Best tires for mud and snow

[spottedhawk36]

okay i run 35x 12.50 BFG mud terrains and they have performed great in mud and snow. which do you think is the best tire size for snow? what about mud? would you rather have a skinnier tire as opposed to a fatter tire for example a 35 x 12.50 VS a 35 x 9.50?

[Zero]

Originally Posted by spottedhawk36

okay i run 35x 12.50 BFG mud terrains and they have performed great in mud and snow. which do you think is the best tire size for snow? what about mud? would you rather have a skinnier tire as opposed to a fatter tire for example a 35 x 12.50 VS a 35 x 9.50?

[Azeal]

If you can afford it, get a dedicated set of snow tires on a spare set of rims. The rubber compound used in snow tires is softer, grips better on ice. Mopst mud tires do ok in snow, but the rubber gets hard as temperatures drop and the traction is poorer on wet surfaces.

Schwab will machine sipe your mudders, which kind of helps. Still doesn't work as well as a real snow tire.

I like skinnier tires for snow and ice. Wide tires float in the loose stuff rather than cutting down into packed snow.

[baltz526]

tall narrow tires is the better choice for 95% of driving a 4x4. snow/twotracks/ gumbo. the only time a wide tire is needed is sand IMHO

[Nonates Buckheninigloo]

What type of snow?? dry fluffy powder (sand), or slushy goop(mud)? with "snow" not ice you want a tire that will clean its lugs with each revolution. That is why a mud tire does so well in deep snow. I have plowed snow for years using many different types of machines and the ones with the skinny tires "ALWAYS" do the best on "ICE". They will also get right down to dirt if the snow is not to deep.
I have not had to put my set of studded tires on yet this year as my bfg at's have done just fine except, when i hit black ice they suck. If I know im traveling over the hill I put on my studs on and worry a little less.

[packer]

I have run BFG all terrains for a long time ,Not the best mud tire but they still clean well. The AT's work very well on snow and ice and run quiet on the highway . BFG is one of the few that have a steel side wall ,that makes it a good off road tire KEN

[huntercgr]

Baltz is correct. It also allows more room for chains if needed.

[Eagleclaw]

but those skinny tires don't look as cool on your truck as those big fat tires do

[huntercgr]

You are so correct. But egg on your face doesn't either.

[baltz526]

now that is just a matter of taste. i think the best looking truck, is a standard cab short bed 4x4 with 4" lift and tall narrow tires running chains on top of the steens in november. elk hunting. too bad i already have 4 other 4x4's in the yard. i would get one

[Bootstrap Bill]

super swampers

[Ildor]

Originally Posted by Eagleclaw

but those skinny tires don't look as cool on your truck as those big fat tires do

...and they soften the ride in my opinion. I like to get as much rubber between the rig and the road on something that has stiff enough suspension to make your kidneys hurt.

[HOGGEMIN]

Toyo MT's

[bigjake_888]

Tires that are paid for.

[stlhdr1]

I ran Toyo MTR's for a while and switched over to the Cooper SST's, nearly the same tread pattern for less money... Both were ran in 35x 12.50's and they both did a great job...

Keith

[Eagleclaw]

Originally Posted by stlhdr1

I ran Toyo MTR's for a while and switched over to the Cooper SST's, nearly the same tread pattern for less money... Both were ran in 35x 12.50's and they both did a great job...

Keith

i love my Cooper SST's mine.

[OR_Bo_Huntr]

Go with the 12.50's I have Goodyear MTR 33x12.50's on my Wrangler, we have the GY MTR 35x12.50's on our F350 and we tried some new ones on our Wrangler 4 door...the Hankook DynaPro MT 35x12.50's....so far they are very impressive and have done killer in this snow and ice we have had

[blacktail hunter]

s-10 blazer with 4inch lift 33-950s

[ORsouthpaw]

I have ran everything from 9.50's up to 14.50? in 31,33,35 and 37 inch diameters. If your buying them purely for functunality in the mud the narrow tires work best (There's a reason all the old jeeps had narrow tires on them) however if you throw snow and sand in the mix now your talking about flotation and wider is better. For me the 12.50's are the best compromise.

Currently I'm running the 35x12.50/17 in the Toyo Open Country MT's. Which I highley recommend. I ran the 37" BFG's before and these Toyo's are much quieter, and yeah they look cool too!

[Igotitreelbad]

Toyo M55, they are great for snow and ice and can be pinned with studs. They are not the greatest mud tire but will do the job. Loggers love these tires for gravel. They wear like iron. I got 60,000 miles out of a set on a 1 ton diesel. They have 16 ply sidewalls and I believe 12 on the tread. Never had a flat. Oops I've done it now.

[baltz526]

16ply sidewall and 12ply tread. this might be a little stiff riding.

