Snow tires....

[black]

Sooo.. I didnt see any clear discussion on this doing a search and want to see the hive's logic.....

My Xterra is rocking some 16" General grabber A/T ( has a snowflake symbol on it) good for off roading and street use with good longevity


I have used last year some dedicated bridgestone blizzaks on 16" OEM rims.

My question are my grabber a/t good enough in snow /ice to warrant selling off the blizzak and OEM rims?

Reason is purely aesthetics and not having to store another pair of rims/gain 400$ by selling the snow tires. Aesthetics as the Snow tires are slightly smaller than stock size 265/70/16 and the A/T's are slightly bigger than that size.After I put a 2"lift it will be more drastic/look with the smaller snow tires. I need to pose at the mall correctly.
The X is not a DD, i'd use it for snow possible days/ drives up north where snow is a possibilty.

General Grabber All-Terrain Tire Review - 4x4Review Off Road Magazine

this review has some wording "On compressed snow we managed to play around, where other trucks had to use chains. This is due to the fact that the Grabbers are siped and have an M&S rating. "

[Falko]

The only thing I think you'll have issues with the Grabbers is cold wet pavement. They are a harder compound than dedicated snows so they will not bite as well. This is also true for icy conditions, they will not get as much traction. But I think the difference is pretty negligible and if you don't drive in indestructible mode like many 4WD commandos then you will be fine. I have two large SUVs and we do not run snows on either, just keep your head in the game.

[e30addict]

I've never bothered to put snows on any of my trucks. They've always taken me where I wanted to go. I do keep in mind that they don't stop or turn worth a damn. Snows are much better, but for the little is actually need them, they're not worth it for me.

The car on the other hand, absolutely gets snows.

[black]

I see yourpoint...

The audi is my DD.. if there is even a hint of snow/slippery conditions.. The Xterra is taken
No Snows on the audi

[LuvDog]

I've run my trucks with and without snows over the years.

There is no question that I get better traction and performance with dedicated snow tires versus all terrain tires

When I have snows on, I rarely even ever have to put it in 4WD. And no extra weight in the bed




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[tsorfas]

Duncan lives for these moments

[nhbubba]

I would love to put snows on my Silverado. With the 4WD system it'd be the bees knees.

[loudbeard]

Duncan lives for these moments

This one is too easy.


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[e30addict]

I would love to put snows on my Silverado. With the 4WD system it'd be the bees knees.

Mmmm, 4wd with snows is amazing.

[RandyO]

I'm a fan of Hakks

[ZX-12R]

My wife's current vehicle is a Nissan Armada and was preceded by a Mountaineer. I've run Michelin Defender LTX M/S and its older versions on both of them and have had no problems in the winter with either vehicle. I'd love to try snows on the Armada but it performs well enough that I'm not interested in shelling out the money for 4 more 275/60-R20's.

[Garandman]

I would love to put snows on my Silverado. With the 4WD system it'd be the bees knees.

We just bought 18” Z71 takeoff rims for winter tires for the Tahoe for $650 delivered with OEM TPMS. Stock Silverado alloys are even cheaper.

We are going to put Hakka R2 SUV’s on it. Along with regular ski trips we are going to Quebec for a week, maybe two, and also traveling to Lake Placid for Hockey.

[Philkinson]

They are actually called Winter tires, not snow tires.
Throw two on the front and leave all seasons on the back and take an exit at speed when it's 20 degrees and you'll see why, even without snow, why they're a good idea.
I put em on everything I drive from November to April.


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[loudbeard]

I bought Clayton's wheels from his GTI to put on my A4 wagon, 18" peelers with Pirelli all season touring tires mounted. I'm going to run them this winter (south coast MA/RI) and see how they go. I didn't have snows mounted last year and the Quattro did pretty f'ing good. Next year I'm going to mount a set snow tires on my factory 15" wheels, or if things get dicey on the new setup I'll go ahead and do them. Reviews for the mounted Pirellis are pretty good for snow performance. My money says the Audi does just fine with the Pirellis mounted. That said, when I pass the car along to wifey next year I'll definitely have her on a set of snows.


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[nhbubba]

We just bought 18” Z71 takeoff rims for winter tires for the Tahoe for $650 delivered with OEM TPMS. Stock Silverado alloys are even cheaper.

Where?

[Garandman]

Where?

oh, I lied, $659 for wheels and TPMS was $100 more.
Looked on eBay, then went to their online store and they were about $50 less.
What we bought. Chevy Z71 Take Off Brushed Aluminum 18" Wheels

There are slightly used takeoffs for $500 on eBay, but pay attention as some include shipping, some don’t.

[LuvDog]

Tons of OEM takeoff wheels on eBay and Craigslist

I got ones for my last avalanche for $270.



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[Danz19899]

Personally i'm a big fan of snow tires. I've got a 2011 F150 with 33's on it, i've got a harder compound bridgestone on there, not all that different then your grabbers. When the tires were brand new they did fine in the snow however last winter they were around %50 tread and got real sketchy. To the point I stopped driving my truck in the snow and took my 2000 Honda accord with snow tires on it.

I've a firm believer that you dont need snow tires 95% of the time. However when things get real bad fast or your put in a stupid situation by other drivers you will be glad you have then

[nhbubba]

oh, I lied, $659 for wheels and TPMS was $100 more.
Looked on eBay, then went to their online store and they were about $50 less.
What we bought. Chevy Z71 Take Off Brushed Aluminum 18" Wheels

There are slightly used takeoffs for $500 on eBay, but pay attention as some include shipping, some don’t.

Okay. I found the same seller with my quick search. Looks like the Z71 takeoff are among their most affordable options. Most affordable is some OE reproduction 18's. Not much in 17".. Nor cheap steelies.

Tire rack has 17" steelies at $84/ea. Looks like 17" rubber is cheaper too.

[Garandman]

$550. 18" CHEVY 1500 SILVERADO TAHOE AVALANCHE FACTORY OEM WHEELS RIMS | eBay

[Garandman]

FWIW the 18” x 8.5 Z71 rims weigh 32 lbs each.

[loudbeard]

FWIW the 18” x 8.5 Z71 rims weigh 32 lbs each.

For a 5,000 lb truck, I'd say that information is completely useless.

[nhbubba]

I was considering switching to 10 lbs magnesium wheels on mine. Especially for the snow.

[SRTie4k]

I can't comment on General Grabbers, but I did run both 33 and 35 in Duratracs (A/Ts) on my Wrangler through several winters and they worked excellently on the road. In 4WD, they would go damn near anywhere. Duratracs can also be studded if need be.

If I were to do a 4WD truck platform again, I'd definitely get a set of Duratracs for year round use and call it good. No need for dedicated snows with those. And it's not just me, I see them on numerous commercial vans and trucks around here.

[Garandman]

For a 5,000 lb truck, I'd say that information is completely useless.

Want to know how I know you aren’t an engineer?

Thought this would come in handy for those considering takeoffs versus steel rims.

OEM 20” polished alloys weigh 38 lbs.
18” Z71 weigh 31.8.
18” steel rims weigh 40 lbs.

I was considering switching to 10 lbs magnesium wheels on mine. Especially for the snow.

More likely, you will post a thread ruminating over choices, receive much advice from frenemies and the well-intentioned, then purchase the cheapest available option.