Which Would Be Better For Canadian Winters? (options in thread)

[Dweano]

Hey guys. Well I recently got some 315 75 16 Guard Dog Treadwrights. I got them with normal rubber (non kedge grip) and I was planning on running them in the non snowy/icy six months of the year here in Saskatchewan. They are made with full truck grade rubber and do not have much siping, so I figured they would be fine for my non snowy/icy needs. However I was planning on getting a set of 315 75 16 Duratracs (lots of sipes) and getting them studded, then only running them on the snowy and icy six months of the year (follow? ). This is due to the fact that I had 33x12.50x15 Toyo Open Country M/T's last winter which sucked HARD on the ice. Sliding around...hoping you come to a stop before you rear end a vehicle. Downright scary stuff, and after Nathan totalled off his truck (mud tires and ice) I vowed to not have mud tires again in the winter.

Now...this brings me to the case at hand. When I got my 315 75 16 Guard Dogs...they are pinned for studs! This is not advertised on there website. So then I thought to myself. Hmm...if I got another set of these with kedge grip, and got them studded...how well would that be on slick Saskatchewan roads? Anyone have experience? Basically the duratracs would be $1250 and the guard dogs would be around $800. But I am just wondering what would be best to run in order to have winter traction and not be white knuckled all the time.

Since I am already making a thread...is it harmful to take tires on and off rims? I only have one set of rims and I plan on swapping the tires every six months.

Thanks for any replies!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

You might play around with sizes and try to find a Warden A/T in a similar size.

For ice and snow, it is hard to beat an AT, and if you can get them with the kedge grip... even better.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I think you would be better off buying another set of used rims. They'll pay for themselves on the second mount and balance;
mount and balance = $100.00
rims = $100.00

 

[Dweano]

Except I use bb's to balance and have a buddy who works at a shop. So I get all that done for free haha. And yeah...315's are 35s and the next step down is 285...maybe I could get those. They look so small compared tho haha.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Except I use bb's to balance and have a buddy who works at a shop. So I get all that done for free haha. And yeah...315's are 35s and the next step down is 285...maybe I could get those. They look so small compared tho haha.

Small isn't a bad thing for snow either...

 

[Dweano]

Nah but sometimes there is lots of it I have to plough through. I would just like to stick with the same size tires. Studded Duratracs are supposed to be quite awesome aren't they? All Terrain-y in the middle, mud tire on the outsides for chewing through snow. And lots of sipes...add some studs and I think it would be quite good

 

[strvger]

i have the at's with the kedge grip from treadwright and l like them lots. 4 northern minnesota winters on them and they are pretty decent on ice and great in the snow. what if you just had your current tires siped, then added the studs and made them your winter tires? that would buy you a good 6-7 months at least for you to decide and save up for whatever you want for your summer tires.
just a thought.

 

[kcm1582]

Why not look into a set of snow tires? If you plan to only run them in the winter and stud them they will give you the best traction possible. I cant find a set made in 315/75 but 285/75 isn't a whole lot smaller and a few companys make them in that size. If you don't want a snow tire then I would go with an A/T they are well siped and aggressive enough to get through the deeper snow and stay relatively well cleared.

I have heard good things about the kedge grip but I think there are better options for a winter tire.

 

[Dweano]

You think I should just go for a straight up all terrain? I am not really looking at a snow tire...I know I should but I don't need insane traction. Just not sliding into people and not being able to get rolling on a icy incline. From what I have heard about duratracs they sound like a super all terrain?

 

[strvger]

this is the tread pattern i am running: https://treadwright.com/p-27-235-85r16-axiom-a-t-e.aspx
i like it so well, i'll be ordering more when these wear out.

 

[maroon ranger]

Just throwin this out there...best all around tire I have ever had on my truck and absolutely amazing on the snow are bridgestone dueler revos 2's! They are like studded bfg at k/o's but without studs. Absolutly a great tire for any season! Id give them 5 stars for winter hard pack, slush, and wet and dry snow conditions. They are also a lot grippier when any road codition is wet compared to other tires I've ran. Definatley look into um!

 

[kcm1582]

If you don't want snows then yes an all terrain is your next best option. The duratrac seems like it is a good choice especially since it is already pinned for studs however most tire shops should be able to drill and stud any other tire, I have done it a few times at work it really isn't hard.