great.
Secondly, I'm not actually planning on using them for snow use mainly (believe it or not). I sometimes have to recover a boat on a trailer from very muddy sea/river bed, and often find that the road tyres have little to no grip. Even with a 10m recovery strap, the conditions are sometimes bad enough that a friend's defender in mud tyres isn't able to pull the trailer out - so I'm not expecting miracles, but for even moderately bad conditions I'm not sure the Disco factory tyres are up to the job.
Am i right in thinking that any chains could be put on the rear wheels? Given I'm just straight-line tugging in mud, there would be no real steering requirements, so could be fine. Would snow chains on the rears, for road use (in show), be very dangerous?
Finally does anyone have a view on whether swnow chains in the mud will help? I know that it doesn't beat mud tyres, but it may be useful for a bit of extra grip. Easy on/off is essential for this, as it would generally be done once the boat is already stuck and time is of the essence.
thanks for the help with my random request.
23rd Nov 2014 3:32 pm
disco4x4au
Member Since: 19 Jan 2006
Location: Perth
Posts: 409
I've seen chains used on muddy competition courses. Chains will give you a very high level of traction - better than a mud tyre. But be mindful that they'll also destroy the track very quickly if you start spinning wheels.
Cheers,
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25th Nov 2014 2:40 am
richard32
Member Since: 02 Jun 2014
Location: Surrey
Posts: 7
that's good to know. the mud is actually a low tide sea bed, so no risk of destroying it really, as the tide comes up and over it, and flattens it all out again.
I've seen videos of Disco 4s with conventional front chains on, but that seems to contradict the advice in their own documentation.
Anyone have a view on whether a chain requiring 9mm clearance at the back of the wheel would be safe to use on the front wheels?
thanks
25th Nov 2014 10:47 am
jc_uk
Member Since: 19 Apr 2007
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 314
Konig chains.
Or long rope winch.
Or a tractor ?
25th Nov 2014 11:00 am
richard32
Member Since: 02 Jun 2014
Location: Surrey
Posts: 7
yes, tractor is the last resort - but fortunately we have a few of those. That's an hour's drive away though.
something super quick is what will be best, because as the trailer sinks further and further into the mud, quick action will get it out, but waiting 10 minutes to put on chains probably means it is beyond help with a single car.
25th Nov 2014 11:05 am
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Would a winch be more appropriate?Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 11 Jun 2011
Location: Hastings
Posts: 1283
Chains could certainly help however if you are going to be recovering boats from a situation like that I'd say a winch would be much more appropriate.
Ok the outlay is going to be more, but chains covered in mud are really not nice things to handle, they'll need to be washed after every outing to keep them in good condition and a set of chains worthy enough of "regular" use for that sort of thing isn't going to be cheap.
I guess it comes down to what is your time worth?
An hour (or more) each time setting, storing and maintaining the chains, as well as the outlay and no actual guarantee you can get out?
25th Nov 2014 11:23 am
Russell
Member Since: 24 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
What ever option you go for salt and sand/mud are not nice and the combination along with the chains will quickly reck your wheels. Am not sure chains will actually work in this conditions either so would go with winch as others have suggested. MY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
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25th Nov 2014 1:11 pm
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
ive used chains in mud and TBH there are more trouble then they are worth.
they are a nighmare to put on in the mud and take ages - you'll need Heavy duty PEWAG chains @ £350 a set, not the cheaper "small" linked chains
far better to get a winch - as it happens, MRH is selling his at a good price Duncan
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