off road tyres in snow and ice
Discussion
how compacted?
if its not totally ice and the tyres can dig in then MTs work amazingly well- slighltly compacted snow can be very stable. On icey conditions MTs aren't so good- AT's are much better- BFG ATS have the north american snow flake symbol on them meaning they are approved for icey conditions in stead of having to use studs or chains.
if its not totally ice and the tyres can dig in then MTs work amazingly well- slighltly compacted snow can be very stable. On icey conditions MTs aren't so good- AT's are much better- BFG ATS have the north american snow flake symbol on them meaning they are approved for icey conditions in stead of having to use studs or chains.
If it is compacted deep snow then MTs with their agressive tread pattern tend to claw down through the compacted top layer into the softer stuff below causing the vehicle to sink and impede progress.This is particularly prevalent when attempting to climb steeper slopes.
ATs with a less agressive tread pattern will be less likely to break through the compacted surface. Obviously on slopes with shallow snow cover it is sometimes better to be able to claw down to a surface with better grip.
I don't think there is really a definitive answer, it all depends on the conditions at the time.
ATs with a less agressive tread pattern will be less likely to break through the compacted surface. Obviously on slopes with shallow snow cover it is sometimes better to be able to claw down to a surface with better grip.
I don't think there is really a definitive answer, it all depends on the conditions at the time.
Dudd said:
I'm also interested in this as I've just bought a Disco 1 to take to Austria for the winter. It will be a mixture of plowed roads, unplowed carparks and potential Icy sections. Mainly not fresh top snow though.
AT's the way to go?
I would specifically check Austrian law - you may be legally required to fit full-blown Winter tyres. In which case look at Nokian's Winter tyres for 4x4'sAT's the way to go?
EDIT: Here you go, looks like you can get away with AT's provided they have the Mud and Snow mark:
quote
Winter tyres are mandatory in Austria. The law states that passenger cars with a permissible maximum weight of up to 3.5 tonnes may be operated only between 1 November and 15 April in winter conditions such as snow, slush or ice if winter tyres have been installed on all wheels. All-season tyres are also considered winter tyres if they have the "M + S" mark.
As an alternative to winter tyres, snow chains may be used on at least two driving wheels, however, these may only be used in case the road is covered by a complete or scarcely broken snow cover or sheet of ice. Failure to comply with the law results in a fine up to 5,000 Euros and the vehicle could be impounded. Insurance is deemed void if a vehicle which is involved in an accident between November 1 and April 15 is not fitted with winter tyres.
unquote
Edited by Hereward on Friday 8th October 19:40
Hereward said:
EDIT: Here you go, looks like you can get away with AT's provided they have the Mud and Snow mark:
BFG ATs do, and I believe General Grabber AT2s might also. I put a spare set of MTs on during the last cold snap and they weren't great. (Better than the Avon Rangemasters I use the rest of the year round, though - they're scarily bad in icy conditions!)
Eggman said:
Hereward said:
EDIT: Here you go, looks like you can get away with AT's provided they have the Mud and Snow mark:
BFG ATs do, and I believe General Grabber AT2s might also.Hereward said:
Dudd said:
I'm also interested in this as I've just bought a Disco 1 to take to Austria for the winter. It will be a mixture of plowed roads, unplowed carparks and potential Icy sections. Mainly not fresh top snow though.
AT's the way to go?
I would specifically check Austrian law - you may be legally required to fit full-blown Winter tyres. In which case look at Nokian's Winter tyres for 4x4'sAT's the way to go?
EDIT: Here you go, looks like you can get away with AT's provided they have the Mud and Snow mark:
quote
Winter tyres are mandatory in Austria. The law states that passenger cars with a permissible maximum weight of up to 3.5 tonnes may be operated only between 1 November and 15 April in winter conditions such as snow, slush or ice if winter tyres have been installed on all wheels. All-season tyres are also considered winter tyres if they have the "M + S" mark.
