I am having a hard time finding a good winter tires for my Rubi.
255 75 17 is a hard find.

Anybody able to buy any that size?

Thanks.

 

You really shouldnt need a seperate winter tire. If you are having that hard a time driving then you probably need to adjust your driving style (not trying to be rude). If all else fails you can have your rubi tires siped for a pretty good increase in traction, and it is definitley cheaper than a whole new set of tires.

 

Go ahead and ignore what the guy from Germany is saying.

If you are where I think you are (Smith's Falls, Ontario), then you have a valid reason to want actual winter tires. Seeing as I don't think that you're allowed to run studs in that part of the province, the ice that invariably forms on Eastern Ontario roads can make driving pretty interesting. That's before the freezing rain even gets going.

One other thing to think about...chains. When it's truly grotesquely icy, a set of V-bar chains may be just what the doctor ordered. Sure, you won't be going any faster than 30 kph with them on...but you sure won't be sliding anywhere!

I now live in Calgary. I've gotten my M/T's siped, and they're great in the conditions that we encounter here...but they'll never be the equal of a dedicated winter tire on ice. The tread compound is too hard, and there are not enough sipes to perform quite that well.

If you can't find a dedicated winter tire, you'll still see an improvement by running an A/T like the BFG All Terrain K/O or the Cooper Discoverer S/T. You can also expand your snow tire options by picking up a set 16" steel wheels. This means that for same effective size, you have more options.

 

Guy from Germany<------

I am not knocking owning a set of winter tires, I use dedicated winter and summer tires on my car. What I was trying to get across is that with the appropriate driving style and 4x4 I have not found the need for a dedicated winter tire on my JK. I do fully admit the stock rubi tires arent the best on ice, but with siping and a consistent and appropriate driving technique (i do agree with the chains when neccassary) I simply havent found the need for them. We do get a fair amount of ice and freezing rain here, though I doubt as bad as where your at, but the principal is still sound.

 

I'm not sure how they would do in the snow, but I bought a set of stock Sahara wheels and tires for $350. They work well in the rain that we get down here in Louisiana... Can't beat the price, and I can swap my Rubi tires back on quickly when needed.

 

The problem with Eastern Ontario is that they don't get a "fair amount" of ice and freezing rain. They get it far in excess of anywhere else that I've lived. They're at the confluence of two different paths for weather systems moving west, and one of those systems has had ample time to pick up excess moisture and have it's temperature moderated by the Great Lakes.

In Calgary (and I'd wager in Bavaria), siped M/T's are more than adequate. Those siped M/T's also have the advantage of qorking incredibly well in deep snow. Where the OP is lliving...I'd want to run a set of studded Nokian Hakkapelitas if I could. I would happily trade that great snow performance for adequate snow performance and great ice performance. Bear in mind that this is a part of the country that had their power grid destroyed in 1998 by freezing rain. Not damaged...destroyed. People went for over a month without electric power. The military was called out to provide assistance. We're talking about serious ice.

Four wheel drive will get you going...and it may help a little with cornering on ice...but it'll do nothing for your ability to stop. That's where having good tires comes in.

 

I stand corrected. I do drive on alot of ice for days at a time, but never had to do it for monthes at a time. I guess it would be one of those things you have to experience. I do fully agree with the 4x4 not helping a damn for stopping, and that doesnt matter how much ice you have! I find a combination of engine braking and very light use of the vehicles brakes work well......then again I have seen cars that were parked for days suddenly just start sliding down the hill.

 

Hey Guys/Gals, after reading all of your posts and previous ones I started thinking about getting my tires sipped being that New England gets a fair amount of snow and freezing rain. To my amazement there is not one dealer/tire pro in my area who does this here. Thought it a great idea if it could be found unfortunately I guess there is either not much call for it or to labor intensive for the amount of money they would charge. Unlike Canada we get spurts of bad weather that usually does not last that long although it would have been nice to have a little more traction in inclement weather.

 

You are really limited in tires for that size. It may be worth getting a second set of 16" wheels for winter. Then you could put some blizzaks on them. They are about the best ice and snow tire you can get. And where you live, they should work great. I get a lot of snow where I am, but its not as cold as where you are. You can get a set of Good Year Silent Armor's in that size. While they are considered an all-terrain, they have a good number of sipes and biting edges, and will do better than the stock BFG's in snow.

 

16 " would be better but I want to get new summer rims and
use the ones I have on now in the winter.
It is just trying to find the rubi size is the problem.
Thanks for the input so far. You never know what kind of response
you will get.