Vans and the snow! Any van drivers like to share their thoughts?

[sellickbhoy]

Hi

up until April/May this year, I had a 52 pate Ford Transit 90T350 - the med top, Med wheel base.

it was grand for shifting things around and I enjoyed being a white van man

but it was absolutely USELESS if there was even an inch of snow lying.

It couldn't get up my driveway, up mild hills and was an absolute deathtrap - regularly going out of control!!

So I got shot of it and got the smaller front wheel drive Ford COnnect - which is braw.

But I like the big van, so much more practical

I know there are a few front wheel drive transit sized vans on the go, but do they handle any better? do they cope in the snow or with slight slopes?

Basically, i'm getting another van and was going to get a connect, but if a Movano or renault master FWD will handle driving in winter, then i'd prefer a bigger one.

 

[LicensedToTrade]

Hi

up until April/May this year, I had a 52 pate Ford Transit 90T350 - the med top, Med wheel base.

it was grand for shifting things around and I enjoyed being a white van man

but it was absolutely USELESS if there was even an inch of snow lying.

It couldn't get up my driveway, up mild hills and was an absolute deathtrap - regularly going out of control!!

So I got shot of it and got the smaller front wheel drive Ford COnnect - which is braw.

But I like the big van, so much more practical

I know there are a few front wheel drive transit sized vans on the go, but do they handle any better? do they cope in the snow or with slight slopes?

Basically, i'm getting another van and was going to get a connect, but if a Movano or renault master FWD will handle driving in winter, then i'd prefer a bigger one.

Front wheel drive certainly helps you to get going from a complete stop. If you have RWD then keeping a decent amount of weight towards the back of the van helps you get going too but eats into your fuel. It is worth keeping a few planks in the back of the van. I used to nail carpet underlay to the top and bottom of short and wide planks and that helps a good deal.

 

[sellickbhoy]

Front wheel drive certainly helps you to get going from a complete stop. If you have RWD then keeping a decent amount of weight towards the back of the van helps you get going too but eats into your fuel. It is worth keeping a few planks in the back of the van. I used to nail carpet underlay to the top and bottom of short and wide planks and that helps a good deal.

generally getting going wasn't the problem, as I could always choose to find a nice even or slightly declining area to park on, but if I was driving into a road that had an inch or so of fresh snow, the van struggled to get up it.

I have quite a long/gradual sloping driveway and it would take me an hour each morning to clear the snow in order to get the van up it (lots of snow last year and no bloody salt - i'll be stockpiing it this year!)

But i'm really just looking for a transit sized van that will cope with the snow.

Whislt i think the Front wheel drive will help, i'm not sure it'll solve all the handling/safety isssues of driving in the snow

 

[ChrisBD]

Get the van you want, then buy some AutoSocks.

We have a LR Defender, which is fab in the snow; but our Volvo estate is much less so.

A friend who is a paramedic suggested we look at these socks, they use them on their ambulances and response vehicles; and I have to report that they are great.

Well worth a look.

 

[bovine]

Might be worth looking at tyres. I know the reason a lot of cars were having problems is the tyres were not suitable for snow - we tend to have one set suitable for all year but are actually quite often rubbish in snow, whereas other countries switch to a different type of tyre in winter.

So, same thing would apply to your van. A good winter tyre will help. Obviously chains are an option, but they're probably not best for just an inch

 

[ChrisBD]

Might be worth looking at tyres. I know the reason a lot of cars were having problems is the tyres were not suitable for snow - we tend to have one set suitable for all year but are actually quite often rubbish in snow, whereas other countries switch to a different type of tyre in winter.

So, same thing would apply to your van. A good winter tyre will help. Obviously chains are an option, but they're probably not best for just an inch

Chains will do more damage than good, and can not be used for general driving.

Winter tyres are a good option, but again, with a van of little use because of the likelihood of it being emplty (light) one minute and full (heavy) the next. That said, I know people who use winter tyres all year round, its a cost benefit thing; and while they will help, it would be a missnoma to think they will "solve" the problem.

Def look at the sock option; I was amazed at the diference they made last winter and the year before.

 

[KidsBeeHappy]

Hubby used to have an Iveco Daily C13 (?) (had a decent amount of engine kick), and he got through the snow all OK last year. Mind you, he also carried a couple of hundred weight of blankets around with him, and tended to bring the rubbish home in the snow to keep the weight high. But I do know that he never got stuck (and believe me, I would be the first to hear).

