Carry 2 sets of tyres or winter all year? (1 Viewer)

[Jac Sprat]

Sorry to resurrect this long chewed over subject but we're still not clear and made the 'mistake' of fitting new Continental tyres in March (or whatever was recommended) for year round but not special winter tyres as we were advised by our garage ( maybe wrongly ?) to change them when needed and carry the spares.
Now we actually contemplate it we wonder if people really do this? We would have to lose most of what we are carrying in our Hymer garage that's if they even fit in there in the first place.
Should we do this?
Advice from gnarly full timers and those in the know much appreciated as ever .

 

[Allanm]

We have All Season tyres, marked M+S. People worry that winter compounds wear quickly, but most motorhome tyres need replacing due to age not wear, so for most that shouldn't be a problem
Our tyres are not too noisy and give a smooth ride.
We also carry snow chains in the winter.
I would look at M+S tyres, carrying 4 (or 5) spare wheels around is an awful lot of weight and will significantly eat into your payload

 

[andy63]

After a couple of bad winters in UK a few years back I got a spare set if rims and fitted them with winter tyres. . They get changed usually end of October and removed end March. .
I really haven't felt that they were needed since the winters of late have not been bad..
It wouldn't really be viable to carry winter tyres around with you..
Like you mentioned,I think the best option may be a set of what they refer to as all season... but a lot might depend on where you intend to be in the winter months...
I might also be happy to run winters all year round in UK climate... and put up with a faster wear rate as a trade off for winter peace of mind..
Andy

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Zepp]

We also have M+S tyres I would not carry spare winter tyres ie your payload and storage would be gone .

 

[funflair]

Check what you have on first, you said Continentals that were recommended for all year round so if they are marked "fourseasons" you should be fine. Otherwise I wouldn't carry a spare set around in the garage so either avoid the snow or fit "winter" or "Fourseasons", if you really need to be covered for winter use I would go for the Mountain and snowflake symbol over M+S.

Martin

 

[Jac Sprat]

We are defo headed for the snow as skiing is non negotiable - one of the driving forces to get the van in the first place.
I know we haven't got the snowflake symbol on which is what they look for here I believe.
These are Avanza AV1172.EC
116/114
Does no one carry their spare tyres with them? Looks like we are going to lose out here as we paid £400 for new ones on March. Maybe research storage space in Prague and come back this way after?
What would you do? (Other than head off next sept with winter tyres fitted from home!)

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[funflair]

I would put Continental fourseasons on and see if the garage will buy your slightly used ones off you, the fourseason can run all year round, if you go for "full winter" tyres just read the rules on using these during the summer I think Italy have some rules on it?

Martin

 

[Ninovan]

All seasons mud & snow (M+S) tyres & a set of chains? Cheaper & lighter than a full second set of tyres.
Sorry. Just seen post by @Allanm which says the same thing.

 

[Jac Sprat]

Thanks
Would continental four season be accepted as winter tyres here?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[funflair]

Thanks
Would continental four season be accepted as winter tyres here?

Yes they have the "mountain and snowflake"

Check your size as they are limited.

Martin

 

[Lenny HB]

I think from January 2017 m&s/ all season tyres will no longer be acceptable in countries that require winter tyres unless they have the snowflake marking.

 

[Jac Sprat]

Thanks
We have found a place that will for Barum winter tyres for us locally
Does anyone know this make and if they are ok?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[JeanLuc]

Barnum is, I believe, a budget brand of Continental. I use Continental Vanco Winter 2 tyres all year round on the Hymer.

 

[Jac Sprat]

Thanks.
Do they sound OK to you?
Good price if 13,225 Czech crowns
Around 550e

 

[Jac Sprat]

Thanks.
Do they sound OK to you?
Good price of 13,225 Czech crowns
Around 550e

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[bigtree]

I've got Michelin Agilis Alpin tyres fitted and now on my fourth trip to the Sun,no appreciable increase in noise or wear or fuel consumption. Some people talk a load over carp about using winter tyres year round.

