I'll second .boB's take. I have run mudders, and All Terrains.
Mudders are great off road, in dirt, mud, rocks, sand and uncompacted snow.
However they hate wet roads and icy conditions.
AT's will serve you better on wet and ice, and they do ok (but not great) in
dirt, sand and rocks. They aren't so good in loose snow and they suck in
mud. However they are better in loose snow than mudders are on ice and the
4x4 means you can deal with the snow.
Match the tire up to what you will do the most, and then drive accordintly
to what your tires can do. I just drive slower in the winter when I'm on
ice and my problem is solved...most of the time...
".boB" <bobcowan@access4less.nospam.net> wrote in message
news:41db6ed8$0$17982$ec3e2dad@news.usenetmonster.com...
> Lon wrote:
>
>> Goldhawk proclaimed:
>>
>>> Hi, all.
>>>
>>> I'm thinking about picking up an older (beater) 4x4 for winter driving
>>> and I'm wondering about tires. What kind of tires would be better for
>>> winter driving in a 4x4 -- specific winter tires or aggressive
>>> offroads?
>>>
>>> If there is a real difference between the two, where would I notice it
>>> most? On ice?
>>>
>>>
>>> I have studded winter Hakapelitas on my 'burban and they made a huge
>>> difference going to those from my all seasons.
>>
>>
>> They would be a real good idea for your winterbeater. With cheaper
>> tires, you risk bending your bones in addition to the sheetmetal.
>
> Every tire on every vehicle is somewhat of a compromise. You have to
> look at where you'll do the majority of your driving and aim your
> selection towards that. But don't completely forget about other
> conditions as well. You don't want to pick really great ice tires and
> then slide through a corner on that one hot summer day.
> Studded tires make sense for vehicles that get driven exclusively on
> ice and snow. On wet (not icy or snowy, just wet) or dry pavement you
> will get worse traction than a decent all season tire.
> An aggressive off road tire like a BFG Mud Terrain will do really well
> in soft to packed snow. But they tend to slip a lot on ice and wet, and
> are noisy on dry. Siping them will really help traction.
> A medium all terrain like the BFG All Terrain makes an excellent winter
> tire. It does pretty well in all situations, without serious degradation
> in any of them.
> I use Michelins on my truck, as it's my year 'round daily driver. It
> does really well in all situations: Ice, snow, mud, washboard, gravel,
> summer heat, you name it. I've been really impressed with this tire.
>
> --
> .boB
> 1997 HD FXDWG - Turbocharged!
> 2001 Dodge Dakota QC 5.9/4x4/3.92
> 1966 Mustang Coupe - Daily Driver
> 1966 FFR Cobra - Ongoing project
>
