Snow Tires
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Snow Tires - 12/6/2005 11:35:05 PM
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thanser
Posts: 21
Joined: 12/3/2005
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Another dumb question, but I enjoy chatting with everyone here...
Anyway, my 1998 Blazer 2 door I purchasd a week ago came with a brand new set of snow tires. I didn't think much of it at the time, since they looked so good - plenty of rubber on them.
But after a week, I can hardly stand the noise. I sound like a semi coming down the road.
Any comments on the disadvantage on using snowtires all the time? Besides the noise, are they particularly FIRM? I mean, a tough riding tire?
How about mileage? Are they a bad idea if you're expecting good mileage?
They look like Les Schwab tires. Maybe I could trade them for normal road tires? How could I get a better price for them selling them otherwise?
Thanks!
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RE: Snow Tires - 12/7/2005 1:15:32 AM
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Hanr3
Wheels & Tire Moderator
Posts: 3523
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Winter ties are for driving in the winter. Keep them, they usually cost a pretty penny and will outperform most street tires on the market, especially in the snow and ice. The noise is the lugs. Driving them on dry pavement will eat them in no time.
If you need winter traction and would prefer something that doesn't make as much noise. I highly recommend the BFG All-Terrain tires. They are not cheap compared to regualr street passenger tires, however they are awesome tires on and off the road. They have over 19 consecutive Baja 1000 race wins. 19 wins in a row, no other tire has 19 wins ever.
I runa set of the BFG All-Terrains on my truck. love them. Best money I ever spent. Should get over 50,000 miles out of them. They hold great on and off-road. Even in the rain, snow, ice, and mud. great tires.
_____________________________
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference.
The Marines don't have that problem."
-President Ronald Reagan
'87 S10-Blazer - SOLD
'93 S10-Blazer 4x4x4 - Sons DD, engine swap is done.
'00 S10-Blazer 4x4x4 - My
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RE: Snow Tires - 12/7/2005 7:07:39 AM
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swartlkk
Posts: 15294
Joined: 5/1/2005
From: Waterloo, NY
Status: online
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I also like the BFG All-Terrains.
The last tire that I had bought for my Ram was the Dunlop Radial Rover A/T. Awesome tire in snow, mud, rain and dry. Quiet as a mouse, but still enough tread to keep it moving in all conditions. When I sold that truck, the tires had 20,000 miles on them. The new owner proceeded to drive the living crap out of it in the last 6 months and they now have 45,000 miles and still look like over 50% treadlife.
To compare the two tires together, I like the solid center rib on the Dunlops, but if you are in some heavy snow/mud conditions, then the more open and aggressive tread on the BFGs would be better.(#1 = BFG All-Terrain, #2 = Dunlop Radial Rover.. Coutesy of TireRack.com).
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RE: Snow Tires - 12/7/2005 8:24:52 AM
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Canadian88
Posts: 489
Joined: 11/23/2005
From: Detroit
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Yeah, i need new tires too, i get absolutely no traction in the snow, which is extremely fun, but also dangerous, so i think i'll probably go with the dunlops. How tall are those compared to a stock blazer tire? Is the ride any different with them?
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2003 4.3L 2WD Blazer 2DR K&N air filter
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RE: Snow Tires - 12/7/2005 9:22:24 AM
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thanser
Posts: 21
Joined: 12/3/2005
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I don't drive in snow all the time here in Seattle (there isn't any snow), but occasionally I might need the traction to go through the mountain passes. Of course, that's what four wheel drive is for.
I just can't see running these snow tires all the time, and they're noisy as hell. I had a GMC S10 4x4 recently, and I think they were all-weather tires. But they sure didn't sound like these snow tires!
I'd like to unload them while they're still worth something.
Thanks.
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RE: Snow Tires - 12/7/2005 9:26:41 AM
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thanser
Posts: 21
Joined: 12/3/2005
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What tires come on Blazer's from the factory? What make and model?
How about Toyo tires? Any comments?
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RE: Snow Tires - 12/7/2005 9:57:07 AM
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mdhokenson
Posts: 25
Joined: 5/21/2005
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I live in Minnesota and I am currently running Goodyear Wranglers AT/S. I would really recommend them. With any AT tire you need to rotate them ona regular basis.
