Winter Tyres?

[chriscroft]

I get what you’re saying, but I genuinely believe there’s a place for winter tyres if you do actually need them for your conditions and are prepared to run two sets of wheels.

They are amazing in the snow, and even if there are only a few times you need that, then they could well be worth it. Ultimately the “need” is entirely subjective

Pays your money, makes your choice

I guess my feelings are with winters; that in nearly all parts of the UK maybe for 1% of the winter they are the right tyre; but for the other 99% of winter the best All-seasons would be better. Now if you live in an area where it's -17c during day lights hours, and it gets colder at night for week after week, and it happens predictably then; yes winters.
Having said all that, I know not all winters are the same; and Nokian do some full winters which are more suited to the UK Climate.

 

[Markymark]

These guys seem to like Falkens: YOU'RE NOT AN ICE ROAD TRUCKER AND YOU DO NEED WINTER TYRES - Winterised

 

[chriscroft]

These guys seem to like Falkens: YOU'RE NOT AN ICE ROAD TRUCKER AND YOU DO NEED WINTER TYRES - Winterised

"There was a moment – about 900 miles into our journey from the UK when we first felt the benefit of our sexily titled ‘Falken EUROWINTER VAN01’s’" from the above article.

I noticed a brand new East Midlands paramedic ambulance the other week parked in our local nursing home, with Michelin Agilis Cross-cliamte 225/75/16.
I spoke with the paramedic, and he said they used to run winter tyres in the season; but now they are all fitted with the michelins straight out of the converters, for all year round use. Although I admit this is not a mountainous area in scotland, but we did have a spell when it reached -20c overnight, and never got above -10c all week, (about 9 years ago).

 

[chriscroft]

What brand of winter tyres did you previously have on your ride?

We've run Nokian WR3/4, but on a commercial van only driven slow(ish), can't real comment on the handling; but longevity was poor due to our warm winter weather.
There is plenty of comments on google regrading low levels of grip in warmer winter driving particularly when wet in the UK.
We've got Nokian weatherproofs; michelins agilis cross climate *2 vehicles ; and Pirelli scorpion AT+ at the moment (not all on the same vehicle ) All 3pmsn m&S; all fab for UK winter/summers imo.

 

[Captain Mainwaring]

I'm not comparing running summer tyres v winter tyres in winter;
I'm comparing running the best ALL-SEASON tyres v winter tyres in UK winters (including Scotland). Just not as cold, as long, as predictable, as Scandinavia, North/East Europe etc.
How many days average below -15c?, I just think that the best All-Season are better profiled, more than good enough for the cold winter days/nights; and so much better on the average/warmer winter days/nights imo.

Fair point if you are not going to encounter snow. Our location is such that we make very regular journeys over high passes that are regularly hit by snow along with strong wind that leads to drifting so for us proper winter tyres are the way to go

 

[chriscroft]

Fair point if you are not going to encounter snow. Our location is such that we make very regular journeys over high passes that are regularly hit by snow along with strong wind that leads to drifting so for us proper winter tyres are the way to go

I've seen tests where Nokian Weatherproof SUV beat full winters in snow; some snow are better than others; but there's plenty of snow at -5c,-10c which is best All-season territory.

 

[Dieseldonkey]

It's a wide ranging subject this. Horses for courses. Like @Captain Mainwaring, I live north of the wall. Published annual temperatures show the average temperature in Fife is below 7°C from the start of November through to mid April. With a maximum temp of 9°C. Throw into the mix that working shifts means I regularly drive in the very early hours, and make weekend trips to the ski resorts, then for me, I can justify a full winter set and a full summer set of tyres. But I can certainly see the logic in what @chriscroft says on running an all season tyre, especially if you have one set of wheels and live in a warmer part of the country. Although, I wouldn't run a full winter tyre in the summer. But in the winter, the Maxxis Vansmart Snows I run, have proved themselves to be impressively capable in the winter months.

 

[P20]

Had Falken winters on my old Vivaro and they worked fine. A work colleague gave a pair of steels with some hankook winters for free . Will get a matching pair of hankooks and fit them to the Claytons I bought off eBay. Boring normal sizes, but should work just fine and we do like playing in the snow!

 

[Fluff34567]

Dunlop wintersport 3d 102/104 load rated I found performance same as the conti in my older rwd car.

I'm in CH and up in the mountains

 

[Dieseldonkey]

I run these on Devonports on my T32. Bloody marvellous in the snow.

https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/maxxis/vansmart-snow-wl2/215-60-r17c-109-107h-904421

 

[Fluff34567]

They performed very badly in all the tests I found online, every test mentioning lack of grip when changing direction.

