What Tyres for Winter (Snow!)

[Timbuk2]

I've got General Grabber AT² at the moment on my Jeep which I got last year, and they were pretty good on slippery roads, ice, and snow a couple of inches think, I didn't get to try any deep stuff though.

What is generally seen as the best sort of tyre for snow - are winter tyres substantially better on ice/snow?

Are mud tyres better than AT in deep snow?

I was thinking of getting something like the Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme on a set of steels as I like going exploring in the snow in the hills nearby and don't want to get stuck! I take it this would be a better option than mud/AT for deep snow and ice?

Thanks in advance and sorry if this topic has been covered a lot already!

[Chainguy]

I've went for Insa special tracks on a spare set of wheels for it. Might be crap, dont half look the part though!

[Timbuk2]

Yep will look pretty cool but not sure how they'd fair on icy roads!

[Sarge 4x4]

Now we are talking.

General AT2 are great all round and worke very well in the snow, depending on what size you are on as they are studable and some sizes have the mountain/snowflake on the sidewall, but only a few sizes still made as the new General AT has been out for just over a year now.

Vredestein Wintrac 4 Xtreme are a great tyre made in most 4x4 SUV sizes, the most popular tyres we are selling at present.

Mud tyres are fine in deep snow but not nice at all in packed snow.

Last winter I used General 265/75x16 AT2, and when needed Pewag snow chains.

Sad but I do like rubber.

Andy.

Edited by Sarge 4x4 on Friday 14th October 09:18

[Lionsden]

I found KL71's great last winter on ice and in snow. I hope we get the same as last year if not more!!!

[Sarge 4x4]

Spent lots of time tyre testing in all conditions and have to say the Kumho KL71 was not as good as any All Terrain tyre, but works very well in the mud, have done over 12,000 miles with KL71 on one of my Defenders in the past and liked them but not on snow and ice.

Andy.

[Snowboy]

I used the AT2s to get me round the alps last year, if found them excellent on some all types of snow and ice.
Even when other cars were having trouble I'd just be able to move without a problem.
Nice blocky tread, loads of siping.


Not to be confused with the GG UHP.
Bloody great for motorways, and I use them in the summer, but I wouldn't want them in the snow.

[300bhp/ton]

Timbuk2 said:

I've got General Grabber AT² at the moment on my Jeep which I got last year, and they were pretty good on slippery roads, ice, and snow a couple of inches think, I didn't get to try any deep stuff though.

What is generally seen as the best sort of tyre for snow - are winter tyres substantially better on ice/snow?

Are mud tyres better than AT in deep snow?

I was thinking of getting something like the Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme on a set of steels as I like going exploring in the snow in the hills nearby and don't want to get stuck! I take it this would be a better option than mud/AT for deep snow and ice?

Thanks in advance and sorry if this topic has been covered a lot already!

When you say exploring - how and where?

Winter tyres are great and the sipes make all the difference on ice and compact snow. So are highly affective on tarmac covered snow.

However, if you are off roading, then you may still need off road tyres. As you might dig down through the snow and you are far less likely to come across hard compacted snow due to a couple of 100 cars having rolled over it.

In these circumstances some proper MT's are going to be much more affective. Although arguably less good on ice and compacted snow, as each large lug will act like a mini slick tyre.

AT's are a good compromised and may out perform MT's on compacted snow, but will be less capable in deep snow, although I'm willing to be, better than many winter tyres when off road.


e.g.

guys that drive in deep snow tend to use tyres with big lugs:




I can attest to this. This is my Disco over some of the past winters. It's either running some 235/85R16 Bronco Dirt Devils remould (big lug MT's) or some 33.11.50R15 Simex Jungle Trekker II's (even bigger lugs).

Both performed hugely well in the snow, on and off road.











Last winter I ran a Jeep Cherokee, it's on some road tyres, although they are branded M&S, it was still highly capable, but certainly didn't have the same traction levels in deeper snow. This winter it should be riding on a set of BFG AT's instead.

[Chainguy]

Wahay!! One of my fave posters is back on form.

Thanks for all that info 300, a lot of good stuff for a 4x4 newbie like me. My wee beasty failed her MOT on welding, so thats getting done just now, then I'm just waiting on the snow to to arrive to go and have some fun again!

Should show up any errors in my handbuilt suspension as well

[ChrisRS]

I run AT2's on my Disco and would hightly recommend them, just hope the new General Grabber AT's are as good when it comes to replacing them.

[Melvin Udall]

I haven't run with my MT's in the snow yet. The knobbles look a bit large for ice, or packed snow, to the honest. Are MT's really Ok?

[300bhp/ton]

Melvin Udall said:

I haven't run with my MT's in the snow yet. The knobbles look a bit large for ice, or packed snow, to the honest. Are MT's really Ok?

On heavily packed snow I'd say they would be better than a normal road tyre, but not as good as an ATs or a proper winter tyre. However in the UK at least, most "packed" snow is usually softish still, so the lugs can and will cut through enough to keep you going ok.

[Sarge 4x4]

Wasting your time with MT tyres in packed snow and ice.

AT tyres will be quite a bit better.

If you want the best go for a "Winter" tyre, these are designed to work in "Winter" conditions.

I know a little bit about tyres and understand that the "armchair expert" advice can be a little misleading.

I would rather be driving on winter tyres in the summer than summer tyres in the winter.

Best advice is do your homework as tyre choice is very important.

Andy.

[300bhp/ton]

Sarge 4x4 said:

Wasting your time with MT tyres in packed snow and ice.

AT tyres will be quite a bit better.

If you want the best go for a "Winter" tyre, these are designed to work in "Winter" conditions.

I know a little bit about tyres and understand that the "armchair expert" advice can be a little misleading.

I would rather be driving on winter tyres in the summer than summer tyres in the winter.

Best advice is do your homework as tyre choice is very important.

Andy.

Presume the armchair expert was aimed at me?

The OP did say adventuring, which if means lanes and off roading puts a potential different slant on it , IMO at any rate.

[Sarge 4x4]

300bhp/ton said:

Presume the armchair expert was aimed at me?

The OP did say adventuring, which if means lanes and off roading puts a potential different slant on it , IMO at any rate.

No mate, just in general.

People can get very confused with the right tyre choice, always tend to ask questions as to usage so we can recommend the right tyre for the end user.

[Timbuk2]

Mainly deep snow on uncleared roads but some on grass etc - not so far off-road that the snow will be on top of mud really.

I think I will probably stick with the Grabber AT²s and get a set of chains that I can put on if I'm going to attempt anything more serious, that will be cheaper than completely changing the tyres to winter tyres and presumably give me more grip when fitted?

Sarge 4x4 you said Pewag chains are good, do you sell them?

I was looking at "Brenta-C 4x4" - do you think the Brentas will be up to the job or should I get more expensive ones that are less likely to break?

http://www.snowchainshop.co.uk/products-list.aspx?...

[Timbuk2]

300bhp/ton said:

Cool pictures! That's the sort of thing I hope to be doing this winter in my Cherokee!

[Sarge 4x4]

Sorry we don't sell snow chains, only tyres and L/Rover service.

Pewag are great but a tad expensive.

[Timbuk2]

Sarge 4x4 said:

Sorry we don't sell snow chains, only tyres and L/Rover service.

Pewag are great but a tad expensive.

Any other suggestions please?

[Sarge 4x4]

Try Rudd or Wiensfels, think thats how you smell it.