Winter Tyres (1 Viewer)

irnbru

LIFE MEMBER
Jun 27, 2013
13,503
31,101
Glasgow
Funster No
26,684
MH
Benimar 264
Exp
11 yrs
If you use your MH in winter do you use winter tyres or just use the same ones all round? Something to do with the grip on snow?

What actually is the technical difference and would it justify the cost to change the tyres in winter. We dont "plan" to be in heavy snow.
 

DBK

LIFE MEMBER
Jan 9, 2013
17,968
47,804
Plympton, Devon
Funster No
24,219
MH
PVC, Murvi Morocco
Exp
2013
Winter tyres are made from a type of rubber which stays softer at low temperatures. This gives more grip. They are not essential but a "nice to have".
 

Gellyneck

LIFE MEMBER
Jun 5, 2014
9,132
17,984
Scotland
Funster No
31,836
MH
C Class
Exp
More than toes wet now!
Never fitted winter tyres on mh or car. Even drove daily around your area on standard tyres during the horrendous winter of 4 \ 5 years ago.
Probably me just being old but drivers nowadays, in general, don't seem to have the understanding of how to drive to the conditions.:(
 
C

Chockswahay

Deleted User
Never fitted winter tyres on mh or car. Even drove daily around your area on standard tyres during the horrendous winter of 4 \ 5 years ago.
Probably me just being old but drivers nowadays, in general, don't seem to have the understanding of how to drive to the conditions.:(
C'mon, that's a bit like saying 'smoking is safe because you know people who have smoked all their lives and it never did them any harm' :eek:
 

funflair

LIFE MEMBER
Dec 11, 2013
19,199
29,886
Guisborough
Funster No
29,351
MH
MORELO palace
Exp
since 2012
Never fitted winter tyres on mh or car. Even drove daily around your area on standard tyres during the horrendous winter of 4 \ 5 years ago.
Probably me just being old but drivers nowadays, in general, don't seem to have the understanding of how to drive to the conditions.:(

Maybe if you tried them you would appreciate the difference, I have(y).

Martin

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

funflair

LIFE MEMBER
Dec 11, 2013
19,199
29,886
Guisborough
Funster No
29,351
MH
MORELO palace
Exp
since 2012
Yes the rubber compound is different but also the cutting of the tread, all the small cuts in the main blocks are called sipes and it is these that give a snow tyre the extra "edge" literally as its these edges that do the work.

co_vancofourseason_pdptrd.jpg
Continental Vanco Fourseasons

Continental Vanco-Camper.jpg
Continental Vanco Camper

images.jpg
Michelin Agilis Camper

Editors-Choice.jpg
And finally a "winter tyre" the only visible difference are the extra cuts or sipes.

Martin
 

andy63

Free Member
Jan 19, 2014
4,672
15,017
south shields
Funster No
29,767
MH
None
Exp
since 1990
I'm having a chuckle here Sandra ..
I remember a chat we had once ,I happened to mention I was putting the winter shoes on the van..
I hope you can remember your response to me..
I'll say no more :xgrin:.
Andy.
 

sdc77

Free Member
Jan 28, 2013
3,244
4,550
Weardale, Co Durham
Funster No
24,456
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
since 2011
Never fitted winter tyres on mh or car. Even drove daily around your area on standard tyres during the horrendous winter of 4 \ 5 years ago.
Probably me just being old but drivers nowadays, in general, don't seem to have the understanding of how to drive to the conditions.:(
That's not right. Winter tyres provide more grip in wintery conditions and on mud. Understanding how to drive to the conditions is another issue.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

andy63

Free Member
Jan 19, 2014
4,672
15,017
south shields
Funster No
29,767
MH
None
Exp
since 1990
Another option if it's just a case of getting you out of the cap if you loose you drive because of some snow is to carry some snow socks or whatever they are called...
Not the same as winter tyres but I carried these around before I did get the winter tyres.. They did the job on a couple of occasions but it is a faff on..
Ta Andy.
20151211_094448.jpg
 
Aug 6, 2013
11,941
16,531
Kendal, Cumbria
Funster No
27,352
MH
Le-Voyageur RX958 Pl
Exp
since 1999
Given that most motorhomes don't wear out their tyres before they need changing due to age I would be much more interested in how Winter tyres perform during 'average' Summer conditions. If they grip and handle as well as Summer tyres do, but wear out considerably more quickly, they might be a viable alternative for all-year use. Otherwise, despite the improvement in cold, wet, or snowy conditions their use on a MH, which often requires virtually unworn tyres to be changed, is a an expensive nonsense.
 