[Tvfowlhunter]

BFG's, Hankook's, or Nokian mud tires. They all work awesome.

[Oregon Sportsman]

Originally Posted by Igotitreelbad

Toyo M55, they are great for snow and ice and can be pinned with studs. They are not the greatest mud tire but will do the job. Loggers love these tires for gravel. They wear like iron. I got 60,000 miles out of a set on a 1 ton diesel. They have 16 ply sidewalls and I believe 12 on the tread. Never had a flat. Oops I've done it now.

They are 10-ply tread and 6-ply sidewall

[bigbuck2008]

Originally Posted by HOGGEMIN

Toyo MT's

[rbihunter]

I work in the woods and do not go easy on my tires. For all around durabilty and traction I have found that the 35x12.5's Toyo MT's are the best tire out there.

[Half fast Toyn]

Boggers for the mud..... BFG AT's for everything else. Oh.... Ive tried other cheaper tires with AT tread designs (wont mention names) and got tired of changing flats in the woods.

[spottedhawk36]

i bought my bfg mud terrains for 265 a tire. arent the toyos like 600 a tire? thats what the guy said at schwab.

[gottafish]

I have toyo M55 on my truck. it gets used on gravel year round between hunting, cutting fire wood, fishing, camping not to mention the 66mile comute to workand home. they have not failed me once. Ive never hat a flat out in the woods with these tires. that said the MTs are every bit as good. you cant go wrong with Toyo mts or M-55s

[onaga]

Toyo M-55 the narrower the better...No flats ever..and we run them right up until there not safe to run, winter/summer...on about 12 road construction rigs.

[MJ from Oregon]

Originally Posted by Bootstrap Bill

super swampers

I agree 100%. I use 34x10.50 LTB's on my Toyota. Not the smoothest ride but they do the trick.

MJ

[glowball]

Toyo open country mt. I'm happier with them than I was with the bfg mt. They do better on compact snow.

[stikbow]

One rig with sxt-c mud tires,the other has m55 both are good tires because i dont like putting on chains

[ogrejager]

Originally Posted by Half fast Toyn

Boggers for the mud..... BFG AT's for everything else. Oh.... Ive tried other cheaper tires with AT tread designs (wont mention names) and got tired of changing flats in the woods.

Amen to that. I've ran boggers, swampers, another unmentioned named cheaper tire, BFG AT's, and most recently, Mickey Thompsons on my Jeep. There's nothing more annoying than a ripped sidewall or a lost bead, which happened a lot with those "cheaper tires." Many of them save money by putting in thinner sidewalls....

As to width--I disagree with a lot of people's opinions on width. Wider tires do better in many situations that people forget about, such as hill climbs in loose soil, rock, and snow--think about it--the vehicle's weight is distributed over more surface area, so you "float" better. YUMV, though, as I drive a relatively light vehicle.

Speaking of surface area--if you're expecting to experience serious conditions, air down your tires to 12-15 psi. Again, more surface area. I've gotten stuck at 30 psi, aired down, and driven out of the spot. Just don't drive over 35 or so until you air back up--high speeds are hard on the tires.

Originally Posted by rbihunter

I work in the woods and do not go easy on my tires. For all around durabilty and traction I have found that the 35x12.5's Toyo MT's are the best tire out there.

which other tires have you used over the years to compare to the toyos?

[snowdriver]

well ,i drive a 1990 full size blazer,and just put a set of goodyear wranglers on it 31-10/50,15,and these were absolutly awesome in the snow and ice,do not know how the would in the mud,they do not appear to be aggresive enough for deep mud,but for a all terrain in the snowthey are awesome

[SeanD]

The best are two different tires- I run bfg mt's (old style) most of the year and studded hankook ipike winter tires in the winter. Im more concerned with traction on ice, black ice, etc in the winter, and regular tire rubber is too hard at freezing temperatures.

[Oregon Sportsman]

Originally Posted by spottedhawk36

i bought my bfg mud terrains for 265 a tire. arent the toyos like 600 a tire? thats what the guy said at schwab.

The 40x15.50R22s yes, but standard sizes are nowhere near 600 a tire. Very comparable by price to an identical size/load rated BFG.

[Oregon Sportsman]

Originally Posted by lonedrake

which other tires have you used over the years to compare to the toyos?

I've run:

BFG A/T
BFG M/T
MasterCraft Courser
Toyo M-55
Toyo M/T
Hankook Dynapro
Dean SXT M/T
Wildcountry RVT

Toyo M/Ts are the best out of them all. IMO. Hankooks a close second. Will not run BFGs due to carcass irregularities that cause an imbalance problem 24/7.

I've balanced several of my own sets of BFGs multiple times in ONE day, and never could get them true. Toyo's rock for initial balance, and staying true.

