All season/winter tyres

Dereckerick

Dereckerick

Joined
Jul 14, 2009
Posts
250
Likes collected
162
Location
Merseyside
Funster No
7,494
Exp
5
Hi Guys

I am looking for varied opinions, as I know we all have opinions.

I am off to La Plange in snow season and looking for winter tyre advice, or indeed just to use chains prior to need.

I’ve driven before, but am acutely aware in a 6t MH catastrophe is always near…

I have brand new tyres on a Dethleffs 7871 tag axle, and I am weighing up getting a full set of Michelin cross climate xxx which will cost just over £1000….

Or do I just use what I have and use chains to do the final leg?? We will not be traveling about at high altitude, but I also appreciate weather at any altitude can change..

Any thoughts comments or advice to aid my decision?

Many thanks

Nick (previous funster now back)
 
I’m surprised you can get 6 cross climates, for around 1k what size are your tyres…?

I’ve recently put maxxis all season on and very pleased but not tried in snow yet…🤔

Around £125 each…
 
I’ve put continental cross climates very good in very wet conditions . IMG_0340.jpeg
 
Previously had Vredestein Comtrac - very good; many trips to the alps and through snow. Got stuck once at Tignes (along with everyone else!) and still needed chains. So always carry a set as backup. Generally the all season with 3 PMSF symbol tyres work well in snow I find, without the need for chains. I have the cheapest of cheapest set of chains….

This year I couldn’t get hold of more Vredestein so went for GT Radials all season. A friend has these in his camper for the last few years and also been through lots of snow and said they performed very well. I will find out this winter!
 
I’ve just put GT radials all season on £130 each did a lot of investigating before I brought them as I’ve never heard of the make, turns out they’re the 11th biggest tyre producer in the world and have testing office at Mira test track and also research facilities in Germany. Guy at my local tyre fitters had nothing but good word for the brand

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Fitted Michelin All Season Camper tyres which replaced the original Michelin Agilis last year. Slush and ice over Easter at le Deux Alpes, lots of wet and dry motorways this year. So lots of varied conditions and no issues found. Good traction on wet grass and having the correct tyres for the season has also given me confidence that I'm prepared for freezing temperatures with improved grip. Quite aggressive tyre pattern which has made the Agilis look more like slicks?. Not cheap though.
 
bigtree said:
Nankang AW8, £115 each fitted. Must have done over 6000 miles on them now and pleased with them.
Click to expand...

Dereckerick said:
Some decent deals around on these!
Click to expand...
Picking up on what the not-Glasgow fella said:tounge: on another thread fitted the same in April this year (price had gone up to £121 fully fitted a corner). Same size as yours.

Very pleased with them as they give a "softer" ride than the previously fitted Vanco Campers. Less road noise, as well.
 
I have Michelin Alpin full winter tyres. I always think cross climates are a compromise. Needed snow chains once in Sweden in November when I got stuck across the road doing a 3 point turn. The back of the van was lower than the front so no weight on the front wheels but the chains instantly fixed the problem.
 
I changed to Imperial snow dragon 215/75R16 winter tyres .Belgian made - 10,000k kms so far & look unused. excellent in rain .
I bought 2 & 2 online as one place only had 2 .320 in total +60€ to fit & balance.
No idea if available in UK?
I always carry chains as well
 
gus-lopez said:
I changed to Imperial snow dragon 215/75R16 winter tyres .Belgian made - 10,000k kms so far & look unused. excellent in rain .
I bought 2 & 2 online as one place only had 2 .320 in total +60€ to fit & balance.
No idea if available in UK?
I always carry chains as well
Click to expand...
You have to carry chains cos you never know when you're going to need them. Have you had to use yours in anger?

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
No, the use of M+S tires in France is not banned, but the regulations for winter tires are changing:



  • Winter tire regulations
    From November 1 to March 31, winter tires in France must be marked with the 3PMSF (Alpine) symbol. This replaces the previous M+S (mud and snow) marking. All-season tires must also have the 3PMSF marking.



  • Snow chains
    Drivers can use snow chains on at least two powered wheels.



  • Penalties
    Drivers who don't use the required equipment could face a fine, car immobilization, and confiscation of their registration document.



  • Local administration
    Drivers can check the websites of the local administration or road safety for more information.

 
Thanks for the advice.
Is it still acceptable to drive to a french ski resort in standard tyres but with chains in the boot?
Also, should I take chains for the rear wheels as well as the front?
2wd 6m PVC
 
I have never had a problem in the past with standard tyres, however it is not unknown for those whom are not complying, to be directed to a side parking area and await until it is safe to drive further on,after the weather improves.

chains must be fitted if going up ,to ski resorts at the designated area`s or socks, they must only be fitted to the driving wheels.
on stating the previous i have never seen buses fitted with either, going to and fro from resorts.
If you put just two winter tyres on your car—whether that's on the front or back—it will negatively impact your handling, making difficult conditions even more dangerous. It is important to always put a full set of winter tyres on your car, not just two.

I am sure others on here will be able to offer their experiences and possible solutions.
be safe do not take the risk with severe weather front.

1727009194610.png
 
I’m off to Switzerland in dec and I’m gonna Chuck my nearly new Firestone vanhawk2 winter tyres back on, and carry my snowchains, shovel, and anything else I need to prepare for!!
I will assume I need everything so I’ll carry everything👍😁😁
 
That's strange. They are A rated for Wet weather performance.

My experience with Agilis CrossClimate is totally opposite. Couldn't wear them out.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
treblid said:
That's strange. They are A rated for Wet weather performance.

My experience with Agilis CrossClimate is totally opposite. Couldn't wear them out.
Click to expand...
interesting

same with the Michelin Agilis Winters I had. But they have always had fantastic grip in all weathers.

Cross Climates, no
 
Here's a winter tyres test from a German motorhome mag from 2022. I'll try and find the latest one. We have the conti winter tyres fitted. Last winter we were in Lapland, where it was rather cold and snowy. We didn't see any tarmac just fresh snow over compacted snow. However, not one vehicle was fitted with snow chains, just winter tyres. They were not hanging around either.
Screenshot_20230719_143421_Readly.jpg
 
EuroTrotters said:
very poor performance.

Poor grip in wet and sidewalls cracked within 18 months
Click to expand...
Well in my experience they have been great plenty of grip and fairly quiet and no problems in the wet😊
 
EuroTrotters said:
very poor performance.

Poor grip in wet and sidewalls cracked within 18 months
Click to expand...
I found them excellent and bizarrely very hard wearing.

I did however have to replace them at 3 years as the sidewalls all cracked. Disappointed as they had loads of tread left.
 

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!

Join us

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Back
Top