Winter tyres for a defender
Discussion
What size and brand of tyres would folk reccomend for a defender as the current goodrich mud terrains are starting to look a bit bald and are pretty dreadful on snow and ice.
I live a mile up a farm track in northern scotland.
And quite willing to entertain the idea of studded tyres
Oh snowchains have already been purchased but they are no good for the drive to work
I live a mile up a farm track in northern scotland.
And quite willing to entertain the idea of studded tyres
Oh snowchains have already been purchased but they are no good for the drive to work
I've got Cooper Discoverer STs on the 90, very similar tread pattern to BFG ATs, just less costly (and indeed in stock at Micheldever...BFGs weren't!).
Outstanding in the snow earlier this year*, and very well behaved on normal roads too.....
*ETA: dragged out a bus, a BT Transit, a Saab, three BMWs and a Q7 without blinking (just not all at once.
)
Outstanding in the snow earlier this year*, and very well behaved on normal roads too.....
*ETA: dragged out a bus, a BT Transit, a Saab, three BMWs and a Q7 without blinking (just not all at once.
)Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 20th September 13:39
thinfourth2 said:
I'm looking for winter tyres not mud tyres
As i will get a nice set of mud tyres for summer on a different set of rims
That's why I recommended All Terrains.As i will get a nice set of mud tyres for summer on a different set of rims
The Discoverers have a sharp enough tread pattern on the main surface of the tyre to grip on packed snow/ice, whilst the shoulder is fairly aggresive for when it comes to loose snow.
thinfourth2 said:
I'm looking for winter tyres not mud tyres
As i will get a nice set of mud tyres for summer on a different set of rims
My Kumhos did a pretty good job last year in the snow and ice when everyone was stuck going up a hill out of work. I happily drove past them all then attached a tow rope to the lead vehicle and towed up up the hill out of the way. As i will get a nice set of mud tyres for summer on a different set of rims
The OE fitment tyres on many LR's were the 7.50 16 Michelins that were a snow/winter tyre
These ones & can be found in lots of places
Mud terrains are not really designed for packed snow ice, they are better than most road tyres but without the sypes & suppleness they wont beat a winter tyre.
These ones & can be found in lots of places
Mud terrains are not really designed for packed snow ice, they are better than most road tyres but without the sypes & suppleness they wont beat a winter tyre.
cpas said:
thinfourth2 said:
I'm looking for winter tyres not mud tyres
As i will get a nice set of mud tyres for summer on a different set of rims
My Kumhos did a pretty good job last year in the snow and ice when everyone was stuck going up a hill out of work. I happily drove past them all then attached a tow rope to the lead vehicle and towed up up the hill out of the way. As i will get a nice set of mud tyres for summer on a different set of rims
The other halfs honda on silly big alloys and summer tyres. It couldn't even reverse up the drive
Shrek the hybrid landrover with very very knobbly tyres which was actually pretty hopeless on slippy stuff until i attacked the tyres with a pack of screws at which point it was damn good on the farm tracks
My 90 on goodrich mud terrains which was okay on soft snow but utterly pap on slippy stuff but its pretty pap on wet roads anyway
Best of all was my crappy old golf on snow tyres and it was damn near unstoppable hence my desire for proper badass snow tyres
plasticpig said:
4x4disco said:
Aren’t studded tyres illegal in the UK?
No they are not. start quote
Damage to road, person or vehicle
If the tyre causes either damage to the road, or to persons, or to any vehicle using the road. This would cover such instances as if a vehicle with damaged or very oversized tyres which either caught against a person or other vehicle resulting in either damage or injury. Studded tyres also are included in this clause and if used in inappropriate conditions (i.e. where there is no ice or snow) and they damage the road surface then they would be clearly illegal.
end quote
4x4disco said:
plasticpig said:
4x4disco said:
Aren’t studded tyres illegal in the UK?
No they are not. start quote
Damage to road, person or vehicle
If the tyre causes either damage to the road, or to persons, or to any vehicle using the road. This would cover such instances as if a vehicle with damaged or very oversized tyres which either caught against a person or other vehicle resulting in either damage or injury. Studded tyres also are included in this clause and if used in inappropriate conditions (i.e. where there is no ice or snow) and they damage the road surface then they would be clearly illegal.
end quote
My 2010 Puma 110 runs on 265/75x16 General AT2's and the wifes Landcruiser uses them too, best all round tyre you will drive on, tried KL71's and found them very intresting at times.