As an alternative to winter tyres, snow chains may be used on at least two driving wheels, however, these may only be used in case the road is covered by a complete or scarcely broken snow cover or sheet of ice. Failure to comply with the law results in a fine up to 5,000 Euros and the vehicle could be impounded. Insurance is deemed void if a vehicle which is involved in an accident between November 1 and April 15 is not fitted with winter tyres.
unquote
Edited by Hereward on Friday 8th October 19:40
Cheers Hereward. Incidently where did you find that quote?
markleach said:
anyone know how good mud terrain tyres are in compacted snow and ice if so any advise on which is best.
How compacted and what sort of situations.The icelandic trucks always tend to run quite an aggressive tread pattern and seem to do ok.
And I'd have to concur that the MT's I had on my Disco last winter were superb.
Although I admit this pic isn't exactly compacted snow.
If it is really compacted or ice then some studied tyres or chains might be an idea if its regular and prolonged use.
Also the American's always rave about siped tyres. So getting some MT's siped might be the best of both worlds. Lots of tyre shops in the US can do this, but I don't know about the UK.
Sarge 4x4 said:
You can fit upto a 255/65x16 with no mods.
Andy.
Cheers Andy, i found this site; http://www.members.shaw.ca/jbarge/tires.html which may be of use to othersAndy.
Sarge 4x4 said:
You can fit upto a 255/65x16 with no mods.
Andy.
Not that I disagree. But it will depend on the tyre and what sort of use you use the Disco for. If it's mainly on road the you can go bigger. If you off road a lot and flex the suspension then it may rub. Andy.
On stock suspension but arch trimming you can get a 33.11.50r15 (290/90) on a 3 door Disco.
Sarge 4x4 said:
All Terrain's will always out perform on packed snow, on Ice you would be best off with chains if you can.
Huge choice of AT tyres and depending on size maybe a Winter tyre may be a better direction for you.
My choice is the General AT2, got them on three 4x4's.
Andy.
Have to agree with Andy here. Huge choice of AT tyres and depending on size maybe a Winter tyre may be a better direction for you.
My choice is the General AT2, got them on three 4x4's.
Andy.
We now live in the Cambrian Mountains of Wales and had more snow than most (apart from Scotland) at the start of the year. The General Grabber AT2's were superb in the compacted snow as well as the soft stuff. The only places I couldn't go were where a snowmobile would have been required (oh, and a digger to move the really BIG snow drifts).
Cheers,
C.
Nyphur said:
Probably a (very) stupid question, but...
When compacted snow goes that stage further, and becomes ice, is there any detrimental effect of to having offroad pattern tyres as opposed to more traditional road patterns?
Some might say yes but I suspect actually very little. If it's true sheet ice then studs or chains are the only real option to go.When compacted snow goes that stage further, and becomes ice, is there any detrimental effect of to having offroad pattern tyres as opposed to more traditional road patterns?
If it's still slushy or soft in places then an AT or MT will still have the adv over regular tyres IMO.
Sipping is still probably the best thing to do though, but I don't know where in the UK, but someone must offer it.
See all the extra cuts:
[quote]A 1978 study by the US National Safety Council found siping improved stopping distances by 22 percent, breakaway traction by 65 percent, and rolling traction by 28 percent on glare ice.
TVR Moneypit said:
300bhp/ton said:
Sarge 4x4 said:
You can fit upto a 255/65x16 with no mods.
Andy.
Not that I disagree. But it will depend on the tyre and what sort of use you use the Disco for. If it's mainly on road the you can go bigger. If you off road a lot and flex the suspension then it may rub. Andy.
On stock suspension but arch trimming you can get a 33.11.50r15 (290/90) on a 3 door Disco.
For trailing narrow tyres are often used and we wind the steering stops the other to give more lock than stock. With my wheel spacers on the stops adjusted I can significantly improve my Disco's turning circle, we're talking feet or even yards.
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