I'm getting some BFG AT KO's in either 285/70/17 or 315/70/17. From the website The Tire Rack, it showed that the size's i want are in the few that are "Not Rated For Severe Snow". I live in New Hampshire, and during winters we can definetly have some pretty bad snow storms. Would this be a problem for me with these tires, or should i not worry about that? And why wouldnt these specific tire sizes be "Rated For Severe Snow" vs most of the other sizes that are?

Thanks in advance.

 

I used to have those tires on my chevy and they were great in the snow.

 

That's pretty weird....

I currently have a set of the 285/70/17's on my truck, and although we don't get a lot of snow here in VA, I am confident that I would be able to get around.

When I lived in PA I had a Jeep Comanche with BFG AT's on it and it saw it's fair share of snow with no troubles.

To me this sounds like some sort of legal mumbo jumbo where if you take your truck somewhere you shouldn't and get stuck, crash or break some something in the snow they can say, "Hey, we warned you!" Nowadays these tires are put on SUV's and trucks that never see the trail, the most "4x4'ing" they do is in the snow to get to work or the store. So this might be why the warning only pertains to snow, as most of these people probably aren't the best drivers (inexperienced) in snow with 4 wheel drive. Think of soccer mom with an Expedition thinking "I can go anywhere now!" but she doesn't understand that 4WD doesn't do a thing on ice....

Again just me speculating. I am very happy with my BFG's and I am sure you will too. Remember driving in the snow and mud is 50/50, part of the capabilities of your ride and the other driver skill.

If you do decide to get the BFG's, and have never owned a set before, be sure to rotate them religiously, I do mine every oil change. This will extend the life of the tire tremendously.

 

The BFG A/Ts I've run in the past have worked pretty decent in snow. With wet slushy snow, they don't clean as well as some other tires I've run but they are still better than any all-season. In powder snow, they don't dig as well as an M/T but again are still better than any all-season pattern.

Surprisingly, even though the tread pattern looks a lot "tamer" than the BFG A/T I've had very good luck with the Cooper Discoverer ATR (and it's twin the Dean Wildcat AT) in wet snow. Not good at all in powder though. Might be one to look at if you're looking for a tire for wet snow driving.

 

Danf150, don't worry about it. Any decent all terrain will do just fine here in NH. If you like the BFG AT's, run them and forget about that rating. It doesn't mean all that much. Heck, it's a standard created by the tire manufacturers.

Where in NH are you from? I live up near Sunapee.

 

That rating is because of the width. Wider tires are not typically recommended for snow because of their larger contact patch. That doesn't mean they won't work for you, it just means that they probably won't work as well as a more narrow tire.

 

Bingo!

I was about to type the same thing until I saw your post.

 

I had a set on an old S10 4x4. The BFGs AT did great in the snow, not as good as a mud tire but much better than the Goodyear Wrangler tires that came on my F150 when I bought it.

Put a few sand bags in the back if your worried.

Also since NH gets a "little snow" you might ask friends or family in the area for suggestions on the best snow tires.

 

I agree- the width of the tire is a disadvantage- the theory is that they will function much like snowshoes

With that said, I use BF's in the snow anyway and they work fine- like any snow driving- getting started in 4WD isnt really the problem. Its the braking before and not during turns that is more of a concern. Being from NH, Im sure you already have the practice. Go with the BF's as your all season tire. They wear very slowly- you will be pleased with them

 

Hey neighbor
I'm down in southern NH, the outskirts of manchester. Sunapee is a nice town, i drive through quite often for work, maybe i've seen your truck around. Thanks for the reply i appreciate it.


And thanks to everyone else who responded as well, this site is definetly a good learning tool thanks to all the helpful people here.

 

I agree that wide tires tend to be more of a challenge in the snow. But if this were the reason for the not rated for severe snows on the tires the OP mentioned, then why are the 305/65-18's rated for severe snow?

Look it up on Tire Racks spec page and you'll see the few sizes that have this not rated listing.

 

I used to commute down to Manchester and Nashua, so it's possible.

Go visit the gang over at Mr Gee's Tire in New Boston. They offer the best service in the Manch-Vegas area. Talk with Mike or Mike and tell them Henry sent you.