1978 F-250 supercab. Ive been trial and error with a bunch of different sizes and brands of tires on my rig over the years, so far, haven't had anything that impressed me recently. Years ago, I had studded bias ply, tall, skinny tractor tread style snow tires that worked great, but they don't make them anymore, and they kind of sucked on the highway. Im currently running 265-75-r-16 hancooks (a multi purpose light truck/SUV tire) they are great riding tires, but not cutting it in the mud and snow.


So, best heavy duty, high load work tire for snow and mud? size recommendations as well. Thanks.

 

There will be as many opinions as there are readers. Here is mine. The best winter tires I've ever ran (not mud) were BFG All terrain TA. I drilled and studded my own with about 360 studs per tire and six scratch lines. The size you are running is ok, I don't like too wide or huge tires just for the sake of some vanity like looks. Me personally, I like taller and not too wide so I would go with a 255 85 16

 

If you're wanting some old school tread pattern bias ply tires you could try stausaonline.com. I haven't tried them, but I've browsed their site. Maybe they'll have some tractor tread style tires you'll like.

 

Back in the day, I ran those directional tread lug tires that Firestone made. Great for those muddy logging roads but only good for about 10-12,000 miles. And the more aggressive the tread, the more likely the fronts are to cup out.
Mud and snow was always, and still is, kind of misleading. Mud tires are a whole different deal than winter tires made for snow and slick roads. If they claim to do both, they probably won't do either very well. Given that, most winter tires can still be labeled mud and snow.

 

I like the BFG AT but think I might try the Cooper M+S on my 79 since it doesn't get as many miles on it.

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company - Discoverer M+S?

 

I put a set of Goodyear DuraTracs, 285/75/16 E, on my 75 a couple of years ago and have been very pleased with them. I had a set of Pathfinder (Discount Tire) AT's that wore like iron, but sucked on ice. They rode a bit smoother than the DuraTracs, but the DuraTracs have a lot better grip on ice. I've also had a couple of set of BFG. KO's which work great as well. I am less concerned with the ride as I am with traction and the Goodyears or the BFG.'s offer a good balance of both. I have also used the Hankook MT's with studs on my 2 wheel drive company truck that worked great. ( with 600lbs of custom made concrete blocks over the rear axle) The Hankooks are also load range E. The Hankook MT's howl on the highway as they wear down, and I mean HOWL, but I could live with that as a trade off for the better traction. I used to buy them at Discount Tire when the winter tires arrived. I like willowbilly3's idea of adding more studs too.

Mark.

 

I have the BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A’s KO on my truck. I’ve always been happy with them in the snow. Plowing or not.

In fact I’m getting ready to hang the plow on to my ‘77 right now. Some more clean up work to get it ready.

The big thing I would caution you is too wide of a tire. The wider the tire the more they seem to slip and slide in the snow.

Later, Shortbox4x4

 

The BFG KOs are probably the best compromise out there. Firestone Winterforce are STICKY, but don't last too long. (I like them) Without studs, sipes and tread compound are what is going to make you stick.

Skinny tires are where it's at. https://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireS...earDiameter=17 Click "severe snow service rated" on the left side of the page.

 

Size-wise, 235/85R16 - I haven't found a good 7.50R16. I like skinny for ice and snow, they seem to track way better (and are way easier to chain up, if you have to). Tractor Supply and a some places like that still have bias ply 7.50-16, but they're China tires, and like you said, don't wear well. I have some BFG AT's on one pickup, like them really well, and have a set of TreadWright's for a farm pickup with the copy of that tread - will see how they work out. It's a backroad work pickup, the last set has some tread but they basically rot off it.......