Hiya …going back 10 years the A2 out of Dover was solid snow/ice. the forign drivers poped on their chains
only to be told by the law to get them off quick they,re not allowed in the uk wrong type of tarmac or somthing
like that. It was perhaps just spite but the chains had to come off.
John
Zetorpilot:
merc0447:
So what do you do wrap it round the tyre or lay it on the ground?Hold one end, and swing it hard so that the other end wedges in a line in the angle between the tyres and the ice or snow. It takes a bit of practice.
And after you’ve done this and still didn’t get moving you might spent some considerable amount of time trying to get unstuck. That’s especially possible if you’re going to reverse to the exactly same tracks you used on the previous time you used the chain trick, like after container swap… Some unnamed driver (me) spent 40 minutes last winter trying to get tractor unit moving uphill after uncoupling 
Hint: Tyre is likely to dig a hole every time you use the chain trick…
Zetorpilot:
By the way that video is an avert for proper snow tyres, NOT chains. That sort of slush wouldn’t even slow down the Micra-driving, elderly flowery hat ladies here
He’s not kidding about the Micra-driving ladies…
i am in austria at the moment they sell snow chains at the services why cant uk services sell them .they dont mess about here they just clear it.
Kyrbo:
And after you’ve done this and still didn’t get moving you might spent some considerable amount of time trying to get unstuck. That’s especially possible if you’re going to reverse to the exactly same tracks you used on the previous time you used the chain trick, like after container swap… Some unnamed driver (me) spent 40 minutes last winter trying to get tractor unit moving uphill after uncoupling
Good point - I should probably have pointed out that this is something to do with caution. Used properly and in the right circumstances it will get you going. But you’re absolutely right Kyrbo (of course your right, you’ve been doing this job here much longer than I have) if you spin the wheels and send the chain flying, there will be some spade-work to do before very long
Kyrbo:
Zetorpilot:
By the way that video is an avert for proper snow tyres, NOT chains. That sort of slush wouldn’t even slow down the Micra-driving, elderly flowery hat ladies here
No, I really wasn’t kidding. They won’t believe us though!
The problem is, the circumstances are so much different here than in the UK - it’s really difficult to give proper advice about “slippery” conditions that simply wouldn’t present a problem if appropriate tyres were used. All the tips and tricks that I’ve been given - by Kyrbo and others - are really for circumstances very different from anything that is experienced in the UK.
Also, some of the ex-pat drivers on here are that are working on the North American continent are giving advice that is very different from advice that has been given to me, and which I have found to work- this suggests that different vehicle technologies and road maintenance strategies also have a bearing on what techniques to use to cope with challenging conditions.
Its almost worth getting stuck if you get towed by this
youtube.com/watch?v=pPE2lsSN … r_embedded
Lovely sound, that a Detroit or something?
newmercman:
Ian and gb1, you’ve no choice in that matter, or when you’re going over mountains, I have a full set, two doubles and four singles, I have enough for my rear drive axle, front axle and one trailer axle, they have to be carried to meet the law in the Western States, Callifornia in particular, but they’re to be used to get out of trouble, not to get into trouble, so if I get stuck, well I have no choice, but I wouldn’t put them on to do a full day’s driving, if it’s that bad then it’s time to wait for the snow ploughs. A bit different in your M/E days Ian, but Windy Hill and Bolu don’t have much in common, well apart from lots of muslims
I am sitting in the TA truckstop in Sparks, Nevada with a full set of chains in my side locker. Chain laws have been in effect on Donner Pass since last night but I refuse to leave here to sit at the side of the mountain in the ice, snow and cold to fit chains.
Zetorpilot:
But you’re absolutely right Kyrbo (of course your right, you’ve been doing this job here much longer than I have)
That’s dangerous to say that way. Experience doesn’t matter, one could be wrong despite enormous experience. I also wouldn’t be that sure about the experience thing any more 
Zetorpilot:
The problem is, the circumstances are so much different here than in the UK - it’s really difficult to give proper advice about “slippery” conditions that simply wouldn’t present a problem if appropriate tyres were used.
So true, I’ve looked some of the pictures presented here on this and previous winters and wondered what’s the fuss about, that’s just a normal winter weather which shouldn’t cause any major problems.
Zetorpilot:
Also, some of the ex-pat drivers on here are that are working on the North American continent are giving advice that is very different from advice that has been given to me, and which I have found to work- this suggests that different vehicle technologies and road maintenance strategies also have a bearing on what techniques to use to cope with challenging conditions.
Even the advice given by Finnish drivers varies. You’ve said you were told never to use exhaust brake on winter whereas I was told it’s very rare to face such conditions where it should be turned off. I’d even use (and have used) Volvo’s VEB engine brake at full power when loaded without much fear.
newmercman:
Snow chainsYou’ve obviously never had to use a set in anger then, no one in their right mind would ever voluntarily use snow chains, they are [zb] hard work and you freeze your ■■■■ off while you’re putting them on, then they come loose every 5mins and you have to do it all again, then they break and rip your mudgauards and back lights off, then after you’ve taken 2hrs to do 15miles a snow plough comes past you as you’re taking them off
Yes, snow curtains are much easier to use.