 

[Matt1959]

I had a fwd big van last winter and got on ok with it. Popular opinion says fwd is always better for the snow than rwd so i would go fwd and be done with it. Transits come in so many different models it'll make your head hurt so ensure you get the right one for your needs - very easy to get an underpowered one so be careful.

 

[S-Marketing]

Just a thought but maybe its more about the driver than the van. I would say that the van you had, would be one of the better ones in the snow.

There must be driver training places about, to teach you to be a better driver in these conditions.

Just a thought.

 

[LicensedToTrade]

Just a thought but maybe its more about the driver than the van. I would say that the van you had, would be one of the better ones in the snow.

There must be driver training places about, to teach you to be a better driver in these conditions.

Just a thought.

Stretchy, you are a glutton for punishment!

 

[S-Marketing]

Stretchy, you are a glutton for punishment!

I know mate, but it was a genuine comment. I know as blokes we 'know' that we are damn fine drivers as soon as we pass our test, but is it always the case?

In this country, very few of us get a lot of experience driving in such conditions. In many other countries they would be laughing at us on here, debating what the best van is to get through an inch of snow.

 

[LicensedToTrade]

I know mate, but it was a genuine comment. I know as blokes we 'know' that we are damn fine drivers as soon as we pass our test, but is it always the case?

In this country, very few of us get a lot of experience driving in such conditions. In many other countries they would be laughing at us on here, debating what the best van is to get through an inch of snow.

I completely agree with you, just think you are mad for even suggesting that the OP isn't on a par with Lewis Hamilton! You are of course entirely correct, not many people have experience driving in the conditions we saw at the start of the year, what is uncertain is if we can expect to have more of the same kind of snow in the years to come. Was it a one off or is this becoming the norm?

 

[S-Marketing]

I completely agree with you, just think you are mad for even suggesting that the OP isn't on a par with Lewis Hamilton! You are of course entirely correct, not many people have experience driving in the conditions we saw at the start of the year, what is uncertain is if we can expect to have more of the same kind of snow in the years to come. Was it a one off or is this becoming the norm?

I'm hoping it was a one off. Dont know where you are, but i'm right down on the South coast, and we dont do snow down here.

 

[Rainbow Chasers']

Yes, snow socks are very good.

If you have nothing try the 'canadian winch' - lots of dead branches, twigs and bush under the wheels and drive on.

Modern vehicles are bad - mainly due to traction control. It won't let you spin when you need to, and many vans you cannot turn it off - so end up sitting until the powder freezes. Try looking at a japanese vehicle as the engines are further back giving a better weight distribution over the axles.

Failing that, buy a transporter synchro, or VW Mantis (sprinter) 4x4 variants. This depends on how much snow you really have on a regular basis.

 

[LicensedToTrade]

I'm hoping it was a one off. Dont know where you are, but i'm right down on the South coast, and we dont do snow down here.

I was in Suffolk on the south east up until the end of the year, then like a fool I relocated to the midlands with work and got hit really hard.

 

[sellickbhoy]

Just a thought but maybe its more about the driver than the van. I would say that the van you had, would be one of the better ones in the snow.

There must be driver training places about, to teach you to be a better driver in these conditions.

Just a thought.

hahahahaha thanks Stretchy!! I know you mean well and are just looking for the root of the problem, so thanks.

In general I'd agree with you. But having grown up in the highlands of scotland, i'm quite experienced in driving in snow and have had lessons to drive in snow, skid pan lessons and I'm a member of the IAM and done my advanced driving test too.

The problem, mainly, is that the bloody van can't get up a hill with a few inches of snow - my business often takes to wee hosuees out in the country, and the van can't get along the roads

the other problem is my delivery driver, an ex driving instructor, also feels pretty unhappy driving the van as the rear wheel drive makes the van very unstable/hard to control in even small amounts of snow.

the problem is not getting started/stuck in snow, it's the van being able to get up a mild slope with a bit of snow on it. I can hardly carry several hundred yards of carpet on the roof rack and lay it out on the road when i come to every hill!

anyway, think i'll stick to the smaller connect and buy a trailer for when i need to lug stuff about!

 

[akirk]

why not buy yourself a 4x4 if this is potentially an issue - you can get commercial 4x4s which have similar capacity to a van (not necessarily similar in bulk though), and trailer is no issue...