[jr5575]

I currently am running Toyo m/t open country's and I love them. 35-12.50's and they were $1400 @ shwabb.

[Chesapeake]

If its a heavy truck I like tall and thin. If its a light small truck you cant beat big and fat.

Tall and thin in a big truck will run you till you're pushing too much snow, or till its so icy you cant get tread. But a light rig with big wide tires aired down to 10 psi or so will float you over so much snow it'll scare you, and grip the ice (if its got some texture) like you wouldnt believe.

For everyday driving I like the Toyo Open country AT's siped, or the BFG AT's, or the Toyo M55 siped (in that order).

For stictly offroad snow I've always liked the old Cepek Fun Country's in the bias ply. Put aired down 38/15.50/R15's on a locked up little Toyota or Suzuki and you almost have a snow cat.

[MattPark]

I currently run siped 285/75/16 Hankook Dynapros on my Duramax. The F350 has Toyo MTs on it. We have a fairly steep driveway, the Chevy would crawl right up in the snow without spinning a tire. The F350 would barely get the rear tires off the street before spinning and getting stuck/sliding sideways back down to the street. I suspect the Toyos would be as good as the Hankooks if they were siped, neither tire has any siping from the factory.

The Hankooks are far and away the best gripping tire in the snow I've ever used on a truck. I've worn out sets of MTR's, BFG MTs and ATs, and Toyo MTs. All of those tires were decent as well, but I'll never look back.

Skinny pizza cutter tires look goofy to me. Tires need to be at least to the edge of the wheel well, if not beyond I can still fit my ice breaker chains on the Chevy, and it doesn't have a lift on it.

[Sailhuntfish]

Originally Posted by HOGGEMIN

Toyo MT's

HANDS DOWN!!!

Originally Posted by Oregon Sportsman

I've run:

BFG A/T
BFG M/T
MasterCraft Courser
Toyo M-55
Toyo M/T
Hankook Dynapro
Dean SXT M/T
Wildcountry RVT

Toyo M/Ts are the best out of them all. IMO. Hankooks a close second. Will not run BFGs due to carcass irregularities that cause an imbalance problem 24/7
I was wondering if you had used the hankooks because i love how mind do off road
was

I've balanced several of my own sets of BFGs multiple times in ONE day, and never could get them true. Toyo's rock for initial balance, and staying true.

[Oregon Sportsman]

Originally Posted by MattPark

The Hankooks are far and away the best gripping tire in the snow I've ever used on a truck.

I agree entirely. I've been noticing that through the recent storms. I definately liked the Toyos better in other areas though. My Hankooks aren't siped. I don't like it on my tow/hunting rig because I like to spin them.

Wifes rig doesn't get un-siped tires...ever.

I tend to switch things up frequently on our rigs, tire/wheel wise.

Allan

[JCfisher33]

Toyo Open Country mud terrain, I have them in 38 14.50's and never even had to put my truck in 4-wheel drive.

[salmonslayer204]

I have had super swampers and BFG MTs, both in 35 inch. The swampers were horrible on my f250. Maybe because they were the 35x15.50R16.5. I think that the wide tires are bad especially with something with large rubber chunks (like the swampers) that are un-siped. I swear by my BFGs. They take me anywhere I need to go. They stick to the ice and snow very well. I live in pullman most of the year and they are great in the really cold weather (~0 degrees). They just freeze straight to the snow. Lockers are great in the deep snow too, I have front and rear ARBs and are great when your tires let you slide into a big ditch. Mine are getting worn out, has anyone had some of the new BFG KM II's? I really want to get the 40" KM II's before next winter and get them studded... then pull them out after the winter.

[ryser]

Well I know it is all a matter of how you want your car or truck to perform!! That being said when I put a set of tires on my suv or my truck I look for the tire to be with in the design of the manufacture specs. I also look for and ask for a mud/snow tire in the recommended size of tires for the vehicle.
My reasons are simple, 1) if you go to swampers or murders or a larger tire than the recommended sizes when you have trouble with the running gear and if the vehicle is under warranty the manufacture will not cover the breakdown! 2) If you go to an extremely wide tire then you put less weight per square inch of surface area on the tire. Yes you may get good traction but at some point you will loose with the wider tires, (the same principle as a water bed and a fridge). Which puts more weight on the floor per square inch a water bed or fridge? (hint the fridge). This is why the narrower tires work better than wider ones. 3) If you choose to go to the wider tire then you decrease the capacity of your trucks tow/hauling capabilities, as most of the larger tires are not the 10 ply’s (like what is needed for my ¾ ton truck) to handle the weight of towing/hauling a load. You may put a load on your truck that your truck can handle but your tires are now compromised and will give out causing you to possibly loose control of your vehicle. 4) The last thing you should think about is the transmission and the gear ratios. Your truck/suv is set up for specific gear ratios by going to the large tires you change all these things. Have you compensated for that change?? My guess is that most have not other than to say yep when I go 45 I am really doing 55 and call it good.
As for me I have been driving in snow for better than 30 years. I personally have only had to put chains on once to get around in the snow and that was on my VW after we got 2 feet, was real cool I was the only on driving around on the streets for most of the day. The only other time I have put chains on is to pull a guy out up at browns camp he was stuck, and after pulling him out I took the chains off. As a note to this he had big oversized tires on his one ton truck, after I got him out he almost got stuck again go figure it!! And yes his truck was a 4x4 as well.
What I look for in a tire is a good mud/snow tire. Most of the shops around here will sell you what I consider to be a rain tire because they say you do not need a snow tire.
As to sipping a tire I feel it is a waste of money. I asked my dad about it and he said they used to do it back when he was working at a filling station said it did not do anything for the tires other than cause them to wear out faster. I have seen and tried the little experiment at Schwab it appears to give more traction but I question if the cost is worth loosing tire wear. I have seen some tires and they look chewed up on the outer edge cause of the sipping.

