Continental vancowinter 2. Anyone have them?

6952 Views 17 Replies 6 Participants Last post by PeterR, Oct 29, 2016

transitplumber

Discussion Starter · Oct 16, 2016 (Edited)

I have a 17' 350 SRW extended tall every option cargo van. I am in Michigan. Last time I weighed I was 8420 without me in it. I'm probably going to be closer to 8900-9000 including me and a few more items I plan on putting in the back.
(I'm a plumbing contractor)

Yes, I'm actually doing airbags .

Anyway. I have seen all of the issues with the stock tires in the snow. I need to stay with the C rated (commercial) tires to try and keep the max load rating. I'm pretty much decided on these tires but wanted to see if anyone else has tried them.

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

yelnam

· #2 · Oct 16, 2016

We need E rated for our Transits.

transitplumber

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 16, 2016

yelnam said:
We need E rated for our Transits.

There is more than what meets the eye....

Our tires are C as in commercial rated. They have a significantly higher rating that load range E. Something to do with the euro spec also I believe.

Andre Jones

· #4 · Oct 17, 2016 (Edited)

Nokian makes several tires that are cheaper (as far as I've seen) and better winter rated Cargo/Commercial rated 235/65/16 tires. Nokian Hakkapeliitta C3 (studded or non), WR C3, Nokian Weatherproof Cargo. If the Canadians use em, you know they have to be good

I think the cost is so prohibitive for the VancoWinters that most have chosen LT tires, or some other alternative. Purely from a looks point of view on the VancoWinters they don't seem that impressive of a winter tire, my old Nankang All Seasons for my former vehicle look far more aggressive.

Lastly the VancoWinters ($220~) are rated at 2,910 lbs max vs. Nokians 3200lbs max (168-185), General Grabber Arctic LT225/75R16 2680lbs ($137~), Cooper Discoverer HT3 235/65/16C 3195lbs ($145~).

http://www.kauffmantire.com/tire/90000026351.html

transitplumber

Discussion Starter · #5 · Oct 19, 2016 (Edited)

Andre Jones said:
Nokian makes several tires that are cheaper (as far as I've seen) and better winter rated Cargo/Commercial rated 235/65/16 tires. Nokian Hakkapeliitta C3 (studded or non), WR C3, Nokian Weatherproof Cargo. If the Canadians use em, you know they have to be good

I think the cost is so prohibitive for the VancoWinters that most have chosen LT tires, or some other alternative. Purely from a looks point of view on the VancoWinters they don't seem that impressive of a winter tire, my old Nankang All Seasons for my former vehicle look far more aggressive.

Lastly the VancoWinters ($220~) are rated at 2,910 lbs max vs. Nokians 3200lbs max (168-185), General Grabber Arctic LT225/75R16 2680lbs ($137~), Cooper Discoverer HT3 235/65/16C 3195lbs ($145~).

http://www.kauffmantire.com/tire/90000026351.html

I'm actually leaning towards the original vancowinter (3195lbs max) they are still available also. I'm going to look into the nokians as well. The "looks" don't really have much to do with the winter tire being good in the snow. Some of the most aggressive looking all terrains are actually terrible in the snow. It has to do with compounds and siping etc.

Also I am crushing around at almost 9k lbs on a daily basis. (I've weighed it) So I want the commercial rated highest max lb per tire available. Unlike a lot of folks on here this is my business vehicle. I can't justify not spending a few hundred $ .

After looking into those nokians I'm most likely heading that Route. They seem to be bad ass! Just have to decide between two tires.

Andre Jones

· #6 · Oct 20, 2016 (Edited)

When I say looks I don't mean necessarily just a lack of aggression, but sipes look blah, everything screams old tire tech. Literally only complaints I've ever heard about Nokians are; they wear too quickly, they can be hard to get, and generally you can't find 'odd ball sizes'.

transitplumber

Discussion Starter · #7 · Oct 20, 2016

Andre Jones said:
When I say looks I don't mean necessarily just a lack of aggression, but sipes look blah, everything screams old tire tech. Literally only complaints I've ever heard about Nokians are; they wear too quickly, they can be hard to get, and generally you can't find 'odd ball sizes'.

