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Advice please, chains or socks?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Chippy01, Nov 30, 2010.

  1. Chippy01

    Chippy01 Junior Member

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    OK. Let me start off by stating that that I have read all the threads here, and on other forums, about winter driving.
    What I need to know, preferably from actual users, is the similarities/differences and benefits of using either snow socks or snow chains on my '07 Gen II Prius T-Spirit.
    In the village where I live, when I leave my drive, if I turn right I am going up a fairly steep hill.
    If I turn left, I go down this steep hill to a bridge over a river, only to ascend up a slightly steeper hill the far side.
    Basically, I am stuck between a slippy and a slidey place. The road has about 2" of ice topped off with the compacted snow of last night's 4" of snowfall.
    I am only 4 miles from a treated main road, but I cannot leave my house as I cannot get up the hill to my right. I tried yesterday and only managed to creep about 50 yards before the traction control stopped all power to the drive wheels. It's no use turning left, 'cos then I'll be stuck on the bridge going nowhere.

    So which would be the best option to get me out of here, chains or socks?
    And please, no lectures about winter tyres.

    Thanks.
     
    #1 Chippy01, Nov 30, 2010
  2. Chippy01

    Chippy01 Junior Member

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    A couple of pics....
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    #2 Chippy01, Nov 30, 2010
  3. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Do you really need chains? Those photos look like pretty normal winter weather for my area, and almost no one uses chains here. Perhaps we have better snow removal and sanding.

    As for chains vs socks, chains are more aggressive and will work better when you really need them.

    Tom
     
    #3 qbee42, Nov 30, 2010
  4. Chippy01

    Chippy01 Junior Member

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    I guess I should have gone into more detail. What you might call normal winter weather in your area is very exceptional for Ireland.
    The only traffic moving in the village are tractors and 4x4's. Any other 2 wheel drive vehicle (fwd though, rwd's haven't a hope) that happens to pass are wearing chains. A few have tried without the aid of chains and have had to 'spin' thier way up the hill after first getting some momentum going, and as you are probably aware, spinning a Gen II Prius out of trouble does not work.
     
    #4 Chippy01, Nov 30, 2010
  5. Blizzard10

    Blizzard10 New Member

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    If theres 2 inches of ice under that snow chains are the way to go. But I wouldnt even get in the car unless it was really necessary. If theres is any traffic at all, cars will be sliding all over the place.
     
    #5 Blizzard10, Nov 30, 2010
    1 person likes this.
  6. Chippy01

    Chippy01 Junior Member

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    Necessary is looming. I don't get paid for staying at home, and the larder is becoming a tad spartan....:wacko:

    Anyway, further searching has revealed that chains have sold out here, and more stock isn't due until the 19th.
    Socks however, are due in on monday so I ordered a set.

    Now to sit back and watch it all thaw away by sunday....:car:
     
    #6 Chippy01, Dec 2, 2010
  7. subarutoo

    subarutoo New Member

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    In LA, we don't do snow. I have used chains, many years ago, and still have a set of cable chains, somewhere. But, what are socks? Never heard of them.
     
    #7 subarutoo, Dec 10, 2010
  8. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    I'd say a set of socks would be the way to go. Not sure on the laws in Ireland but I'm sure chains have been outlawed over here. Maybe chains would be OK on the snow so long as you stop to remove them when you meet the salted road?

    p.s. Love the pics though. Where abouts in Ireland are you?


    Bit snowed under over here too;

    [​IMG]
     
    #8 GrumpyCabbie, Dec 10, 2010
  9. romad

    romad 2004 Prīus Base Former Owner (Sold 13 May 22)

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    Must be a European thing. I found this UK link:
    AutoSock/Auto Sock.The Textile wheel cover for Driving in Ice and Snow.Auto Socks get you Home!

    20-30 years ago there was a company called "Yeti" (IIRC) that made what I consider the best ice/snow traction aide, Unfortunately they were pretty expensive and the company went out of business.

    Edit.

    Looks like they're still available in Japan: http://www.yeti-snownet.com/
     
    #9 romad, Dec 12, 2010
  10. Rae Vynn

    Rae Vynn Artist In Residence

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    Those sock things look amazing. Putting chains on the car in the dark, at -30F in a blizzard, never really did it for me, when I lived in MN.
     
    #10 Rae Vynn, Dec 12, 2010
  11. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    Sounds like a business opportunity for one of our US members?

    In case you're worried they won't work, they're designed by a Norwegian company and are TUV approved.

    I'd never considered them myself but looking at the website I might try out a set.
     
    #11 GrumpyCabbie, Dec 12, 2010
  12. Chippy01

    Chippy01 Junior Member

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    Well, I bit the bullet and ordered some socks. €68 isn't really that much to get out of a hole.
    The thing is, they arrived on thursday (the whole country was sold out of both chains and socks when I ordered the week previous) just as the thaw started. Bloody typical!!!
    Haven't had chance to try them yet, as the road is now heavily gritted and I am moving again.

    Saying all of that, the long range forecast has just said that more icy weather is on the way :eek:. For once, I might be ready for it...;)

    Oh, and I'm on the border of counties Wicklow and Wexford, just outside Arklow.
     
    #12 Chippy01, Dec 12, 2010
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