Winter tires on Delica - or just All Terrain all year round?

[del_man]

I wondered, is there a point in buying winter tires for Delica?
For my passenger car I have two sets, but it looks like with Delica might be a different story and good All Terrain tires might do the trick.
Any suggestions?

[del_man]

Also, what size and a brand of a tire would give a Delica this nice tough off-roady, elephant legs look?

[mac_stang]

Personally, I haven't had a issue with my yoko geo's in 85k, and a lot of expeditions in the wintery backcountry. If I track into the deep stuff(24" or more) I use chains(not cable chains)

Brad.

[del_man]

What size are you using? Standard or bigger?

[mac_stang]

235/75/15 yokohama geolander at-s

[Tojo]

Bridgestone Blizzaks, 235/75-15
Photo taken near Nakusp Hot Springs last year in about 3" of fresh snow.

[Rattlenbang]

The thing about 4 wheel drive is that it doesn't help at all with stopping or control when you hit an icy patch. Big gnarly tires are great for traction especially in deep snow, but when there's just a skiff on the road, with ice here and there, they're worse than a regular tire. If you will be driving on roads where ice and snow are frequent, good winter tires are a must, especially as these vehicles are known for sliding (and rolling over). What's good for off-road and booney-bashing is not good for highways, unfortunately.
My buddy rolled an L300 filled will family on hwy 1 near kamloops when he hit an ice patch last Dec, so that's a chilling reminder of the need for good winter tires if you drive in those conditions.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta are incredible snow tires, but can be pricey.

[Fishtank]

I personally have been running General Grabber AT2's since I bought my van, they have been GREAT. Snowflake approved and a very good year round tire. If you can only afford one set of tires, I recommend these. Be careful when ordering them though, not all sizes are "Snowflaked".

I've been running 255/70/16's but keep in mind that's with a lift.

Check their sizing chart here to confirm.

http://www.generaltire.ca/pdfs/grabberat2.pdf

[macro]

Personally, I haven't had a issue with my yoko geo's in 85k, and a lot of expeditions in the wintery backcountry. If I track into the deep stuff(24" or more) I use chains(not cable chains)

Brad.

Ditto on these for two Ontario winters with absolutely heinous black ice. I went off the road and into a ditch one morning at a regular ice spot while in another car. In the van with the geo's I could tell when I hit black ice, even when going 80 down the highway, but never ever had a problem. We'll see how the Duratracs do this year.

[FalcoColumbarius]

I particularly like Yoko Geolandar ATS tyres (235/75R15). They are excellent all rounders, however in deeper snow you're still going to need a little assistance ~ so I purchased reliable chains from "Quality Chain". One time I was ploughing through two feet on a twenty degree hill ~ no problem ~ and no snow tyre is going to pull that off without the help of chains, in my opinion. The Yokos are a comfortable ride on the highway, yet grab well in various off road conditions. No tyre is going to do everything but as far as a good all round tyre goes... Then I suppose there are other faves that other drivers are going to swear by. I like the 235/75R15s, although they are slightly smaller than the original tyres on the Starwagon this size doesn't put much stress on the drive train.





Falco.

P.S.: I see you're driving a Space Gear, so perhaps much of what I've written is not applicable ~ still food for thought... smiles.

[psilosin]

Depends where most of your driving will be.

If its on snowy backroads then your ATs will perform better than many winter tires as the meaty treads claws into the snow for grip.

If most of your driving is on main roads that are generally plowed but tend to get a layer of ice on them then some nice soft sticky winters with lots of sipes and/or studs can make the difference between stopping in time or not in an sudden situation. The big meaty chunks of tire that help so much in snow and mud do nothing for ice (chunk of hard rubber on ice = hockey puck).

I figure a set of winters is ~ the cost of my collision deductible and makes my summer tires last 2x as long so its not a bad investment. I like winter tires that have a tread design that balances snow and ice performance versus ones that are too biased one way or the other. Now I just need to find a set of winter rims that fit the L400 and don't cost a ton (damn 108mm centerbore).

[almac]

here in the Okanagan, I drive all year round on 31" BFG AT tires without any issues.
my driveway is about 100m long and I rarely plow it in the winter.

[konadog]

here in the Okanagan, I drive all year round on 31" BFG AT tires without any issues.
my driveway is about 100m long and I rarely plow it in the winter.

^^ What he said ^^ Not as much snow down here on the Island, but I get up in the mts. a bit and we do get some snow. Never had any complaints about my BFG AT's. I rotated them regularly and they lasted 100,000 kms. too.

[bbisset]

Nokian Hakkapeliitta are incredible snow tires...

What he said.

I work at a mine in the middle of the Rockies... we get snow in every month of the year, so traction is pretty important. Our "go to" tire for all our light duty trucks (over 150 vehicles) are Hakkapeliittas. Same on my personal vehicles.

Some claim X-Ice, some Blizzak... for me the Hakka. Doesn't matter, just spend the money and get good ones... and go inexpensive on your summer mudders.

[bbisset]

Now I just need to find a set of winter rims that fit the L400 and don't cost a ton (damn 108mm centerbore).

Old Toyota rims (like 90s 4Runners) all fit. I have a 4Runner (actually a Surf) and I swap my rims with the Paj at will. The slightly newer Toyota 16s should fit as well (my Harrier rims also fit), but try before you buy.