Tyres / approach to high up property
Discussion
Any responses appreciated, we’re moving to a house which is literally on a moor and quite high up (White Wells side of Ilkley for anyone who knows the area). The house is built into the hillside, it’s apparently typically above the snow line for parts of winter, the road to the house is very steep, it has a 180 degree bend, it’s 180 degree turn onto the drive which is equally steep and has a 90 degree bend. I’m thinking around how I can reasonably ensure I can get in and out when it’s snowy and icy. We have a 2016 Range Rover sport which I run on all season tyres and 2018 X5 which we swap onto winter wheels and tyres through the colder months. What’s best approach? Is it worth putting winter tyres on the Range Rover to get full benefit from its capabilities? Or using snow chains or similar? Or there some a tyre option even more capable? Or should I simply accept there will be days to stay at home? Other ideas I’m missing? Thanks.
Doofus said:
This will sound flippant, but we used to park cars on 'safe' ground, and walk the 1/4 mile to and from them as needed.
Thanks, it’s certainly an option, in snow and ice it’s probably a reasonable walk to ‘safe’ ground. I’m interested in ensuring I’ve understood driving options but this is certainly the plan B. I've seen Panda 4x4s go up inclines I'd struggle to walk up with 'only' winter tyres on.
I'd definitely fit the RRS with winters and keep a set of chains handy just in case. I doubt you need more than that. The other direction would be to ensure the driveway is ice free with some sort of glycol based deicer.
I'd definitely fit the RRS with winters and keep a set of chains handy just in case. I doubt you need more than that. The other direction would be to ensure the driveway is ice free with some sort of glycol based deicer.
SAS Tom said:
I think either will be fine. Doubt you’ll need chains. I’ve driven on sheet ice on Goodyear all seasons and although it was slow, I was able to start, turn and stop as needed.
I would tend to agree with this. There was a test that Autoexpress (I think) did on an indoor ski slope and the 4x4 with winter tyres got to the top with ease.The more challenging issue is coming down imo, the laws of physics mean that you need plenty of grip which a winter tyre offers.
I used to have winter tyres on my car and never had any problems. Now I am not working I just have snow socks for use in an emergency to get me home should need be
Any comments from / have you asked the previous owners?
To be honest, with a slow and steady approach I wouldn't think you'd have much trouble, even on all seasons. If the road / drive is on a good slope, I wouldn't expect there to be full on sheet ice unless the drainage is particularly poor - Would watch out for any bits where water pools at the moment though / potential "microclimates" (Shady bit under a tree with a big standing puddle)
For your own peace of mind you could look at some kind of gritting arrangement, either something that could go on a towbar or just putting a barrel down on the main corners / at the bottom of slopes and shovelling some out if it's particularly bad - Depends what's at the bottom of said slopes and how hard it is
To be honest, with a slow and steady approach I wouldn't think you'd have much trouble, even on all seasons. If the road / drive is on a good slope, I wouldn't expect there to be full on sheet ice unless the drainage is particularly poor - Would watch out for any bits where water pools at the moment though / potential "microclimates" (Shady bit under a tree with a big standing puddle)
For your own peace of mind you could look at some kind of gritting arrangement, either something that could go on a towbar or just putting a barrel down on the main corners / at the bottom of slopes and shovelling some out if it's particularly bad - Depends what's at the bottom of said slopes and how hard it is
Haltamer said:
Any comments from / have you asked the previous owners?
To be honest, with a slow and steady approach I wouldn't think you'd have much trouble, even on all seasons. If the road / drive is on a good slope, I wouldn't expect there to be full on sheet ice unless the drainage is particularly poor - Would watch out for any bits where water pools at the moment though / potential "microclimates" (Shady bit under a tree with a big standing puddle)
For your own peace of mind you could look at some kind of gritting arrangement, either something that could go on a towbar or just putting a barrel down on the main corners / at the bottom of slopes and shovelling some out if it's particularly bad - Depends what's at the bottom of said slopes and how hard it is
Thanks, appreciated. The previous owners have largely just stayed put when the weather has been bad. To be honest, with a slow and steady approach I wouldn't think you'd have much trouble, even on all seasons. If the road / drive is on a good slope, I wouldn't expect there to be full on sheet ice unless the drainage is particularly poor - Would watch out for any bits where water pools at the moment though / potential "microclimates" (Shady bit under a tree with a big standing puddle)
For your own peace of mind you could look at some kind of gritting arrangement, either something that could go on a towbar or just putting a barrel down on the main corners / at the bottom of slopes and shovelling some out if it's particularly bad - Depends what's at the bottom of said slopes and how hard it is
We're halfway up a North facing hillside in Aberdeenshire so got a bit of experience here.
How open and exposed is the area? Even up here it's fairly rare for level snow to fall deep enough that it will stop a decent 4x4 with winter rated tyres but even fairly insignificant snow falls can quickly become an issue if it starts to drift.
