Snow / winter tyres - which ones?

Post by **joshb** » 03 Dec 2008, 17:04

which tyres do people rate?

(I have edited this and deleted my question about snowchains)

Post by **jamesc76** » 03 Dec 2008, 17:36

Fitted loads to landrovers/4t trucks etc whilst in the army never found a easy one to put on tho!!!!!

Post by **mrted** » 03 Dec 2008, 18:22

We use different tyres here in the winter, have you thought of fitting a pair of grippy mud and snow tyres, which you could swop with your rears when its snowy.
Two old steel rims with M&S tyres fitted should do it. John

Post by **joshb** » 03 Dec 2008, 18:23

do you only need them on the rear of a 2wd then?

Post by **jamesc76** » 03 Dec 2008, 18:46

the min you can get away with is the driven wheels so on a 2wd the rears but if the fronts are done too it gives better cornering etc, might sound silly bt what are you planning on doing/going??

Post by **joshb** » 03 Dec 2008, 19:34

lastyear we toured about in scotland skiing a bit and visiting friends, I am thinking maybe smow tyres now.. Michelin AGILIS 81 SNOW-ICE ?

Post by **ringo** » 03 Dec 2008, 20:04

Just make sure you get some easy fitting ones.

These are some:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/QUICK-AND-EASY-FI ... 240%3A1318

However, not sure about the quality of these ones.

These are great as you dont have to drive onto them and can fit them in situ.

I did it in the dark in the alps last year and it was easy.

I wouldnt bother with the expense of new tyres and wheels for England or a trip to scotland as you probably wont see any snow. These are a great backup.

TBH, for a week in the alps snow boarding we didnt really need to use them as the roads were mostly ploughed all the time. No people dying in their cars over there!

Ringo

Post by **joshb** » 03 Dec 2008, 20:14

I had a bit of trouble getting up my drive this afternoon. would snow type tyres have helped in that situation? our roads never get gritted either

Post by **Simon Baxter** » 03 Dec 2008, 20:38

T3's are fantastic in ths snow, with the right tyres on.
We spent 2 seasons in the Alpes, only having to use chains twice, once when we we're told to by the feds as some pillock had come off the road, we didn't need to use chains it's just the french feds presumed we were as daft as the idiot that killed himself while driving like a penis.
The other time we really did need them on the way to Avoriaz while it was dumping.
Most of the time you won't need chains, T3's have all the right things for traction, rear engine, rear wheel drive.
Diesels are much better than petrols as usual here too.
If you think that T3's are crap in the snow you have the wrong tyres or you can't drive.

Post by **joshb** » 03 Dec 2008, 20:57

Simon Baxter wrote:T3's are fantastic in ths snow, with the right tyres on.

can you recomend some tyres then please

Post by **ringo** » 03 Dec 2008, 23:02

Simon Baxter wrote: Diesels are much better than petrols as usual here too.

I've been saying that for years.

Wrong forum... I'll get me coat....

Post by **Simon Baxter** » 03 Dec 2008, 23:05

joshb wrote:
Simon Baxter wrote:T3's are fantastic in ths snow, with the right tyres on.

can you recomend some tyres then please

Vredestein snow star, long time since I bought some, dunno if they make them.

Post by **mrted** » 04 Dec 2008, 07:15

For the Uk and the snow you get there, I think rears only would be ok (as traction would be the problem rather than adhesion), if its at all icy then so called winter friction tyres are pretty good, just a very soft compound to give better grip as the rubber hardens when its cold. Verdstein are pretty good, and nokia (Nokian?) make some some of the best there are, but as usual these aren't so cheap.

I have driven my camper through the winter here and with care you can get nearly anywhere. My main problems were the back wheels losing grip rather than the front wheels sliding.

John

Post by **Ziegel** » 04 Dec 2008, 15:39

can you recomend some tyres then please

Josh, my firebus came with Bridgestone Mud and Snow tyres from service - they look almost new to me. Way too aggressive for my needs so we could do a swap if your tyres are good and matched.
Just a thought. I'm only in Warwick

Post by **joshb** » 04 Dec 2008, 17:17

Ziegel, thanks, I was going to put them on may spare set of steel rims which are scrotty with knackered tyres so they would be no use to you as they are. which bridgestones are they and how old are they?