I am new to the JK-Forum and plan to buy an X-Unlimited with auto next year. I am not going to add a tire upgrade from Jeep because I plan to change the wheels and tires as soon as I buy it. I also plan to add the Teraflex leveling kit when I change the stock wheels. I have started a list of mods and the order they will go in. My problem is I live in Hawaii and there is real possibility that I may move to an area with snow. I am looking for recomendations for 33s that are good in the snow? MTs or ATs? I don't think I can go bigger than 33 X 12.5 16s or 17s. This will be my daily drivers. I was thinking Mickey Thompson MTZ 285/75R16s on 16 X 8 ATZ Chamber wheels?

I have always wanted a project vehical and the wife agree on a Jeep. I am so stoked.

 

MT's are good in trail snow -- although nothing is good on ice -- AT's are better for on-road driving in the snow or on icier roads. In deep snow I believe you want a tire with alot of height, but a skinnier width -- for example -- a 33x10.50 will cut better in deeper snow than a 33x12.50

NOTE: I'm just repeating what I've been told and/or seen in person. I'm from the AZ desert -- zero snow unless I go up to Flagstaff.

 

When it comes to snow itself...too many variables. Some will argue in the sloshy wet stuff you want a tall skinny tire to dig down, and in the dry packed stuff you want as wide as possible to try to float on top of the snow....offroading anyways
Regardless...that all aside (cause those on either side debate at length) if you require a decent daily driving tire in winter driving conditions on the road, get yourself a good All Terrain with a good Snow rating...avoid Mud Terrain tires.
Goodyear Duratracs are getting a great review from most people running them here, and they are designed for winter conditions.
If you want a straight up winter dedicated tire, Blizaks are wonderful...but when you get to a dedicated winter tire, it's just that, good for winter only. You'll wear them out big time in summer driving.
The stock SRA's that came with mine performed just fine in the winter we get up here. Bridgestone Dueler AT Revos are another good all terrain that performs well in winter conditions.
And keep in mind...alot of the added traction AT's receive is from the addition of their sipes (google it) designed into the tire, while they will assist traction on wet surfaces, they will flat out suck in mud, the sipes are designed to funnel that thin layer of water off the road surfaces to allow the rubber to grip the surface, in mud they will simply fill up with mud and give you zero traction and no ability to spin 'em clean....and most all winter dedicated tires use a soft soft rubber that remains pliable in sub zero temperatures, that's why you'll destroy them offroad in the summer

I will add, some MT's allow you to stud them which aids winter traction a ton...but not all states or provinces allow year round use (alberta we can)

For what it's worth, as Ive stated before, as soon as my MT's wear out, I WILL be getting Duratracs.

 

Thank you both. I had a 4x4 Tacoma in New York which had Goodyear ATs that were absolutely useless in the wet and snow. I think it was that particular tire because I changed them to Perrelis and it made a huge difference. I have never run on MTs but I love the look and do plan to go in the mud. Where I live now we do not get a lot of rain but other parts of Oahu get a tons. I may go with ATs but have not found one I love. I will check out the Duratracs.

Mahalo

 

Just my 2 cents,

If you really want mt's, Trxus m/t's are pretty good, on ice and deep snow.

Check them out, they get good reviews for winter.

 

Yeah , they actually look like they have a well designed lug pattern with sipes cut into the center set which will definately aid in wet traction...for MT's not bad...but they won't match a good AT for snow conditions...might be an alright compromise though

 

Whatever you get, just make sure they are siped. Or have them siped. Any of the more aggressive A/T's would work well for you, both on and off road.

 

I ran Truxus on my TJ for years. They were excellent in the snow when aired down. Much better than the BFG's that I have on both my Jeeps now.

Although you may also want to prepair for some extra work getting them balanced as well.

 

there is a cool tall skinny 33 in a BFG MT KM2 255/80R17

 

I have heard that the KM2's are not good in snow unless you sipe them. If they are anything like my KM1's, they slide like a good thing in snow and ice. Not that great in rain either. If I were in an area where there was a lot of snow, I would seriously look at Goodyear DuraTrac, which are snow rated. Or maybe the MTR w/Kevlar.