Thelongwayup Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 I need some 18" snow tyres for a trip to Norway in April next year but struggling to find a supplier other than general tire. The ones we have seen are AT2's and you can screw studs into them. BUT!....No one seems to be able to get them in even when they advertise them. The ones I can find are listed as 275/65 18. My current snow tyres are 255/50 18 michelins but you can't put studs in them. I know a few of you hav ethe AT2's already and wondered if you have used studs in them, if so, what size, how easy are they to screw in? What are they like on the slippery stuff? More importantly, do they have the snowflake symbol on them which we have to have? The 18" ones are listing at £153 a corner currently. That's with tyres direct online. I can get them fitted and balanced for free so no worries there...just struggling to buy them or an laternative. They are to go on a new shape L200. The only other option I have if I can't get them is to put some cheaper wheels in a smaller size on the truck and buy tyres to suit. I'd just rather have one set of wheels that do all I need if possible though rather than a second set cluttering up our workshop. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebygum32 Posted October 4, 2011 Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 Have you tried ajs4x4 site sponsors on disco3 site very helpful and can usually get any tyre going. Do you really need studs in the tyres looking on the D3 site and reading stories from other members most who do the alps, Switzerland etc have not used studs Try verdistram wintrac extreme 4 or the new general grabber at both supposed to be good in snow and on road Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thelongwayup Posted October 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 Have you tried ajs4x4 site sponsors on disco3 site very helpful and can usually get any tyre going. Do you really need studs in the tyres looking on the D3 site and reading stories from other members most who do the alps, Switzerland etc have not used studs Try verdistram wintrac extreme 4 or the new general grabber at both supposed to be good in snow and on road I hadn't tried that link but will certainly check it out. Whilst snow tyres are okay studs are recommended for when we are driving on 5-6" thick ice in the mountains of Northern Norway. If we have an accident because we didn't use studs we are leaving ourselves open to issues with insurance, costs and a damn good kicking from the local police. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J@mes Posted October 4, 2011 Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 The AT2 doesn't have the snowflake as they are not a winter tyre, they have M+S because they are mud and snow. You also can't really buy them anymore as they have been replaced by the General Grabber AT. Might be best to have a look for a second hand set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thelongwayup Posted October 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 The AT2 doesn't have the snowflake as they are not a winter tyre, they have M+S because they are mud and snow. You also can't really buy them anymore as they have been replaced by the General Grabber AT. Might be best to have a look for a second hand set. :unsure: I thought they did have the snowflake? Damn.....that puts a wet cloth on my plans then....Had planned on them so they would be okay to use on the pick up when out shooting also.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted October 4, 2011 Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 I would go for second set of wheels, the Army have winter tyres (marines definately do) with studs Try Nokian and might be worth contact Artic Truck (the guys who did the Top gear north pole Hi-lux) http://www.nokiantyres.com/tyre?id=16898448&group=2.01&name=Nokian+Hakkapeliitta+7+SUV UK importer Tyreco trading ltd. Unit 7, hackhurst lane hackhurst industrial estate East Sussex BN27 4BR Lower dicker (nr hailsham) Tel. +44 (0)1323 844 600 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thelongwayup Posted October 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 I would go for second set of wheels, the Army have winter tyres (marines definately do) with studs Try Nokian and might be worth contact Artic Truck (the guys who did the Top gear north pole Hi-lux) http://www.nokiantyres.com/tyre?id=16898448&group=2.01&name=Nokian+Hakkapeliitta+7+SUV UK importer Tyreco trading ltd. Unit 7, hackhurst lane hackhurst industrial estate East Sussex BN27 4BR Lower dicker (nr hailsham) Tel. +44 (0)1323 844 600 Nice one HDAV. I'll give their site a going over and see what they have. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J@mes Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 :unsure: I thought they did have the snowflake? Damn.....that puts a wet cloth on my plans then....Had planned on them so they would be okay to use on the pick up when out shooting also.... Went outside to look at mine (also 255 60 18) and no snowflake! