View Full Version : Autosocks Rock
Well we have a minor problem in winter on the estate that we live on.
Immediately off my drive I have an upward slope, a turn, another upward slope leading to a turn and then a long downward slope.
Non of these are a problem under normal circumstances, but under a couple of inches of snow they make getting to the first gritted highway a bit of a lottery.
Two years ago I got stuck, last year I got stuck twice so this year I bought a pair of Autosocks (http://www.autosock.co.uk/) after a recommendation on this forum.
http://www.rbc-pressoffice.co.uk/press/autosock/AutoSock_storage_bag.jpg
Until yesterday I the snow was of a type that did not prevent me getting out, but the powdery stuff we got overnight caught everyone out.
I hadn't yet tried the socks, I was waiting for a definite "stuck" situation so that I knew it was the socks, and not just driving, that got me out.
It was the first bend on the way out that caught me so out I got, stretched the socks over the wheel tops and then used the weight of the van to roll back half a wheel length before stretching them over the other part of the wheel. Simple enough, took a couple of minutes I reckon.
I had no run up and a bit of weight in the back so I had to start in 1st which wasn't ideal, but the wheels gripped straight away.
Into 2nd, round the corner, past someone else that was stuck, down the slope and 3-400 meters to the edge of the gritted highway.
Out of the van and about a minute and a half to take them off and chuck them in a plastic tub that I had in the back for just this job.
On the way back, I got stuck on the long slope, back on with the socks and away I went. The look on another drivers face as I sorted this return trip out in such a business like manner was worth the investment on it's own.
They really do do what it says on the packet. http://www.wayland.me.uk/assets/images/celebrate4.gif
Mesquite
19-12-2010, 14:05
Thanks for the recomendation Gary. goodjob
I'm going to order some for me and the wife.
rancid badger
19-12-2010, 14:11
Totally agree, I used mine for the first time yesterday morning at 05;45 and -10C, on sheet ice.
I've a hair raising "cresta run" down our estate, then out onto the long, straight and quite steep uphill, "school lane" to the main road.
It was like driving on dry tarmac! even the wet icey bits around the man hole covers on the steepest bit.
Took them off at the top of the hill, very easy and simple to fit/remove.
Highly recommended.
best wishes
Steve
Good to hear all this; we've been wondering about them too.
Thanks folks :D
cheers,
Toddy
They look handy, have to grab a set for the car, I was missing the landy yeasterday on a slippy slope.
They look very handy, will they fit my hairdresser's car ?
rancid badger
19-12-2010, 15:17
They look very handy, will they fit my hairdresser's car ?
You can get them to fit almost anything Rich, including vans and lorries:
http://www.snowchainshop.co.uk/product-description.aspx?id=10&name=AutoSock
Very good service from these but I'd ring to check availability first.
cheers
Steve
Excellent, this is just what I was looking for Wayland. I've looked at them before, but they looked a bit flimsy, so never bought them.
Good to see that they are actually usable and work.
Cheers
Ness :)
I wouldn't want to drive too far on clear roads with them, I think they would wear fast then.
Having said that, it's nice to know you can cross a stretch of clear road without having to remove them as you should with chains.
For the situations I need them, ie. short distances to get me out of sticky spots, I think they are just the job.
bikething
19-12-2010, 16:57
I bought a pair of them last winter and needed to use them on Friday to get up the hill out of the village - worked a treat..
What I haven't tried yet is driving down the hill with them...
are they likely to cope with a 1-in-5 twisty downhill if only fitted to the front (driving) wheels?
This is on a Diesel Toyota Avensis btw.. would the ABS cause a problem?