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RE: Snow Tires - 12/7/2005 10:06:41 AM
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swartlkk
Posts: 15294
Joined: 5/1/2005
From: Waterloo, NY
Status: online
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To step up to the Dunlop Radial Rovers, you have to go to a 75 series tire (stock on my Bravada was 235/70R15). I'm going to be doing this as soon as it is financially possible to get rid of the POS Uniroyal Laredo tires that are on it now. The difference between the 70 series and 75 series for that tread width and rim size is about 3% increase in your speed. So they have 3% more height to them.
Alittle explaination on tire sizes. The first number (235 in my case) is the tread width in millimeters. The second number is the ratio of sidewall height to treadwidth and the last number is the rim diameter in inches. To get the overall diameter of the tire you must multiply the tread width by the ratio divided by 100, convert that from millimeters to inches (1 mm = 0.03937 in), double it and add it to the rim diameter. The 235/70R15 is a 28" tall tire and the 235/75R15 is a 28.9" tall tire.
Here is a great tire size calculator that I use very frequently: Tire Size Calculator
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RE: Snow Tires - 12/7/2005 3:34:32 PM
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Canadian88
Posts: 489
Joined: 11/23/2005
From: Detroit
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Hey, let's not be knockin the laredos, those are some sweet tires. Just kidding, i can't wait to get new ones too. I'm really interested in those dunlops. I'll have to remember those. Were there any adverse effects on your ram when you put the dunlops on it?
_____________________________
2003 4.3L 2WD Blazer 2DR K&N air filter
Alpine S-type speakers in all 4 corners
Damplifier behind all speakers and in cargo area
Alpine CDA-9856 (iPod interface)
Alpine 10" type S Sub with 400W Alpine MRP-M450 amp www.secondskinaudio.com
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RE: Snow Tires - 12/7/2005 4:49:38 PM
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swartlkk
Posts: 15294
Joined: 5/1/2005
From: Waterloo, NY
Status: online
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None what-so-ever. Those tires were great. It all depends on the driving you do. If its mostly dry highway with alittle mud and snow thrown in, the dunlops will serve you VERY well. If you are more heavily into offroading, then the All-terrains are the way to go.
Just FYI, the more open a tread is, on average, the lower it's treadlife will be. Another thing that affects the tread life is the addition of solid ribs in the tread. Again, on average, tires with a solid center rib last longer than open treads or tires with solid outer ribs. Solid outer ribs are getting very few and far between now due to their lack of self cleaning while still in contact with the ground. The Dunlops have a solid center rib, while the All-terrains are open.
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RE: Snow Tires - 12/7/2005 8:41:46 PM
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Canadian88
Posts: 489
Joined: 11/23/2005
From: Detroit
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Wow, i can't wait to get those, now i just need a little green to set the wheels in motion, so to speak. Thanks again for your invaluable information, you have once again proven your knowledge. I'm totally phsyched for those! I'm not sure i understand the tire size thing though, i understand the treadwith (my bro has 295's on his cobra) and the rim size, but i don't know which size to get with the other numbers (i know i sound like a schoolgirl).
< Message edited by Canadian88 -- 12/7/2005 8:45:34 PM >
_____________________________
2003 4.3L 2WD Blazer 2DR K&N air filter
Alpine S-type speakers in all 4 corners
Damplifier behind all speakers and in cargo area
Alpine CDA-9856 (iPod interface)
Alpine 10" type S Sub with 400W Alpine MRP-M450 amp www.secondskinaudio.com
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RE: The second number is %. - 12/8/2005 8:55:23 AM
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swartlkk
Posts: 15294
Joined: 5/1/2005
From: Waterloo, NY
Status: online
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Bocomo
The second number is the heigth of the tire (from the rim).
Not completely true. As I stated above, the second number is the ratio of sidewall height to treadwidth and is a percentage. So if the tire is a 235/70R15, the treadwidth is 235mm (9.251969in). From there, the sidewall height is 235mm * 70% (or 0.7) which would make the sidewall 164.5mm (6.476378in) tall. So now to get the overall tire height, you have to add the rim diameter (15in) and two sidewall heights. So we go from the ground up, 6.48in to the rim, 15in to the other side of the rim, and another 6.48in to the top of the tire. Totals out at ~28in tall tire.
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RE: We're saying the same thing. - 12/8/2005 11:54:32 AM
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93LT
Posts: 111
Joined: 10/19/2005
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Now they can factor this info as well. Different brands of tires of like sizes can vary in height and tread width. Heck they even vary within the same brand but different models. An example would be various models from Cooper Tires. Gets pretty interestingwhen you think you've figured out exactly what size tire you want and then find a tread pattern you like better only to find out it isn't the exact same size.
