Tire recommendations

[JasonL83]

Good day!

So, I recently purchased my Gladiator pre-owned back in May (2022 Altitude, currently sitting at about 21k miles). The previous owner had installed a 2 inch lift with 35" good year Wrangler mud terrains with Kevlar. I'm in South East Michigan and we just got our first snow (only about an inch or two) which turned to ice this morning on the side streets. These things want to slide. This is my first Jeep/pickup/4x4 vehicle. What do you all recommend as a good tire for handling winter conditions. I would rather get something I can use year round, although my current tires aren't in awful shape. Are all terrains and better?

Thanks!

Sponsored

 

[Maximus Gladius]

My choice is the 315/70/17 KO3’s. Road force balance and throw weight in the back and set the front psi to 29 and backs to 27 and you’re good! Adjust psi from there.

 

[JasonL83]

Ok, noted. Thanks!

 

[jeepkevin]

Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT.

I have run 2 sets so far. Do a comparison on these vs other brands.

 

[Jchap1987]

You’re welcome

 

[JasonL83]

Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT.

I have run 2 sets so far. Do a comparison on these vs other brands.

Cool, noted.

Thanks!

 

[JasonL83]

You’re welcome

I think I need something a little more road legal. Plus, I think those might be just a hair out of my budget !

 

[Volt0]

OP => how wide are those 35s, and what kind of snow are we talking? In other words, if you have a 12.5" wide tire, there's a good chance that you might have better traction with an 11.1" to 11.5" wide tire. You only want high-flotation if your goal is to stay on top of the snow; if you want to cut through the slush to grab pavement, then a narrower tire will help.

Also, ( captain obvious here ) pretty much anything will slide on ice, that's also were chains/studs start to help out. Consider throwing 200lbs of sandbags in the bed.

Don't be afraid to put that thing in 4wd high, at lower speeds, when traction is poor. Go to a safe place, stay safe, and at lower speeds do a bit of playing around to learn your vehicle. Invoke a mini slide and let off the gas/break to recover ( let up from whatever pedal that you're using; and I'm not talking full-on donuts here ). Try 2wd, then 4wd. Try using your parking break a tini bitty bit.

Lastly, you likely have a LSD rear diff; sometimes those clutch packs can lock the back wheels together, right when you're trying to turn into a entry, and then force your truck to go straight instead of turning ( lookup under steer and over steer ). If that happens, either let off the gas, or throw a micro-rooster-tail to swing the arse end around. ;-)

 

[Volt0]

oh - and to answer your direct question, the JTM OEM Falkon AT3Ws have been fantastic for me. They do run a bit heavy, and are 3 peak snow rated. The wife's HA also has the OEM Bridgestone Duelers, and they've done very well also ( not snow rated ). If you're looking at A/T tires, some of the best ratings that I've seen have been on the Falcon AT3Ws and the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss.

 

[whiteglad]

I also like the Falken AT3W. Look for tires with the 3 peak mountain/snowflake rating at a minimum. Beyone that, there are dedicated winter tires like the Blizzak and Hakkapeliitta but those won't do as well on trails and summer driving, and they wear faster because of soft rubber for cold weather use.

 

[Stingray 5517]

My vote would go to BFG KO2's. I have these on both my Gladiator Rubicon and Toyota FJ just replaced the prior set on the FJ and had 109000 miles on them. Hard t find a better tire for the snow and highway.

 

[rafael004]

Mickey Thompson Baja boss at or nitro ridge

 

[BennieD]

Nitto Trail grapplers!

 

[JasonL83]

OP => how wide are those 35s, and what kind of snow are we talking? In other words, if you have a 12.5" wide tire, there's a good chance that you might have better traction with an 11.1" to 11.5" wide tire. You only want high-flotation if your goal is to stay on top of the snow; if you want to cut through the slush to grab pavement, then a narrower tire will help.

Also, ( captain obvious here ) pretty much anything will slide on ice, that's also were chains/studs start to help out. Consider throwing 200lbs of sandbags in the bed.

Don't be afraid to put that thing in 4wd high, at lower speeds, when traction is poor. Go to a safe place, stay safe, and at lower speeds do a bit of playing around to learn your vehicle. Invoke a mini slide and let off the gas/break to recover ( let up from whatever pedal that you're using; and I'm not talking full-on donuts here ). Try 2wd, then 4wd. Try using your parking break a tini bitty bit.

Lastly, you likely have a LSD rear diff; sometimes those clutch packs can lock the back wheels together, right when you're trying to turn into a entry, and then force your truck to go straight instead of turning ( lookup under steer and over steer ). If that happens, either let off the gas, or throw a micro-rooster-tail to swing the arse end around. ;-)

Sorry for the delay, my current tires are 275/80 r17. I don't think they are too wide all things considered (especially compared to my aunt's Sasquatch, those tires are beefy!)

 

[JasonL83]

Thank you everyone for your responses!

Sponsored