Puddleduck

LIFE MEMBER
Jan 15, 2014
12,357
43,865
Scottish Borders
Funster No
29,703
MH
Without at present
Exp
On and off for many years.
When I was working I used to have a set of winter tyres for both cars and I think they did help - obviously if you were going too fast and hit ice you would slide but regaining control was much quicker. I also found that the two sets of tyres which we changed winter / summer lasted longer than two sets of tyres that were used continuously until replacement was needed.

We have the conti camper tyres on Buffy as that is what she came with.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Forestboy

LIFE MEMBER
Jul 31, 2007
5,023
8,338
Forest of Dean
Funster No
46
MH
A Class Hymer B694 tag
Exp
9
We use winter tyres all year round no problem in the summer with handling or wear.
Great in the snow and as skiers we do drive in the snow at high altitude every year.
Michelin is our choice but loads of different makes also pretty good on mud or wet grass.
 

Puddleduck

LIFE MEMBER
Jan 15, 2014
12,357
43,865
Scottish Borders
Funster No
29,703
MH
Without at present
Exp
On and off for many years.
Given that most motorhomes don't wear out their tyres before they need changing due to age I would be much more interested in how Winter tyres perform during 'average' Summer conditions. If they grip and handle as well as Summer tyres do, but wear out considerably more quickly, they might be a viable alternative for all-year use. Otherwise, despite the improvement in cold, wet, or snowy conditions their use on a MH, which often requires virtually unworn tyres to be changed, is a an expensive nonsense.

On the car they wore out faster than normal tyres and were noisier. Grip and handle was the same :)
 

Gellyneck

LIFE MEMBER
Jun 5, 2014
9,132
17,984
Scotland
Funster No
31,836
MH
C Class
Exp
More than toes wet now!
C'mon, that's a bit like saying 'smoking is safe because you know people who have smoked all their lives and it never did them any harm' :eek:
Don't understand how you reached that conclusion?

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
C

Chockswahay

Deleted User
@Gellyneck your post suggested that winter tyres are of no real value, sorry if I have read it wrong :unsure: I believe they are useful safety devices (I don't have them)
 

Gellyneck

LIFE MEMBER
Jun 5, 2014
9,132
17,984
Scotland
Funster No
31,836
MH
C Class
Exp
More than toes wet now!
That's not right. Winter tyres provide more grip in wintery conditions and on mud. Understanding how to drive to the conditions is another issue.
Not sure where I said that they don't give better grip?:confused:
What I did say was that I've never really found an absolute need for them in Scotland even during the harsh winter noted. Would others have a similar opinion (?) if they did understand how to drive to the conditions?
What did we all do before specialised winter tyres were available? Are learners taught to drive in questionable conditions? How many modern drivers "know" never to use first gear in slippery conditions? How many know that "generally" a manual gearbox gives better control than an automatic in slippery conditions? How many know that you don't use your brakes when going downhill in slippery conditions? Etc.
Never said don't fit them only said I never have on my own vehicles.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Gellyneck

LIFE MEMBER
Jun 5, 2014
9,132
17,984
Scotland
Funster No
31,836
MH
C Class
Exp
More than toes wet now!
@Gellyneck your post suggested that winter tyres are of no real value, sorry if I have read it wrong :unsure: I believe they are useful safety devices (I don't have them)
Never said that. Apologies if my original post could have been construed as such.:( Only said I've never fitted them on my own vehicles.(y)
 

DBK

LIFE MEMBER
Jan 9, 2013
17,968
47,804
Plympton, Devon
Funster No
24,219
MH
PVC, Murvi Morocco
Exp
2013
Yes the rubber compound is different but also the cutting of the tread, all the small cuts in the main blocks are called sipes and it is these that give a snow tyre the extra "edge" literally as its these edges that do the work.

View attachment 85754 Continental Vanco Fourseasons

View attachment 85755 Continental Vanco Camper

View attachment 85756 Michelin Agilis Camper

View attachment 85757 And finally a "winter tyre" the only visible difference are the extra cuts or sipes.

