Snow Tyres or Snow chains?

[snezza]

On a beautiful sunny day in October, it may seem a bit "previous" to be thinking about this coming winter weather.

But after last winter and all the snow we had, I thought it best to plan ahead. I live on a slight hill and it only takes an inch or so of snow to prevent me getting my Renault Trafic to the top of the road (approx 150mtrs). Last winter I spent 6 hours on my own with a snow shovel and a bucket of grit digging 2 tracks in the snow the width of my van to allow me to get the van out. All my neighbours basically stood and watched me, although one old lady did offer me a cup of tea!
When I had eventually finished, most of them just drove up the road waving there appreciation as they went

Thinking about it again as I am typing this is making my stomach churn with anger! So, that brings me to my question.
Does any one have any experience as to which is a better investment?
I have found a price for both, and the chains are £120 and the 2 snow tyres are £140/pair.
What does everyone else think?

Snezza

[chip off the block]

snow tyres buddy as they can improve grip anything below 10 degree c and chains will have to be taken off on roads with no snow

[Inspectorgadget]

snow tyres buddy as they can improve grip anything below 10 degree c and chains will have to be taken off on roads with no snow

Tyres.

[PJK]

I'd go tyres as well mate. Your better off getting a spare set of rims as well and just swap them out when needed.

[Stretch]

Good post this one....

My only problem is getting out of my drive as it has a bit of an upwards incline.

Provided I can do that I live in a fairly flat area and I can normally trawl through the fresh snow and compacted ice

If I know the forecast is for snow I have no problem with getting up a bit earlier and sweeping the drive and chucking a bit of rock salt down just so I can get away in the morning.

Because I carry a fair bit of weight on the van with tools and racking etc it seems to give me good traction and I can get up most slight to medium hills without a problem......as long as I don't have to stop halfway up for the muppet who won't pull in and let me keep going! Otherwise it's roll back down the hill and start again!

My bruv has a got a 4x4 he wants to sell....I might just buy it for this winter so I don't lose any money.

Tyres vs Chains? Well surely if you go for tyres you need to have all your tyres changed for what?.......a month?

Chains are better surely but from my enquiries I made last year you need to order them as most places won't keep stock for vans. So by the time you've got them you'll have been sat at home for two days anyway and that's if the delivery of the chains can get through?

[chip off the block]

see my post stretch, better grip anything lower than 10 degree so that is 6 month
and they can be run in summer but wear a little quicker

[snezza]

My understanding is that I only need to put winter tyres on the driven wheels, or am I wrong? Same as with Snow chains only on the driven wheels.
I have plenty of spare steel rims as I have alloys on my van, so I could have the winter tyres fitted to them and swop them back when the spring arrives. The consensus seems to be tyres rather than chains. My worry is whether or not the tyres will drag the van up the slope or whether I would be better off with the chains?

One of my mates suggested I leave the van at the top of the road from the previous day!.....Full of tools!........Out of sight of my house!........All night! GULP!
I had to try and explain to him that he would be more likely to see my "Mrs" stood up there touting for business than see my van there overnight
How many of you guys would leave there van in those circumstances?
Snezza

[chip off the block]

My understanding is that I only need to put winter tyres on the driven wheels, or am I wrong? Same as with Snow chains only on the driven wheels.
I have plenty of spare steel rims as I have alloys on my van, so I could have the winter tyres fitted to them and swop them back when the spring arrives. The consensus seems to be tyres rather than chains. My worry is whether or not the tyres will drag the van up the slope or whether I would be better off with the chains?

One of my mates suggested I leave the van at the top of the road from the previous day!.....Full of tools!........Out of sight of my house!........All night! GULP!
I had to try and explain to him that he would be more likely to see my "Mrs" stood up there touting for business than see my van there overnight
How many of you guys would leave there van in those circumstances?
Snezza31

i have left mine part way around my estate but there was 12" of snow so could see may folk getting to it but i didnt sleep that well thinking about it.

What times your missus going to be on the corner?

[chip off the block]

watch this at 1.50ish http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCyiBoTxCao