buying new mud tires in the USA

[coaxial]

Hey guys,

Wasn't sure if it was better to resurrect one of the VERY old tire threads or start a new one on a different subject, but I'm wondering if anyone has advice for me. I'm wondering is there any reason I shouldn't drive down to bellingham WA to get new tires? I've got some quotes that are very very pleasing compared to the quotes I've gotten locally.

Also wondering if I'm wise to put on a set of BFG MT KM2 30x9.5x15, for my 50% city commuting, 50% 4x4 camping deli. To be honest I'm just hoping Jesse or one of our other resident tire experts will chip in here :) Should I go with BFG AT that are less money, longer lasting, better in the rain/city, or get the new version of BFG MT and have more fun offroad If I'm going to drop the cash on MT should I drop a bit more on a lift/smash&grind first and go 31"?

Really liking the prices from discounttire.com .. I'd just drive down to bellingham and get them put on, then maybe get them dirty before sneaking back across the border. I support shopping locally and all that but Canadian shops will need to be more competitive to get my business. Yeah, I should get 5, but I'm poor and have a 30" spare. And lots of tire plugs :)

[fexlboi]

You can even beat this price with tirerack.com
Personally I would look for tires made in Canada to avoid duties, but it looks your are comfortable with just driving over the boarder. It's up to you.
I recently bought MT Firestone tires in the States from 4wheelparts.com (http://www.delica.ca/forum/tall-and-nar ... -6929.html). They have pretty competitive prices and match it if you call. Also they have a store close to the border to avoid any shipping costs.

[jessef]

The KM2's kick the BFG AT KO's in all aspects including rain, snow, mud.

I don't know anyone who bought BFG AT KO's in the past years since better tires have come out.

After wheeling with Jeeps and testing out different tires this is my favorite in order of preference

Goodyear Duratrac - best all around tire. Keeps up with mud tires but kicks ass in snow and rain. Slight hum for noise and good treadlife.

BFG KM2 - touch better in mud than Duratrac's but not as good in snow/rain.

Firestone MT - almost as good as KM2's but a lot cheaper. Good bang for buck.

Goodyear MTR Kevlar - best expo tire but $$$

I went on a Jeep trails run last week and out of 23 Jeeps, 17 are running Duratrac's.

Google Duratrac and Jeep. Spend hours reading the positive feedback on road and trails.

I feel no need to buy a mud tire when the duratrac's sling mud just as good, yet give you decent ice and excellent snow/rain traction.

Goodyear nailed it with this tire. I'm hoping they don't discontinue it. They have a history of discontinuing good tires.

Also order ahead if you choose the duratrac's. They are so popular now that Goodyear didn't expect the amount of sales which led to massive backorders.

I think they turned up production on them as Jan stock is looking good compared to Nov/Dec.

[coaxial]

Awesome, thanks for the Advice! I have looked at the duratracs and prefer the treadpattern but I'd heard so much good about the KM2s. I'll get quotes on the duratracs as well, I think they may be a nice comprimise between BFG AT & MT as they should be quieter and last a bit longer than most MT, and I bet I'll get great monsoon traction too :)

Good article on canadians buying tires in the USA, looks like duty wouldn't be much actually

http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/n ... 1d36ebf251

[dfnder]

I'm finding that I spend much less time offroad than I expected or want :( Childrens travel teams on weekends, long commute is my excuse hehe. How would you rate the tires for treadware and acceptable offroad Jesse?

I'm actually thinking of upgrading to a larger tire and so could keep a set of tires on other rims but not sure if I would realisticly change them often.

[coaxial]

Looking closer at the duratrac they are looking very good. Like a nice cross between MT and AT. Big lugs with lots of clearance for mud, small lugs on the inside, and siping on both. Durability would indeed be the only other factor, I'll read up on that.

