My '96 LX450 is moderately heavy with offroad bumpers, sliders and winch, but it isn't routinely loaded to the gills with stuff. I only drive about 6000 miles annually at the most. I occasionally go off road in the Idaho panhandle or western Montana, so I need durable tires that are rock resistant when aired down. Current tires are:
Cooper STT 305/70R16
Yoko Geolander I/T+ 285/75R16 winter tires
I have been really happy with both, but the Coopers are a little too wide and heavy for my tastes and I know they hamper the performance due to their mass and rolling resistance. OTH they have been absolutely bullet proof with no issues offroad. They have much life left (thus some resale value), but I would like better pavement manners and mpgs.
The Geolanders were superb in snow and ice when new, but they are almost ten years old now and the tread has hardened, so they just don't grip on ice very well now. Spokane has highly variable winters, but we sometimes get hammered and I need decent grip since this is the family Blizzard Truck. I do have two sets of heavy duty chains, so I have the option of chaining up if absolutely needed. We rarely get temps below 10 degrees F, but one winter did reach 20 below for a few nights.
I have several options:
1: Buy a new set of 33 inch winter tires: Downsides are storage, expense and lack of offroad traction in those between times when there is no snow on the ground, plus lack of selection in a 33 inch diameter. I would keep the STTs and live with their on-road disadvantages.
2: Replace the snow tires with All Terrain A/T KO (or similar) winter rated 285/75R16s and use them through next winter. If the winter grip is OK, sell the old Geolander snow tires, the STTs and also my corroded OEM wheels ($30 each x five for scrap value, or online here). If the grip is not as good as the Geos, I would keep using the old Geos or buy new snow tires in a couple of years.
I am leaning toward option 2, hoping that I will find the BFGs to be adequate in winter and better on the highway. I would really like to have only one set of tires year round, but am worried about rock slicing and sidewall damage miles from nowhere.
Option 3 would be to run the BFGs all year, mounted on my good wheels, and swap the STTs to my corroded wheels for special trips like the Magruder Road in Idaho
Comments? I have been agonizing over this for several years and am no closer to a decision. How much could I get for my STTs - a set of five in good shape with 75% tread? Will I be satisfied with the BFGs in winter and in rocks? Is there a more rock resistant A/T that is winter rated?
BTW, I always buy road hazard insurance, so tread or sidewall damage is covered. I don't mind having to swap a damaged tire once every few years, but I don't want to be stranded with a couple of flats.....
Thanks for any and all comments.
John Davies
Spokane WA USA
Cooper STT 305/70R16
Yoko Geolander I/T+ 285/75R16 winter tires
I have been really happy with both, but the Coopers are a little too wide and heavy for my tastes and I know they hamper the performance due to their mass and rolling resistance. OTH they have been absolutely bullet proof with no issues offroad. They have much life left (thus some resale value), but I would like better pavement manners and mpgs.
The Geolanders were superb in snow and ice when new, but they are almost ten years old now and the tread has hardened, so they just don't grip on ice very well now. Spokane has highly variable winters, but we sometimes get hammered and I need decent grip since this is the family Blizzard Truck. I do have two sets of heavy duty chains, so I have the option of chaining up if absolutely needed. We rarely get temps below 10 degrees F, but one winter did reach 20 below for a few nights.
I have several options:
1: Buy a new set of 33 inch winter tires: Downsides are storage, expense and lack of offroad traction in those between times when there is no snow on the ground, plus lack of selection in a 33 inch diameter. I would keep the STTs and live with their on-road disadvantages.
2: Replace the snow tires with All Terrain A/T KO (or similar) winter rated 285/75R16s and use them through next winter. If the winter grip is OK, sell the old Geolander snow tires, the STTs and also my corroded OEM wheels ($30 each x five for scrap value, or online here). If the grip is not as good as the Geos, I would keep using the old Geos or buy new snow tires in a couple of years.
I am leaning toward option 2, hoping that I will find the BFGs to be adequate in winter and better on the highway. I would really like to have only one set of tires year round, but am worried about rock slicing and sidewall damage miles from nowhere.
Option 3 would be to run the BFGs all year, mounted on my good wheels, and swap the STTs to my corroded wheels for special trips like the Magruder Road in Idaho
Comments? I have been agonizing over this for several years and am no closer to a decision. How much could I get for my STTs - a set of five in good shape with 75% tread? Will I be satisfied with the BFGs in winter and in rocks? Is there a more rock resistant A/T that is winter rated?
BTW, I always buy road hazard insurance, so tread or sidewall damage is covered. I don't mind having to swap a damaged tire once every few years, but I don't want to be stranded with a couple of flats.....
Thanks for any and all comments.
John Davies
Spokane WA USA
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