Winter, a time of socks, chains and tyres

Pollik

Guest
In an ideal world, I would think about changing my tyres as winter approaches. But I am British and the British don't do that and mostly don't have the need to do that. Added to which, in a motorhome and especially fulltimers, I suspect that few of us will have room to carry a set of winter tyres to change into. So we might think about snow chains, or socks, instead. Of course, in Europe, especially in the Alps, snow chains are a legal requirement and some countries have requirements regarding tyres Compulsory equipment : snow chains and winter tyre requirements for ski resorts - The AA.

And most of us are not made of money and look for the best compromise.

I am hoping winter in France in a new (to me) MH, a six wheeler, so I want to get this right.

So...what is the best compromise?





Polly
 
I change my socks every year when I have a bath, whether or not I need it.:lol-049:
 
No snow tyres - dozy englishman woken up!

Thanks Polly, your comments just woke up this englishman!
I'm off to Santander in December and was thinking about visiting the Pyrenees and Andora to see some of the passes used in Le Tour, but after looking at the website you gave, it might be better if I stick to the Spanish / Portugese coast on my summer tyres. Should be warmer too.
I think you've just improved my holiday by several hundred %.
Rolly :D
Sorry I can't help you with your question about compromise.


Pollik said:
In an ideal world, I would think about changing my tyres as winter approaches. But I am British and the British don't do that and mostly don't have the need to do that. Added to which, in a motorhome and especially fulltimers, I suspect that few of us will have room to carry a set of winter tyres to change into. So we might think about snow chains, or socks, instead. Of course, in Europe, especially in the Alps, snow chains are a legal requirement and some countries have requirements regarding tyres Compulsory equipment : snow chains and winter tyre requirements for ski resorts - The AA.

And most of us are not made of money and look for the best compromise.

I am hoping winter in France in a new (to me) MH, a six wheeler, so I want to get this right.

So...what is the best compromise?





Polly
Click to expand...
 
Euro Car Parts recently had an online offer for socks and chains.

I believe that France allows socks now when previously it had to be chains.
 
I currently have a 4x4 Teranno....but about to get a 4x4 camper....I have Mud and Snow tyres (winter tyres or dual terrain)
on all year round with no problems...I find the grip improved in the wet. the camper will also have M+S tyres fitted all year.

Last winter I had no problems and didn't need socks (though I have them for the Teranno).. I found
this was sufficient and rescued 2 vehicles with ordinary road tyres with it.

www.tyre-grip.net
 
Ive just bought some snow belts as I have 3 vehicle I drive so buying chains or socks for all 3 would be expensive, where as the belts can be used on different sized wheels and tyres etc.

Think I paid £97 all in for them, if you search for jeko snow belts your get an idea
 
my new(old ) MH had 9yrs old original tyres fitted and still had plenty of threads and legal I put winter tyres on as I need to go to the Alps last winter Excellent traction and never had to use snow chains (e-bay around £50) throughout the time I was there driving on icy snow covered roads going up steep roads at times, I also bought 4 spare wheels thinking that I will get 4 summer tyres to change over after winter but never did in the spring as I decided to use winter tyres all year round Now covered 7000mls on this set of winter tyres and no obvious excessive wear in the summer No obvious increase road noice either.
4 spare wheels now sitting in garage and if anyone interested in them, do get in touch
 
I run comtrac winter tyres all year round. Having a 6 wheelr it would cost me £120 every year to keep swapping tyres and my winter tyres last well enough anyway. Remember your in a camper not a race car and are less likely to be travelling at speeds that will result in excessive tyre wear. Maybe more of an issue in a hotter climate but here in the uk its not a problem. Oh the other reason i do this is i spend at least four weeks of the winter in the french alps and i need the tyres for then. Otherwise i would bother.
 
Rolly said:
Thanks Polly, your comments just woke up this englishman!
I'm off to Santander in December and was thinking about visiting the Pyrenees and Andora to see some of the passes used in Le Tour, but after looking at the website you gave, it might be better if I stick to the Spanish / Portugese coast on my summer tyres. Should be warmer too.
I think you've just improved my holiday by several hundred %."
Click to expand...

The Pyrenees are stunning and Andorra is the place for duty free. We visited there in February this year and, although car parks were covered in snow, the road were kept free, mostly. And, stupidly, we did it on summer tyres. If the weather had turned we would have been in difficulties, although I did have snow chains with me.



Polly
 
Harmergeddon said:
I run comtrac winter tyres all year round. Having a 6 wheelr it would cost me £120 every year to keep swapping tyres and my winter tyres last well enough anyway. Remember your in a camper not a race car and are less likely to be travelling at speeds that will result in excessive tyre wear. Maybe more of an issue in a hotter climate but here in the uk its not a problem. Oh the other reason i do this is i spend at least four weeks of the winter in the french alps and i need the tyres for then. Otherwise i would bother.
Click to expand...

I have Bridgestone Duravis summer tyres...I reckon about 25,000 mile off the front tyres. How well do your winter tyres last then?

I must admit I am tempted by M&S tyres...keeps my options open avoids the need to change tyres twice a year and pay for storage not knowing where I will be when I next need them.



Polly
 
Pollik said:
I have Bridgestone Duravis summer tyres...I reckon about 25,000 mile off the front tyres. How well do your winter tyres last then?

I must admit I am tempted by M&S tyres...keeps my options open avoids the need to change tyres twice a year and pay for storage not knowing where I will be when I next need them.



Polly
Click to expand...

2 years so far and still plenty of tread at least another 3 years, but i suspect more. So at a minimum 5 years times £120 to have them changed each year equals £600 which is £100 more than what i paid for them in the first place.
 
When I first bought my 4x4 in 2003 on the first trip out on wet roads I touched the brakes and locked the wheels sliding up
to a set of traffic lights (very greasy road)....lucky that I was travelling at the speed limit and well clear of the vehicle in front.

Since changing to winter tyres permanently about 1 year later as I got fed up with it tailing out on a downhill sharp bend at 20 mph,
I have had great traction in the wet or frost / snow. The wear is greater - I recon up to a third less milage than the summer tyres,
but the improved performance and safety and peace of mind far outweighs the less milage. Never have I regretted the changeover.

I rarely exceeed 80 mph, and travel most places now at 55 mph. I'd personally advise everyone consider this changeover
permanently and see the difference in bad weather for yourself. I realise of course there will be people for whom winter tyres
all year round won't work due to circumstances or vehicles, but really worth looking at.
 
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