Dave Budd
19-12-2010, 17:48
I looked at getting some of those last year after hearing all the good reports. Unfortunately, so did everybody else and I couldn't get them in my size at the time :rolleyes:
I intended to get them for this winter, but some how ended up getting snow tires fitted this week instead. I had a similar experience myself today when my parents tried to leave the village (having barely made it in yesterday from home in Essex). I took my car (vectra estate front wheel drive) out to check the roads for my dad and was very pleasantly surprised at how well the snow tires coped with compact snow, ice and slush! Also the look on other drivers as I carried on without a look of panic was priceless :D
andybysea
19-12-2010, 19:51
Cheers for this info, we(well the misses) got given a set of snow chains, and today after getting stuck on a hill we tried to get them on,no joy,think krypton factor mind test and you come close(or maybe we are both just thick) anyway these look much easier.
Cheers for this info, we(well the misses) got given a set of snow chains, and today after getting stuck on a hill we tried to get them on,no joy,think krypton factor mind test and you come close(or maybe we are both just thick) anyway these look much easier.
Totally agree I got some chains last year for my Merc had to use them once , very pleased with the result
tried to fit them Friday night in the snow by myself , gave up after half andhour and walked the 5 miles home
Tried to get some socks today nobody has any in stock till the new year, unless anybody knows different, I have 225x55x16 tyres , if anybody wants to try some chains if you want to pay the postage you can have them
After trying everywhere last winter, I ordered mine in the summer.
I did drop a big hint (http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51209&p=736575#post736575). http://www.wayland.me.uk/assets/images/Whistlin.gif
mikeybear
19-12-2010, 23:29
I bought a set a couple of weeks ago, finally got to try them friday night, and went for a drive around the estate ,where the gritters don't go , through all the fresh snow. Normally my galaxy spins its wheels very easily on snow, but with the 'socks it gripped very well, highly recomended.
MB
What are they like on Ice??
chas brookes
20-12-2010, 09:12
Hi
link to their website may answer your question
http://www.autosock.co.uk/autosock-product.php
rancid badger
20-12-2010, 10:14
What are they like on Ice??
manufacturer's/sellers blurb is great but I think most people ( particularly me:rolleyes:) take sales hype for what it usually is:(
In this case, they really do work, as advertised.:35:
Early Saturday morning (05:45 & -10c); I went out to work,I fitted them just to get me onto the main road but the estate road is lethal, driving on wet/black ice, down hill and round bends and it felt like driving on dry tarmac. I just slipped them off and dropped them in the passenger foot well, once I was on a clear road.
I went out yesterday morning and didn't bother with the socks and had a very different drive out! sliding, slipping and poor steering.
So, they are indeed, good on ice:)
Cheers RB, Look like I'll get some.
Paullyfuzz
20-12-2010, 13:23
Agree with Steve, try getting a pair and that's a different story, nobody has em in stock at the mo !
Mesquite
21-12-2010, 18:19
Well, mine and the wifes arrived this afternoon.
Very impressed that I ordered them late on Sunday and 48 hrs they were in my hands. Doubly impressed they were in stock as well :lmao::lmao:
Paullyfuzz
21-12-2010, 21:54
Nothing fir 205/55/16 in any shops
Interesting about the socks. Is there any advantage over chains? The price seems about the same but I guess they are lighter. Maybe they are easier to fit.
I mentioned in another post that I bought some chains on Thursday (17th) wondering if I'd ever really need them and low and behold two days later we had a huge snow storm and they were my salvation. I bought them after my memories of getting stuck last year.
The chains were quite easy to fit but it seems there are a variety of styles. With mine there's no need to drive over them or jack up the wheels, you just put them on where you are and tighten them up. Then drive a metre or so and tighten any slack and then you're off. I was impressed with how well they work but they socks look like they might be easier to use and store.
robin wood
21-12-2010, 23:00
I looked at these a couple of years ago but went for winter tyres instead. A front wheel drive with winter tyres is better than most 4WD on summer tyres.
here is my van pulling out a stuck 4X4 a few weeks ago.http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dMeLSAcoyho/TPleVNc6MvI/AAAAAAAAClE/KApE18IMd1M/s320/IMG_2755.jpg
They also work under braking giving grip down a steep hill like this that is not much less than on tarmack.http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dMeLSAcoyho/TPleWzJm_qI/AAAAAAAAClQ/yIWCWxjX0uI/s1600/IMG_2759.jpg
Winter tyres are a different compound so where a normal tyre gets all hard and looses its rubbery grippyness below 7 degrees the winter tyres work well on greasy part icy part tarmac roads, just what we normally drive on all winter.