Talked with a Nokian tech support guy today.

Here is the deal. The WR CR3 tires is a winter tire BUT can be driven year round.

The Hakkapeliitta CR3 is their most dedicated balls out winter tire. I decided to get those. Oh , also they are $700otd installed etc. so better and $300 cheaper than the conti's

Reactions: 1

Andre Jones

· #8 · Oct 20, 2016

transitplumber said:
Talked with a Nokian tech support guy today.

Here is the deal. The WR CR3 tires is a winter tire BUT can be driven year round.

The Hakkapeliitta CR3 is their most dedicated balls out winter tire. I decided to get those. Oh , also they are $700otd installed etc. so better and $300 cheaper than the conti's

That's not too shabby I was quoted $630 installed and roadforce balanced for the WR Cr3.

transitplumber

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 21, 2016

Andre Jones said:
That's not too shabby I was quoted $630 installed and roadforce balanced for the WR Cr3.

That includes the road force balancing etc. and putting them on the stock wheels.

brownbear

· #10 · Oct 21, 2016

The hakkepletteas studded LT's go on my transit next week. I run studded cause I have full frozen winter. Not an on and off above freezing highway. I get snow pack on the roads that doesn't leave until spring. Only our main highway gets brought down to clean. All the back roads where I work, and streets get a solid over coating of frozen ice.

I've run nokians on 4 vehicles now. Even my 4x4 Excursion gets them. Confidence goes way up using them. I can cruise on the highway 10-15 mph faster than most traffic taking their time on all season tires. Braking, cornering, and traction are almost summer like on ice.

transitplumber

Discussion Starter · #11 · Oct 22, 2016

brownbear said:
The hakkepletteas studded LT's go on my transit next week. I run studded cause I have full frozen winter. Not an on and off above freezing highway. I get snow pack on the roads that doesn't leave until spring. Only our main highway gets brought down to clean. All the back roads where I work, and streets get a solid over coating of frozen ice.

I've run nokians on 4 vehicles now. Even my 4x4 Excursion gets them. Confidence goes way up using them. I can cruise on the highway 10-15 mph faster than most traffic taking their time on all season tires. Braking, cornering, and traction are almost summer like on ice.

I am a firm believer in snow tires. I have them on dedicated steel wheels for most of my other vehicles. Even an awd one! Talk about king of the snow.

PeterR

· #12 · Oct 26, 2016 (Edited)

Could you guys please confirm the Nokian sizes you are getting?

Here is the WR C3: https://www.nokiantyres.com/winter-tyres/nokian-wr-c3/

. . . where I do see a 235/65R16 C 121/119R listed, but can't find a retailer online that carries this tire.

Here is the Hakkapeliitta LT2: https://www.nokiantyres.com/winter-tyres/nokian-hakkapeliitta-lt2/

. . . but nothing in our tire size. And I don't see a CR3 in this Hakkapeliitta style of tread.

Thanks for any guidance or suggestions you can offer, including the retailers you have used.

Peter

PS -- Here in NY we can't use studs, but that should not affect the tire choice I assume. Had studs in the old days, what a difference!

transitplumber said:
Talked with a Nokian tech support guy today.

Here is the deal. The WR CR3 tires is a winter tire BUT can be driven year round.

The Hakkapeliitta CR3 is their most dedicated balls out winter tire. I decided to get those. Oh , also they are $700otd installed etc. so better and $300 cheaper than the conti's

brownbear said:
The hakkepletteas studded LT's go on my transit next week. I run studded cause I have full frozen winter. Not an on and off above freezing highway. I get snow pack on the roads that doesn't leave until spring. Only our main highway gets brought down to clean. All the back roads where I work, and streets get a solid over coating of frozen ice.

I've run nokians on 4 vehicles now. Even my 4x4 Excursion gets them. Confidence goes way up using them. I can cruise on the highway 10-15 mph faster than most traffic taking their time on all season tires. Braking, cornering, and traction are almost summer like on ice.

