Snow tires or Chains??

[LuisC]

I will be driving up to Canada in Feb. for just a couple of weeks. I currently have chains although I'm not sure why considering I live in Austin, Texas. I was wondering if it was worth while going out and finding a cheap set of snow tires. I would hate to have to drive a thousand miles with chains on. And the hassle of putting them on, taking them off, and putting them on again based on road conditions. But I hate the idea of buying a set of tires that I may not use again for years.
Someone also told me that chains can be damaging to your street tires during prolonged use.

 

[MontrealRR90]

I will be driving up to Canada in Feb. for just a couple of weeks. I currently have chains although I'm not sure why considering I live in Austin, Texas. I was wondering if it was worth while going out and finding a cheap set of snow tires. I would hate to have to drive a thousand miles with chains on. And the hassle of putting them on, taking them off, and putting them on again based on road conditions. But I hate the idea of buying a set of tires that I may not use again for years.
Someone also told me that chains can be damaging to your street tires during prolonged use.

I live in canada and even lived in the artic for 7 years and never used chains ? were are you going in canada anyways ?

 

[kln]

What are you running for tires now? AT's, a deeper lugged all-season, heck even something like a new MTR or TrXus will work fine. They won't come close to a good winter tire but they'll still get you there and back again.

I run Hakkapeliitta 10 LTs during the winter. I'd say only about 15-20% of the people here run winter tires.

kln

 

[LuisC]

I live in canada and even lived in the artic for 7 years and never used chains ? were are you going in canada anyways ?

I'm heading to Halifax. Hoping that I don't run into a bad winter storm like last weeks on the way up or back. (Especially on the way back.)
I'm running Hankook Dynapro AS all weather highway tires. I could put my muds on but they are about half worn so I can't see that much difference in traction.

If only 15-20% of the drivers run snow tires, it must the other 80-85% that are sliding across the highway into the guard rails.

 

[racerwad]

... it must the other 80-85% that are sliding across the highway into the guard rails.

no, people just slow the hell down. watch further up the road and make your plans further in advance when driving in the snow. good snow tires are nice but will be a waste for most of the drive up. keep the chains. you should only have them on as you need them; you aren't going to drive up with them on the whole time. :smilelol:

a

 

[Buddy]

If only 15-20% of the drivers run snow tires, it must the other 80-85% that are sliding across the highway into the guard rails.

Snow tires or chains won't keep you from sliding into the guard rails. Plus in Nova Scotia most of the roads are plowed. Driving in snow takes skill not snow tires. You can make do with all season radials and 98% of the time you won't have any problems. Unless you're trying to blase through snowbanks.

 

[LuisC]

no, people just slow the hell down. watch further up the road and make your plans further in advance when driving in the snow. good snow tires are nice but will be a waste for most of the drive up. keep the chains. you should only have them on as you need them; you aren't going to drive up with them on the whole time. :smilelol:

a

I knew that I would not be using them the whole way up. Heck, I might not even need them if I time it right and the roads have been maintained. I have never been exposed to those driving conditions that I have seen on the news. I just was not sure what to expect. We've had ice glazed roads here in Austin several times and I've always managed. But I also drive to work at 4:00 AM when nobody else is out on the roads except other airport employees.

 

[Buddy]

I knew that I would not be using them the whole way up. Heck, I might not even need them if I time it right and the roads have been maintained. I have never been exposed to those driving conditions that I have seen on the news. I just was not sure what to expect. We've had ice glazed roads here in Austin several times and I've always managed. But I also drive to work at 4:00 AM when nobody else is out on the roads except other airport employees.

I spent 2 winters in Nova Scotia about an hour north of Halifax. If you're taking a Rover up there you won't have anything to worry about. Even if you get caught in a storm. Most storms are less then 1' or so. If you drive at night and the snow does get higher than 1' just find a hotel and wait till the morning they will have the roads plowed by about 5 or 6am.

If you drive in the snow just turn your lights on and slow down. From time to time hit the breaks and see if you slide. If you slide just slow down some more. Also if you have the chance get into an empty parking lot and practice sliding and counter steering. Once you learn not to panic you'll be fine.

 

[BarryO]

Snow tires or chains won't keep you from sliding into the guard rails. Plus in Nova Scotia most of the roads are plowed. Driving in snow takes skill not snow tires. You can make do with all season radials and 98% of the time you won't have any problems. Unless you're trying to blase through snowbanks.

Yup. You have a Land Rover, for Christ's sake; one of the BIG reasons for putting up with their quirks is that you don't need to deal with all the chain crap when other people have to.

Check the laws for the area you'll be driving in; e.g., here in Oregon, 4x4's with at least M&S tires are exempt from "Chains Required" signs, although you must carry them with you. The only time they are required is during a "conditional road closure" when the police block the road, and make everyone put on chains before proceeding. 'doesn't happen very often.

 

[Buddy]

Check the laws for the area you'll be driving in; e.g., here in Oregon, 4x4's with at least M&S tires are exempt from "Chains Required" signs, although you must carry them with you. The only time they are required is during a "conditional road closure" when the police block the road, and make everyone put on chains before proceeding. 'doesn't happen very often.