Snow socks are perfect if you have a short hop on packed snow then a well gritted road but that is not what we get round here. The drawback with winter tyres is they wear faster in the summer so it makes sense to take em off in the spring.
forestwalker
22-12-2010, 05:15
Is this when I point out that here we can -- and do -- use studded tyres, such as these ones http://www.nokiantyres.com/tyre?id=12091290&group=1.01&name=Nokian+Hakkapeliitta+7 ?
As Robin points out you do not use them in summer (the softer rubber wears fast, and it is also illegal).
robin wood
22-12-2010, 08:19
In Germany and many other European countries it is illegal to drive in winter on summer tyres. Once you have driven on proper winter tyres it is difficult to put up with the greatly increased risk of skidding at low temperature. They only cost a few pounds more, they are not big treaded noisy things they look and drive like normal tyres except when it gets cold they still grip.
PS I am not on commission for a tyre company.
It's our constantly changing weather that's the issue for most of us. That, and the fact that the majority of the population is urbanised.
So far, days I have actually had to drive in icy conditions this year, I can count on the fingers of one hand.
I'm not buying an entire set of Winter wheels/tyres for a couple of days use.
Only our side roads and carparks are not cleared in timely fashion, so chains are out. Too much faffing about on and off for a tiny distance.
The socks though, those I could see getting used when needed.
If I lived where the ice is a constant for weeks on end, where the snow fell *every* year, where Winter was always more than dreich cold and damp, then yes, I'd do more about the wheels/tyres to make them suitably safe. Round here, it's just not needed.
cheers,
Toddy
Volvo 4WD estate not had a problem at all round here tho is relativly flat its no fun to drive tho its hard work to get the back end to skid round corners and the electric hand brake is no fun at all
Mesquite
22-12-2010, 10:09
Volvo 4WD estate not had a problem at all round here tho is relativly flat its no fun to drive tho its hard work to get the back end to skid round corners and the electric hand brake is no fun at all
The things they put on cars now. I'm sure it's not for safety... they just don't want us to have fun any more :nono: :lmao::lmao:
forestwalker
22-12-2010, 19:36
It's our constantly changing weather that's the issue for most of us. That, and the fact that the majority of the population is urbanised.
So far, days I have actually had to drive in icy conditions this year, I can count on the fingers of one hand.
I'm not buying an entire set of Winter wheels/tyres for a couple of days use.
The claims I've seen is that once the temps go below 5 C or so the winter tyres work better (summer tye rubber is rock hard when cold). The actual net long term extra cost (remember, you are only putting wear one one set at a time) is negliable, and the ability to drive safely all the time would outweight the bother.
This does not apply if one can say that one won't drive if the temps go down near 5 C or lower. Works in town with the buss handy, but outside of those areas?
Shambling Shaman
22-12-2010, 20:24
Thanks, seen some one with them on today. good to here a fair review from someone I know to be fair and unbiased.
The claims I've seen is that once the temps go below 5 C or so the winter tyres work better (summer tye rubber is rock hard when cold). The actual net long term extra cost (remember, you are only putting wear one one set at a time) is negliable, and the ability to drive safely all the time would outweight the bother.
This does not apply if one can say that one won't drive if the temps go down near 5 C or lower. Works in town with the buss handy, but outside of those areas?
This Winter and last have been exceptionally cold for us. Normally we get less than a fortnight in total when the temperature are at or below freezing. Central Scotland is wet and cold, not ice and snow bound.
Winter tyres would be on and off too often to make it in anyway an option.
Something like the socks though, that can be slipped on for those short times, those I can see being useful.
Chains if the weather stays cold and icy for days or distance though.
cheers,
Toddy
robin wood
22-12-2010, 22:33
Winter tyres would be on and off too often to make it in anyway an option.