Alasdair

 

[Matt1959]

the other problem is my delivery driver, an ex driving instructor, also feels pretty unhappy driving the van as the rear wheel drive makes the van very unstable/hard to control in even small amounts of snow.

I'm amazed 30 odd years ago most cars were RWD - however would this guy have got about:|

 

[sellickbhoy]

I'm amazed 30 odd years ago most cars were RWD - however would this guy have got about:|

He's from England - most of HIS country comes to a standstill when there is a slight ground frost.

 

[Kernowman]

I think THE worst ever van for traction has to be the Peugeot Partner. Never mind about snow, this blessed thing outdid British Rail by a mile for sliding all over the place on just a couple of damp leaves More than once I couldn't even get up a 1 in 10 hill on a damp day it was so bad.

 

[MH1]

Used to drive MWB sprinter hi tops and never had any real problems in getting up hills or slopes. There are some 4x4 vans on the market, but snow is a rare most years in most of the UK, so doubtful as to the cost benefits involved.

 

[markD1968]

I've got a citroen dispatch and it was really good in the snow last year. Its FWD & seems to have much wider tyres than most of the vans on the road. Rock solid as long as you dont do anything stupid.

 

[akirk]

I think THE worst ever van for traction has to be the Peugeot Partner. Never mind about snow, this blessed thing outdid British Rail by a mile for sliding all over the place on just a couple of damp leaves More than once I couldn't even get up a 1 in 10 hill on a damp day it was so bad.

I had one of these in France earlier this year as a rental van - seemed fine up a steep muddy drive...

did you have slicks on it?

Alasdair

 

[Esk247]

never tried driving a van in the snow but the vectra was good fun with traction control slap that on, 20 inch wheels and an empty snow covered country track wahey!

are there not 4wd transits? wider wheels are also supposed to be better for purchase, i find its the icy roads that are most concerning, at least with snow you can see it, i remember ice being a major problem coming down steep inclines with a bend at the bottom

 

[S-Marketing]

never tried driving a van in the snow but the vectra was good fun with traction control slap that on, 20 inch wheels and an empty snow covered country track wahey!

are there not 4wd transits? wider wheels are also supposed to be better for purchase, i find its the icy roads that are most concerning, at least with snow you can see it, i remember ice being a major problem coming down steep inclines with a bend at the bottom

I think you may have been the first person ever to put 'fun' and 'Vectra' in the same sentence.

 

[avantime]

During the snow earlier this year my LWB Reanult Master was fantastic. It got up all local hills with no problem at all. This despite the fact that second gear gave up the ghost!

Brilliiant van - now I've closed the company I really miss it.

 

[WPsites]

I've got a Mercedes Sprinter XLWB which we have taken to the French Alps snowboarding for the winter season, for the last 4 years. We have snow tires but in that time I can count the number of times we have used them probably on one hand!

As long as you are a sensible driver, taking it easy round corners, giving yourself plenty of time to stop you should be ok.

We only nearly slipped off the road into a field once and that was this year with snowchains on. It was a very steep hill we were going up and one of the chains came off and the back of the van swung round. Managed to dig the back wheels out and create a channel to slide back straight again. There was a lot of snow!

The girlfriend digging the van out at a campsite a couple of years back. I was busy inside working to a tight deadline for a web dev project obviously!

 

[Papko]

I have had 2 Renault Masters , old and new type they are great in the snow , never got stuck once last 3 winters .
Saying that I was down a farmers track which was quite a steep hill and I could not get up that , So i used my landrover Snow chains and they pulled me up no problem . Only used them till got to the proper road and was going 5 mph or so , I would recommend them though as they are the only thing (short of a Jcb ) that will move a 3.5 tonn van if it is down a hill and stranded in snow .

 

[Bobb1979]

Snow is certainly a challenge in a van. I can't express this strongly enough but never ever EVER buy a renault kangoo period. Our business owned 2 02plates and they were an absolute nightmare in cold generally. Glow plugs , fuel injectors , engine issuers etc especially in the snow and cold.

Cost us around 5k in repairs in 2 years and put our business close to the brink.

Even renault said they were not very good which made me laugh.

Now own a vauxhall combo 55plate and its been fantastic, its not good in the snow but perfect in the cold.

Will never touch Renault ever again and their customer service is a shile of pit.