Hi,

A little advice if I may. I am off to the alps on Friday in my P38 Rangie...

I've done the trip before but was in my Hilux Surf (now I drive a proper car lol).

Does anyone have any experience of using snow chains with their P38?

I know that the use of snow chains is not really needed with 4x4 and good tyres, however... last time I went the police were stopping all vehicles and making drivers put them on (if you didn't have them, you weren't going up the mountain).

My question is as follows, does anyone have a preferred place to put them (front or rear wheels)?

I cant seem to find this info on the forum anywhere...

Some people say that the front wheels are best as they allow you to retain steering and other say that that the rear wheels are best as they allow for better grip and drive...

Anyone know the answer? Many thanks in advance...

fit nokian snow tyres to a cheap set of steel rims chuck ya chains in the back an tell the gendarmes to en-coooooooley.

spelling is dodgey but they will understand.

Front wheel drive> front wheels

Rear wheel drive> rear wheels

4X4> all four wheels> total traction

On 4WD vehicles:

• Snow chains mounted on all 4 with 4WD/AWD - ideal lateral stability, perfect acceleration, crisp steering, super braking. However, part time systems will show some understeer (turns are wider than intended). Full time 4WD systems are best. This is what everyone should have for snow and ice. Be careful anyway.
• Snow chains mounted on front axle with 4WD/AWD - good acceleration, good steering, good braking. However, since the rear wheels have no lateral guidance, the rear end might come around - fast. Not good. Feather your brakes. Go slow.
• Snow chains mounted on rear axle with 4WD/AWD - good acceleration, lousy steering (no lateral guidance), marginal braking (remember, 80% of brake force is created at front wheels and without chains that ain't happening). No fishtailing. Best compromise for 4WD with only one pair of chains. Go slow.

you would need all 4 wheels with chains on for the best results. for the sake of a couple of hundred quid its not worth wrecking your car!