Your tyres will probably be fine - it's lack of ground clearance rather than traction that gets me stuck every winter. A quad is also near useless for much more than gritting if it gets deep enough to worry a 4x4 - you need a big tractor or a digger or at least make friends with the nearest farmer!
As others have said - a tonne bag of grit is a handy thing to have around even if you spread it on the worst bits when needed with a shovel and a barrow.
How open and exposed is the area? Even up here it's fairly rare for level snow to fall deep enough that it will stop a decent 4x4 with winter rated tyres but even fairly insignificant snow falls can quickly become an issue if it starts to drift.
Your tyres will probably be fine - it's lack of ground clearance rather than traction that gets me stuck every winter. A quad is also near useless for much more than gritting if it gets deep enough to worry a 4x4 - you need a big tractor or a digger or at least make friends with the nearest farmer!
As others have said - a tonne bag of grit is a handy thing to have around even if you spread it on the worst bits when needed with a shovel and a barrow.
Edited by Snow and Rocks on Monday 26th August 11:19
Snow and Rocks said:
We're halfway up a North facing hillside in Aberdeenshire so got a bit of experience here.
How open and exposed is the area? Even up here it's fairly rare for level snow to fall deep enough that it will stop a decent 4x4 with winter rated tyres but even fairly insignificant snow falls can quickly become an issue if it starts to drift.
Your tyres will probably be fine - it's lack of ground clearance rather than traction that gets me stuck every winter. A quad is also near useless for much more than gritting if it gets deep enough to worry a 4x4 - you need a big tractor or a digger or at least make friends with the nearest farmer!
As others have said - a tonne bag of grit is a handy thing to have around even if you spread it on the worst bits when needed with a shovel and a barrow.
Thanks, in terms of exposure the land above the house is open moorland and hence very exposed. More relevant to access is the land below the house which is much less so. Reading the replies I think the Landrover possibly with winters will suffice. I think I was initially coming at it from the point of view of having to navigate an icy road, however reflecting upon what people have said I think it’s more likely snowy and hence less on an issue. Thanks for all replies. How open and exposed is the area? Even up here it's fairly rare for level snow to fall deep enough that it will stop a decent 4x4 with winter rated tyres but even fairly insignificant snow falls can quickly become an issue if it starts to drift.
Your tyres will probably be fine - it's lack of ground clearance rather than traction that gets me stuck every winter. A quad is also near useless for much more than gritting if it gets deep enough to worry a 4x4 - you need a big tractor or a digger or at least make friends with the nearest farmer!
As others have said - a tonne bag of grit is a handy thing to have around even if you spread it on the worst bits when needed with a shovel and a barrow.
Edited by Snow and Rocks on Monday 26th August 11:19
The Tan Hill Inn used used to have a BV206 for bad weather 
One concern I'd have is both your cars are heavy, even on decent tyres they might struggle more on ice than a lighter vehicle. Snow Socks might be an option to give you that extra bit of grip once the road is compacted down to ice, or you can mini gritters that you town with a vehicle or even wheelbarrow type ones you can push by hand. But deep snow is always going to be a problem whatever vehicle you have. Small snow blowers are pretty common in Scandinavia but maybe a bit of an overkill for Scotland.
One concern I'd have is both your cars are heavy, even on decent tyres they might struggle more on ice than a lighter vehicle. Snow Socks might be an option to give you that extra bit of grip once the road is compacted down to ice, or you can mini gritters that you town with a vehicle or even wheelbarrow type ones you can push by hand. But deep snow is always going to be a problem whatever vehicle you have. Small snow blowers are pretty common in Scandinavia but maybe a bit of an overkill for Scotland.
Small snow blowers are great if you get a level snowfall of say a foot of decent snow but absolutely useless if there are 5ft drifts of heavy wet snow that sets like concrete. The second is certainly more common and much more of an issue here in Aberdeenshire.
A farmer with a serious tractor and a V plough is often the easiest answer.
A farmer with a serious tractor and a V plough is often the easiest answer.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/387155643810?mkcid=16&a...
And
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266958535850?mkcid=16&a...
And you are golden.
Useful for towing out stuck motors, exploring dirt tracks, keeping kids amused.
If you think its going to get really bad make/buy a plow blade for it too.
Could probably make a few quid gritting neighbouring properties too, and its a lot of fun blasting around on a quad in snow.
And
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266958535850?mkcid=16&a...
And you are golden.
Useful for towing out stuck motors, exploring dirt tracks, keeping kids amused.
If you think its going to get really bad make/buy a plow blade for it too.
Could probably make a few quid gritting neighbouring properties too, and its a lot of fun blasting around on a quad in snow.
Edited by OldGermanHeaps on Monday 26th August 18:14
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