Tire Q's

[okiestate_gal]

I have scoured this section of the forum and found lots of great info, but have 2 questions still.

I'll be buying some tires from TireRack (thanks for the link!) to prep for Oklahoma "winter". Don't need anything fancy, just stock size on stock rims.

Expected driving conditions for new tires: 90% dry pavement, the rest is rain, snow, packed snow, ice and maybe mud. But, for the 3 months out of the year we have winter I am a nervous wreck driving in it. Why? OK doesn't have the equipment to salt/sand/plow the roads, esp back roads. I have two steep hills to ascend/descend on my trek to work - each snow storm they claim at least a couple vehicles. I have been in the ditch several times in recent years (2wd pickup but still not good for my confidence level) and don't want that to happen again. Our snow likes to melt, then freeze and turn into ice.

Questions for the group-

1. What's been your favorite All-Terrain tire?
2. Your thoughts on load range D/E tires?

I like the idea of the heavier duty tire b/c they're more durable, last longer & fewer flats but I know they're stiffer. Will they handle just as well in the ice & snow? Just let some air out?

Also, I don't care about road noise (I already have a roof rack) or riding rough (I'm sure my suspension is shot & I live in the country).

Thanks in advance!
-okie

 

[tjkj2002]

Buy a good all season tire.

AT and MT tires are not very good in the winter compared to a real all season tire.

 

[kejobe]

I run the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W. On my 2nd winter here in Northeast Ohio and have 0 complaints about them.

WILDPEAK A/T3W TIRE | Falken Tire

Got them from https://www.discounttiredirect.com

Might have better pricing at https://www.tirebuyer.com though.

We've only had about a foot of snow so far this year, but they suck at plowing the roads. I live on a side street and they don't even bother plowing it. I haven't even bothered clearing the driveway. With this said, I have not used 4wd yet. Haven't needed or felt like I needed to use it.

There's my $.02

 

[okiestate_gal]

Buy a good all season tire.

AT and MT tires are not very good in the winter compared to a real all season tire.

Huh. Had no idea all season was an option, glad I asked. Care to expound? Or maybe examples of such?

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I run the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W. On my 2nd winter here in Northeast Ohio and have 0 complaints about them.

WILDPEAK A/T3W TIRE | Falken Tire

Got them from https://www.discounttiredirect.com

Might have better pricing at https://www.tirebuyer.com though.

We've only had about a foot of snow so far this year, but they suck at plowing the roads. I live on a side street and they don't even bother plowing it. I haven't even bothered clearing the driveway. With this said, I have not used 4wd yet. Haven't needed or felt like I needed to use it.

There's my $.02

I'm getting these for my next set!

Huh. Had no idea all season was an option, glad I asked. Care to expound? Or maybe examples of such?

Honestly, I'd look at the Destination AT or Yokohama Geolander, both are technically ATs but they're really all seasons.

 

[M38 Bob]

Buy something like this;
https://www.tirebuyer.com/tires/firestone/winterforce-2/p/style/591090

or this;
https://www.tirebuyer.com/tires/cooper/weather-master-s-t2/p/style/48555

And have CARBIDE ICE STUDS INSTALLED!!

All that's for a true winter set that you'll have mounted on spare wheels and change out during summer weather. Nothing else compares if your re-frozen OK ice is anything like AR's. Don't buy the D/E load rating. They completely negate all the qualities of good winter tires (soft rubber, gripping flex).

Every hairy chested nut scratcher here's gonna tell you "I've driven my entire life in 10ft of snow and never needed no stinkin studs! Which is right in snow. Those same yankees are the first in the ditch here in the retirement communities when we have re-freeze.:happy175:

 

[ltd02]

I have lots of experience with studded snow tires on old tymie rear wheel drive cars up in the hilly northeast. You can't beat studs on the ice. That's what they're for. Hell I remember chains and I ain't as old as most of you... :gr_grin:

By the way, I have Destination ATs on my truck and wouldn't recommend them for the KJ. You can see what I run on my KJ in my sig. Had some slickery stuff last week and I have a wicked steep drive. I walked right in and out in one wheel drive.

 

[okiestate_gal]

Buy something like this;
https://www.tirebuyer.com/tires/firestone/winterforce-2/p/style/591090

or this;
https://www.tirebuyer.com/tires/cooper/weather-master-s-t2/p/style/48555

And have CARBIDE ICE STUDS INSTALLED!!

All that's for a true winter set that you'll have mounted on spare wheels and change out during summer weather. Nothing else compares if your re-frozen OK ice is anything like AR's. Don't buy the D/E load rating. They completely negate all the qualities of good winter tires (soft rubber, gripping flex).

Every hairy chested nut scratcher here's gonna tell you "I've driven my entire life in 10ft of snow and never needed no stinkin studs! Which is right in snow. Those same yankees are the first in the ditch here in the retirement communities when we have re-freeze.:happy175:

Sounds like a great option, thanks.

Can you drive on dry pavement with the ice studs? Need them for the drive to work in the morning and it thaws out during the day?

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I think it'd be loud and rough as hell, ******* the Jeep. Never have run them though. Some states forbid them but I say fawk it.

 

[ltd02]

Studs are a bit louder on dry pave but they ride fine. Local laws vary up my way. I think there are places that don't allow them and others where you can only run them during certain months. You'd definitely want some regular all seasons to swap on after the winter.

 

[tommudd]

Good All Season or full on dedicated snows
I ran studded tires years ago on two wheel drive pickups and they did great of course that was before radial tires even good old bias ply
With the tires to day and the full on dedicated snows not much reason for studs unless full on ice everyday
Studs make noise for sure, they can hear ya coming

 

[tjkj2002]

Buy something like this;
https://www.tirebuyer.com/tires/firestone/winterforce-2/p/style/591090

or this;
https://www.tirebuyer.com/tires/cooper/weather-master-s-t2/p/style/48555

And have CARBIDE ICE STUDS INSTALLED!!

All that's for a true winter set that you'll have mounted on spare wheels and change out during summer weather. Nothing else compares if your re-frozen OK ice is anything like AR's. Don't buy the D/E load rating. They completely negate all the qualities of good winter tires (soft rubber, gripping flex).

Every hairy chested nut scratcher here's gonna tell you "I've driven my entire life in 10ft of snow and never needed no stinkin studs! Which is right in snow. Those same yankees are the first in the ditch here in the retirement communities when we have re-freeze.:happy175:

I ran studded snows one year(about 26 years ago) and just ended up ******* off everyone when the studs went through there windshield.

Studded snows + 650lbs-ft of torque + 3000rpm stall converter = thrown studs at every take off.

 

[M38 Bob]

I ran studded snows one year(about 26 years ago) and just ended up ******* off everyone when the studs went through there windshield.

Studded snows + 650lbs-ft of torque + 3000rpm stall converter = thrown studs at every take off.

I was answering a lady who just wants to creep around SAFELY. I'd never assume to offer you advice. :mwah1:

And yes, they are perfectly acceptable for dry road use during the cold winter months. Here in AR they are only legal for Nov,Dec,Jan, Feb. Which is the only time a sane person would want to use em. Hot summertime road temperatures (NOT during their legal use timeframe) will cause them to build heat and melt themselves through the tire. If you must use them during summer, simply take a pair of *****, a cold 12 pack and a couple hours and pull them.:emotions34:

Noise level is no worse than a set of 1/2 worn mud treads.