Tires

[Genie]

I have a fairly new Dodge GC (17k miles) that am presently trying to outfit to make it more comfortable.

Up here, winter tires are mandatory from Dec. 15-March 15. It is a $70. ticket if caught without them. Have priced them for my van and seems with rims, to run about 800. Now, while I am hoping to be far south by December, I wonder if it is worthwhile to have winter tires anyway.  In some of the photos seen of the RTR area, the roads look really rough. Would the greater traction be helpfulé.

Please know that am not a car person, have ziltch knowledge of anything car related, so posing this question.

In my previous smaller car, I kept the winter tires on all year to avoid buying a set of regular summer ones.

 

[DuneElliot]

In a word...not really.

Wait, that's two words.

 

[highdesertranger]

how far south are we talking? I always recommend "E" rated tires if you are going off highway of loaded heavy. by loaded heavy I don't mean over loaded. highdesertranger

 

[user 423]

Have priced them for my van and seems with rims, to run about 800. 

That price must be for 4 rims and tires but with a front wheel drive vehicle you should only need 2 for the front.

 

[Minivanmotoman]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Now, while I am hoping to be far south by December, I wonder if it is worthwhile to have winter tires anyway. [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Like everything else, it depends.[/font]
[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Hoping to be far south? Hopefully then you won't need snow tires. But if...., then.... Lol.[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Going off road in the deep sand and mud with a minivan? Aggressive tread is a +. AZ at elevation gets cold with snow. Google your area for weather specifics. [/font]
[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]RTR is a dry desert area, no snow, little rain in winter months. Normal tires are fine in Q. But driving to and from RTR where there may be snow in transit?[/font]
[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Snow tires may be smart. Get 4 else the axle without snow tires will slide[/font]
[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]out in the wet in a curve before the snows will unbalancing the vehicle. Ask me how I know...[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]If not, waste of money. While the roads around Q can be rough, mostly fairly smooth and dry, regular tires are fine for 80%+ of the dirt roads in a minivan. [/font]

 

[Weight]

There are two isues here; winter tires for snow and ice, required by law. Then off road, required for your safety and convenience. I do find it hard to believe winter tires and rims woulds cost me $400, I bet recycle yard and new tires about $300. You only need one axial set for law. Don't use ice&snow for off road.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

 . . .
Up here, winter tires are mandatory from Dec. 15-March 15. It is a $70. ticket if caught without them. . . . I wonder if it is worthwhile to have winter tires anyway.  In some of the photos seen of the RTR area, the roads look really rough. Would the greater traction be helpfulé . . .

If you don't know, call your DMV and ask how they determine a winter tire.  If they say the tire must exceed RMA severe snow traction requirements (identified by a 'snowflake in a mountain' on the sidewall) there are some A/T tires that meet that designation (BF Goodrich All-Terrain A/T KO2 being one).  That would keep you within the law and give you general off road capability.

Tires sold as winter tires will not last long off road, sharp rocks and other obstacles off road will tear the rubber..  They have a softer tire compound and will wear quickly on pavement. 

An extra set of wheels and tires will take up a lot of living space in a van.

 

[UptownSport]

I have a fairly new Dodge GC (17k miles)
Up here, winter tires are mandatory from Dec. 15-March 15.

In my previous smaller car, I kept the winter tires on all year to avoid buying a set of regular summer ones.

Mandatory? It doesn't sound like you have much choice, then! LoL!

@weight has the right idea- You can go to a junkyard and get a second set of rims for no more than $20 ea.
Check them for straight by bolting them to a rear hub on derelict vehicle and spinning
I know used stuff always falls on deaf ears for people with new vehicles, LoL.
They seem to have a 'Bias for spending.'

Snow tires are similar to all seasons, you can, and people do, run them year around.
Just as you do.
I get tens of thousands out of mine.

@Minivan is absolutely correct, rear are the most important tires. Regardless.
OK to puts snows only in rear on RWD, but not only on front on FWD, unless you're just going down a logging road at 5MPH or something.

Ctsy Bridgestone

No matter what kind of vehicle you drive, never mount two winter tires on the front axle without also mounting them on the rear axle. Only installing snow tires on the front wheels increases the risk of losing rear tire traction while braking or cornering on wintery roads.

 

[Ballenxj]

I have a fairly new Dodge GC (17k miles) that am presently trying to outfit to make it more comfortable.
<-------->
In my previous smaller car, I kept the winter tires on all year to avoid buying a set of regular summer ones.

Curious about how long your snow tires lasted while running them year round? I too live in snow country, everybody around here will tell you to "not" run them year round as they will wear too fast in the summer. The rubber compound of snow tires is too soft for summer use.
If you plan on staying in snow country during the winter, I see "two" sets of tires in your future.

 

[DuneElliot]

I love my BFGs ATs...but they aren't cheap. However, you'll only need the one set year round...they are great in snow (I've had to pull a stock trailer out of 18" of snow in September, up an embankment, before the ground had frozen underneath and was muddy, in September when camping with horses). I put mine on around 30k miles ago and they're still good...definitely got some wear but should be good for another 20k miles.

 

[BinDerSmokDat]

It was my understanding from Canadian friends and co-workers is they just buy tires that have year round capability as well as the snowflake rating, to avoid having to change tires at all.

Some places it's all four tires, other's it's just the drive axles.
In some locations M+S (mud and snow rated) OR "snowflake" tires are required.

If it was me I'd just buy the bare minimum tires (not wheels) required and install on 2 or 4 wheels as needed for your area. Save the tires removed and use them in warmer climates or as replacements as needed. Find a friend with space in a garage to stash them until you need them.

 

[accrete]

as other's have suggested...
IMO BFG K02 all season/all terrain tires year round wet, icy, snow, hot, granite rock trails on hot days < < they are year round tires. Luv them. They are also considered traction devices here in Oregon (and other states) so no need to chain up.

Thom

 

[Genie]

Good to know about the softer rubber of snow tires. Thanks. The tire store didnt tell me that.
Yes, it is required to have the snowflake-mountain stamp on all four tires after Dec. 15 deadline though most folks get winter tires put on in November when the snow starts. I will check into the BFG Ats to see if they qualify.

Have no reservations about buying used stuff just lack confidence to check for straightness of tire rims.

I kept snowtires on my 15 year old sub compact Toyota for 4 years to avoid buying a second set of tires and recall one blizzard in Flagstaff when just little me and the 18 wheelers were moving. I tend to only drive about 15k a year, mostly highway.