Tire setup for winter adventure LR3
- Thread starter jckstein
- Start date
I still think you shouldn't let people scare you away from a good at tire. I have driven around pretty much every condition in Maine on and off-road in all four seasons over the years on primarily A/T tires and guess what, I lived to tell the story! People saying things like "this brand is worthless" is going to cause you to rule out every all terrain because none of them are as good as dedicated winter tires in deep snow and ice. I have had BFG a/t, procomp a/t, grabber at 2's, Toyo open country a/t 1 and now 2, Bridgestone dueler a/t, and others on many different kinds of vehicles some rover and some non rover, and at the end of the day they all did what they needed to do.
In slick deep mud were the A/T's as good as my mtr kevlars? No. In 14" of snow were the grabber a/t 2 as good as a dedicated snow tire? No. But they are good for all around stuff. I have seen a stock lr3 with a good driver go through some incredible stuff on 265/65 firestone destination A//T's..... Which aren't even a very aggressive A/t.
I think deep down you know you won't be happy with a stock size tire, it's ok want a more aggressive / larger look , it's a rover after all. I hated the stance of my lr3 stock but with 40mm of lift and the 265/65 fairly aggressive A/T love it and so do a lot of other people.
So don't let yourself be scared away from a good A/T. The 265/65 BFg AT is an awesome all around tire compared to many other A/T's. It's not a snow tire and it's not a mud tire but it's still good all around.
I can tell by your posts you want something bigger than stock ideally and I think you are on the right track there, don't let Internet forum reviews steer you away from your gut feeling.
I think your analysis of my desires is pretty accurate, haha. Often times desires can be dangerous, so I am just trying to make this decision as through as possible. You're right though. I really do desire to get a more aggressive look from a new set of tires, so it's possible that I have skipped over perhaps some more "practical" options. I feel as though I am coming to the end of the road, and either I make a decision, or get stuck in an ongoing dilemma.
My heart wants to commit to a 32" setup, but my brain is strongly going against that.
Im in Ogunquit, but wont actually be home from Sweden until early December. I hope to have a shipment placed by that time, but if it comes to it I will totally reach out. Thanks for the offer!
Jwestpro
Explorer
"Pretty much" ? Sorry to have to be so direct, but that is total BS. A Duratrtac has no where near the grip on any iced up roadway that a dedicated "hardcore" winter tire will provide.
MLu
Adventurer
I'm not saying this is what you need for your specific use and environment, but I'd like to give my vote to the studded version of the Hakkapeliitta SUV winter tire as one the absolutely best "real" winter tires around. Especially in a thin and tall size. But I'm Finnish, so feel free to consider my two cents to be wildly biased.
What I like about you jwestpro is that you're a specialist on pretty much everything.
Omniscience must be difficult to live with on a daily basis.
I understand that you've experienced all tires in various parts of the world. Your absolute knowledge is of great help to the rest of us humble beings.
Thank you!
Omniscience must be difficult to live with on a daily basis.
I understand that you've experienced all tires in various parts of the world. Your absolute knowledge is of great help to the rest of us humble beings.
Thank you!
Jwestpro
Explorer
Yes, having grown up in northern MN and traveling there often, I've driven quite a bit during winter on the kind of road conditions you have in Newfoundland, possibly worse due to the temps.
I rarely fly the trips. As you can see by looking at a map, there is a lot of geography between the east and west coasts of North America
Jwestpro
Explorer
I wish, but no, I don't know anything at all about most of the systems on our lr3's.
What I do know is the Duratrac simply does not behave like a dedicated winter tire. Is it good enough for what you have done? Apparently it is by your own standards. It's an awesome tire, I used it already.
However, I can tell you it's not what I would want in -0F or colder or on actual icy roads, if I had easy alternatives to choose from instead.
Unless you meant the Duratrac performed about the same in not-so-much real winter conditions, then please don't BS people with un-true information.
Jwestpro
Explorer
You're implying no shop can order Nokian tires on Newfoundland....?
Your signature says something about "inappropriate clothing". Sounds relevant to this discussion.
I grew up in MN on about the same St Johns latitude. So where do you spend most of your time?
Maybe this is a source for you: http://winter-tires.pmctire.com/enw/tires-newfoundland-labrador
Seems you have many sources for ordering but by shipment.
Jwestpro
Explorer
So exactly how did you determine this? I've actually swapped my wheels and gone back out to test on same surfaces just because I've been curious about various claims and in deciding what to run on a trip.
I'm sure the winter tire engineers would be interested in your comparative methods and results. Unless you meant driving over an "ice" cube?
Haha, you gotta relax maybe and not be so defensive over your chosen tire which is possibly just fine for your local conditions.An AT with open lugs like the Duratrac will seem just fine in fresh snow and do quite well. On true hardpack and -F and actual ice, it will suck by comparison. "Winter" can mean a lot of different things to people depending on their personal reference points.
Winter in MN near Canada is basically the same for months whereas in WA state you can drive from rain and green ferns to teens and ice climbing routes on one tank of fuel.
Jwestpro
Explorer
Many states in the US do not allow any studded tires or only during specific date ranges. Traveling through a prohibited state it's often allowable but I'm not sure if a person wouldn't get hassled. There are really only a few zones in the US where a studded tire even makes sense because of the changing road conditions. As I'm sure you know studded tires have less traction (than non-studded) when on pavement having no snow or ice. In WA the studs have caused terrible roadway troughs which then hold water in place.
As I said. You know it all.
As far as driving around the world. I've been all over this country, Canada, Mexico, all of Europe including Scandinavia where I was born, as well as Northern Africa and the middle east. Oh I forgot Russia and Japan and a couple more remote areas.
My location only shows where I currently live (for the past 4 months).
But I'm certain you have more experience and knowledge and can simply dismiss others opinions because you're always totally objective.
I apologize to the rest of the readers for this insignificant argument between myself and jwestpro.
Most of the time this forum is an interesting read.
BlindingWhiteTaco
Observer
Cooper Discoverer AT/W