Winter tire rims/wheels recommendations?

[Thunderbirds]

Hey all,


looking for the infinite wisdom of the old timers here . I will need to get a set of steel rims for winter tires so I can install a V-plow for my steep 1,900' country driveway.

I am looking to not spend too much for only winter driving and plowing, but do not need to get the cheapest out there either. I've tried research but some ideas out there mention the hub centric aspect, I am afraid of the incorrect offset and damaging the truck/portals.

Who out there has a good setup and what are your recommendations?

For tires I have as frontrunners the Yokohama Geolandar A/T XD or Bf Goodrich All Terrain Ta Ko2. Will make a decision on that depending on rims size I hopefully pick soon.

Any and all input is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[KKroger]

BFG K02s were tested in Alaska and found to be pretty solid.

 

[frauhansen]

I had the Geolander on n jeep and on my gen2 RAM... comaring to this, the BFG KO2 is the way better tire. But not cheap!

 

[thompsoncustom]

I have a car I run studded winter tires on and have never found any all season tire to come close to winter performance but your probably not gonna find those in a 37in tire on a 16.5 inch rim.

You could always buy a surplus set and tire regroover so you could cut and stud them yourself.

 

[Thunderbirds]

I have a car I run studded winter tires on and have never found any all season tire to come close to winter performance but your probably not gonna find those in a 37in tire on a 16.5 inch rim.

You could always buy a surplus set and tire regroover so you could cut and stud them yourself.

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Thanks for all the input, I was leaning more toward the KO2 as well, and you’re right, not a very good chance to find them for 16.5 rims. I’ve also considered siping an extra set, but for the best effect I’ll go with the winter tires.

I am more so looking for information on mid range priced rims. I should have been more clear in my original post. My fault.

My biggest worry is to achieve the hub centric effect needed by the original design, meaning the center of the hub of the rims fits into the space on the portal boxes to pick up the required loads. If true, the load isn’t transferred via the 8 mounting studs alone, but mostly via that design. Also, the offset of negative 50 mm if that is true as I have read before. I know very little about the topic, so I tend to be more cautious not to destroy the equipment by rednecking stuff together. Our engineer-type folks on the board have much more insight than I will achieve in a lifetime.

 

[KKroger]

With completely different tires and wheels you are not married to 16.5 wheels... You can go 17 easily

 

[Thunderbirds]

With completely different tires and wheels you are not married to 16.5 wheels... You can go 17 easily

Right, thanks! But I would need the rims first...

 

[DREDnot]

Have you considered just getting the military issue set of tire chains?
Better traction than any tire you can buy in these sizes and cost about as much as one wheel and tire assembly
NSN 2540-01-214-1264 or NSN 2540-01-530-6341

 

[Greg841]

I plowed last year (flat parking lot and a short driveway) with Goodyear Enforcer MT's on the stock wheels and they worked well. Plowed in H, never needed HL.

 

[Thunderbirds]

Have you considered just getting the military issue set of tire chains?
Better traction than any tire you can buy in these sizes and cost about as much as one wheel and tire assembly
NSN 2540-01-214-1264 or NSN 2540-01-530-6341


View attachment 955034

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You are right about the cost, I do have 2 sets of the civilian versions, still brand-new in the bag. I was going to use them IF I get stuck, but I can't even get to the places to get stuck with the current tires as we usually only get a few inches at a time, then it melts off. I wouldn't want to put chains on to go over asphalt and only 3". But the driveway is too slick and too steep for the current E rated BFG Bajas. great offroad tire, worthless at under 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

I plowed last year (flat parking lot and a short driveway) with Goodyear Enforcer MT's on the stock wheels and they worked well. Plowed in H, never needed HL.

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If I were on a flat or somewhat flat area I would do the same or even chains like @DREDnot mentioned. My drive is just under 1,900 feet long with an elevation difference of over 300 feet. That comes out to a bit over 16% grade. Normal sticky snow isn't that bad, but sometimes we get an icy overlay, then I need to plow it off. This only happens about 10-20 times a normal winter season, but I would like to get bombproof in clearing that drive.