Hello everyone,
As things would have it I need better tires for my truck. I currently have the factory 20 inch chrome rims with factory OEM tires (P275/60R20 114S). But I need to upgrade to something that actually does not pop when you hit a rock off road, not designed to disintegrate after 25,000 miles and is able to handle the snow.
I was thinking of BF Goodrich’s all terrain T/A KO. However they do not make that size for 20 inch rims which would make the only option for 20 inch rims being Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ’s. However at $370 per tire and a mediocre rating for snow I really have zero ambition to put these tires on. That option would also require a 2 inch leveling kit which really is no problem for me to install but I still have the $370 per tire with snow issues problem.
So my options are now
1) See if someone would want to trade my rims for a set of 17 inch rims, get the T/A KO’s and call it good.
2) See if I can find something that will fit 20 inch rims that is good in the snow/off road and the price that doesn’t require organ donation.

Side note I was thinking of getting some spare rims and putting studded snow tires on however my wife has rulled out this option.

Looking forwards to hearing from everyone,

-Andre
P.S I want to put a rear bumper/tailgate tire carrier and a canvass top for the bed, any good recommendations?

 

I'm a pretty big fan of the ATZs, and basically all the Mickey Thompson/Dick Cepek tires, but as fairly aggressive A/Ts they are not your best bet for snow. Not bad, compared to most A/T tires, but still, if snow is your prime concern, there are better choices out there, even in an A/T.
They are high, but they last forever, so the price isn't bad over the long run. Got a buddy with ATZs on his Z71 and he's over 80k miles with them. The profile of the ATZ would dictate a good snow/ice tire, but I think the compound being so hard for long life and cut/abrasion resistance is why they are only so-so in snow.

Staying with the 20" wheel is gonna suck as far as price goes. IMO with the exception of looks, a 17" wheel offers an advantage in every situation AND tires are half what 20s are.

I had the problem you do with my BFG Long Trails (stockers) on my Grand Cherokee. Five plugs in four years. Final blow was when I was fishing and had to cross a field with cotton stubble/stalks on the way to the pond. Stalk actually pierced the sidewall!

I wanted the ATZs as I've used NOTHING but Mickey Thompson/Dick Cepeks on my trucks since about '97, but even in 17", they were $200 a pop.

I bought the Nitto Terra Grapplers for $127.50 a piece and couldn't be happier, although I don't have much snow in south Georgia/north Florida, LOL. Have been to the same places my BFGs failed many times since and have yet to have to even plug a tire.

If not the Terra Grapplers, look for an A/T tire with similar characteristics. Lots of smallish blocks with narrow voids and a LOT of siping. That's the key to traveling in hard packed snow and ice (I grew up in upstate NY, so I know snow). You want the OPPOSITE of a mud tire, so stay away from big honkin' blocks and big wide voids. Mud tires do very well in deep snow, but poor on hard packed snow and really bad on ice. It's the surface contact and siping that will get you through. Finding a tire that excels off-road AND on snowy/icy pavement is not an easy task, because what makes a tire strong in one, makes it a poor performer in the other, but there are a few that do above average on both.



Another real good choice is the Firestone Destination A/T:



As you see, even though it doesn't look just like the Terra Grappler, it shares the same characteristics...

 

I just put bfg KM2's on my truck. and sofar they have done awesom in the Snow and do pretty well in the mud too.
Heres some pics in about 16"-18" (maybe more cuz in the pic you can see my bumper in the snow alittle) of snow mostly powder. Ive had it in 6-8" of wet snow to had no problems(thats the most wet snow weve had sofar).
These are listed as a Mud Terrain.



but they are really expensive for a 20" wheel..
mine for a 17" were $245 from discount tires with a full Tire warranty.
I have around 4K miles on them sofar. seem to being wearing better than my last tires.

 

There are some studdable snow tires available. I had a set of studded snow tires, Mastercraft or Cooper MSRs, on a 4x2 2004 that went well for a 4x2. Also if you look at 275/65/20s you will get some heavier duty and more aggressive options without changing your overall height that much. Just a thought.

 

^^^^^ Man I glad we dont have snow or weather like that!! I would never go out side.

 

i have 285 70 17 goodyear wrangler territories from crappy tire and they work awsome in snow, my buddy has LTZ's on his f350 and they are also great in snow

 

I can tell you the nitto mud grapplers SUCK in the snow!!! I was very disappointed this weekend when i got stuck in like 2 feet of snow!! Only plus side is the tires came on the truck and I didnt fork out the cash for them! Plus the sidewall treads look sweet!

 

Yea me to. I used to live in Albany N.Y. and have seen my fair share of snow.
If I never see snow like that again I will be happy.

 

Yep, I grew up in upstate NY. Always had a set of studded, dedicated snow tires on some really cheapo steel rims for winter use. That, 4WD and a good 250 lbs. or so of sand in the bed always got me by...

 

Good idea for going to 275/65-20. Tire Rack has the BF T/A KO's at a believable price for me. So I think I'm going to go that route.

Really everyone Thank You for everything!