60+ year old thread.

Hey, I'm a Cool Old Dude Wannabe.

 

You might not be over 60 yet, but you are a "cool dude"

 

Not to start the IRS problems Carl has...but
http://t.money.msn.com/taxes/15-incredible-tax-deductions

 

Let me run this by you guys real quick.

I had a flat tire today on the side of one of our major highways. Long story short the tire is no good. This is off a set of tires I salvaged from a Minivan before we sold it. The tires were on the mini van for a year and used as my winter tires on the Tacoma for 3 and a half years. There is about 25K on the tires.

I want to go with an AT tire on the 2WD Tacoma. My first decision was replace 2 or all 4 tires. I came to the conclusion that all 4 tires need to be replaced because the difference in circumference from the two old tires and the 2 new tires is close to 4 and 1/2 inches. I think this would drive the TPMS crazy.

The next decision was to go with General Grabber A/T 225/70R-15 or the Firestone Destination A/T 225/75R-15. The Generals would have the speedo reading 61.23 at 60MPH and the Generals would be at 63.21 at 60MPH. I could live with either tire even though the Firestone tire is rated higher on Tirerack. Firestone has less noise and rated about the same in the hydroplaning, light snow and deep snow categories. The tires I am replacing are Firestone's and they have worked very well for me on the Tacoma. I think any of the 2 tires listed will have better performance in the snow.

Is there any preference for either brand or anyone have an experience with either tire?

 

I still have the stock tires on mine... gonna need new ones soon.

PM Keif... he's the resident wheel/tire guy

 

Keith is too busy taking care of the Baby.

 

Tom. Tire rack has lots of tire info. I went there when I was down to mich. or pirelli tires. I went with the Mich. but I did read they are not good snow tires. As you might guess I know nothing about snow tires..

 

I have a little experience with snow, ice, and tires So here's my 2 cents.

I believe you told me a while ago that you run two sets of tires, dedicated Winter and Summer. This being the case, I'd go with either Bridgestone Blizzaks or Michelin X-Ices for my Winter set. That's what I do FWIW. I've run studded Nokians and Hankooks in the past before going with the Blizzaks for the last 4 Winters. I'll stick with the Blizzaks from now on unless they fail me somehow in the future. I've had friends that ran the Michelin X-Ices and would not hesitate to use them if price or availability of Blizzaks was an issue.

If I was looking for ONE set of tires to run year round, the Firestone Destination ATs you reference or Goodyear Wrangler DuraTracs would be the first two contenders I'd consider; this based on reviews/experience of others I've read here on TW.

That might have been a little more than 2 cents , but it is what it is for your consideration, Tom.

 

Hmmm...I think I mis-read your post. If you just want opinion on those two only, I'd go with the Firestone Destination AT. I can't recall reading anything from anyone on the performance of the Generals on snow and ice.

 

Rob:
I looked at both the Michelin and the Bridgestone for the dedicated tire but we just do not get a lot of snow and ice. I also like to put my summer set on in April and in this area there can be a few warm days in March to April. Everything I read says these two tires do not like the warm weather.

I also added Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor tires into the mix. Seems that a some of the 5 lugger guys on this site like them.

Jim: I was on tire rack for close to 3 hours last night trying to get an idea of what would be the best bang for my buck so to speak.

Link to Tirerack survey results.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=ORAT

 

Morning Tom, I run the Firestone Destination A/T's on my truck. The tire rides nice and it is very quiet. It handles well in the snow(in 4wd) but with no weight in the bed it has a loss of traction when accelerating. Overall I like the tire and would recommend it. I get my tires rotated every 10,000 so they are holding up good. Have 20,000 on them now. Can't tell you much about the other tires except what Tire Rack has to say.

 

Thank you Ken and a good morning. The Firestone is still my #1 choice.

 

Tom, You are dead on as far as the "soft compound" Winter tires not liking warm. Actually know a guy who relayed a story about someone trying to run them year round. One of those sunny 70 degree days and he goes to move the car on his blacktop driveway and left a rubber trail where he moved the car as the tires were literally melting to the blacktop. So ... Your decision point there makes real good sense. I run GY Wrangler Silent Armors Pro Grade LTs as my Summer tires. I have not used them in the snow or ice, but their siping does not look to me like it would do well on ice. They'd be good in snow I think, but not ice. If you're considering a GY, my advice would be the DuraTracs, I've read really good things about them to the point that the thought had crossed my mind to maybe run them year round; but I decided to stick with my two set strategy of the last 13 years ... Didn't want to risk having a "you knew better moment" at some point in the future.

Bottom line from reading everything here ... My gut says the Firestone Destination ATs and throw 2 or 3 bags of traction sand/gravel in the bed over the rear axle; the weight helps the drive wheel stay put and converts to traction under the tire if you find yourself in a bad spot needing some traction on ice to get out. I carry around about 150 lbs all Winter in my 4x4. Have used it under the tires a few times to get traction when pulling someone back onto the road after they slid off on ice.

Good Morning All.

 

WBO How's everything in the Quail Dynasty today.

 

Good , working on getting up a hunt up in Ga. We use a week day thats not booked so its cheap

 

Good deal! Randy and I are heading out to try and fill that special permit in about 3 hours. Winds kept us home yesterday; 35mph gusting to 50mph. Died over night, calm this morning.

 

Good luck ,,post some pic.s over in the garage

 

Morning all:
0 deg. here this morning, -5 for tonight and calling for 8-12 more inches of snow later this week.
This has been the harshest winter we have had in a LOOOOONG time!
Yesterday I replaced a wick in a kerosene heater. We haven't lost power so far, but I want the heater to be usable if needed.

I also run 2 sets of tires. The dedicated winter tires don't like hot pavement, but give the best grip in snow. Before winter I took a set of LT Hercules M&S's off that weren't worth a crap in snow.
Tom; take a look at Mastercraft tires. Don't hear too much mentioned about them, but they seem to be a pretty good tire.
There are a lot of good tires available, just have to find one you like.
AND: then they will stop making it!