Help an auto-illiterate guy choose a tire

[brazzle]

Hi all,

First of all, I love these forums. I spend a lot of time here even though I rarely post. I've had my '02 Explorer since Sep. 2006. It has been troublesome... needing suspension work and needing the rear differential overhaul (yeah, that one)...

but with all of that I still love this truck. I live in utah and we get a lot of snow here. I am currently running Toyo Open Country A/Ts. I believe they are 255/70/R16s. I have tried to keep them properly inflated, but the front tires have worn too much in the center and now there is cupping on most of my tires and get noise on the highway (i'll admit, i didn't have them maintained as well as i should've)

for the most part I am concerned with safety. I hardly ever take this thing off-road, but here in utah we do deal with lots of snow and some gravel roads. I am looking for a tire that will offer me great traction while i drive my wife and baby around. i don't care so much if it lessens my gas mileage *some* (after all... i dont think most people drive these kinds of vehicles and expect to not pay for it).

I have heard good things about Michelin LTXs and whatever the Yokohama ATs are, but nothing that keeps one standing out above the rest.

Also--related to this-- what is the best size of tire (no mods on ex) for my scenario?

 

[carlover]

BFG At's are probably the best tire choice for you then. My Toyo's did the exact same thing as yours and i kept them at 35 psi. Ive heard alot of complaints about them doing that.

 

[brazzle]

thanks for your reply.

so i'm looking at the BFG T/A KO tires at about $150 each.

two more questions

1. Should I keep the 255/70R16 size I'm running on my Toyos are go to the 245/70SR16 that is the stock size (and the size of the BFGs I'm looking at)?

2. I've read up on this on the forum, but the topics I read haven't really come to a conclusion on the nitrogen issue. For somewhere like utah where temperatures can easily range from hot to cold in a single day, is Nitrogen for me?

thanks again

 

[carlover]

Id keep the size your running. As far as the nitrogen im really not sure, but im sure just regular air would be just fine. just make sure to monitor your tire pressure regularly and youll be fine.

 

[brazzle]

great, thanks for helping me out.

just curious, any idea on what kind of mpg hit I will take going to these all-terrains?

 

[carlover]

If your keeping the same size you have now it shouldnt be any.