300bhp/ton
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 5,009
- Location
- Near MK
I would also suggest not likely needed in the UK, as least anywhere Midlands or further south. When we get snow it only tends to last for a day or two and we almost never get snow on snow. Which I'm a firm believer makes our snow driving conditions quite different from parts of Europe or N. America where they get a lot more snow and longer lasting.Blimey that looks a right faff
All of the snow tyre tests you see on YouTube are done in places where it stays below zero for weeks or longer, with long lasting frosted snow, compacted snow and snow on snow.
When we get snow, we normally get a flurry or snowfall and x inches or less as a covering. It is fresh snow, not compacted and not frosted. Through experience I've found Mud Terrain tyres to generally work very well and enable you to easily get anywhere. All Terrains are also good, although maybe less so in deeper snow. Obviously winter tyres will be good too. But any 4wd vehicle on something appropriate tyre wise should be able to get about.
After a few hours or day, most routes will likely have been cleared, either gritted, or just by people driving on it or maybe ploughed if there is enough snow. Rarely do we have snow covered roads for any prolonged period.
Even my Subaru Impreza got everywhere in the area, including the steepest hills in the snow on just normal road tyres. A set of winters would have made it unstoppable and better braking/steering. But a sensible head and it could sensibly get about no problem.
This was a few years ago. The hill we are about to go up has a similar peak gradient to the one the op mentions. Might be a bit steeper even, although not as long.
I'm in the green Series III in front of the camera car, I'm running 7.00 x 16 mud terrains. The camera car is a 90 also on mud terrains.
We get stopped going up the hill as an idiot in a 4wd BMW can't get up. There is a Jap 4x4 in front of me, Toyota maybe? Don't know who he was. But he was on some road biased All Terrains. Note how he had wheel spin when pulling away on the gradient, while the MT shod Series didn't slip a wheel. Although both vehicles happily made it up no problem.
There is also a white 90 pickup that joins us, also on MT's. Again no problem getting about in the snow.
So while I'm not knocking proper winter tyres or things like snow chains. I struggle to see the need for them in most of the UK, esp if you have access to a 4wd vehicle. If we had more snow more frequently, then chains, socks or winter tyres would make more sense. Or if you have a 2wd vehicle and feel the need that you'd have to be out and about in such conditions.