Stock Tires - Why so Big? Necessary for Winter.

[tripplec]

I just got a Eplorer Sport 4x4 and the VIN plate does specify P255-70/16 tires they are larger than the stock tires for a Grand Cherokee which came with 235-75/16. The Jeep is quite heavy. Why so big.
Its hard to find a Winter compatible tire for this that does not clean out the bank. Most place want $200/tire plus balancing & taxes. Many options are not made in this large size. Anyone running 235's? Some builds were spec'd for 235's for some reason but not this one.

Just wondering and any help from fellow Canucks would be appreciated. I got this for my son who wanted a 4x4. But $900 - $1000 for 4 tires is far to rich for him. We concidered just getting winter tires but that means buying two set, winter and summer. I am pretty certain that this vehical would tear up snows pretty quick in the summer driving. So leaving them on all year may be a bad idea. A good year round tire for Winter snow and cold that performs(traction wise) is what I am looking for.

 

[shadowless127]

Firestone WinterForce 255/70/16
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...&load_rating=F&load_rating=G&minSpeedRating=S

Michelin Latitude X-Ice
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...&load_rating=F&load_rating=G&minSpeedRating=S

 

[gijoecam]

For a good all-around tire, you can't beat the Michelin LTX M/S's. Yes, they're a little pricey, but if you take care of them, they'll last 100,000 miles (160,000 km) easily. (Mine were 64 miles short of 100,000 when I swapped them a year ago) They're not the best in the mud, but in snow/slush, they're better than I ever could have expected.

 

[sport97]

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...rtnum=57SR6DESTATOWL&fromCompare1=yes&place=2

Thats the firestone destination a/t. Its rated high in all aspects of driving. I bought them a month ago for 111 a piece mounted. I haven't tested them off road or on the snow yet.
That tire is a solid all season tire if you don't want to buy a "winter" tire.

It is M+S rated

 

[tripplec]

For a good all-around tire, you can't beat the Michelin LTX M/S's. Yes, they're a little pricey, but if you take care of them, they'll last 100,000 miles (160,000 km) easily. (Mine were 64 miles short of 100,000 when I swapped them a year ago) They're not the best in the mud, but in snow/slush, they're better than I ever could have expected.

Were you runing them all year round?

 

[gijoecam]

Were you runing them all year round?

Yup. 70 miles a day to and from work 5-6 days a week. They went from May of '02 to December of '07. They probably had about 10,000 miles left until they hit the wear bars, but winter was rapidly approaching, and they wouldn't have worked very well in the state they were in. Heck, one tire had 9 patches inside it when it came off! (It picked up debris no matter what corner it was on!!) I could not have asked for a better free replacement for the Firestone Wilderness AT's! Heck, my Ex had 152,000 miles on it before I bought a set of tires for it!

-Joe

 

[Thelt]

I just bought a set of BFG Rugged Trail T/As in 265/75/16 for $109 each. Look around you can find a deal.

 

[Cozmik]

If you have a Costco membership they have BFG's for a really good price. Long Trails are good, All Terrains are better. I priced out the A/T's for about $800 installed and if taken care of should go 100,000 km plus.

 

[tripplec]

If you have a Costco membership they have BFG's for a really good price. Long Trails are good, All Terrains are better. I priced out the A/T's for about $800 installed and if taken care of should go 100,000 km plus.

I don't but my buddy does but these recommendation listed previously in the US are quite a lot more here. Certainly I am looking around and expect some pre Christmas sales to appear.

 

[Thelt]

I don't but my buddy does but these recommendation listed previously in the US are quite a lot more here. Certainly I am looking around and expect some pre Christmas sales to appear.

Check with Road Bully, he is in Canada. Seems like I remember someone mentioning a place up there called "crappy tires" or something like that.

 

[Cozmik]

I don't but my buddy does but these recommendation listed previously in the US are quite a lot more here. Certainly I am looking around and expect some pre Christmas sales to appear.

The price I quoted was CDN. I live in Kitchener. I put the Long Trails on my wifes old Cherokee and my father in laws F-150 for about $600.

 

[tripplec]

Costco Canada

The price I quoted was CDN. I live in Kitchener. I put the Long Trails on my wifes old Cherokee and my father in laws F-150 for about $600.

Their website costco.ca comes up with nothing for any explorer. I had to select a different sport trac vehicle to come up with my size. However, they still say nothing matches. Dahhh.... You cannot browse on your own between manufacture and/or type/size either. Very poor website for shopping or preshopping.

 

[Cozmik]

Terrible website. You have to know what you want and what size and then go in and tell them what you want. Sometimes they have it, sometimes they need to order. But after all the shopping around I've done their prices are really good. And the service is far better than any Crappy Tire I've been to.

 

[tripplec]

Give it a Go Later then.

Terrible website. You have to know what you want and what size and then go in and tell them what you want. Sometimes they have it, sometimes they need to order. But after all the shopping around I've done their prices are really good. And the service is far better than any Crappy Tire I've been to.

My good buddy is coming over tonight for TBone Steak dinner, Red wine and some cool ones. After our Apple pie dessert I'll ask him if I can borrow the card or have him come with me and my son to make the final decision/purchase.

Thanks for the feedback and prompt replies.

 

[Cozmik]

No prob. Any other questions, feel free to ask, or PM me.