But if you want the best find yourself a proper "Winter tyre" or a set of Pewag snow chains for when it gets bad.
Mud Terrain tyres are not as good as an All Terrain tyres in the snow, end of story.
Been in the tyre game for over 20 years, and my customers know what works for them.
Andy.
But if you want the best find yourself a proper "Winter tyre" or a set of Pewag snow chains for when it gets bad.
Mud Terrain tyres are not as good as an All Terrain tyres in the snow, end of story.
Been in the tyre game for over 20 years, and my customers know what works for them.
Andy.
Sarge 4x4 said:
My 2010 Puma 110 runs on 265/75x16 General AT2's and the wifes Landcruiser uses them too, best all round tyre you will drive on, tried KL71's and found them very intresting at times.
But if you want the best find yourself a proper "Winter tyre" or a set of Pewag snow chains for when it gets bad.
Mud Terrain tyres are not as good as an All Terrain tyres in the snow, end of story.
Been in the tyre game for over 20 years, and my customers know what works for them.
Andy.
Andy.But if you want the best find yourself a proper "Winter tyre" or a set of Pewag snow chains for when it gets bad.
Mud Terrain tyres are not as good as an All Terrain tyres in the snow, end of story.
Been in the tyre game for over 20 years, and my customers know what works for them.
Andy.
Out of interest Have you used 30mm spacers to go to the 265's ? The lock on my 110 is terrible. I need some very good winter tyres for mine, I am probably going to get a set of modulars but to wind off the lock stops there seems to be a lot of controversy about the use of spacers? I think most of it seems to be the use of stud centric as opposed to the correct hub centric types. The other option is to get some modulars with a lesser back space measurement!
My boost alloys with original rubber still have plenty tread so I am loathed to do anything till I get more use, Hence when they wear down some 265 BF Goodrich all terrains will be the order of the day but that still leaves me with the poor 110 lock or 30mm spacer conunderum and as such the more I read the more confused I get.
I want to swap between winter modulars and summer Boost alloys but to use both means same offset wheels and spacers to get improved lock for towing
I live on the 440m Contour line in Northumberland so I need a mix of road / good snow performance.
Are muds poor in polished snow as opposed to deep stuff? Interested as to why you reckon muds are so bad. a winch is also shortly to be the order of the day.
My 2 cars were stranded on the 18th december last year only to be dug out 2nd week of feb. That isn't going to happen this year.
N.
Sarge 4x4 said:
My 2010 Puma 110 runs on 265/75x16 General AT2's and the wifes Landcruiser uses them too, best all round tyre you will drive on, tried KL71's and found them very intresting at times.
But if you want the best find yourself a proper "Winter tyre" or a set of Pewag snow chains for when it gets bad.
Mud Terrain tyres are not as good as an All Terrain tyres in the snow, end of story.
Been in the tyre game for over 20 years, and my customers know what works for them.
Andy.
Hi Andy.But if you want the best find yourself a proper "Winter tyre" or a set of Pewag snow chains for when it gets bad.
Mud Terrain tyres are not as good as an All Terrain tyres in the snow, end of story.
Been in the tyre game for over 20 years, and my customers know what works for them.
Andy.
Are you referring to the KL71s in road use or in off road use? I am thinking of buying a set for off-roading and have heard only good reports of them. I've currently got the old style Kumhos (MT834) and they are pretty good off road. They are obviously not brilliant on road but my main use is for mud plugging - but I suppose all MT tyres have their limitations on tarmac.
Heightswitch,
Yes spot on, 30mm spacers gets all the lock you need, I am on standard Boost alloys and they sit just leval with the eyebrow.
7x16 Mod's sit just a tad further out so will chuck some of the road crap and mud up the side window and bodywork.
I used the General AT2 through all of last winters snow and they were fantastic on the 110, and gave the wife lots of confidence with them on the Landcruiser, so we are not changing untill IMHO something better arrives on the market.
