Winter use of BFG T/A KO tires vs studless winter tires

[thethePete]

^ Yeah, my brother and father who both drive fullsize 4x4 trucks said the same thing. And then they finally caved and bought winter tires. And now they can't believe they drove that long without them thinking they were fine.

OP: I've seen Triangles winter tires too, and they seem to be pretty decent for what would be considered an 'off-brand' tire. We sold them as our LT tire for a season at a dealership I worked at. The compound seems nice and pliable I think you're mostly just sacrificing longevity with them.

 

[IdaSHO]

The only rig I have that only has one set of tires is my 1-ton truck.

And the only reason it only has one set is because I dont want to pay $2500 for a second set of tires.

I run a good set of BFG Commercial TAs that sport the "snowflake" for winter usage.
And they do perform decent on the ice. But I can also WATCH them wear out on hot dry pavement.
The compound simply isnt hard enough for summer usage.

 

[ryanh1006]

^ Yeah, my brother and father who both drive fullsize 4x4 trucks said the same thing. And then they finally caved and bought winter tires. And now they can't believe they drove that long without them thinking they were fine.

OP: I've seen Triangles winter tires too, and they seem to be pretty decent for what would be considered an 'off-brand' tire. We sold them as our LT tire for a season at a dealership I worked at. The compound seems nice and pliable I think you're mostly just sacrificing longevity with them.

First time I tried winter tires here I was shocked how effective they were. As far as the triangles are concerned I've been impressed. We're pretty hard on tires and they've held up well. The 787 LT winter AT tire has been on one of my WJs for two winter seasons now and I fully expect to get a third season! We do about 10,000 km a winter season, but still we run then well into spring because we have passes that stay snowy so they get some warm weather use to.

Guess I'm getting a set of Maxxis 980s for this summer and not the BFGs. My wife will just have to deal with our outbuildings looking like a used tire shop (27 and counting).

 

[Mwilliamshs]

Good info in this thread. I'm in the south where we get little snow (less than a foot total a year on avg and probably 5 years of none and 5 years of some add up to that) but we do get ice. Nasty, slick sheets of ice and with our hills and curves things get dicey quick, especially where very few people have any experience on the stuff and even less real knowledge. I'm essential staff at a hospital and HAVE to be at work no matter what. I'm the guy everyone calls for rides or to drop off groceries when they're iced in. I've always made do with a 4wd Ford Ranger and decent A/T's and winched up a couple major hills when I had to. This year I ran a 2wd Ford E-150 van and I never got stuck beyond what a couple guys could push me out of but I'm definitely going to own some dedicated winter tires this coming fall. This season took too much momentum and kitty-litter LOL
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For you genuine winter drivers, snow tires on a 2wd, rear only or all around?
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I know running normal tires up front will cost me some handling but I've never come close to a front-end washout in this thing and I got pretty rough with it in a couple iced-up parking lots looking for the limits. I think as long as my front tires are over 50% tread going into winter I'll run them. Rears on the other hand...well even with 2nd gear starts and airing down and adding weight I spun tires more than I'd like and I had semi-decent A/T's.
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I'm probably going to get some funny looks from a couple tire shops asking for tire studding around here. What's the normal rate for this? I know tirerack gets $30 per tire in the sizes I've shopped.

3/4" Ice under snow

 

[IdaSHO]

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For you genuine winter drivers, snow tires on a 2wd, rear only or all around?
.

All the way around.

ALWAYS.

It isnt about getting going. Its about turning the stopping.

 

[ryanh1006]

Second on all around. Even if you have enough handling on the front, it's much better to have consistent handling all around. For as little as you get snow, get a set of cheap rims and put the winter tires on them then switch whether you need them. Studded are best on pure ice, but some of the newer studless tires are pretty amazing. The list posted earlier in the thread is pretty good. For budget tires try Triangle 777 or 787. I've also run Durun D2009 extra load and an pretty happy, but they're noisy. Goform also has a tire that's decent on ice, can't remember the model.

 

[Dake21]

All around.

 

[ryanh1006]

Right on topic...this morning's drive into work. Ford Focus diesel FWD with no traction control. Once off my gravel road, the paved roads were sheet ice. No problem with traction. Stopping distance was a little longer than normal and hard braking would engage the ABS, but no major sliding. Just watch the turbo kick-in at 2000rpm. Tires are Triangle TR777 Snow Lion.

 

[Mwilliamshs]

Okay, all around

Now, what's studding supposed to cost?

 

[thethePete]

Average is 50-100/tire depending on how big and how many studs. Studding is only necessary if you have a lot of ice and very hardpacked snow. From your description of your conditions it wouldn't benefit you to stud. Plus they're loud as hell on pavement. If you don't get much deep snow, invest in something more suited for packed snow and ice, like the Michelin x-Ice, or Nokkan Hakkapeleta.

Studding is like winter tires, don't do one end. If you're going to stud, do all 4, and if you're going to put winters on, do all 4.

 

[Mwilliamshs]

I've driven studs aplenty on company rigs and they make a huge difference on ice, my main concern. Studs make no discernible difference in snow, can't see how they would LOL.

$50-100?! Tirerack seems a bargain at $30!

 

[kojackJKU]

No, they don't make a difference in snow, what happens here however, is the snow is wet, get packed down, and then the temps drop until it forms this super slippery compound that is worse than bare ice as it does not melt the same. its crazy. You can walk on bare ice. You can't stand up on this hard pack crap. Studs make a huge difference on this pack snow/ice. Another tire is the toyo garrit. They are the best studdless winter tires I have ever used.

 

[oldblue]

Studding is typically $15 per tire. That is what TireRack charges and what I have paid at various local shops across the U.S.

 

[Mwilliamshs]

You're right. I'd read their site incorrectly. Tirerack charges $15/tire.

Looking at Firestone Winterforce LTs, anybody had them?

 

[thethePete]

I misspoke too, I meant 50-100/set, not /tire at our local shops. And also keep in mind, most reputable places won't stud a tire unless it's brand new and never been driven on. It's a structural integrity thing.

Winterforce LTs are a great tire. Fantastic in deep snow, and if the vehicle you're putting it on has weight, they're more than adequate on ice too. A collegue ran them on his Chev 2500 Diesel because they were the best tire he could get to suit his load rating at the time. They've only improved the compound in the last 5 years.

kojacJKU gets the type of hardpack I'm talking about. It's essentially white ice. The surface doesn't break apart from your tread like snow should.