In a nutshell, am I required to have snow chains in the Alps if I'm at the helm of a bona-fide 4x4 complete with low ratio transfer box, offroad tyres and locking rear diff?
Knowing how les flics love any chance to fine a Brit driver.....
Ta in advance.....
ND
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Sorted. Seems that the law makes no distinction as to vehicle type or ability (not surprising really, given the impassioned debate on what *is* a 4x4 on this site). Many sites report of Alpine residents driving for 20 years or more without ever owning a set of chains whilst a first time visitor gets the ticket and a 50Eu fine.
Even more enlightening is that many sites advise that you carry them, but don't actually fit them to any halfway competent offroad vehicle as the difference in traction can make the vehicle less stable. On that basis, methinks the cheapest set I can get in the hypermarkets will be fine.
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I thought the only time your vehicle went offroad was when it was on the back of a flatbed... ;)
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ND has a new toy. A Mitsubishi L200 double cab with a truckman type top. Its handy for towing the Alfa and cheaper than recovery fees.
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Its handy for towing the Alfa
Why is he towing the Alfa all the way up the Alps?
;-)
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So he can get home silly. As its all down hill on the way back its no problem for the Alfa.
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Sorry ND, probably pushed this joke as far as it will go now - promise it will be the last one from me!
Alfa Rules
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Yes, thanks RF ;o)
::sigh::
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Carry them, but be wary about using them. If you do use them, then be *REALLY* wary about low ratio, locking diffs and 4WD generally.
You know how with locked diffs its difficult to turn ? And when you do turn, if you're doing it on tarmac you'll either damage the tyres or tear the transmission ? Well doing it with chains is the same thing.
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Carry them, but be wary about using them. If you do use them, then be *REALLY* wary about low ratio, locking diffs and 4WD generally.
Had a cunning plan. I have a cheap set that I bought for the Rover. By the miracle of HP I can print a new label for the case so that they "fit" the L200. If Monsieur Cochon gets huffy I can wave these at him. Have NO intention of using chains on the thing as it would a) make it darn near possible to control and b) see your comments below.
You know how with locked diffs its difficult to turn ? And when you do turn, if you're doing it on tarmac you'll either damage the tyres or tear the transmission ? Well doing it with chains is the same thing.
It's odd. French (and Swiss) law requires you to carry them but there is no requirement to fit them (although you could have some explaining to do in an accident if it was deemed that use of chains would have limited or prevented the impact).
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Had a cunning plan. I have a cheap set that I bought for the Rover.
Why not buy some silver paint and spray some chain link graphics onto the tyres?
You never know, you could start a trend.
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Did RF mean: "Sorry, ND probably pushed this Alfa as far as it will go."
Sorry, no more, I'll get my coat (a big thick one in case it's needed for a breakdown in the Alps).
Seriously, how did you choose between a Mitsubishi, Toyota & any other Japanese twin cab? Or was it all in the financing. And is Mrs ND's 'company van' living up to expectations as Mr ND's new toy.
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>>Knowing how les flics love any chance to fine a Brit driver....<<
Isn't Gervais a French name?
;-)
Sorry
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Adam
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>>Knowing how les flics love any chance to fine a Brit driver....<< Isn't Gervais a French name?
As is my surname. Although in France it is a forename rather than surname. There's a gents' clothing chain, several villages.... and it gets very confusing when making reservations. The French keep reversing my first name and surname. Which is better than some of the things I get called in here...
;o)
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Why must you always shoot me down ND ;-)
At least act like you're annoyed!
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Adam
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Why must you always shoot me down ND ;-) At least act like you're annoyed!
I'm really, really annoyed.
Will that do?
::chuckles and wanders off to find a can of redbull::
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Yes - it will. Thank you Mr Do$h.
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Adam
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Seriously, how did you choose between a Mitsubishi, Toyota & any other Japanese twin cab? Or was it all in the financing.
It was a finance offer on here www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/index.htm?news_id=1564 that first attracted us to the L200 but before we made the leap we had some test drives and looked into servicing, availability of accessories, likely use and abuse... all the usual. We looked at the Nissan and felt it was too much money and offered no discernible improvements over the Toyota and the Mitsubishi (we don't need the most powerful 2.5TD blah blah....) and the aesthetics of the Toyota were all wrong, as were the prices. The Ford Ranger was a joke. Tried getting an insurance quote for one? I think the insurers have developed group 21 for this vehicle.
In the end the Mitsibitsi made financial sense and ticked all the right boxes.
And is Mrs ND's 'company van' living up to expectations as Mr ND's new toy.
You think I ever get a chance to drive it? I even went out and bought a Steve Earle album so I could "get down on my bad country self" when cruising along with my leather jackaroo hat on and my stripey shirt-sleeves rolled up to my armpits but to no avail.
On the plus side, I'm now eyeing up the VW Touareg and have been having conversations with those nice people at www.new-car-leasing.com I think I may be changing my car in the spring..... I've got the Alfa fetish out of my system and now fancy comfort, comfort and comfort combined with a turbo diesel, auto box and the ability to hammer up and down farm tracks without replacing suspension bushes ever 5 minutes (thinking of moving further West next year and getting all Hugh Fearnley-Wittingstall).
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Oh gawd! I will have to chuck my leather jackaroo hat away now. What a pity it was just getting into shape and the right shade of greasy!
Please tell me you dont have a full length driazabone as well I would hate to throw that away!
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Please tell me you dont have a full length driazabone as well I would to throw that away!
I don't have a full length drizabone. I'm 5'6" and would look like some kind of Aussie dwarf if I had one of those.
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You can buy 4WD Alfas in Swizzland. by the way.......
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You can buy 4WD Alfas in Swizzland. by the way.......
You can get them across europe, LHD only. Despite huge interest in the UK, no plans to have a RHD production run. Smartalfa are importing LHD s to order.
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