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 (edited) Have you tried the norwegian trade mission/embassy? They would probably put you in touch with a norwegian supplier who would swap wheels when you landed and allow you to 'rent' the new set and store yours whilst in Norway. They certainly know the best tyres and in my experience, the Nogs are sufficiently intelligent to have worked this service out for visitors - excellent place, wonderful people - make sure you get off the beaten tracks. Hope you have a fantastic holiday ! Edited October 5, 2011 by Kes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 Nice one HDAV. I'll give their site a going over and see what they have. Cheers They have 255/60R18 112 T XL in the Hakkapeliitta 7 SUV and probably others Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redditch Posted October 8, 2011 Report Share Posted October 8, 2011 Just remember that spikes are usually only allowed to be used on ICE, and usually only on off road, not public roads. Nearly everyone uses chains instead of spikes as they are banned in nearly all european countries. Also most have a second set of cheap steel wheels that they use with winter tyres and chains, as salt will eat any allow wheels very quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HW682 Posted October 8, 2011 Report Share Posted October 8, 2011 Went outside to look at mine (also 255 60 18) and no snowflake! According to this link (read main decription then click on the "specs" tab) something like 2/3rds of the range are rated for severe snow and the rest aren't. 255 60 18 is shown as not rated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thelongwayup Posted October 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2011 According to this link (read main decription then click on the "specs" tab) something like 2/3rds of the range are rated for severe snow and the rest aren't. 255 60 18 is shown as not rated. AH ******. Everytime I feel we are getting somewhere something else comes up and knocks us back a step. Found out yesterday most tyres in Europe only have to be M+S rated and stamped on the tyre and NOT the snowflake we were initially lead to believe. I thought the AT2's were finally going to be bang on after finding that out. I'm thinking they may still be as we are going at the back of their winter season so the worst weather 'should' be over.... Redditch, yeah you can't use studs unless on ice covered roads. A few of the ones closer to where we are going can at times have a 4-5" covering of ice. I think though we are now looking at chains due to costs and hassle involved fitting a few hundred studs in minus temperatures as opposed to just pulling over and fitting 4 chains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted October 9, 2011 Report Share Posted October 9, 2011 For studded tyres like the nokian you would need to fit them once on ice and off roads on ice they are the business, if your doing an "expedition" then you may well need a spare set anyway as a sharp stone could shut you down. I would forget grabbers and see what the locals use!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redditch Posted October 11, 2011 Report Share Posted October 11, 2011 You would be well advised to have a set of chains even if you have spiked tyres, because chains are far superior in the snow compared to spikes. Like I said, spikes are brilliant on ice, but basically impractical unless as mentioned you take two complete sets of wheels and tyres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thelongwayup Posted October 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2011 For studded tyres like the nokian you would need to fit them once on ice and off roads on ice they are the business, if your doing an "expedition" then you may well need a spare set anyway as a sharp stone could shut you down. I would forget grabbers and see what the locals use!!!! All our driving is on main roads/motorways etc. No offroading at all. The spare is already a M+S tyre with excellent tread on it too. You would be well advised to have a set of chains even if you have spiked tyres, because chains are far superior in the snow compared to spikes. Like I said, spikes are brilliant on ice, but basically impractical unless as mentioned you take two complete sets of wheels and tyres. We are dumping the idea of spikes I think now due to a few things, time to fit them in the cold, hassle, ease of use of chains and cost of studs. 60p per stud was the cheapest we could find. So chains it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J@mes Posted October 11, 2011 Report Share Posted October 11, 2011 If I were you I'd look at the Spike Spider style of chains. Have a look here: http://www.spikes-spiders.com/ Easier and less messy than normal chains, although they are quite expensive. Can be had from roofbox.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redditch Posted October 11, 2011 Report Share Posted October 11, 2011 If I were you I'd look at the Spike Spider style of chains. Have a look here: http://www.spikes-spiders.com/ Easier and less messy than normal chains, although they are quite expensive. Can be had from roofbox.co.uk Yep, but the normal ones aren´t very good, you´de need the Alpine Pro, or at least the sport, and a proper set of chains is still better even then. The only thing you gain with these is ease of use and speed of putting on, which is negated when you take the pro or sport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thelongwayup Posted October 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2011 If I were you I'd look at the Spike Spider style of chains. Have a look here: http://www.spikes-spiders.com/ Easier and less messy than normal chains, although they are quite expensive. Can be had from roofbox.co.uk :blink: LOOK at the price of them! $600+ for a pair only! Ouch. They do look pretty smart but at that price, it's a no go for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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