To catch up from part #1: Didn't like the Overland Wheels, bought used Summit ones, tried plastidip, decided to powder coat so I bought a set of Wrangler 18" wheels / tires to facilitate that process.
So now I have a set of wrangler wheels (the tires weren't worth keeping) and it's time to decide what to do with them.
Option 1: Sell them
Option 2: Mount some winter tires on them
To better understand option 2, I live in Fort Worth, winter conditions here are generally ice - not snow - ice. (One storm last year was 3" thick pure ice.) I'm considering studded tires, good idea? Would I want two or four if I did go studded?
To catch up from part #1: Didn't like the Overland Wheels, bought used Summit ones, tried plastidip, decided to powder coat so I bought a set of Wrangler 18" wheels / tires to facilitate that process.
So now I have a set of wrangler wheels (the tires weren't worth keeping) and it's time to decide what to do with them.
Option 1: Sell them
Option 2: Mount some winter tires on them
To better understand option 2, I live in Fort Worth, winter conditions here are generally ice - not snow - ice. (One storm last year was 3" thick pure ice.) I'm considering studded tires, good idea? Would I want two or four if I did go studded?
When I lived in Germany, some put two studded snows on their vehicles during the winter, but I put four on my 1969 Opel Rallye. That not only gave me traction on ice, but also allowed steering. Those with only two could get moving, but often couldn't steer the vehicle once it was in motion.
Mike - I have this funny image in my head of an Opel with studded tires! Just seems cool to me.
Steve - what do you run in the frozen part of the world you live it? Sure, it's only a few times of the year when I would need them but it really sucks to not be able to get somewhere in an emergency on those days...
Interesting. I'm surprised that WI would be against them. The only time you can get away with using them here in Texas is in the storms - it's either snow chains or studded tires or lots of sliding (and associated bashing!).
That being said, is there enough advantage in snow / winter tires over regular ones to consider switching to them for the storms?
WI outlawed them many years ago. Gee, I was probably in my late teens, early 20's? I remember when people ran them here. LOL... I also remember the sparks from burnouts on dry pavement and the grooves they used to dig.
There are a lot of threads out here regarding the subject of whether it's worth running dedicated snow tires. You'll find plenty of opinions both ways. Go with what you feel comfortable with.
For me personally, I've never run dedicated snows. Then again, I'm used to driving on that crap. I stick to a moderately aggressive AT style tread year round. I really liked the Cooper Discoverer AT3's I had on my last Jeep. Never had any problems on snow or ice and we see plenty of both up here.
I respect your preparedness, but having lived in Dallas (now fairly close to Canada) I would forego the winter tires completely. Why? Nobody expects anybody to drive in ice in the DFW area so enjoy the time at home.
That said, I personally don't feel a need for studs with modern winter tires. I currently use Blizzaks and I particularly like the additional dry pavement traction over studs in cold conditions for the plowed and deiced roads.
Ice in the DFW area is still rare enough that you'd be risking more with studs than without, in my opinion, unless you change tires for ice and immediately change back when it's gone. Otherwise, studless will help you more at a significant cost burning that soft rubber on the 40+ F temperature days. But if money is no object I'd go studless for sure for that area.
I agree that with today's modern tires, you really do not need studs in most areas. Where I find those who recommend studs are in the areas that do not properly clear the roads in rural areas. And that is were you differently need studs on all 4 tires in order to push the vehicle, moreover, the ability to steer.
Today's dedicated non-studded tires have technology that enhances the grip thru softer tire compounds and tread block siping. On the AT side, the same is happening as well.
Personally, I always suggest looking at Nokian and Cooper tire brands. Bridgestone is another good choice and they now own a stake in Nokian. So some of the technology from Nokian does make it way into Bridgestone. But for a few extra bucks, you are better off with Nokian.
Their are some excellent threads on the main WK2 forum, Suspension/Driveline/Brakes/Wheels/Tires to get additional recommendations and opinions.
Since studs aren't legal, that takes that off the table. The quietest studdeds are the Coopers I've found. The best are the Nokians that come with factory rectangular studs.
Other than slick ice at low speeds, a premium low temperature tire is as good as, possibly better than, all but the very top studdeds.
And unless global warming has proceeded since I lived in Plano, it gets pretty cold in Dallas during those ice storms.
You'll want good traction so you can duck the other drivers during those.
There are a few alternative to chains that are supposed to be easier to install and remove although I still use old-fashioned chains on the rare occasions they are required here on all vehicles -- even those with 4wd.
Studs in the snow belt region of the Northeast are still legal in many areas. NYC and other cities, including suburbs have stop the usage of studs except for driving thru.
With today's tire technology in the soft tires, you now have increased traction from yesteryear. With ability to brake and control steering as the major factors. As I posted in a different thread sometime ago, with my current AT tires I had to stop short to avoid a collision. This was the first time with an AT tire I had complete steering and braking control. A premium low temperature (soft tire) non-AT time would give even better grip.
The other options as well besides studs with the combination of a soft tire that give increased traction. You got the traditional steel chains, rubber chains and tire socks. Tire socks is a growing alternative to chains.
They have the sock for the 18 inch and various 20 inch sizes. The sock has both positives and negatives as the video shows.
It has been a long time that I actual rode in a car with studs and that goes back to the 70's when I was a kid. Today, my view is depending were you live and were you have to travel to during the snow/ice season of winter, you should select the best tire and/or other accessories that you will feel safe with driving. And it makes the rest of us safer.
Thanks for all the thoughts. It's different than living in an area where you know that you need winter tires for the whole season and living in an area that only gets the bad stuff a few times - if that. The issue is that when it does hit you either stay home or chain up. The real motivation for me is an 85 yr. old mother in failing health and if the need arises I'll need to get there no matter what the road conditions. I think I'll just keep my eyes open for some winter tires - not studded - and try them out.
If you are willing to live with a bit less tread wear, some folks put snowflake winter tires on and run them all year. Good for summer thunderstorms, although DFW area gets a tad hot in the summer.
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