Sadly it looks like the duratrac size choices for me with the standard teardrop rims are 235/75R15 or 31X10.5R15. I'd like to go that bit bigger with 30x9.5, and if I'm not mistaken for the 31x10 I'd need an add-a-leaf on back and grinding on the front? torsions are already cranked.

"out the door price" on 4 duratrac is $715.96 USD on 235/75 and $798 on 31"

[loki]

Looking closer at the duratrac they are looking very good. Like a nice cross between MT and AT. Big lugs with lots of clearance for mud, small lugs on the inside, and siping on both. Durability would indeed be the only other factor, I'll read up on that.

Sadly it looks like the duratrac size choices for me with the standard teardrop rims are 235/75R15 or 31X10.5R15. I'd like to go that bit bigger with 30x9.5, and if I'm not mistaken for the 31x10 I'd need an add-a-leaf on back and grinding on the front? torsions are already cranked.

"out the door price" on 4 duratrac is $715.96 USD on 235/75 and $798 on 31"

I have bfg 31" on mine I didn't have to do anything on the back and just a little cutting and banging in the front.

[coaxial]

Interesting! I've already cut/banged/tore most things around the front wheels already I think I'll try to squeeze the 31" in there.

side note.. I hear Butch at CVI now has an alignment machine? I'll certainly want an alignment once the new tires are on.

[fexlboi]

$798 on 31"

Thought you want to save $$$. You can get it cheaper. Even with mounting and balancing.

[coaxial]

okay.. tirerack $890 USD + duty, fountain tire $1150 CAD installed..

i'll keep searching

[fexlboi]

okay.. tirerack $890 USD + duty, fountain tire $1150 CAD installed..
i'll keep searching

I tried a few websites as well, but in the end, I got the best price once I have called (a few times) and spoke to the right person who was willing to give me a even better deal. Takes a little bit of effort, but saved a few more bucks.

By the way if I do the shopping with tirerack I get $698 (31") for shipping to Bellingham, but without balancing obviously.

[coaxial]

Ah I see what you mean. I think I'm willing to pay the extra $100 for someone to give me a coffee and newspaper while they mount and balance the tires for me and dispose of the old ones. Rather than me doing all that and finding a Bellingham address, dealing with shipment, etc.

Did some calling around though and looks like Big-O is the cheapest but they are all quite similar to sears, walmart, etc.

[jessef]

The duratrac's fit HUGE.

If you want to see mine, let me know. I'm in kitsilano.

31" duratrac is a lot bigger than 31" BFG AT.

The 235/75/15 is a good size for the L300.

If you go 31" duratrac's, you'll need to lift 2" and some cutting and banging up front.

I got quoted $880 mounted/balanced for 31" duratrac's at fountain tire last month.

If buying 4 or more, look for rebates.

The thing that makes the duratrac's a favorite lately is because they are soft - good in winter and gripping slick surfaces but they are only siped about 1/4 the way down. This is to make the lug stiff and let the siped section flex to grip. It's really cool.

I'll try and dig up the comparison.

7 Jeeps rubicon stockers. 6 different tires. Mud, slick, snow and rock. Duratrac's were at the top. Even compared to the KM2's.

The single concern people had last year about them was treadlife, but that concern got axed after reports came in with 20-30,000 miles and still working and looking good.

[Jaz]

Hmmm, the Duratrac at Felix's favourite site is $140, which is pretty good...

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Tires/Goodye ... Y312007027

[fexlboi]

Ah I see what you mean. I think I'm willing to pay the extra $100 for someone to give me a coffee and newspaper while they mount and balance the tires for me and dispose of the old ones. Rather than me doing all that and finding a Bellingham address, dealing with shipment, etc.
Did some calling around though and looks like Big-O is the cheapest but they are all quite similar to sears, walmart, etc.

Same here, that's why I went with 4wheelparts.com. If you order online or via phone you get mounting and balancing included. As Jaz pointed out they prices are pretty good. The closest store is 200km from Vancouver, which is not bad if you save a few hundred $.