Maine

Live from smcc

 

I put on Hankook IPikes. I used to run all season year round but I did find a significant traction difference between all season and winter tires. Between the winter tires and traction control I couldn't break loose even if I tried. I would need to take traction control off and even then the grip was pretty damn good. I recently bought two sets of rims and will be buying new non-winter tires and switching over the Ipikes to the other new set of rims once I refurbish them. That reminds me, I need to buy a set of tires.

 

I've never run winter tires in my 20 plus years driving. And I love to drive in the snow for fun, sucks when you have somewhere to be.

 

Meh. Just have to figure in the extra time. I still enjoy driving in the snow, even if I've got somewhere to be.

 

I made the journey from Saco up to north of Bangor and back to get a cat this year, it was long, but not bad. I drove a Toyota Tercel from Philly to New Hampshire via 202 in a snow storm once. So ya it can be done, but the Star Wars effect gets to ya after a while.

 

The only long trip I had to make this year in a snow storm was for the Christmas day storm, and it wasn't horrible, but you had to keep a sharp eye because you couldn't tell the blowing snow from the storm apart from the blowing snow from a car ahead of you until you were right on top of them.
The only snow storm that I didn't enjoy driving in this year was this one, for obvious reasons:

 

Thanks for the help guys. I will start religiously looking at every A/T tire review and info page I can for the next 6 months like I do with every goddamn thing I purchase. I envy those people who go into a store and slap down cash with a clear conscience on the first thing they see.

 

My bit of advice would be to stay away from Firestone and Continental; I've never been impressed with their products.
The Cooper AT/W gets great reviews for winter traction, without being overly aggressive or loud. And I was very impressed with the Goodyear Wrangler AT Adventures I put on my old F150; for not being a particularly aggressive tire they were outstanding in the snow. The best by far have been the Duratracs, but you can kiss your fuel economy and a quiet ride goodbye if you go that route.

 

A friend of mine just got a set of Cooper AT3 at Discount Tire in South Portland. They had a one day sale that was 20% off and he is pretty happy with the tires.

 

Hehehehe
Just got Firestone Destinations for the wife’s Jeep. First set of Stones I ever got..
No off road stuff and all local driving so something aggressive was not necessary.

 

I love their road manners in wet and dry. Extremely quiet too. Definitely swapping before winter tho.

 

Never really paid attention to what I bought for tires, other than cost. But the only time I was concerned about what tire went on in the past, was when I wanted Goodyear wranglers.

 

I saw the report on snow and they have the same rating as some Goodyear’s. So for the price I got them for it was worth the risk..

 

I had BFG ON THE PLOW TRUCK ,,,they wore like iron.
Good traction. Not to noisy

 

I drove from MT to Maine this past winter with BFG KO2 AT in the middle of January & other then ice I had no issuies at all.

 

Anyone cover the back of their rear sets with something non-slip for their dogs? Im Looking for suggestions.

 

I’ve seen a few trucks come through the shop with pet blankets. They attach to the head rests to keep them secure.

 

I will dig mine out..

 

Seat covers with a fleece blanket on the seats..tucked in to keep it in place.

 

I took a trip up to Old Speck yesterday. I was going to hike in from the back way past Speck Pond. Turns out that Success Pond Road/North Pond Road is closed about 8 miles in from 26. You could probably make it by but we only had the one truck and no winch, so we headed back to the normal people trail head. Good trip non-the-less. The road is washed out about here: https://goo.gl/maps/iibJYYQA1SB2