Desert Rat needs Winter Tire Recommendations

[DaktariEd]

I was born and reared here in Tucson, so winter snow tires are about the last thing I thought I'd ever need.
But...it seems I am about to embark on building a cabin up in the mountains in New Mexico.
I just returned from spending New Year's with friends who live up there.
The elevation is 7700 feet so they can get snow at times.
It's 30-35 miles off the main highway, dirt all the way. No services anywhere, and just an occasional rancher, so self-sufficiency on the drive in is a must.
The snow was about 6-10 inches for the last 20 miles, but one stretch of about 1/2 mile was deep in drifted snow. A couple of trucks had already been stuck and pulled out the day before. I was lucky in that a bypass was available, but still snowy and icy. Some mild hills, and a canyon several miles long that doesn't get much sun....very icy in places.
This is a few days after the snowfall, a mild stretch just before Elk Spring.

I'll probably drive my Sequoia most of the time. Tires are Michelin LTX M/S radials, P265/70R16.
I will likely get a set of 4 wheels and tires that I can change out when I make the trip in winter. And I do have chains for all 4...

So...any thoughts on winter/snow tires? Brand? Tread patterns?

Thanks!

 

[sargeek]

Ltx m/s

The LTX M/S is a pretty good performer in the snow/ice. I put 65,000 on a set that made it trough 4 Colorado winters on a Trooper. The only time the tread may be lacking is in the deep, deep snow. In deep, deep snow, a Mud Tire might perform a bit better, but is it really worth it, because the tire will perform much worse when you are on snow packed/ice roads. With owning chains, you will be able to get the performance you need without purchasing new tires, until you want to upgrade.

Dedicated snow tires perform the best in the snow, but feel the BFG A/T tire performs well enough for most.

 

[Martyn]

Ed, We run Mastercraft snow tires on our 3 vehicles up here in the Sierras. I've used them, for over 10 years and have been very happy with their performance in all snow and ice conditions. Mastercraft is a Cooper Tires brand.

The Treadwright snow tires seem very interesting and may be worth doing some research on.

 

[chet]

We hav a set of bridgestone blizzacks for my wifes car(2001 civic). Not sure if they make them big enough though? It is amazing how much better her car performs with them on. the hill by our house is almost impossible with the all seasons she normally has and switch to the blizzacks and it doesn't even spin a tire and is almost hard to get to spin! I have michelin LTX's on my F150 and it does well in the snow. We just had 4" and it was fine. If you have chains then I really wouldn't worry about it. Although a switch to a good siped all terrain would help. Also never let your tread depth get down below 40%

 

[lowenbrau]

Pretty country.

I'd just use the tires you have and chain up if you get stormed in.

 

[007]

There is a pretty good discussion going on about chains and airing down here:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36394

Make sure you always have warm water proof clothing including boots and gloves, a shovel, hi-lift, axe, food, and fire starter!!

There is no perfect winter tire because conditions change daily, so don't fret over finding it.

Some tires do carry the winter snow flake logo indicating that the tire compound is conducive to cold and ice

 

[4Rescue]

BFG All-terrains... After the brief slippery mess we had here in Portland last week, I'll never run another tire in the snow... THey are fantastic. Granted they're Tall and skinny (33x10.50) and have alot deeper tread then my old 31" AT's. PLus my ytucks got loads of GC and a great footprint, but they did exceptional getting me around over, and through a complete MESS here in the city. They performed even better up in the mountains while "tree-hunting" and I was one of the few people who coukd get up to the higher areas to cut a tree,,,

Anyway, BFG AT's are GREAT in the snow. Maybe not in DEEP DEEP snow (@ that point you're looking at 40's on bead-locks at LOW psi) but for a DD up to some fairly deep stuff they'll do you well.

Cheers

Dave

 

[kcowyo]

Ed, We run Mastercraft snow tires on our 3 vehicles up here in the Sierras. I've used them, for over 10 years and have been very happy with their performance in all snow and ice conditions. Mastercraft is a Cooper Tires brand.

While I like the BFG AT's (a lot), if you just want a second set of tires for making it into the cabin, I'll agree with Martin on the Mastercrafts. Very capable and a much better price point. That's what we're using on our plow truck to clear a long & windblown, heavily drifted driveway -

.

 

[Kilroy]

The Treadwright snow tires seem very interesting and may be worth doing some research on.

I just purchased the Treadwright Warden AT with the Kedge option. This is a combination of walnut shells and ground glass molded into the tread. These pieces are to aid traction while in place, and leave siping when they come loose.

Had a chance to test on packed snow and ice already and very happy with the performance.

 

[4Rescue]

I just purchased the Treadwright Warden AT with the Kedge option. This is a combination of walnut shells and ground glass molded into the tread. These pieces are to aid traction while in place, and leave siping when they come loose.

Had a chance to test on packed snow and ice already and very happy with the performance.

...wich are basicly BFG-AT's... If you can get thyat kind of performance for that kind of price I say go for it. They look like a great option. My problem was sizing. No 33X10.50x15's. That said everyone has been raving about the quality of these Treadwrights so they're definatly worth a look. I can tell you the tread patern is a good one

cheers

Dave

 

[brianjwilson]

I'm sure not everyone will agree, but I'm going to suggest good mud terrains, and get them siped.
In deep snow, mud terrains rock. I have had excellent results with various mud terrains, aired down (even 10-15psi helps a lot). Not all mud terrains are bad in light snow, I happen to love my BFG KM2s since I have had them. Even with our ice storm last year (over an inch of solid ice) I was able to get everywhere I needed to go, up and down hills, pulling around fallen trees and such. They are the quietest, smoothest mud terrains I have owned. I have over 20k miles on them and they show very little wear. If I lived somewhere with more snow/ice, I would have got them siped in the center tread blocks and I bet they would be amazing.

The BFG a/ts are good tires, but in mud they clog up horribly, and they do not work well in deep snow.

It is a good idea to carry chains either way.

 

[fisher205]

The Treadwrights with Kedge are great. I'll see how they wear, but I have been impressed. I have run the Nokian Hakapolitta's and I think the Treadwrights work better. They as good as studs on hardpack snow. I haven't tried them on sheet ice yet. The price point is really good. - Brad

 

[Overland Hadley]

I have been very happy with my BFG A/T's on snowy frozen roads, and that's about 5 or 6 months out of the year for us.

They are not great on ice, but only a dedicated snow/ice tire will be. If it gets too icy chain up.

Sounds like a great drive, enjoy it! (Do watch out for the ice in the canyon, it does not take much to send a vehicle sliding sideways on solid ice.)

 

[skysix]

******** Cepek Fun Country - can be aired down to very low (2PSI) with beadlocks and no damage, don't really need extra siping unless you're gonna use them on a hockey rink.... Long time favorite in Iceland for those that can't afford the AT-405

http://www.arctictrucks.com/?pageid=1296&categoryid=208

 

[cruiser guy]

I was in a tire shop yesterday and I noticed that the BFG AT's now have the mountain and snowflake symbol meaning they are a true "winter" rated tire. Apparently that was changed only recently so not all old stock is gone.

I had to strap my daughter out of the parking spot she was in with her Sidekick and "winter" rated tires using my BJ60 and BFG AT's that are not winter rated.

edit: I found out that my BFG AT's are also winter rated!:wings::smiley_drive: They have the mountain and snowflake symbol.