No such problems in NS they don't get that much snow they have a few good storms but nothing major most of the people I know drive either Rovers or VW's and they all do fine with all season tires.

 

[racerwad]

I knew that I would not be using them the whole way up.

I would hate to have to drive a thousand miles with chains on.

you alluded to it

just slow down and follow the advice of others. carry lots of extra clothes, food, and water if you are traveling outside city limits.

a

 

[Creemore]

Snow tires or chains won't keep you from sliding into the guard rails. Plus in Nova Scotia most of the roads are plowed. Driving in snow takes skill not snow tires. You can make do with all season radials and 98% of the time you won't have any problems. Unless you're trying to blase through snowbanks.

I respectfully disagree. On summer tires, on ice, my Disco turns into a 4500 pound curling stone. On slippery stuff, when all four wheels are being driven, I find the Disco scarier than a normal car because it's so much harder to regain control once you lose traction. I switch to winter tires not because I fear deep snow, but because I want the advantage of a softer, sticker compound on slippery stuff. It's not about going, it's about turning and stopping.

 

[Buddy]

I respectfully disagree. On summer tires, on ice, my Disco turns into a 4500 pound curling stone.

I was talking about all season tires not summer tires. But I agree that ice is more dangerous even with winter tires and I would not recomend for someone not used to driving on ice to do it with any kind of tires. But he's not moving there so is winter equipment really a worth while investment? Given the % chance of him actually running into an ice storm?

 

[HunterAK]

You could have your tires studded too... if you still have the tires that came on it... cheaper than buying a whole new set of snow tires... I'm in AK and no one really uses chains... studs are the way to go.

 

[andrewv]

Snow tires or chains won't keep you from sliding into the guard rails. Plus in Nova Scotia most of the roads are plowed. Driving in snow takes skill not snow tires. You can make do with all season radials and 98% of the time you won't have any problems. Unless you're trying to blase through snowbanks.

I disrespectfully disagree. Snow tires or chains not keeping you from guard rails? Maybe in NC, but here where it snows 350+ inches a year, snow tires are awesome.

 

[Buddy]

I disrespectfully disagree. Snow tires or chains not keeping you from guard rails? Maybe in NC, but here where it snows 350+ inches a year, snow tires are awesome.

actually in NC everybody hit's the guard rail with 1/2" of snow on the ground. But we are not talking about NC. He's not going to NC he's going to Nova Scotia, CA. Yes I'm currently going to Graduate School in NC so if you are refering to my current location and trying to insinuate that I don't know what I'm talking about. I lived in snow country for 26 years we may only have had around 200" of snow a season but still enough to have a chance to drive in snow.

If he was going to be moving to the Colorado Mountains I would agree with you but he's not he's going to NS for a short period of time. I've also spent 2 winters there so I'm familar with their winters. I drove a front wheel drive with high performance tires and never had a problem there.

This is not a debate about whether snow tires have a purpose or not. Sure they have a purpose just like racing slicks have a purpose and mud tires have a purpose. But do I think everybody needs them in the winter. No I don't and plenty of people will agree with me. If I was moving to any of the major mountain ranges with 300"+ of snow a season I would probably buy a set of snow tires. But anyplace in the NE including Nova Scotia it's not needed.

 

[MontrealRR90]

I'm heading to Halifax. Hoping that I don't run into a bad winter storm like last weeks on the way up or back. (Especially on the way back.)
I'm running Hankook Dynapro AS all weather highway tires. I could put my muds on but they are about half worn so I can't see that much difference in traction.

If only 15-20% of the drivers run snow tires, it must the other 80-85% that are sliding across the highway into the guard rails.

I guess if you live in texas and your going to halifax just for a one time thing you don't need to buy winter tires.I would use the mud tires even if they are half worn they are probaly better than most all season tires.Actually in the snow a mud tires is not that bad.I went to the artic three years ago with new BFG muds and never had problems has per say but we were going slow avg about 50mph and slower in storms of course.But they held up pretty good.I guess the best advide is to slow down its a bitch on a long trip but what options do you have its not worth buying winter tires for that trip alone.Good luck

 

[HunterAK]

I went all last winter in Alaska with Nitto AT's... they weren't full fledged "snow tires" but they were siped.... It was "OK" but I had to drive more cautiously than if I had studded tires or snow tires....

So, he could be alright without em... just drive cautiously... that should be the protocol on icy roads anyway, it's dangerous regardless of tire type...

 

[andrewv]

Snow tires or chains won't keep you from sliding into the guard rails.

This specific line is what I was addressing. No, if you don't live in that type of area, you don't need them. But yes, they will prevent you from sliding into guard rails, ESPECIALLY if you don't frequent those conditions.

 

[Buddy]

Snow tires or chains won't keep you from sliding into the guard rails.

This specific line is what I was addressing. No, if you don't live in that type of area, you don't need them. But yes, they will prevent you from sliding into guard rails, ESPECIALLY if you don't frequent those conditions.

Well I guess that line taken out of context could be viewed differently. But it was simply meant to mean that Equipment alone will not keep you out of the guard rail but rather that it requires some skill. It's like most other things in the world you can buy the best equipment out there but if you don't know how to use it. Then it won't do you any good. I was not trying to imply they are useless.