cable tie snow chains?

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Discussion

rob.e

Original Poster:

2,861 posts

285 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
quotequote all
luckily the worst of the weather seems to be over now - pretty frustrated that I got stuck twice - both times managed to get the car moving again, shovel and old capet worked a treat but its still a pain to have to resort to this..

i know a proper solution would be winter tyres, snow sock or chains BUT a thought struck me this morning

If i got some long cable ties and looped these around the tyre (through the spokes) this would surely give me a lot more grip on the snow, cost pennies, I can fit them easily/quickly and I don't have to worry about driving on roads that have been cleared (what's the worst that could happen, they wear and fall off?)

Anyone done this? Is there something obvious I'm missing ie it won't work or could damage the whee/tyre?

jbi

12,686 posts

211 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
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would probably not damage your wheel but would last all of about 5 mins...

Even metal ones wear out quickly

DaveVXR

292 posts

215 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
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Do some testing and let us know how long they last smile

mat205125

17,790 posts

220 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
quotequote all
Looking forward to the results of the tests of the genius idea hehe

sceptic

39 posts

189 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
quotequote all
Definite possibility, I've been carrying a pack but not needed them yet.

Its a long way round, 600mm+ so you need ties that long or link together.

You could pass through a section of fuel hose just over the tread.



Edited by sceptic on Thursday 14th January 12:21

Snoop Bagg

1,879 posts

201 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
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Someone's been watching a little too much McGyver / A-Team!

Crusoe

4,078 posts

238 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
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A short length of rope crossed over the tyre and round the spokes is easier and faster to put on.

TheRoadWarrior

1,241 posts

185 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
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I would think you'd want to avoid going though the spokes in case you get tangled up in the calipers- that wouldnt be fun! But you could perhaps still make it work, i should think it'd take a fair few packs of cable ties and some patience to figure out the best way to 'weave' a snow chain.

Do it and post some pictures!

sceptic

39 posts

189 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
quotequote all
Can't see it not working TBH, e.g. just to get away from the kerb.

Crusoe

4,078 posts

238 months

crofty1984

16,243 posts

211 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
quotequote all
I got caught n the snow only to find out that my snowchains didn't fit (In my defence, the box does say they are suitable for my tyres, 255/40 17)
Had to jerry-rig them together with keyrings and novelty carabenas from the petrol station!

edo

16,699 posts

272 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
quotequote all
crofty1984 said:
I got caught n the snow only to find out that my snowchains didn't fit (In my defence, the box does say they are suitable for my tyres, 255/40 17)
Had to jerry-rig them together with keyrings and novelty carabenas from the petrol station!
Funny, I just ordered snow chains for 255/40/17 and there was no way in hell they would fit. Place I bought says they send the wrong size and are sending more - just in time for the snow to have melted.

Superdry

96 posts

194 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
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Try using the cable ties as spring compressors too and let us know how you get on.

130R

6,856 posts

213 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
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Assuming this would work can you even buy cable ties long enough?

hornetrider

63,161 posts

212 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
quotequote all
mat205125 said:
Looking forward to the results of the tests of the genius idea hehe
Thread of the year!

rob.e

Original Poster:

2,861 posts

285 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
quotequote all
hornetrider said:
mat205125 said:
Looking forward to the results of the tests of the genius idea hehe
Thread of the year!
Ok, just ordered - 775mm ties, pack of 100 for £11.

http://www.nyfast.co.uk/Cable_Ties/Standard_Cable_...

Damn snow's melting now - d'oh!

hehe

MarJay

2,174 posts

182 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
quotequote all
I don't know why everyone is acting as if it is a completely dumb idea. It is a well known 'get you home' mod for motorcycles to tie pieces of string around the wheels which seems to be about as crazy.

If you're stuck in soft snow and you can't get moving, I could see cable ties as being an inexpensive way of getting your car back onto gritted clear roads again.

In case you hadn't realised, you can't use snow socks or snow chains on the roads when they are clear anyway, and the only roads which aren't clear have generally been local suburban roads with pretty deep snow. Cable ties sounds like the ideal thing, especially as both snow chains and snow socks are completely sold out wherever you look.

Yes, the real solution is winter tyres (I'm posting from Norway currently where there has been a lot of snow and they don't grit the roads, just plough and use winter tyres - life carries on normally) however if your car is stuck at the bottom of a suburban hill which you need to negotiate in order to get to the clear gritted roads, why not give cable ties a try?

TheRoadWarrior

1,241 posts

185 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
quotequote all
Crusoe said:
http://bikeportland.org/2007/01/17/ziptie-your-tir...


  • Bike with hub or disk brakes on rear wheel
An absolute must! Rim brakes would lead to all sorts of mess!

gib6933

5,278 posts

238 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
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I did this on a z4 once trying to get up a muddy hill in a field.

It didn't like it very much it had a hissy fit, then all the light on the dash lit up.



Miss that car frown

Edited by gib6933 on Thursday 14th January 20:20

pilchardthecat

7,483 posts

186 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
quotequote all
I think this is an awesome idea. If if it gets you 500 yards to a clear road or the top of a hill.

Genius. I'm putting a bag in the boot for emergencies