Winter tyres don't come on and off, they go on in November and come off in March. For much of that period the temp is below 5 C so if you are not on winter tyres your braking and steering is less good than it could be. Most folk just get used to the fact and leave extra braking distance and go slowly round corners but then when you need to jump on the brakes it is reassuring to know you have the tyres that will grip. I only put them on the first time last winter but will never drive in winter without them again.
Where I stay, we are rarely below 5degC. Cold weather is not constant, even in the depths of Winter. We do not live in cold area.
We are within Strathclyde, the big river valley of the Clyde. It's damp but it's not cold. Our average Winter low temperature is 6.1degC. There's a reason most Scots live within the central belt :)
Winter tyres are not suitable for most of the year here even if there are occasional days when they might be a good idea.
Toddy
naefearjustbeer
23-12-2010, 01:33
I have just shelled out for a set of winter tyres and I have to say I am absolutely delighted with increase in grip it is most noticeable with the braking distances. My mate has used winter tyres for years he puts them on at the end of October every year and runs them until April. We went to visit our friend today who lives at the bottom of a hill in a cul de sac and has been unable to get her car out for several days now. With the winter tyres on I drove in did a 3 point turn and parked. Then drove away afterwards without so much as a slip or spin of the tyres. She has been unable to get her car moved never mind a 3 point turn.
I did consider a set of socks for going over normal tyres but I am afraid all that taking them off and on every time you get to a bit where patches of road are showing would put me off. Even in milder winters where we have not had prolonged periods of snow or freezing weather the temperatures we experience warrant fitting winter tyres. I just wish I had spend the cash years ago. I know several folk who use them and swear by them.
rancid badger
23-12-2010, 16:42
manufacturer's/sellers blurb is great but I think most people ( particularly me:rolleyes:) take sales hype for what it usually is:(
In this case, they really do work, as advertised.:35:
Early Saturday morning (05:45 & -10c); I went out to work,I fitted them just to get me onto the main road but the estate road is lethal, driving on wet/black ice, down hill and round bends and it felt like driving on dry tarmac. I just slipped them off and dropped them in the passenger foot well, once I was on a clear road.
I went out yesterday morning and didn't bother with the socks and had a very different drive out! sliding, slipping and poor steering.
So, they are indeed, good on ice:)
I thought I'd just do an update on my experiences so far, as this morning at 06:30, I had a pretty hairy, 8 mile drive home in blizzard conditions!
I set off from work, after a night of frequent, though apparently light snow showers. There was 4 inches of fresh snow on the car and the roads were pretty poor into the bargain.
I didn't use the socks, as I expected the road to be okay from the point where Northumberland's bit ends and Gateshead's bit begins.
Mistake!
There was little or no difference and the main road was really treacherous for the next three miles, till I left it and began the second half of my journey on the more rural roads home.
I managed to get up the first 200 yds of steep hill okay but decided that if the village was as bad as the road up, I'd stop and fit the socks, before continuing home.
As expected the roads were still terrible so bearing in mind I have to drop into a steep valley, then climb out the other side, just to get to my own village, I stopped and shoved the socks on.
I still had about 4 miles to do, and the there was no tarmac visible, so took my time but after a very short time realised that although the car was bouncing around on the deep rutted snow and slush, it wasn't sliding or losing grip much.
There was nothing else on the road at this point and my speed crept up gradually, till I realised I was tearing along doing just over 30! ( 30 being the MAX speed for the socks)
I backed off and dropped to 20-25 and the car felt great. I eased off a bit more and tried the brakes and the car slowed as normal, though a bit "lumpy" due to the depth of snow and slush. I stopped, perfectly safely and under control, got out, checked the socks and finding them looking fine, I got back in and set off again.
Down the dip, around the corner and up the last long drag into the village with never a dodgy moment, except when a clown came the other way, in the middle of the road.
Any way, the bad conditions remained for the rest of the journey up hill and down dale but the front tyres never lost grip to any marked degree.
