BT17R

From searching and talking with Tire Rack, it looks like the only A/T tires they sell with the severe snow rating (snowflake symbol on sidewall) are either BFG A/T or General Grabber A/T2.

They'll be mounted on 16" X 7½" rims so I think the 4th Gen 'Runner can take up to 275/70's without rubbing.

We have a chain law in Oregon for mountain passes that they enforce vigorously, but the snowflake tires are exempt.

Any ideas appreciated, and it doesn't necessarily have to be an A/T tire, but I don't want a winter duty only tire that will wear too quickly in Summer. Something good for light duty off-road would be fine, too. My local tire guys even thought Goodyear Triple Treds would work, but I don't know if they'd be sturdy enough.

TIA...

mac4runner

I began running the GY TripleTreds on our MDX this year, so we wouldn't have to chain up going to Bend. So far, 1,500 miles, they've been a great tire. I would say they are on par with the Michelin CrossTerrains they replaced. They were also $50 cheaper per tire. The true test will be pass conditions this winter. I don't know if I would recommend them for an FJ, 4Runner, or Taco that sees any trail time. They don't seem durable enough for off-road.

My $.02

RobD

Check the Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor tires. They have the snowflake symbol. We use them on our trucks at work and they provide pretty decent traction.

Tofer

i'll look on my buddy's ProComp Extreme ATs for the snowflake... i swear these tires are the MT with sipping... they work GREAT in the snow and mud. best ATs i've ever seen.

bigt

i lov emy bfg a/ts in the snow... much better than my mudkingz..

Tofer

i just check both his truck tires as well as my spare tire (BFG AT) and neither have the snowflake... can you post a pic of what i'm looking for??

swaycleveland

NOKIAN invetors of the snow tire! can be bought lots of places these are what you want!!

cackalak han

Go with the BFG KO's. I'm sure you'll be going off-road during the summer time, which BFG is pretty much king over the other A/T tires.

Swaycleveland - Nokians are generally winter-only tires, which is what he doesn't want. If he has a spare set of rims, I'd definitely recommend Nokians and Blizzak's.

BT17R

Here's what it looks like on a BFG T/A:



and a closeup drawing:

cackalak han

They are only on the BFG All-Terrain KO's. The other BFG "AT" tires do not have this rating, because frankly, they suck in the snow. My BFG Rugged Trails were downright dangerous.

BT17R - Why are you going with 275/70's? 265/75's are cheaper and taller.

BT17R

I'm considering BFG 275/70's for better on-road grip in rain. I have 265/75's on my FJ now and compared to the only other A/T's I've run, Nitto TG's, they're downright greasy in the rain. Plus, my dealer has a set on hand and is offering a good deal for the takeoffs ($200) in trade, free replacement certificates ($80) and there's a BFG customer cash incentive ($40) going on this month. I'd pay another $4/tire and give up ¼" in ride height for better grip.

However, another concern is BFG weight, about 10 lbs. per tire more than competing 265/75's, and increasing unsprung weight has far more negatives than positives.

cackalak han

Well, the width won't give you better traction. What you should look for is a better tire material/design suitable for wet conditions rather than just getting more width. Actually, wider could mean less traction, since the wider surface could be more prone to hydroplaning.

I have not been pleased with Nitto TG's in any condition, rain and snow included. I'd say go for something like REVO's or GY SA's. They will give you better traction. Go for the 265/75's. The narrower width will cut through the water/snow better for better traction.

X-AWDriver

Hmmm,I've had no issues with my Nittos in the rain or the snow and have performed better on the street than the BFGs I've previously owned.

SR5

not to hijak, but how do mud terrian do in the snow,
i have some bfg/at and i love them, so how would they compare to super swamper ltd

Matt16

No, they aren't.

Nokian is a brand, not a specific tire. I have Nokian Vatiiva A/Ts. Lots of siping, fairly open tread blocks, for a street oriented all terrain and all those years of tire making experience...

BUT they really aren't very good tires. They've worn fast. In 10 thousand miles, they've worn about 3/16s or more. They're fine on dry pavement (find me a tire that isn't) and they don't hydroplane, but they can't stop on wet pavement, they SUCK in snow and ice and. Not too much time in mud, but they didn't do as badly as I thought they would.

Matt16

Wider tires grip worse on everything but deep mud and deep snow.

BT17R

I understand, Matt and ch, but I'm only talking 10mm difference vs. 76mm in the contact pressure graph.

scottsmomo

Yeah, I have BFG A/T's and so far I've been pretty impressed with how they handle on the snow. I don't know if they are the ko's either, and they are my summer tires anyway. I currently use Cooper Discoverer ST's that are studded and they do alright. On my 4runner, they do alright as 10.5's but I have a set of 35x12.5's on my Bronco and they flipping suck for snow. Sorry to use references other than Toyota, but on my Bronco running 35x12.5's I have a set of Mud Kings(I forget the brand) and they are double studded, and they do pretty well. My guess is that, at least for part of mud tires doing decent, they throw the snow, similar to mud and don't get packed.