Re: Rehash - tires

[Tom Mandera <tsm1@domain.elided>]

On Sun, 30 Nov 1997, Paul Brakefield wrote:

> >FYI, I priced the 33x12.50" BFG Trail TAs at Sam's Club at $97 each.
> >BUT, these are 4ply tread, 2 ply sidewalls.
> 
> Will the Trail T/As give you the kind of traction you need up there?
> They're not much beyond a street tire.

I have a set of 31x10.50" Trail TAs that were on my '72 (when I was 
driving it).. I bought 'em because I got a song of a deal ($325 total, 
with 4 new chrome wheels, two tires used one winter, the other two for 
two winters?).  They're OK.  Actually, in a recent Tire Comparo on the 
BFGs, the Trail TA came in pretty respectable.. though not the "perfect" 
tire for Montana.  The All Terrains come much closer to what I want.. I 
just quoted the Trail TAs for comparison, and they had 'em in stock (even 
in 33x12.50!)

The Trail TA may make a nice spare.. but, after I spend $550 on 4 new All 
Terrains, why scimp on a spare to save $35?..

> Seems kind of expensive.  The tread has 4 plys.  Tom, don't put too much

It was explained to me today that with 2 steel & 2 polyester, all of the 
BFG TA line is considered a "10 ply."  Vs. the stock Goodyear Wrangler (4 
polyester)s my fiance's dad just threw in the trash from his '95 Chevy.. 
cut 3 of 'em in 3 days of hunting.. just on some good ol' gravel roads.  
He picked up a set of Kelly's..

> tires than in every other brand combined.  I have two friends who sold
> they're remaining three, even though you can get road hazard replacement

This sounds like the Wranglers!  His Dad and brother both sold their 
Wranglers off after about 11k..

> Rovers.  I personally like Cooper tires.  I had a BFG dealer rep tell me at
> a club meeting that Cooper make the best tires for the money of any
> manufacturer.

Cooper's had my fancy too.. anyone ever heard of KUHMO tires?  Seem kinda 
popular around here..


> Does it really make that much difference in a Scout?  They're not hot rods
> no matter how much the wheels weigh.

*THEY'RE NOT HOT RODS*???  D'oh.  Time to sell my Scout for a Chevelle.. 
:-)  (well, I would sell ONE of my Scouts for a Chevelle anyhow..)
I guess this means I should also stop drag racing Camaro's with my 
Scouts, too, huh?  (BTW, I *have* won, without turning my wheel into the 
other lane.. heh)

> bought safer wheels.  And in many ways you are, because steel wheels can be
> straightened enough even in the boonies to get you home.  If you break or
> bend aluminum, it's c'est la vie!

I wonder.. has anyone run a large (31, 33, 35) tire on steel wheels, then 
swapped over to aluminum?  I'd be interested to hear some subjective 
opinions from someone who's been-there-done-that.  How much can you 
"feel" the difference?

Thanks Paul,

-Tom