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TheLoxmyth

· #13 · Oct 26, 2016

PeterR said:
Could you guys please confirm the Nokian sizes you are getting?

Here is the WR C3: https://www.nokiantyres.com/winter-tyres/nokian-wr-c3/

. . . where I do see a 235/65R16 C 121/119R listed, but can't find a retailer online that carries this tire.

Here is the Hakkapeliitta LT2: https://www.nokiantyres.com/winter-tyres/nokian-hakkapeliitta-lt2/

. . . but nothing in our tire size. And I don't see a CR3 in this Hakkapeliitta style of tread.

Thanks for any guidance or suggestions you can offer, including the retailers you have used.

Peter

PS -- Here in NY we can't use studs, but that should not affect the tire choice I assume. Had studs in the old days, what a difference!

I had my Ford dealership order them in, Peter.

At 19,500 I just had them put on 4 Nokian Hakkapeliitta CR3 235/65R16 C 121/119 R (E Rated) snow tires [CLICKABLE LINK] for less than I used to pay for my E-350's tires!
(I NEVER got more than 12,000 miles on my E-350 tires. PLUS, my fuel economy is 11-14 mpg compared to 8-11 in the 2005 E-350.)

I'm loaded. That's why I got a T-350.

transitplumber

Discussion Starter · #14 · Oct 27, 2016

PeterR said:
Could you guys please confirm the Nokian sizes you are getting?

Here is the WR C3: https://www.nokiantyres.com/winter-tyres/nokian-wr-c3/

. . . where I do see a 235/65R16 C 121/119R listed, but can't find a retailer online that carries this tire.

Here is the Hakkapeliitta LT2: https://www.nokiantyres.com/winter-tyres/nokian-hakkapeliitta-lt2/

. . . but nothing in our tire size. And I don't see a CR3 in this Hakkapeliitta style of tread.

Thanks for any guidance or suggestions you can offer, including the retailers you have used.

Peter

PS -- Here in NY we can't use studs, but that should not affect the tire choice I assume. Had studs in the old days, what a difference!

WOW. I literally looked on that site last week and had my dude order the hakkapeliitta cr3 and he recieved them. They don't even list them anymore. BUT those "weatherproof" tires weren't even listed last week.

I would email or call them. Easy to get through.

Andre Jones

· #15 · Oct 27, 2016

PeterR said:
Could you guys please confirm the Nokian sizes you are getting?

Here is the WR C3: https://www.nokiantyres.com/winter-tyres/nokian-wr-c3/

. . . where I do see a 235/65R16 C 121/119R listed, but can't find a retailer online that carries this tire.

Here is the Hakkapeliitta LT2: https://www.nokiantyres.com/winter-tyres/nokian-hakkapeliitta-lt2/

. . . but nothing in our tire size. And I don't see a CR3 in this Hakkapeliitta style of tread.

Thanks for any guidance or suggestions you can offer, including the retailers you have used.

Peter

PS -- Here in NY we can't use studs, but that should not affect the tire choice I assume. Had studs in the old days, what a difference!

Hi Peter,

I went through two local tire places for quotes on the WR C3 which is also available from tires-easy.com and simpletire.com. The reviews on tires-easy are fairly split I've never done any business with them, but they also have the hakkas in studded only. SimpleTire has really decent ratings even on bistog. If I recall correctly studded is the default for hakkas, anyway here's a link from simple tire with ones that appear to be non-studded.

https://simpletire.com/nokian-235-6...uxnMuutpt2ZvdqGoUs0v6F-bjnBaV0wqzIaAqDi8P8HAQ

PeterR

· #16 · Oct 27, 2016

Thanks guys for the feedback.

Peter

transitplumber

Discussion Starter · #17 · Oct 29, 2016

PeterR said:
Thanks guys for the feedback.

Peter

When I called them the tech guy said the WR C3 even though severe service rated was actually their take on on all season tire and could be run all year long. He said the hakk's were the best snow tire they had.

PeterR

· #18 · Oct 29, 2016

Thanks transitplumber.

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