I run these on Devonports on my T32. Bloody marvellous in the snow.

https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/maxxis/vansmart-snow-wl2/215-60-r17c-109-107h-904421

 

[Dieseldonkey]

@Fluff34567 Could you provide a link to the reviews you've read on these. Have to say, I've changed direction many many times with these on the van, very successfully. Even in the dry and slightly warmer weather they've held on surprisingly well, and I'm certainly no advocate of using winter tyres in warm weather. Previous experience of winter tyres I've had have resulted in very abrupt and snappy arse end antics.

 

[Fluff34567]

Detail

Winterreifen-Test 2018: 7 Wohnmobil-Reifen (225/70 R15) im Vergleich

 

[Dieseldonkey]

In the interest of accuracy and in fairness to the article, I'll rephrase my above comment. If you want a tyre that will lug your lardy arse van up 200 yards of 10% gradient, covered in hard compacted snow/ice and a 90° bend at the bottom prevents any run up at all,

Or

Your need to exit your local train station car park with a similar snow covered gradient and tight junctions.

Or

Your street is on a 3% percent gradient but covered in 10 inches of powder snow and your neighbours AWD Volvo XC60 (albeit on summer tyres) was having none of it, but your van is required to plough tracks get to the main road,

And

You go round snow/ice covered corners at a speed appropriate to the conditions as opposed to test speeds perhaps,

Then

They perform marvelously.

Interestingly, ADAC in their test, marked them down in their snow category but marked them as performing 'above average' in the other 6 areas. Namely wet, dry, ice, noise, wear and fuel consumption. As always with tyres, it's all about the compromises.

 

[FAC51]

Bridgestone Blizzak WS80. Outstanding snow tyre. Ran with these for the last 4 years in the Dolomites

 

[Shaun Witts]

I've ordered some Goodyear UltraGrip Cargo (215/60) in the end. I should have them on by the end of October, then my first visit to the Alps (Austria) is the week before Christmas.

 

[FAC51]

A good choice. Good luck on the snow front. Its always good to be in snow around Christmas time

 

[Scruffy]

I fitted GT Radials winter tyres last year after three winters on Hankooks. The Hankooks had plenty of tread left but they were feeling very loose. The GT's were like night and day, and although we barely got any snow in the UK, they were awesome in the french alps in ice and deep snow.

 

[g4r1]

We've run Nokian WR3/4, but on a commercial van only driven slow(ish), can't real comment on the handling; but longevity was poor due to our warm winter weather.
There is plenty of comments on google regrading low levels of grip in warmer winter driving particularly when wet in the UK.
We've got Nokian weatherproofs; michelins agilis cross climate *2 vehicles ; and Pirelli scorpion AT+ at the moment (not all on the same vehicle ) All 3pmsn m&S; all fab for UK winter/summers imo.

Hi,

I’m about to order a set of new tyres but can’t decide between Nokian weatherproofs and Pirelli scorpion AT+.

I’ve got a few criteria and not too sure which tyres will fit the best:

1) wet road handling
2) occasional light off-road capability (unmetalled/gravel roads)
3) Alps snow handling (2 weeks a year)
4) swamper/off road look, the size I'm looking to get is 235/65/17

which tyre out of above two you would recommend based on your experience?

 

[chriscroft]

Hi,

I’m about to order a set of new tyres but can’t decide between Nokian weatherproofs and Pirelli scorpion AT+.

I’ve got a few criteria and not too sure which tyres will fit the best:

1) wet road handling
2) occasional light off-road capability (unmetalled/gravel roads)
3) Alps snow handling (2 weeks a year)
4) swamper/off road look, the size I'm looking to get is 235/65/17

which tyre out of above two you would recommend based on your experience?

Both fab tyres imo, and both will more than meet your needs:
Haven't run the Pirellis on a T6, so I don't have a proper back to back comparison; however......
Wet road handling: the Nokians have an euro "A" rating; where as the AT+ have a "E"; so the Nokians win, but in my experience they are both very good on wet roads; and both excellent in stood water, they are so much more able to shift deep water than any summer tyre I have experienced, and you can get deep water in summer. There are some articles on google querying the validity of the euro wet test, and I'm not surprised; the test in based on a slightly moist road at a certain temperature only; so the test doesn't really cover the most difficult wet conditions. But I would have to give this one to the Nokians.
Off-road: well both will do this very easily. The AT+ will have more cut and chip resistance, if the ground is rocky/sharp; the AT+ are better in deeper mud aslo; so the AT+ will win this one
Snow: Again both very good; if the snow was deeper i think the AT+ would edge this; if the road was just icy I think the Nokians would win. so perhaps a draw..........
Off road look; no comparison AT+ all day long.
On road; the Nokians win

So I think it would be the AT+'s that win out, particularly if you want the swamper look.
I've must say I keep looking for a reason to get a set of AT+'s my self just to try them on a T6, I would go for the 225/65/17 size; as I think the slightly smaller size is more suited to my needs.

If you do go for them, please post some pics up.