I did use Pewag snow chains to help the Highways Agency clear the off slip of J8 M25, great fun, they sent a very nice letter thanking me as well.
CPAS,
On my last 110 I used the 265/75x16 Kumho KL71's on Mod's, we did a long trip out to thr Ukrain border, a round trip of about 3,300 miles and they performed very well with good road manners and very good up in the mountains, but did find them very intresting in the snow, not very good, but it is a MT tyre.
The AT tyres will always out perform an MT tyre in the snow, and a dedicated winter tyre will be even better, if you need more fit chains.
Andy.
Yes spot on, 30mm spacers gets all the lock you need, I am on standard Boost alloys and they sit just leval with the eyebrow.
7x16 Mod's sit just a tad further out so will chuck some of the road crap and mud up the side window and bodywork.
I used the General AT2 through all of last winters snow and they were fantastic on the 110, and gave the wife lots of confidence with them on the Landcruiser, so we are not changing untill IMHO something better arrives on the market.
I did use Pewag snow chains to help the Highways Agency clear the off slip of J8 M25, great fun, they sent a very nice letter thanking me as well.
CPAS,
On my last 110 I used the 265/75x16 Kumho KL71's on Mod's, we did a long trip out to thr Ukrain border, a round trip of about 3,300 miles and they performed very well with good road manners and very good up in the mountains, but did find them very intresting in the snow, not very good, but it is a MT tyre.
The AT tyres will always out perform an MT tyre in the snow, and a dedicated winter tyre will be even better, if you need more fit chains.
Andy.
Edited by Sarge 4x4 on Thursday 30th September 07:24
Sarge 4x4 said:
Heightswitch,
Yes spot on, 30mm spacers gets all the lock you need, I am on standard Boost alloys and they sit just leval with the eyebrow.
7x16 Mod's sit just a tad further out so will chuck some of the road crap and mud up the side window and bodywork.
I used the General AT2 through all of last winters snow and they were fantastic on the 110, and gave the wife lots of confidence with them on the Landcruiser, so we are not changing untill IMHO something better arrives on the market.
I did use Pewag snow chains to help the Highways Agency clear the off slip of J8 M25, great fun, they sent a very nice letter thanking me as well.
CPAS,
On my last 110 I used the 265/75x16 Kumho KL71's on Mod's, we did a long trip out to thr Ukrain border, a round trip of about 3,300 miles and they performed very well with good road manners and very good up in the mountains, but did find them very intresting in the snow, not very good, but it is a MT tyre.
The AT tyres will always out perform an MT tyre in the snow, and a dedicated winter tyre will be even better, if you need more fit chains.
Andy.
Hello Andy.Yes spot on, 30mm spacers gets all the lock you need, I am on standard Boost alloys and they sit just leval with the eyebrow.
7x16 Mod's sit just a tad further out so will chuck some of the road crap and mud up the side window and bodywork.
I used the General AT2 through all of last winters snow and they were fantastic on the 110, and gave the wife lots of confidence with them on the Landcruiser, so we are not changing untill IMHO something better arrives on the market.
I did use Pewag snow chains to help the Highways Agency clear the off slip of J8 M25, great fun, they sent a very nice letter thanking me as well.
CPAS,
On my last 110 I used the 265/75x16 Kumho KL71's on Mod's, we did a long trip out to thr Ukrain border, a round trip of about 3,300 miles and they performed very well with good road manners and very good up in the mountains, but did find them very intresting in the snow, not very good, but it is a MT tyre.
The AT tyres will always out perform an MT tyre in the snow, and a dedicated winter tyre will be even better, if you need more fit chains.
Andy.
Edited by Sarge 4x4 on Thursday 30th September 07:24
I have just had a look at your website. The testimonials really rate the AT2. I have always used BFG's in the past because of the fantastic cost / wear properties. Is the AT2 so much better than the BFG? or is it more about it being as good as a BFG but cheaper?
Also I see the AT2 can take studs. It may be that I go for the AT2 on some modulars for this winter and buy a bag of studs for the times when the going really gets tough.
Do you do mail order? I sense a telephone call coming your way in Mid oct after I have been paid.
Neil.
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