 

[TerryL]

Have used Continental Vanco 2 Winter tyres all year round since the first tyre change on our van. Never had any problems, even in high temperatures although if the TyrePal tells me they're getting TOO warm I'll give them a rest, just in case. Perfectly happy with the wear rate (30000 on front, 50000 on rear), not noisy and the ride is fine on alloy wheels. Bonus is I get good grip on wet and slippery surfaces e.g. grass and mud.

 

[Allanm]

Thanks
Would continental four season be accepted as winter tyres here?

The UK has no rules for the use of winter tyres.
The rest of Europe does though, see the link below

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/snow-chains-winter-tyres.html

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Cilfan]

I may be proven to be talking out of my rear end here.....coz I don't (at present) have a MH. But I did punt a 3.5t van all over Europe, in all seasons, all weathers, for 4 years. I've been in the alps in mid winter, around lake Garda then on to Croatia when there was 2-3ft of snow on the ground. Northern Germany too, isn't exactly 'Balmy' in deep winter. Conversely I've suffered - and I chose the word deliberately, no aircon in the van - in 40+degree temperatures in Spain, Italy, Portugal in high summer. ALL ON STANDARD VAN TYRES! So I hope you will understand why 'I don't buy into' the idea of shelling out on an expensive additional set of rubber for extremely periodic use....unless you live in Scandinavia or the like, where I believe it's mandatory.

Bizarrely enough, the only place I ever got stuck was on a grass verge on the Isle of Sheppey - which didn't please my brother in law too much, it was part or his front garden.

 

[Jac Sprat]

The thing is we have no choice now in Eastern European countries.
MUST be certified winter tyres

 

[gus-lopez]

When asked on 'pistonheads ' most didn't rate them.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1071887

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Jaws]

I fitted the Avons this year .. So far they have been good all rounders.. But then, as I said before, I have an Avon account so get them at a very proper price !

 

[Phillybarbour]

Take our van at least twice to ski resorts every year, main reason we have a van. Lots of experience with snow and the van.

Van has Michelin Camping M&S tyres all round as standard, but I put full snow tyres on the front for each trip. I have two snow tyres on steel rims so easy to swap when needed but I don't carry them round other than one spare.

We are all different but if you know your heading into snow the snow tyres do make quite a difference. It's not the same as people who get caught in a bit of snow. We know we will be in snow for 4-6 weeks every day each year so the wheel/tyres are well worth it to us.

 

[Jac Sprat]

Thanks @Phillybarbour definitely heading into snow (plus want maximum safety obv for us.!)
Trouble is didn't get a choice here at the Czech garage who the campsite receptionist talked to on my behalf. These tyres are what I guess he is fitting in all the cars here now as everyone has to have winter tyres as of next week snow or no snow.
Rather worried piston heads didn't rate them @gus-lopez

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Jac Sprat]

We are wondering if we should drive back to Germany and get good snow tyres fitted
It's so difficult here with the language.

 

[funflair]

Are these Avanza av11's mountain and snowflake? I can't find anything that says they are, if they are not you will not be gaining anything.

Martin

 

[deleted-member02]

It's quite hard to buy a 'bad' tyre these days.
Some maybe better than others (a matter of opinion) but they all have to reach minimum requirements (most likely ECE).
If it's the correct size, rating and has the snow symbol you should be fine !

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Jac Sprat]

I read the comments in the piston head link above and it was enough to put me off - skidding on wet and not holding corners well etc
Happy to pay more for better.
I'll see if they have can get us proper snow tyres. Trouble is the receptionist has to translate for us. Not the best way to get something so important ....

 

[hilldweller]

to change them when needed and carry the spares..

Some new motorhomes do not come with a spare wheel at all due to weight.

 

[Jac Sprat]

Right we have now upgraded our order to proper snow tyres from Continental costing 758e
They are the best they do
Hope they will be ok

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}