Winter Tires!!
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Joined: Oct 2012
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Winter Tires!!
I was looking at getting some winters and at the junk yard they got a nice set of tires for $250 easily 70-80% tread. Only thing is is that the two front s are all season and the two backs are winters. In a 4x4 vehicle will this suffice or should i be getting all four winters?
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Stephensville WI
I would never buy tires for my truck from a salvage yard. Regardless of what they say, you never know what those tires have endured. Have they been overloaded? Have the belts been broken during a crash? You just never know.
Much as I also dislike them, I recommend, if you are really strapped for cash, then invest in a set of recaps with a winter tread. Make sure that they are rated to support your truck (usually Load Range E) and that they have a basic warranty. They may not last as long as a new tire, but at least you know they were inspected before the recapping process and do have a warranty if they fail.
Tires and brakes are 2 things I try not to economize. A budget battery might leave you stranded, low cost oil might lead to engine damage, but cutting costs when it comes to tires or brakes could get you and your family killed.
Much as I also dislike them, I recommend, if you are really strapped for cash, then invest in a set of recaps with a winter tread. Make sure that they are rated to support your truck (usually Load Range E) and that they have a basic warranty. They may not last as long as a new tire, but at least you know they were inspected before the recapping process and do have a warranty if they fail.
Tires and brakes are 2 things I try not to economize. A budget battery might leave you stranded, low cost oil might lead to engine damage, but cutting costs when it comes to tires or brakes could get you and your family killed.
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good points redford. a very common saying i read when looking to get a truck was its not how much you can tow but what you can stop. same idea here
They are sitting on a truck that had the engine blow. Its so tempting to get them!
Now like thhomab said do alot of you guys put winter tires on or just use the 4x4 and the weight of the truck and find it efficient? I live near toronto and our past winters havnt been that bad.
They are sitting on a truck that had the engine blow. Its so tempting to get them!
Now like thhomab said do alot of you guys put winter tires on or just use the 4x4 and the weight of the truck and find it efficient? I live near toronto and our past winters havnt been that bad.
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: laporte in
I've always had an all terrain or m/t for winter and usually need 4x4 some time or another. NW Indiana gets pounded with lake effect and I've had some pretty worn tires go pretty good in deep snow. I don't buy a winter set of tires, just once set for use all year
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Stephensville WI
I got by for three seasons in Northern Wisconsin with the stock AT tires, with no added weight. 4 wheel drive is a blessing. 
If you are positive the tires are OK, then by all means go for it.
If you are positive the tires are OK, then by all means go for it.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Nowthen, MN
A good AT tire will do well in the snow, and you can use them all year. Even when I used to plow snow we ran AT tires, not a dedicated winter tire.
If you are going to run winter tires, you want to run 4 of them. Remember, the front tires do the steering and most of the stopping. Putting winter tires on the rear only may help you get going a little better, but it won't do anything for your steering and very little for your braking.
There are actually a few AT tires that also carry the severe winter service rating. I know for sure that Goodyear Duratracs do, and some sizes of BFG ATs, and Goodyear Silent Armor do as well.
If you are going to run winter tires, you want to run 4 of them. Remember, the front tires do the steering and most of the stopping. Putting winter tires on the rear only may help you get going a little better, but it won't do anything for your steering and very little for your braking.
There are actually a few AT tires that also carry the severe winter service rating. I know for sure that Goodyear Duratracs do, and some sizes of BFG ATs, and Goodyear Silent Armor do as well.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 762
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From: Country
I live in Kodiak, AK and actually have 3sets of tires for my F350, and two sets for my Excursion. For the F350, I already had the chrome steeliness with 235x85x16 studded, since I plow snow and have lots of room for chains when they are needed (several times a year). My summer tires are my 35x12.50x16.5 BFG AT's. We get lots of snow and ice. But mostly ice because of the constant freeze and thaw. So the studded skinnies do better than the wide and tall tires. But I ended up needing something more heavy duty for hauling my truck camper, so I found a good set if 80%+ 265x70x19.5 load range G tires on Aluminum Vision rims.
All that said, depending on your needs, and location can affect what you can get away with for tires...
Personally, if I had to choose the best overall tire, I really like the BFG AT's. They offer great all around traction in most terrains and weather conditions. They wear very well. 40 to 60 K is not unheard of. They are more noisy than an All Season tread but not unruly.
Good Luck!
Garry in AK
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Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Anchorage Alaska
i run cooper discoverer M+S studded 265/75 16 on my excursion. i also run these on 2 explorers. then i run firestone winterforce studded on my expedition. all of them are amazing winter tires. need them up here, down south you may get away with a A/T.
its not cheap but i have dedicated studded snow tires for all my trucks and run them 6 months of the year. the traction difference even from a great A/T is amazing.
its not cheap but i have dedicated studded snow tires for all my trucks and run them 6 months of the year. the traction difference even from a great A/T is amazing.
