Large Winter Tires

[Rob1334]

So after last years crazy winter, those of you who switched to the toyo M/T's, how did you like them?

Looking for an aggressive set for an f150, sounds like as far as the M/t tires go these are quietest, wear really good if you are good about rotations, and best in snow. I am currently debating between the MT and the AT.

[SNWMBL]

I would just make sure you have them siped and stick to a tire with a 285 or 295 width. I ran 295/70/17(33.5x11.5) for two winters then ran 33x12.5s this winter and the 295s were noticeably better. I never would have guessed the extra inch of width would have made such a difference. My next tires if MTs again will be 11-11.5 wide.

[ripsass]

Word.
When I worked at AK Tire that's how my tires and my wife's looked (back in the day). Takes a good day's work to set up a set of 4 like that for yourself, of a lot of $$$ paying someone to do it for you.
But well worth it.

Other than that the only advise I can give is:

- Use STEEL STUDS (not aluminum)
- Start with a tread design that works well in SNOW
- Stud the SNOW tire to hook up on ice
- Skinnier the better (get the skinniest tire that will properly mate to your wheel width.)

- "All Season" means the ones in the lower-48. Not here.

[Clayton]

Cooper Discoverer M&S. Good priced, great gripping winter tire. Available in plus sizes.

[AKsummit600etec]

Originally Posted by Clayton

Cooper Discoverer M&S. Good priced, great gripping winter tire. Available in plus sizes.

Great tires...have been running the UNstudded versions on both our rigs for the last few winters.
IMHO studded tires are for people that don't know how to winter drive......
I know just opened up a can of woop azz on me, but come on, how often are studs that beneficial in the winter for anyone that knows how to drive on snow and ice.? Granted there are 1 or 2 day's that studs are great on the highway (freezing rain). 95% of the winter condtions in AK don't warrant studs except for piece of mind for people afraid to drive.

[theultrarider]

Originally Posted by AKsummit600etec

Great tires...have been running the UNstudded versions on both our rigs for the last few winters.
IMHO studded tires are for people that don't know how to winter drive......
I know just opened up a can of woop azz on me, but come on, how often are studs that beneficial in the winter for anyone that knows how to drive on snow and ice.? Granted there are 1 or 2 day's that studs are great on the highway (freezing rain). 95% of the winter condtions in AK don't warrant studs except for piece of mind for people afraid to drive.

Not true when on the Kenai. LOTS of rain on ice days down this way. Also several roads that we run that get ZERO sand trucks on them. If we were talking just normal ice and snow packed roads, I would agree with you.

[snw4me]

Don't rule out Bridgestone Blizzaks. They're the best tire I've used for winter conditions, ever. I've tried many of the hot brands in the last 20 years since they've been making non-studded winter tires and the Blizzak outperforms them. Sure, one tire may do one thing really well, or two things, but the Blizzak excels all around. The thing that makes them (or any tire) not work is inflating to max pressure--wears out the middle and reduces the sipe contact with ice. Use the sidewall info to figure out the lbs per psi, get the weight of your truck, then do a bit of arithmatic to see how low your inflation pressure can safely be and set it. The tires may look softer than usual but as long as they're supporting the weight with a little buffer you'll find they stick like glue.

[AKsummit600etec]

Originally Posted by theultrarider

Not true when on the Kenai. LOTS of rain on ice days down this way. Also several roads that we run that get ZERO sand trucks on them. If we were talking just normal ice and snow packed roads, I would agree with you.

Originally Posted by snw4me

Don't rule out Bridgestone Blizzaks. They're the best tire I've used for winter conditions, ever. I've tried many of the hot brands in the last 20 years since they've been making non-studded winter tires and the Blizzak outperforms them. Sure, one tire may do one thing really well, or two things, but the Blizzak excels all around. The thing that makes them (or any tire) not work is inflating to max pressure--wears out the middle and reduces the sipe contact with ice. Use the sidewall info to figure out the lbs per psi, get the weight of your truck, then do a bit of arithmatic to see how low your inflation pressure can safely be and set it. The tires may look softer than usual but as long as they're supporting the weight with a little buffer you'll find they stick like glue.

Good points on both of your posts.... the point I tried to make was for the guy's that are trying to make MT tires into winter tires with studs. Wide, hard compound tires do not make good winter tires no matter how many studs you drill and install in them.
It all has to do with tread pattern and compound of the tire.
In sled terms, what would be a better mountain track?...(MT=18"x1"studded) or (Winter rated = 15"x 2.5" paddle.)