Defender In Snow

[nevetas]

I've just purchased a 2002 Defender TD5. The car had alloys and what look like normal road tyres.

Pic:- www.nevetas.co.uk/albums/Defender/Dsc00587.sized.jpg

I would like to drive somewhere with snow in January. I'm thinking the alps or the Black Forest. Maybe do some sking, or atleast learn to ski anyway!

But, while I'm there it would be a shame not to try and drive through snow. I don't have a winch so I'm not planning on trying to drive up a mountain or anything crazy, just maybe some back roads that havn't been salt treated.

So the question is, should I buy completely new tyres, or should I just buy snow chains?

Also I tried one company they said snow chains would cost £400! Ouch! Is that about right?

Any advice appreciated.

[Church]

Nice looking 90!

The tyres you have are a 95% road bias tyre but will be usable in snow so long as there is plenty of tread depth and you reduce the tyre pressures if you need to. Tyres specifically for snow/ice are very wide and/or studded, and to fit them to your Defender is not worth the cost for the use you have in mind, as to obtain a SIGNIFICANT improvement you would need 15inch wide snow tyres (mud tyres are useless in snow) with extended arches etc etc costing £'000's. I'd recommend some chains to carry with you and fit when you go off the main roads. I've been skiing and standard cars/4x4's with chains on and do fine on roads and some untreated carparks. Anything more hardcore and you'll only end up with a load of trouble, so just have some fun (part of which is getting stuck anyway!) and don't break anything. Keep it in diff-lock when you go into the snow, and if you have traction control that'll also help you keep moving.

Enjoy!

[GKP]

Oooh, 'eck that's a smart looking Defender you've got!

[nevetas]

Cheers for the reply's.

OK so keep these tryes and fit chains seems to be the best idea.

I've seen prices range from £400 to £100? Can anyone recommend somewhere to purchase them?

Here's another pic doing what it does best.

www.nevetas.co.uk/albums/Defender/DSC01179.sized.jpg

Steve

[cerbyt]

nevetas said:

I've just purchased a 2002 Defender TD5. The car had alloys and what look like normal road tyres. Pic:- www.nevetas.co.uk/albums/Defender/Dsc00587.sized.jpg I would like to drive somewhere with snow in January. I'm thinking the alps or the Black Forest. Maybe do some sking, or atleast learn to ski anyway! But, while I'm there it would be a shame not to try and drive through snow. I don't have a winch so I'm not planning on trying to drive up a mountain or anything crazy, just maybe some back roads that havn't been salt treated. All terrains work nicely in snow aswell. Mud terrains tend to just keep digging you deeper and deeper into it. So the question is, should I buy completely new tyres, or should I just buy snow chains? Also I tried one company they said snow chains would cost £400! Ouch! Is that about right? Any advice appreciated.

[cptsideways]

Just get some LR standard fit michelin tyres, they are snow tyres as standard XCL or something like that, plenty about on ebay & the likes with wheels.

You'll get most places where there is a few inches of the stuff, as soon as it gets deep you'll be stuffed though. You only need those super pluggers baloon tyres if doing arctic tundra stuff where the snow is super deep.

Here you go
www.michelin.co.uk/uk/auto/auto_produit_4x4_alpin.jsp

[JSG]

XCLs wouldn't be the right choice for your Defender - go with BFG ATs or similar. They'll give you good grip and be ok on road.

If you're venturing abroad though some place insist on chains or studded snow tyres.

[Graham.J]

265/75 R16 BFG ATs on a 90 like yours looks like this...

[rolyrat]

XCLs are good enough on the road, and great in the gloop, but would look a bit skinny on a 90. go with BFG ATs, and you should get 50000 miles out of them aswell.

[nevetas]

Hi Guys,

I'm going to leave my tyres on, and go with snow chains.

I have ordered a set of RUD Chains. Also have 20 litres of winter diesel, warning triangle, vasaline to grease the door sills, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, wd40, de icer, -40 rated screen wash, orange flurencent jacket, spare bulbs, tow rope and gloves!

First night Calais > Nuits Saint Georges Staying in a cheap Ibis.

Then Nuits Saint Georges > Megeve www.le-gai-soleil.fr/

Then Megeve > Alpe d'huez http://tinyurl.com/96cpp

Have also booked a ice driving lesson out there using a subaru impreza (my old car) which should be fun!

[rolyrat]

Why on earth would you want to grease your sills?

[nevetas]

To stop the doors from freezing shut. So I'm told anyway.

[GetCarter]

nevetas said:

Hi Guys, I'm going to leave my tyres on, and go with snow chains. I have ordered a set of RUD Chains. Also have 20 litres of winter diesel, warning triangle, vasaline to grease the door sills, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, wd40, de icer, -40 rated screen wash, orange flurencent jacket, spare bulbs, tow rope and gloves! First night Calais > Nuits Saint Georges Staying in a cheap Ibis. Then Nuits Saint Georges > Megeve www.le-gai-soleil.fr/ Then Megeve > Alpe d'huez http://tinyurl.com/96cpp Have also booked a ice driving lesson out there using a subaru impreza (my old car) which should be fun!

Don't forget the skis

BTW... similar taste in cars I notice!




(recently sold)

[nevetas]

So we do!

I guess it's because they are complete opposites

They complement each other well

[nevetas]

Just got back, I'm amazed at how well it performed in the snow and ice.

Even without snow chains it was awesum.

At one point I was at 45 degress trying to get up a mountain covered in ice, all 4 wheels started spinning so I was just going to put chains on, but I though I would try diff lock & low range first. Pulled me straight out! I was amazed.

Then a Fiat was stuck in ice trying to get up a hill, so pulled him out, no problem.

Then a POLICE rav 4 was stuck in heavy snow, pulled him out aswell!!

Didn't even need to use my chains, the defender started first time, even at -15.

Very Very Impressed with the Defender in snow....

Pics.....

http://tinyurl.com/87mxe

[grimston barr]

Stunning vehicles, aren't they. I had wanted one for ages and finally realised my ambition in January 05 with a brand new 90 XS - clocked up 17k miles in the past 12 months, and never a dull moment.

Seems they are the perfect foil for a 911, although mine's a lot older than yours!