So 4 miles, is the most I've used them for so far but as long as you keep your speed sensible( below 30mph), I see no problem driving 40, 80 or 120 miles on them in truly bad conditions.
The bug bear; is having to fit them for the bad stuff then remove them for clear tarmac sections. It's cold and wet, as well as a bit dodgey if some one comes past you when your fitting /removing them!
I've taken a few photo's this afternoon, as We've been out for the shopping and the socks paid for themselves yet again.
This a view down the estate this afternoon,
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x125/stalch/snpw2010%202011/PC230089copyresized4.jpg
They look okay, for what it's worth!:rolleyes:
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x125/stalch/snpw2010%202011/PC230085copyresized1.jpg
Very well made.
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x125/stalch/snpw2010%202011/PC230086copyresized2.jpg
The curious thing; is how they actually work, the tread pattern shows up through the sock in the tyre marks, so it's a bit odd how they grip so much better than the tyres themselves:confused:
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x125/stalch/snpw2010%202011/PC230087copyresized3.jpg
anyway, I've no connection with anyone selling these things, I just think they are good kit, within their "scope" and can honestly recommend them.
atb
Steve
Mesquite
23-12-2010, 17:08
[The curious thing; is how they actually work, the tread pattern shows up through the sock in the tyre marks, so it's a bit odd how they grip so much better than the tyres themselves:confused:
Sounds like you gave them a good workout Steve. Mine are in the back of the car just awaiting the opportune moment to use them :)
As for how they work, taken from the makers website
Q1: How do they work?
A1: Basically it's to do with friction. Dry snow and ice sticks to fabric, especially 'woolly' fabric as those of us who remember snowballing in woollen mitts will remember. AutoSock are made from a hairy fabric which sticks to the snow. The fibres, which become hairier with use, are arranged at right angles to the direction of travel to optimise grip. Very importantly, the specially developed textile also "wicks away" any water that's found between the ground and the tyre, (generated e.g. by the warmth of the sun, or wheel spin), thereby maximising the friction grip.
Whats really scary in the UK is that now some insurance companies have decided that Winter tyres are a "modification" to your vehicle and therefore if you dont pay an increased premium your insurance is invalidated , how crazy is that , the RAC and AA where on national Radio naming and shaming the companies , penalising people for making their vehicles safer to drive in winter :yikes:
I thought it was a wind up at first , how do some people sleep at night ?
rancid badger
23-12-2010, 17:23
Whats really scary in the UK is that now some insurance companies have decided that Winter tyres are a "modification" to your vehicle and therefore if you dont pay an increased premium your insurance is invalidated , how crazy is that , the RAC and AA where on national Radio naming and shaming the companies , penalising people for making their vehicles safer to drive in winter :yikes:
I thought it was a wind up at first , how do some people sleep at night ?
Last I heard; it is a wind up, at least the company in question, had withdrawn the statement anyway.
It would be good to straighten this one out, once and for all.
Y'know, I never gave it a thought.
I had a bump with the car about a month ago; smashed in the drivers door, back door and rear panel; and the insurance assessor asked me if I had Winter tyres. I said no, that the roads had been clear of ice and snow, and never gave it another thought.
:dunno:
cheers,
Toddy
naefearjustbeer
12-03-2011, 09:28
Just thought I would give some feedback on my winter tyres. I have had them fitted since late December and in that time there has been 5 days that I have used the car where the temperature was over 8 degrees centigrade. I believe this is the temperature where normal tyres are more effective. I have driven approximately 4000 miles and the tyres and showing no excessive signs of wear. The car has quite happily travelled over some of Scotlands worst winter roads in various conditions from sheet ice to deep untreated snow. We regularly travel to the Lecht Ski area which is on the infamous Cockbridge to Tomintoul road and this winter have had no concerns about getting to the place. I have noticed a slight increase in road noise over normal tyres and absolutely no concerns over the levels of grip offered on the milder days. They are also exceptionally good in the wet. Glad I got them and I think I will be leaving them on the car until April.