In the Provided link, compare P235, 235 (Eruopean), and LT. Even though 235 dictates the tread width, they vary across the board.
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RE: We're saying the same thing. - 12/8/2005 11:59:33 AM
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Hanr3
Wheels & Tire Moderator
Posts: 3523
Joined: 5/11/2005
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The Federal government mandates that all DOT approved tires have three ratings on each tire. Only DOT approved tires can be used on paved roads. They rate tire longevity, resistance to temperature, and traction. The higher the tread wear number the longer the tires will last. Tire longevity is directly related to the number on the side of the tire. Do a web search for tire ratings and check out the FEd site.
My BFG All-Terrains will last 50,000 miles or better before I replace them. I already have 37,000 miles on them and more then half the tread left. Then again I use my tires on and off-road. They have served my well.
Here is a pic of a mud pit I drove through with the BFG All-Terrains on my stock '00 S10-Blazer. The Jeep in the pic was running 33" tires with 4" of lift. If you look at the pic, you can see my tire tracks in front of his Jeep.
Pic of my truck after we got done playing at the off-road park. Notice the mud line down the door? It was that deep in spots. Granted the passengers side was higher at times. But the BFG All-Terrains do fairly well off road. 
_____________________________
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference.
The Marines don't have that problem."
-President Ronald Reagan
'87 S10-Blazer - SOLD
'93 S10-Blazer 4x4x4 - Sons DD, engine swap is done.
'00 S10-Blazer 4x4x4 - My
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RE: We're saying the same thing. - 12/8/2005 4:34:59 PM
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swartlkk
Posts: 15294
Joined: 5/1/2005
From: Waterloo, NY
Status: online
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quote:
ORIGINAL: 93LT
Now they can factor this info as well. Different brands of tires of like sizes can vary in height and tread width. Heck they even vary within the same brand but different models. An example would be various models from Cooper Tires. Gets pretty interestingwhen you think you've figured out exactly what size tire you want and then find a tread pattern you like better only to find out it isn't the exact same size.
In the Provided link, compare P235, 235 (Eruopean), and LT. Even though 235 dictates the tread width, they vary across the board.
Very true. The same goes for shoes (yes sneakers, dress shoes, etc). A size 10 by Nike may fit better than a size 10 by Adidas...
Typically, the LT (light truck) tires are larger tires, where our blazers originally (zr2 aside) came with passenger car rated tires. It is kind of funny how you don't see any 235/70R15 tires in the LT rating (or with any load rating actually).
Hanr3, I was by no means putting down the BFG ATs. I know they are a great tire. I was just speaking of the average (all other things being equal if such a thing existed).
My father loves the BFG ATs, but he can't keep a set on his truck for more than about 20,000 miles. He keeps buying them not for their life, but the traction he gets out of them. This is a dedicated farm truck that doesn't play offroad, it works offroad! He way over abuses his tires with weight (250 gallon diesel tank in the back) as well as the conditions he puts it through (plowing, getting to and from the road when working in the fields, plus all of the towing of wagons and his most-of-the-time overloaded 5th wheel) all factor in to how long or in this case short of a life your tires will endure.
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RE: Snow Tires - 12/8/2005 8:46:33 PM
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2001blazer
Posts: 366
Joined: 9/8/2005
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i dont know if u guys care for another input but i live in minnesota and i bought michelin LTX M/S there awsome my dad has them on his navigator aswell and we both couldnt be happier heres a link to tire rack they have reviews/ratings of the tire http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=LTX+M%2FS
< Message edited by 2001blazer -- 12/8/2005 8:47:28 PM >
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RE: Snow Tires - 12/9/2005 11:19:43 AM
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Hanr3
Wheels & Tire Moderator
Posts: 3523
Joined: 5/11/2005
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No offense taking swart.
Not syaing they are better, just that I like them for my application. I am testing out a set of Cooper Discovery S/T on my son DD/trail rig.
Lots of factors play into tire longevity. Alignment, load, terrain to name a few.
< Message edited by Hanr3 -- 12/9/2005 11:20:45 AM >
_____________________________
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference.
The Marines don't have that problem."
-President Ronald Reagan
'87 S10-Blazer - SOLD
'93 S10-Blazer 4x4x4 - Sons DD, engine swap is done.
'00 S10-Blazer 4x4x4 - My
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