BFG AT's or Big O Big Foot XT's
 

Time to re-tire. I am looking for an agressive all terrain. My main uses are road, deep snow, packed snow, desert slickrock and sand and dirt.

Deep snow and packed snow performance are most important to me. I also want good road performance (no full mudders please) with reasonable mileage and road noise.

Which tire do you prefer? What else should I consider?

Thanks,
Glasswave
Salt Lake, UT

Right now i am running the Big Foot XTs. I use them mainly for dirt roads with loose rocks, sometimes i go into the wash which is mainly sand. I like them cause they are a much better price than the BFG ATs, seem to have the same performance too. Personally, im not sure if either one of those tires are gonna do good for you in the snow. I know they slide pretty easily when the roads get wet. Most of the AT tires arent gonna have good cleaning ability for the snow. As far as sand goes, depends on how deep and if you have 4 wheel drive. I can make it through some pretty deep sand in 2 wheel as long as i can get going. They seem to make a pretty deep rut in the sand, so i know they dig. If you need any more info let me know.

The Big O will do much better in soft snow and mud and last just as long if you rotate them every 5000 miles. Parnelli Jones also makes a 265/70-17 in there Dirt Grip tire just one more possibility, this tire got very good reviews in some 4x4 magazines.

http://www.dirtgriptires.com/

glasswave,

I just purchased a set of Bridgestone Winter Dueler DM-Z2 tires from Tirerack.com for the same reason you are looking for tires - running in heavy snow. Living in Western NY, winters can be harsh. Now I look forward to getting the tires on this weekend then, COME ON SNOW!

Wow! I've had both!!!
 

If you are looking to go off-road and such then the Big-O's are the way to go. I will tell you that they are a little LOUD, fairly aggressive and suck on wet pavement with the smaller contact of a mud tire - you will feel the lugs as you stop. I had them on my old Jeep Cherokee with a locker and I could climb end over end if I wanted to. Tire wear was not great... If off road is the primary use, the Big-O's win hands down but it sounds like you aren't mudding too much...

Sooooo... On to the BFG's... They are pretty much great in every condition without overly excelling in any one area. They're quiet on road, handle great, very good life/wear, etc.. The BFG A/T pattern has a lot of lugs that are siped which you need in snow/ice conditions and for grabbing on to and holding rock, sand and dirt. I really cannot say enough good things about the BFG's, they have always been great and I got over 55k miles on my last set and yes, I do offroad but not aggressively anymore. More of the hunting, fishing, beaches type of off-road. I will say this, The BFG's are a little weak in the mud department but they are quite good for an AT tire...

I see that you specifically said that Snow and Packed snow are top priority.... Afte all that explanation, this is easy to Answer... BFG A/T KO's! :D

Chris (ReelWork)

I currently have the Hoosier DTs, the clone of the Big O XT. I choose them over the Big Os because they were $100 cheaper, including road hazard. I've had them on for about 16k miles now. They are pretty loud tires, but they seem to be wearing good.

I've never had any problems with them traction wise under any conditions, including wet pavement. However, they are out of round and 'hop' down the road between 40-45. The tire dealer says the ride is quite good and they look good (roundness uniformity) for an agressive tire and won't do anything about it.

well after running BFG's on Every vehicle i have ever owned that was a 4x4. i would say go with BFG. but its all about what you can afford. most of my driving like 75% is hi-way, road surface and the other 25% is split between gravel, mud and whatever mother nature can throw at me. the tires stick rather well on wet pavement also. i just threw on a set of 285/70-17 BFG AT's on my 99 ORP and i love the look . it did have the 265 series AT's the cost of the 285's were lower by 50 bucks than the 265's were over 3 years ago. all in all i paid just over 800 bucks mounted and balanced for all 4. so like i mentioned b-4 its all in taste and price. for me its BFG and nothing else.

Glasswave,
IF let me stress IF I was you.....
I saw in your signature you have the stock 17" Chrome wheels.... Well if a 35" BFG AT is one of your options, I would definitely take advantage of the deal at tirerack.com on the 315/75R17 BFG AT's that they have for either $129 or $139... You cannot beat that deal for an awesome tire. And, you can mount them on your stock wheels.