Also I try and stay with a major brand like michlens, bridgestone and toyo have all been good for me. Yes my tires are boring but then I have not been stuck!!

[Oregon Sportsman]

Originally Posted by ryser

Well I know it is all a matter of how you want your car or truck to perform!! That being said when I put a set of tires on my suv or my truck I look for the tire to be with in the design of the manufacture specs. I also look for and ask for a mud/snow tire in the recommended size of tires for the vehicle.
My reasons are simple, 1) if you go to swampers or murders or a larger tire than the recommended sizes when you have trouble with the running gear and if the vehicle is under warranty the manufacture will not cover the breakdown! 2) If you go to an extremely wide tire then you put less weight per square inch of surface area on the tire. Yes you may get good traction but at some point you will loose with the wider tires, (the same principle as a water bed and a fridge). Which puts more weight on the floor per square inch a water bed or fridge? (hint the fridge). This is why the narrower tires work better than wider ones. 3) If you choose to go to the wider tire then you decrease the capacity of your trucks tow/hauling capabilities, as most of the larger tires are not the 10 ply’s (like what is needed for my ¾ ton truck) to handle the weight of towing/hauling a load. You may put a load on your truck that your truck can handle but your tires are now compromised and will give out causing you to possibly loose control of your vehicle. 4) The last thing you should think about is the transmission and the gear ratios. Your truck/suv is set up for specific gear ratios by going to the large tires you change all these things. Have you compensated for that change?? My guess is that most have not other than to say yep when I go 45 I am really doing 55 and call it good.
As for me I have been driving in snow for better than 30 years. I personally have only had to put chains on once to get around in the snow and that was on my VW after we got 2 feet, was real cool I was the only on driving around on the streets for most of the day. The only other time I have put chains on is to pull a guy out up at browns camp he was stuck, and after pulling him out I took the chains off. As a note to this he had big oversized tires on his one ton truck, after I got him out he almost got stuck again go figure it!! And yes his truck was a 4x4 as well.
What I look for in a tire is a good mud/snow tire. Most of the shops around here will sell you what I consider to be a rain tire because they say you do not need a snow tire.
As to sipping a tire I feel it is a waste of money. I asked my dad about it and he said they used to do it back when he was working at a filling station said it did not do anything for the tires other than cause them to wear out faster. I have seen and tried the little experiment at Schwab it appears to give more traction but I question if the cost is worth loosing tire wear. I have seen some tires and they look chewed up on the outer edge cause of the sipping.

Also I try and stay with a major brand like michlens, bridgestone and toyo have all been good for me. Yes my tires are boring but then I have not been stuck!!

These days, there a myriad of options available in "oversized/mudder" tires that are 10-ply. Many of those tires have a higher load rating than any 245/265 E-rated tire. People don't stop and consider the wheel. I have 3600 lb per tire 10 ply 35" mud-terrains on my 1-ton Diesel. My wheels are only rated for 3200 lbs per. As are almost EVERY wheel on the market. The highest load rating I have personally found in a factory or custome wheel, size 17" or smaller is 3500 lbs per.

As for effectiveness of siping, it definately doesn't cause tires to wear any faster, unless you drive on gravel much. The extra surface area of a "slit" that opens on contact with the road allows for better cooling of the rubber. Tires wear because of heat. Siping WORKS.

As for ill effects of my tires on my vehicle, I have compensated for speedometer/odometer correctness and am dialed in again. I feel that the powerband of my motor is in its effect range now that my overall gear ratios have been raised (lowered numerically), and enjoy better economy, and a slightly lower RPM at crusing speeds. As for the power loss? Plenty of Diesel go-fast parts have found there way under my hood, and the drivetrain has been built accordingly.

My