I’m looking to order some chains tonight for our New Years trip to Big Bear/Arrowhead. I have a set of 33x12.50 Toyo Open Country MTs and set of 31x10.5 Falken WildPeak AT3Ws. I understand the ATs will perform better in snow but I do want to hit a couple trails in the snow leaning me towards the 33s. Which set should I invest in chains for?
What's better in snow and ice? 33x12.5 mud terrain vs 31x10.50 all terrain
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ejay
TJ Addict
The ATs by far. I have chains for my 33X12.5 and they are a nightmare to install. Wider tires...no es bueno in snow and ice.
Snow and ice traction comes from the siping (little cuts) in the tread blocks. Mts usually have little to no siping at all. Also as a general rule the more narrow the tire is the better.
06TJ35's
TJ Addict
Have a safe trip. Looks like we have a couple days of rain coming our way that’s means fresh snow to play in.
I think it's worth making the distinction if you are talking about performance in very deep snow on a trail or <6" on the road.
Exactly. In shallow snow and icy/wet roads roads AT is best. In deep snow MT is the best choice.
Good winter road tires have smaller tread blocks and lots of siping. Most mud tires are the opposite of that.
My 33x10.5 KO2s are a huge improvement over the 33x12.5 MudStar MT's I took off, they don't look as impressive but I can live with that
HUGE mud tires work very well in real deep snow aired down.
But the O.P. also was buying tire chains so who knows.
I run a 12.5 here in Northern WI. Does great. You just can't drive like an idiot.
Yes. Narrow AT tires for on road use. If looking to get off road in deep snow the MT tire will perform better.
Thank you everyone for the insight! I do want to come up through burns canyon to Big Bear and do some trails in Arrowhead such as the pinnacles and pilot rock. Not sure how deep the snow will be on the trails? Also would you guys recommend chaining all 4 or if 2 is sufficient, which ones would you chain up?
Really thin! I have never had the experience of such a tire and although I believe it would really help in wet roads on the other hand I guess it would increase roll in turns...