40" Tire Recommendations - Colorado/ Snowy State

[5280.JT]

I’m considering making the move to 40x13.5 R17s, but my main concern is their performance in snowy conditions and specifically icy roads in Colorado. Those of you that run 40s year round somewhere where icy roads are common, what tire are you running and are you happy with it?

My top choice would be Mickey Thompson Baja Boss MTs but I’ve seen some have issues with balancing these, is this true?

Toyo MTs and Nitto Trail Graps have been brought up as well but curious about their performance on icy roads.

I have also seen siping as an option. Has anyone done this and how did it affect the tire for better or worse?

Thank you in advance for any input you have on this!

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[Rcoe]

I would go with the MT Baja At's. I had them in 37's on my Wrangler and they were great in the snow and pretty much everything I ran them thru.

Typically a MT tire is not going to be as good in the snow. I really like my Trail Grapplers but I don't drive in the snow very often with them.

 

[VA6489]

Toyo RT pros. 40/12.50x17, 45000 tread life warrantee

 

[DiehardTory]

Well, thought long time (4-5 min) before typing. Was talking years ago with a dealer friend on the subject of why the factory put "pizza cutters" on trucks ordered with snow plow packages.. They also sold same trucks with wide 20s. His reply "these trucks on 20s would be like an elephant on roller skates" btw his dealership was east of the great lakes and got massive snow during the winter. Thought I'd share this as fuud for thought. Good luck with the 13.50s on a 5000 lb vehicle.

 

[VA6489]

There are two general schools of thought.

- Narrow deep lug tires to cut through the snow and find pavement, great as long as there is a bottom that doesn't leave you high centered.

- Wider less aggressive tread that holds the snow and provides some floatation. Yes you are driving on the snow vs in the snow, remember Snow sticks to snow.

MT vs AT
- MT type tires are less than Ideal for snow situation unless you are breaking trail in the back country even then a good AT tire will work just fine.

- AT and now there Hybrid tires work much better in snow and Ice conditions due to siping and a tight tread pattern that actually holds the snow to provide traction. (Think making snowball, Snow sticks to snow )

Driver gets a vote too!
The skills of the pilot behind the wheel make a big impact on how the rig will or will not get through a given situation. In the case of Snow too fast you could loose control, too slow you get stuck. It is all about managing the available traction in short listen to the feedback you rig is giving you.

 

[VA6489]

Siping,
My Son works in WY for Oil and Gas , He has to get to work for his shift. They have a lot of Ice on the roads and Siping is the norm during the winter. more edges to grip the road = more traction.

 

[DJPodratz]

Taller narrower tires work better in snow. I am not so sure about ice.

 

[caryt]

40X13.5R17 Gladiator XComp AT there are not many choices for a DD snow tire.

 

[GI Grandpa]

I’m considering making the move to 40x13.5 R17s, but my main concern is their performance in snowy conditions and specifically icy roads in Colorado. Those of you that run 40s year round somewhere where icy roads are common, what tire are you running and are you happy with it?

My top choice would be Mickey Thompson Baja Boss MTs but I’ve seen some have issues with balancing these, is this true?

Toyo MTs and Nitto Trail Graps have been brought up as well but curious about their performance on icy roads.

I have also seen siping as an option. Has anyone done this and how did it affect the tire for better or worse?

Thank you in advance for any input you have on this!

I don't run 40s on my JT, but I have 40x13.50x17 Cooper SST Pros on my TJ and they have done great on the road and trail in all kinds of weather her in Colorado.

 

[5280.JT]

Thank you all, this is a lot of great information!

I know there’s no perfect answer for a 40” tire that will perform well in every condition but I was curious what everyone had to say. I’m currently on MT Baja Boss A/T in a 37x12.5R17 and agree they’re great on road and trails in any conditions. I think if Mickey Thompson made the A/Ts in a 40” it would draw a ton of popularity.

 

[SCJ Zach]

I have run 4 different sets of 40's on my Gladiator, I am now running 39" KO3's. They are only slightly smaller, but drastically lighter. Much better driving experience, 3 peak rated, do well on wet and snowy roads, great in dirt and on rocks. The only downsides to them is the cost and they suck in mud.

 

[WambliSka]

Over 30 years of Jeep ownership have though me that snow and Ice are better handled by narrow tires as a general rule. My widest tires ever were MT's on my original Rubicon and the MT thread and width of tires made them float over snow making for some very tight asshole clenching in a few occasions. That was the last set of MT tires I owned and will EVER own.

Over the last few years I have been running 11.5" wide Falken Wildpeaks A/T 4W with the USTMA 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake rating. I've run them while skiing in Utah staying in a cabin where the roads are NOT maintained in the winter. Never had an issue on fresh, packed or wet snow.

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