Fully covered
If you have ever seen the Discovery Channel’s TV programme called Storm Chasers, you’ll be familiar with this truck. What you may not have realised, however, is that it is actually completely covered with LINE-X. The GMC Sierra is actually owned by weather researcher Tim Samaras and he wanted full protection… not just from the weather but also from all the associated flying debris that the weather flings at these guys during the filming! A highly impressive piece of promotion for the product, don’t you think?
Given the ease of application, and the strength and protection that it offers, it is no surprise that the company has developed into covering 4×4 accessories with this amazing stuff. Front bumpers on Jeeps take a hell of a lot of a beating, scratches often turn to rust and certainly end up looking somewhat knackered. Covering with LINE-X sorts all this out, and looks pretty good too!
It would perhaps be understandable, but wrong, just to think of LINE-X as a top quality bedliner product. Well established as the company is in protecting the working areas for truck beds and van interiors, there’s a lot more uses that seem to grow each time we hear from these guys! LINE-X is actually a spray-applied coating that is amazingly tough, stone chip and scratch resistant and very easy to clean. It is also touch dry in three to five seconds… “careful with that spray can, mate!”
It’s not all about snow and ice during the winter months. The drop in temperatures, together with your natural needs for a warm interior can lead to some awkward condensation – especially if you drive a Defender, and especially those side windows. Available for most Defenders from 1983 onwards, the ideally called Defender Demister is a simple and highly effective device. Easily fitted and costing £85 for a pair, you can get these direct from 
If you have ever struggled to fit snow chains, lying on your back in frozen snow, as any sense of feeling drains from your fingers and then they begin to hurt… you need to read about these products. We have mentioned the AutoSock before, which are very simple to slip over your tyres and they make such a big different to a vehicle’s traction. If your ‘fleet’ includes a 4×4 and a 2×4, you could do well to consider a pair of AutoSocks, not as durable as chains, but it could make a lot of difference, especially for the 2×4, and is the ideal ‘get you home’ product. For your 4×4, and if it’s chains you are after, then the Pewag Snox is a design you should consider. The design won the prestigious accessory category at the Automechanika Exhibition in Frankfurt. The product is easy to fit and contains no fiddly mechanical parts or tensioning devices of more ‘standard’ chains. The Snox is simply slipped over the tyre, the vehicle is then driven forward a quarter turn of the wheel, and the rest of the chain is then pulled over the tyre to complete the fitting process. All Pewag snowchain and AutoSock products can be seen at 
We have written extensively on our advice to have a set of winter tyres for your 4×4. For many, however, the decision to have a set of big, heavy and always dirty wheels and tyres sitting around can be off-putting. Richbrook has a solution to that in a set of wheel and tyre bags, ideal for a much neater storage. They are made from tough, durable Polyester and will fit wheels from 14 – 18in, and up to 245mm in width. The four bags come packaged together for a very reasonable £29.95. You can call 01328 862387 for more details, or go online at: 
Could there be a better name for a winter tyre? We heard about this new tyre just as we closed for press, from the people at 4site4x4. The General Snowgrabber carries the ‘snow flake’ mark rather than just an all-terrain or M+S tyre, so these are specifically for the white stuff. As we always advise, it is always worth making a call to the experts to find out more, and find out what is needed for your specific needs. For General tyre enquiries call the people at 4site4x4 on 0870 112 9401.
We spoke to the guys at Milner Off Road for some winter tips and they advise that you need to grease your 4×4’s propshaft – in particularly the UJ, and on the inside of free wheeling hubs (if you have them). They sell the necessary grease at a bargain price of £2.60. If the UJ is damaged, they can supply them, prices start from £9.50. Like us, Milner recommend using suitable winter tyres and do special wheel and tyre packages. The staff at Milner favour the Sahara 205/80/16 tyre and put them on their vehicles over the winter months. They sell a wheel and tyre set at around £440. All prices are plus VAT. All these parts are available to buy online: 
Bluecol – probably best known for their antifreeze and de-icer products – has a great range of winter products. These include the Snow Treads studded mats. Made from tough Polymer they could help getting you moving when things get particularly icy. They also fold away and can be stored in the boot. Bluecol also has a Snow Mat, which is a similar option only more flexible and they fit the contours of the road a little better. Ideal to use on your drive, especially if it has an incline. Neither are suitable for serious off-road usage, but as a ‘get you home’ could be ideal. One useful item that everyone should keep in the rear of the car is a shovel, and the Bluecol version has an extendable shaft. They also do an excellent Magnetic Frost Protector which wraps around the windscreen and ‘attaches’ to the car’s bodywork. This, of course, works great for snow and ice and for those very occasional days when the sun’s up and therefore it stops cooking the interior. These products will be available from the usual motoring retail outlets or check out the main website at: 
The Automobile Association has produced a comprehensive selection of products that will help when the weather turns. Much of these are available through motor factor outlets like Halfords, but you can also get them direct from the AA’s website – where they could well be cheaper! There were special offers available when this was being written, including an impressive £20 off the ‘Ultimate Winter Car Kit’ which comprises of an emergency snow shovel, gloves, hat, foil blanket. Snow and ice shoe grips, towrope, high visibility vest, and a big bag of de-icing salt. All packed together in a canvass bag. To find out more, check out: 
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