Tires... which kind!?

[DifferentPointofView]

I'm probably gonna have to get new tires sooner or later. They're getting pretty worn out.

So I've gotten to the point of choosing...

Highway-all season?

Or All-Terrains?

It's very hard to choose, believe it or not. I was thinking of some highway all seasons because I can still go on gravel and they'd probably be better for FE, but I've gotten stuck in mud and slipped on too much snow that's not supposed to be slippery without trying too many times, and my brother is getting tired (no pun intended) of it and blaming it all on 2wd. I know that if the wheels wouldn't get caked full of mud/snow we wouldn't have this problem.

Plus, I drive everyday on cobble stone with potholes you geo guys and air-dam lovers would cringe and faint at from just looking at them. Ive also noticed that some A/T's have a higher pressure rating than H-A/S tires.

Most of you guys would instantly say that highway all season is a no brainer, but maybe some truck and jeepers might say different.

I don't know, but I'd like to have some form of opinion before choosing. tires can get pricey.

[DifferentPointofView]

well, I searched tire rack, and this is what I've found.

Top 2 tires

I'm more or less leaning towards the Kumho rather than the Avon tire because it's snow traction, i can run up to 44psi, it's larger in diameter and it's tread depth and pattern. If it was just a car I was buying for, the Avon would win without a doubt.

Prices are good for me for these tires. And I'm not exactly going by brand here. to me, a tire is a tire, I'm running cheapo uniroyal tires right now, and so far not one has gone yet, I can tell cause the spare tire's never been used either. And I drive on those potholes everyday. So don't convince me that those aren't good tires and for an A/T I should go better than that. I know kumho is more of a racy tire company, but right now, I don't care as much.

That's just what Ive found at tire rack. I'll be doing some more searching later. gotta hit the sack *yawn*

[Red]

Well how much time does your ZJ see dirt? Last time I went out, I brought along a friend with a bone stock JK running the OEM highway rubber. On dry dirt, both hard and loose he did pretty well. Minimal wheel spin, got through everything except the wet stuff. So an all season isn't the end of the world.

I've been running a set of BFG AT/KOs on my TJ for about 3 yrs/25k. Still got 3/4s of the tread left and they have been through almost every kind of terrain imaginable; mud, rocks, snow, ice, rain, water, dirt, clay, sand etc. They do turn to slicks in thick mud, but thats their only downside so far. MPG wise I don't think I took a hit when I switched over from the stock GY Wrangler GS-As. Max PSI of 50. A bit heavy but a good tire overall

However, if you are seeing alot of on road mud and snow, an AT would be worth while. Would be a nice traction aid since you are only 2WD. Else an highway rubber would be fine.

[trebuchet03]

Interesting that the A/T's have a higher pressure rating... To take a partially educated guess that that... That's probably to allow for a higher load rating for a partially supported tire - or at least, a nominal load rating for a tire not fully supported... Just a guess though...

I vote for the highway tires....

Perhaps watch craigslist/ebay for a new set of wheels with A/T rubber?


PS: you link didn't work because tire rack is session based for things like that....

[Red]

Originally Posted by trebuchet03

Interesting that the A/T's have a higher pressure rating... To take a partially educated guess that that... That's probably to allow for a higher load rating for a partially supported tire - or at least, a nominal load rating for a tire not fully supported... Just a guess though...

Its for load, on mine, each tire is capable of supporting ~2000lbs

[DifferentPointofView]

Uh, I got separate links to each tire. there's only $1 difference between the two tires. so they are comparable.

Avon Ranger TSE Tire

Kumho Road Venture AT KL-78 Tire

I really don't wanna buy new rims. I just need new tires. I never buy used tires.

However, if you are seeing alot of on road mud and snow, an AT would be worth while. Would be a nice traction aid since you are only 2WD. Else an highway rubber would be fine.

Once I buy some new tires, I'm not going to be buying anymore until they are balding like my current ones. and seeing as the spare tire has never been used. I'm gonna say these are either the original tires, or they are the second pair. Most likely the second pair. During the wet season (now) it sees lots of mud and rain because roads are flooding over from the fields. Snow always in the winter, and plenty of ice. Sleet is common. Summer is the break season. Until it rains of course.

Avons light snow rating is the same as the Kumho's deep snow rating.

I (think) that the Kumho's have less revs per mile, but I'm not sure, I'm mostly judging on the fact that the Kumho's are larger in diameter. Plus I can plug more air into them. Which is one of the reasons I'm liking the Kumho's, cause the Avon's have the same pressure rating as my current ones, and I'd like an upgrade.

going to search some more, so keep tight, these aren't the only ones.

[Red]

Of the two, I'd go with the Kumhos