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Winter Tyres


Yorkyrunner

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One of the threads on the M/H fun is saying that the French are going to make winter tyres compulsory but it is being refuted. However I am undecided whether to get some fitted this year as I have recently changed our M/H and it will be more expensive and this one is on 16 in. wheels. Plus in 5 years of wintering abroad I only needed them once and that was the beast from the east winter. although we left the UK in snow showers France was just above frost temps. Coming back it had kicked in in France and but although down to minus 10 it was dry and no frost. What helps is they do not salt the roads so they stay mainly dry. Over here the road stays wet due to the salt and soon freezes again. If I decide to put some on the question is then which make! My 15 inch ones only have approx 6 k miles on them (I am putting them on eBay) as I had them changed over at the onset of winter and then spring. So the jury is still out.
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A GOOGLE-search on “France pneus hiver obligatoire” will retrieve plenty of comments on this matter.

 

Evidently, on social media, there has been widespread advice (and belief!) that, in 48 French departments, it will be mandatory for vehicles to be fitted with winter tyres from 1 November to 31 March, and that failing to do this will result in a €135 fine and/or immobilisation of the vehicle.

 

This is incorrect as made very clear on this AFP webpage

 

https://factuel.afp.com/non-les-pneus-neige-ne-deviendront-pas-obligatoires-le-1er-novembre-dans-48-departements

 

However, this is only ’semi-fake news’ as, although there are CURRENTLY no French laws enforcing the fitting of winter tyres - hence no potential fine/immobilisation for not doing this - it seems likely that laws will be introduced in future in some French areas (but not for this winter) and that such laws might permit snow-chains to be fitted as a (presumably temporary) alternative.

 

So, for driving in France this winter, there will be no legal requirement for motorists to have winter tyres on their vehicles.

 

Having looked at previous forum threads where you’ve mentioned winter tyres, I suspect that you will have more practical experience of driving motorhomes on these tyres than other forum members. I don’t think you’ve provided details (make, pattern-name) of the winter tyres you’ve used, but, if you’ve been happy with them, fitting the same tyres in 16” size to your current motorhome would seem to make sense.

 

Alternatively, if you’ve had ‘pure’ winter tyres in the past, you might now consider ‘all season’ tyres that have the 3PMSF (3-Peak-Mountain with SnowFlake) marking that makes them eligible to be considered a winter tyre. For example Continental’s “Vanco FourSeason 2”

 

https://www.continental-tires.com/car/tires/vanco-fourseason-2

 

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It’s a bit more subtle than that - as least where Germany is concerned.

 

The fine detail is here

 

https://www.eurocampings.co.uk/blog/listing/new-regulations-for-winter-tyres-germany/

 

The 'non-camper’ Michelin Agilis + range is not M+S marked, though the Agilis Camping range is.

 

I have Agilis Camping tyres on my Rapido motorhome. I don’t know hpw they perform on snow, but prayer would be more effective for obtaining grip on a muddy surface.

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Agilis camping are indeed M+S and as such (still) legal as winter tyres in many countries. However it's not much useful as an actual winter tyre and it lacks the 3PMSF logo that is required in Germany and likely elsewhere in not so distant future.

 

If I didn't care about driving towards fresh snow I'd get a set of all season tyres as suggested above.

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Just to chuck my 2 cents in; I realise that most threads on winter tyres seem to concentrate on Michelin and Continental. Have a look at Kleber tyres. You might not have heard of them, but they are an old and well respected French company that is now under the Michelin umbrella.

 

I have had on my Berlingo work van; Continental, Michelin and Hankook tyres and none compare anywhere near for longevity to the Klebers. Plus they have no downsides. They are quiet and grip at least as good as the others. They are quite a bit less expensive too. Last month I was quoted more per tyre for supply only of some unknown Chinese brand than the Klebers fitted by a local garage.

 

Next set of boots on our Burstner will be Kleber All Season tyres.

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Clive_Adams - 2019-11-08 2:56 AM

 

Think if I am not mistaken, the old M&S marked only tyres will still be legally accepted in Germany till end of September 2024. If purchased before Jan 2018

All new vehicles currently must have tyres fitted with the peak or Alpine symbol.

See link by Derek

 

That is my understanding too. Also worth noting is that these winter or all season tyres will be required if you drive on roads affected by ice, snow or slush irrespective of the season AND importantly; it seems that there is a requirement for 4mm tread, not the legal 1,6mm acceptable in normal conditions.

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Thanks for all the advice so far. I am looking at various brands at present. The last ones I had on my coachbuilt were very good for a budget tyre but as I am back on a 3850kg Aclass I am trying to make sure they are good for the weight involved. The local tyre supplier is very good and tend to run their vans on the ones they push,but as i said on another post a while back they are only loaded up to max fleetingly compared to us M/H ers,we tend to drive fully loaded most of time especially abroad. I am looking at the allweather type as it cost £50 a time to get changed over each end of season but they are stored in good conditions.
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There you go, van tyre tests (as SUV/car models are made with entirely different priorities)

 

Winter: https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/tests/reifen/winterreifen/205-65-r16-c/

Summer: https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/tests/reifen/sommerreifen/215-65-r16c/

Winter: https://www.promobil.de/zubehoertest/winterreifen-test-2018-wohnmobile/

Allseason: https://www.promobil.de/ganzjahresreifen-fuer-wohnmobile-im-test-all-season/

Summer: https://www.promobil.de/zubehoertest/sommerreifen-test-2019-wohnmobile/

Winter: https://www.promobil.de/zubehoertest/vergleichstest-winterreifen-fuer-wohnmobile-winterprofis-auf-schnee-getestet/

 

There are quite a few more by promobil.de

 

I will confirm the quality of Toyo H09, we had them on the old van and now one week on the new one. They are great if you need to drive on snow/ice a lot, but there are better tyres out there if you only care about wet roads and occasional snow. I only care about snow handling so Toyo it was again. But, you can only find old stock of the H09 as they don't make them anymore. Ours were made in early 2018. Bridgestone or Nokian was the alternative for me if I hadn't found them.

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I decided to go for the Michelin crossclimate( I have Michelin camping tyes on at present) so I can use all year round. Itsthe hassle of setting aside 2 days a year to both shoe and unshoe winter tyres thats put me off them although the last lot i had on were remarkabley quiet and perfomed well despite being the budget side of pricing. Thanks for your posts on them.
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