Martin
Thanks, I'd forgotten about the sipes. They help a lot in snow but these tyres also grip better in the dry, reducing braking distances in cold weather compared to a standard tyre. But they have to be proper winter tyres, not just an M + S tyre unless it has the snowflake marking I believe.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
May 23, 2013
1,781
2,814
Not on the Coast East Sussex
Funster No
26,142
MH
Hymer B504
Exp
Since 2013
just a heads-up if anybody is looking for Michelin Alpin tyres they are currently in short supply we need 215/75/16 and Michelin or their distributors had any stock. Most of the online stores dont have stock but AA Tyres did. well 4 less now ;-)
 

GWAYGWAY

Free Member
Sep 6, 2014
4,213
3,305
Dover
Funster No
33,216
MH
Hymer ML I 580
Exp
4 years
I have a set on wheel for my Fiesta and they really DO WORK WELL in snow and ice. I rescued my Granddaughter from Folkestone in the bad snow a couple of winters back and we had no trouble going up Dover Hill in the snow, which was quite deep by then. I passed every vehicle stuck on the hill including 2, 4X4 range-rovers which have road tyres and got stuck in the side.. They say I've got four wheel drive, I say I have four wheel brakes but it doesn't guarantee being able to stop. Just mention I also have chains to go on for really bad BUT haven't seen snow since buying them, Just rain. The tyres do make a hissing noise from the tread when you pull hard up hills in the wet.
 
Sep 7, 2010
840
4,561
cardiff
Funster No
13,594
MH
Frankia 7900 Platin plus
Exp
since 2010
I have 4 extra wheels with winter tyres and swap over in December and April ish. For Austria snow tyres are legal necessity.
Initial expense sure, but change over is £24 and takes half an hour. And I guess the two sets will last twice as long.
In SNOW snow tyres really do make a difference.
On dry roads they are a little bit noisier and softer but not enough to spoil the drive and certainly you can feel the effect in rain.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

DP+JAY

LIFE MEMBER
Mar 17, 2010
2,526
14,773
Dalbeattie
Funster No
10,674
MH
Laika 5009
Exp
since 2007, 25 years tuggin before that.
Part of the reasoning behind going for all seasons
Virtually the same price as standard tyres, snowflake marking, will probably be changed due age rather than wear so can't see any reason not to.
 

sdc77

Free Member
Jan 28, 2013
3,244
4,550
Weardale, Co Durham
Funster No
24,456
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
since 2011
Not sure where I said that they don't give better grip?:confused:
What I did say was that I've never really found an absolute need for them in Scotland even during the harsh winter noted. Would others have a similar opinion (?) if they did understand how to drive to the conditions?
What did we all do before specialised winter tyres were available? Are learners taught to drive in questionable conditions? How many modern drivers "know" never to use first gear in slippery conditions? How many know that "generally" a manual gearbox gives better control than an automatic in slippery conditions? How many know that you don't use your brakes when going downhill in slippery conditions? Etc.
Never said don't fit them only said I never have on my own vehicles.
The thread was about winter tyres not driving techniques .. obviously a misunderstanding though. You should have a look at the video above which nicely shows the advantages of winter tyres and therefore minimises the negatives of inexperience ..
No matter how experienced .. winter tyres are better in winter conditions.:xgrin:
 

Gellyneck

LIFE MEMBER
Jun 5, 2014
9,132
17,984
Scotland
Funster No
31,836
MH
C Class
Exp
More than toes wet now!
The thread was about winter tyres not driving techniques .. obviously a misunderstanding though. You should have a look at the video above which nicely shows the advantages of winter tyres and therefore minimises the negatives of inexperience ..
No matter how experienced .. winter tyres are better in winter conditions.:xgrin:

Whilst the video does display the advantages of winter tyres in extreme conditions, which is not disputed, it does also clearly show how dangerous not driving to the conditions is.:xeek:

In my view both elements are intrinsically linked but others may disagree.:xThumb:

Sandra asked the question on the "validity" of winter tyres to which I responded with my local experiences however my answer has to be tempered by how an individual (not Sandra!) drives when certain conditions are in situ and are drivers actually taught to respond to these.xroll:

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top