Here...check this out on TireRack site...plenty of reading for you. Should
help you to make a decision.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/TireTestServlet?perfType=W
Pat

From:   OlRivrRat <olrivrrat@COMCAST.NET>
To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Date:   12/03/2015 01:24 PM
Subject:        Re: Snow Tire Recommendation
Sent by:        Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>

On 3 Dec , 2015, at 11:04 AM, James wrote:

> on ice (wider good) ~~ on snow and slush (wider bad)

        I grew up in Northern Ill' & Extreme Northern Minn' back in the
50s & 60s when the Winters were MoreSevere

than they seem to be these days so I am QuiteFamiliar with Ice, Slush &
Snow & would take Bigger FootPrint over

Smaller PrettyMuch Always ~ Ice is the Most Diff' to stay In Control on &
the Easiest to be CaughtBySurpise by so

that becomes Foremost in my Decision ~ Tread Style is what's Really
Important & a True SnowTire Should have an

Aggressive Tread that is designed to DigIn & Grab & then ThrowOff anything
that tries to PackIn ~

        I was taught that the reason that TireDealers might Recommend
Narrower Tires for Winter was to be sure there

would be Sufficient Clearance in the Event that Chains were Needed ~ &
That is a Definite Concern on our Vanagons

due to the Closeness of the TrailingArms to the RearTires ~

              ORR ~ DeanB