[Fourty-four]

Hey everyone,

I recently got a new X (Off Road) and I was wondering if the BFG Rugged Trail tires are any good in snow. I spend a lot of time in the Syracuse area, which is one of the snowiest places in New York.

I go up to a hunting cabin in the woods every winter, which is about 1/2 mile up an off-road hill. Over the years, I've watched my friends struggle to make it up in Trailblazers, Pathfinders, and Explorers. If the conditions are really bad, they can't even make it all the way up to the cabin.

I'm hoping that the stock Rugged Trails are good enough in the snow/ice to get me to the cabin, because I'd rather save my tire money for some decent off-road tires instead of snow tires.

So does anyone have a real world experience with the stock Rugged Trails? The tread pattern looks like they would do okay in snow.

 

[js479]

Hey welcome to the group fourty-four.

I've only had a few chances to test the tires in snow and I was happy with it, but this is my first 4x4 so I was amazed at the stuff I could go through now with such a capable vehicle.

That being said, if it's really that bad just get the offroad tires you want to get. They will certainly be better then the stock tires and I don't think it makes sense to buy 2 different sets of tires.

Just my two cents.

 

[kokopop]

Welcome, Yes the Rugged trails will work well in the snow. However stupid driving does not.

What part of NY are from?

 

[Fourty-four]

I'm from Orange County, New York, just north of Rockland.

So how would you rate the Rugged Trails as a tire capable in the snow? Good? Excellent? Average?

My brother has a '04 4Runner, which has an excellent 4wd system, and he couldn't make it up last winter with the stock tires on his rig. I forgot what tires he had, but they were definitely just a highway tread tire that looked like it belonged on a car. He ended up putting Revos on his 4Runner, which allowed him to make it up without much of a problem.

If the Rugged Trails are good enough to get me up there, I'll be happy. If not, I'll have to replace them before winter gets here.

 

[knaffie]

They're horrible in the snow. Ditch the stock tires and get some Revos. Best money I've spent yet!

 

[Fourty-four]

They're horrible in the snow. Ditch the stock tires and get some Revos. Best money I've spent yet!

Hmmm..... how bad do you think they are? Are they at least useful for driving through deep snow on level ground?

I guess it's going to be tough form an opinion with some people saying the tires are horrible in snow and others saying they are good in snow!

 

[Thai]

44, since you're saving money anyway for future off-roading tires, why not change it now to BFG AT KO?? BFG AT KO is great in snow due to it's snowflake-on-mountain designation and is pretty good off-road. Thus, you kill two birds with one stone.

 

[8th Man]

They're horrible in the snow. Ditch the stock tires and get some Revos. Best money I've spent yet!

The Rugged Terrains that come stock on the OR's are great in the snow. The Rugged Terrains are good at holding pack snow into the tread allowing for better grip. Now, on ice...nothing matters except chains. It's ice.

Remember, snow is different from mud in that you want the tire tread to hold pack snow. With mud, you want a tire tread that allows you to fling the stuff out.

Spend your money on something else. The Rugged Terrains on the OR version are good tires.

 

[Fourty-four]

44, since you're saving money anyway for future off-roading tires, why not change it now to BFG AT KO?? BFG AT KO is great in snow due to it's snowflake-on-mountain designation and is pretty good off-road. Thus, you kill two birds with one stone.

I was planning on more of a mud terrain tire. If I wanted an A/T tire, I'd probably go with the Revo instead. My ultimate goal is to have two sets of tires---- one for mud, and one for onroad driving. The only problem is my onroad tires have to be good in snow as well as good for highway trips.

In the meantime, I'm wondering if the stock tires will do me right in the snow.

 

[Fourty-four]

Thai,

My bro said thanks for banning him from the 4Runner forum. He said he'll join bulldogyota's 4Runner site instead.

 

[Thai]

Thai,

My bro said thanks for banning him from the 4Runner forum. He said he'll join bulldogyota's 4Runner site instead.

You're welcome. The other forum is good too.

 

[Fourty-four]

BFG AT KO is great in snow due to it's snowflake-on-mountain designation and is pretty good off-road.

Have you driven in snow with the AT KO? I see that you're from Texas, so I wonder if you're speaking from experience.

 

[RogueClimber]

Link to Tire rack review of rugged trails

The Rugged Trails are a good tire not great. If money is no concern you can choose to upgrade to any of several better tires but if tyou are going to do two sets of tires I would keep the Rugged Trails for your road tires and invest in your new off road tires. The RTs will be fine till they wear out.

 

[JIMBO]

:clown: Well, from my experience offroad (52 yrs)-and now 9 months with the X---

It seems that all decent 4wd vehicles are similar in snow, it depends on tire tread/snow depth/composition/tire pressure/ and angle of the dangle (HeHe).

I sold BFG tires in the 70's in Paradice Calif and I had a 10,000 lb(seemed like it) Dodge Ramcharger-4wd-440 ci-auto.

I had to do a lot of freeway driving so I outfitted it then with BFG All-Terrain radials-Hiway/mud/snow excellent.

Now, in snow, sometimes I had to let airpressure down to 14/18 psi and you MUST drive GENTLE--NO SPIN, I repeat NO SPIN.

With the stock BFG provided with your X and various air pressure adj. you should have no trouble in the snow--Remember NO SPIN.

Now if it is snowing, this can get uncomfortable-but you must look out your OPEN window and WATCH your left front tire-slight spin-back-off.

Think about it--I did it for years on top the Sierras and either led or followed Jeeps/landcruisers/Fords-in deep snow.

Snow can be a lot of fun--WITH CARE-- ccasion5:--JIMBO

 

[Fourty-four]

Link to Tire rack review of rugged trails

The Rugged Trails are a good tire not great. If money is no concern you can choose to upgrade to any of several better tires but if tyou are going to do two sets of tires I would keep the Rugged Trails for your road tires and invest in your new off road tires. The RTs will be fine till they wear out.

Thanks for the link, but if you look at the picture of the tire, it is clearly not the same as the tread on the Rugged Trails on my rig. The tire in the picture looks more like the AT KO. What's up with that?

 

[RogueClimber]

I can't speak for Tire Rack...I will be upgrading my tires to the BFG AT KOs when my Rugged Trailsare worn, but have survived CO winter to include driving on the ski slopes in Crested Butte...

 

[Thai]

Have you driven in snow with the AT KO? I see that you're from Texas, so I wonder if you're speaking from experience.

It did very well in Colorado.

 

[kokopop]

I'm from Orange County, New York, just north of Rockland.

Very familiar with Orange County. Just drove thru last weekend on 17W, plus we have family in Suguarloaf. I live down by the Tappan Zee Bridge in NJ.

The tire in the picture looks more like the AT KO. What's up with that?

There is a lightweight and a heavy weight version of the Rugged Trail. Each have different tread patterns. Kinda Silly. Personally I have no problem with the Rugged Trails. I use them on and off road until they will no longer be functional. Then I will get stom BFG AT's.

...when my Rugged Trailsare worn, but have survived CO winter to include driving on the ski slopes in Crested Butte...

Please explain driving on the ski slopes?

 

[Old Navy]

...when my Rugged Trailsare worn, but have survived CO winter to include driving on the ski slopes in Crested Butte...

...Please explain driving on the ski slopes?...

Yah, don't the skier's get mad at you driving on slopes while they are sking??

 

[RogueClimber]

I was working a ski demo at Crested Butte and had to drive the X up onto the base of the slopes to empty out the 50 pairs of skis that I had with me. Then the best way to leave after the demo was to drive along the base for 1/4 mile or so...The X did much better than a couple of Pick ups.