2001 Ford Explorer Sport 4x4 - Winter Tires

[klecks]

Looking to buy winter tires. What are good quality tires for ford explorer sport 4x4. I currently have Michelin LTX M/S 25570R16. Should I get separate rims for winter tires. I will be traveling from vancouver to northern bc (terrace area).

[davidy]

Expect a lot of snow and ice in the Terrace area. A few years ago in early February, the Terrace area got almost five feet of snow in one day....almost broke their own national one day (or 24 hour) record for most snowfall. The highway between Terrace and Prince Rupert can be very nasty especially in white out conditions....travel times can take twice as long as those during the summer.

Dave

[mrthompson]

The Bridgestone Winter Dueler seems to get good reviews.  The Michelin Latitude X-Ice is probably too new to get much feedback.

I would recommend getting a separate set of rims.  It saves your 'good' rims from the ugly winter road conditions.  It also makes tire change over very easy when the seasons change.

Morty or some of the forum regulars will come by soon to help you out.

[morty]

There are only a few tires offered in your size. All of them are very good and similarly priced. A factor that might help you make your decision is availability. Many of the tires are sold out as there are huge winter tire shortages this year.  

Options include:  Bridgestone Blizzak DMZ3 or Winter Dueler, Michelin Latitude X-Ice, Toyo Open Country GO2+ and Yokohama Geolander I/T.




TireTrends - Get ready for winter!

[klecks]

Thank you for the info on winter tires. I went to Ford and inquired about winter tires. They recommended the Michelin LTX A/T or BFGoodrich All Terrian T/A KO, basically the all terrian tires with snow rating. Would this be a good idea to get all terrian tires instead of winter tires.  

My winter driving would be about 3 weeks in northern BC (Terrace BC area X-mas time) and the rest would be in Vancouver, BC. With tread wear, highway driving, and driving around Vancouver, BC, Ford suggested all terrian tires. Since, I am going to northern BC I would need some sort of snow tire.

[mrthompson]

I live in Southern Ontario, and 'get by' with Uniroyal Laredo AWT's on my 94 Cherokee.  But we don't get horrendous amounts of snow, but we do get our fair share of ice.  We'll see how this winter pans out, though I may get winter tires next year.  I have winter tires on my wife's car.

I guess it all depends on what you are comfortable with and what your budget is.  BFG AT's are a fairly expensive tire compared to other all terrain tires.  Though they are probably the best AT tire overall.  You may be better off buying a set of winter tires (mounted on their own wheels) and save your Michelins for summer duty.  You'll have to act soon though, because as Morty pointed out, stock piles of winter tires will soon be exhausted.

[morty]

The BFG KO is a great tire. However, the Michelin LTX AT does not offer very good snow capability. We sell both and I give the nod to the BFG on the snow front. The BFG is generally less expensive than the Michelin and it carries a 6 ply rating.




TireTrends - Get ready for winter!

[davidy]

Further to Mort's reply, based on Transport Canada's list, the Michelin LTX A/T are NOT rated for severe snow condition. However, BFG AT T/A KO are rated as such and can be used year round.

Dave