Winter tires

[calcos]

Hey all...I live in Nelson BC, so in the mountains. I'm not sure what kind of driving we'll be doing yet in the winter (this is our first winter with the Delica, a '99 V6 3.0) but definitely around town and the surrounding areas. I just called around to all the tire shops for quotes on winter tires and learned about ply ratings...it's been recommended that I get 6 ply rated tires (as opposed to P rated) because of the size/weight of the Deli.

Can anyone shed any light on how necessary a 6 ply tire is? I have a quote for a Kumho KC11 (6 ply) for $907 all in. Also a Discoverer M+S (6 ply) for $956 all in. This is compared to something like a Toyo GSI5 (P rated) for $793 all in, plus a $70 rebate. There's also a Firestone Winterforce that's P rated but has an extra-load rating ($783 all in).

All this said, I'm also wondering if I even need dedicated winters...if A/T tires will be fine...obviously they'd be more convenient (no swapping) and if they can get me safely through mountain passes in the winter and general driving maybe they're the way to go? I got a quote on Kumho General Grabber A/T2 (6 ply) for $868 all in.

This is too much to think about for this little brain. Hoping your knowledge and experience will help make the choice a bit easier. Thanks in advance.

Carlo

[frostyfriday]

I have 31x10.50R15LT Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs and all I can say is they are absolutely awesome. I like how they look too!

I take my van on some serious terrain and these things just stick. Mud, gravel & snow. They have the little snowflake M+S rating too.
In the snow they do really well, shedding instead of clogging up.

One issue. I had to take a sawsall to the front wheel arches. I just sawed off a little bit - about 1" right at the bottom, no big deal. Also I have to be careful not to drive with the sliding door open because the tire may damage the door if not on level ground but you shouldn't be driving with it open anyway!

As far as driving goes, I regularly drive to Portland Oregon (A long way) and I am ex-South African so we tend to drive like hooligans when we get the chance (I hate driving at 65 mph like a little old lady...) :(

They are no more noisy than the tires I had before.
I have had to do a few crazy swerves too and the van handles well at speed.

my rims are:
6" wide
Center bore 108mm
6x5.5 bolt pattern

I don't think they are standard, I think they may be from a Toyota and a bit wider than usual.

-Dennis

[Feds]

I've done it both ways over a few different vehicles.

I wouldn't buy the firestone 's. I ran a set for a few winters, and they were noisy, squirmy, and not that great in the snow.

The Deli a did 3 years (winter and summer) on a set of General Grabber AT2's, and I was never wanting for traction. Highway, deep snow, ice, whatever.

I recently switched to Duratracs but haven't put them through snow.

My opinion is that you'll be happier with a snowflake rated at tire instead of dedicated summer and winter tires. More convenient, and a winter tire is designed for on road conditions. You won't get too far down a snowy trail on a dedicated winter tire.

[calcos]

Thanks guys...I'm leaning toward the general grabbers. Appreciate the opinions.

[tanadaear]

Cooper AT3s work well. Had them on my Landrover and ran the Whipsaw with a few inches i snow on the ground. Plan to put them on my L400


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sfd_656]

We have 90000km on our grabber AT 2's and our l400 highway, FSR's, off road in sand and snow all around great tires. We will be picking up a new set next week in prep for this winter.

[Krazyistkarl]

Don't even need winter tires for the last few seasons in the Kootenays. Let's hope for a change this winter

[islander20]

You guys all going with 235/75/15 for size? I just scored some rims from CCautos yesterday, planning on getting some nice winters at Kal tire.

[Krazyistkarl]

yeah I have Geolanders in that size on my S1 and 31x10.50r15 on my S2. I haven't switched the 31's onto the S1 yet, but I'm planning on seeing if I've got any rub

[islander20]

Is you S2 lifted? Why would you think they might not fit on the S1? I have a S1 L400 LWB with upgraded coils in the back giving it a 1 1/2" lift in the back, front is all stock.

[Krazyistkarl]

Neither are lifted. And I was just under the impression that you needed to lift them to fit 31s, either way I'm planning on lifting the S1 eventually