Well with the winter already here, I decided to get a set of snow tires and rims off Craigslist. They are Pacemark Snowtrakker ST/2 235/75R15XL with 12/32 tread left, basically barely used with 95% tread and I got a good deal on them. My only complaint about them is that they are a bit noisy on pavement like if I have a bad wheel bearing (but both bearings are less than 7 months old). I also got some S-10 rims to have them mounted on so I don't have to have my all-seasons taken off (those are going to be tossed sometime in the spring anyway. They have 5 or 6/32 left, but I don't run tires below 4/32" for safety reasons. They only have 20,000 miles on them.).

They probably look stupid on this truck, but I got 5 rims (one with an ORIGINAL Michelin XWB spare tire on it. Probably junk, but easily replaced.) with metal center caps (just a metal blankplate. No brand) and Torx cap screws (no key, just use my Torx multitool. Not that secure, but it works well.) for $100. No shop would stud the tires because they are used, but I hope these snow tires are at least alot better than the all-seasons that would not grip at all in the snow.

I tested my 4x4, which is very picky about engaging (Posi-Lok) and it engaged easier than with the all-season tires for some reason.

Well would studs have made such a difference that I should have considered spending double the cost on the tires alone for brand new ones? I could not justify spending alot of money on tires that might outlast this truck (and these used ones might still). It is turning 110,000 miles tomorrow.


P.S. Pay no attention to the lifted Jeep in the background of one of the photos! LOL

 

did you take that picture in the walmart parking lot in cobleskill ?

I think i saw that jeep around before Lol

 

Actually that is exactly where I took that photo.

 

thought so haha

One day we will see each other youll prob recognize my truck

 

LOL. Your truck looks like it would be hard to miss. I am all over Cobleskill all the time since I don't live on campus at SUNY, so it is only a matter of time. And you will probably recognize mine right off the bat. Not because of a lift kit or custom paint job (although that is coming, but a DIY foam roller job with a two or three tone special design), but all the other visible minimal cheap mods. LOL.

 

I wish I could help you regarding the tires but we don't use snow tires here so I don't know much about them. From what I understand though, they use a different type of rubber compound that isn't affected by the cold as much as regular tires. I would imagine that would lead to harder/louder ride.

 

They are a different rubber compound. Doesn't get hard like all season tires do so it stays flexible so it molds to the road in cold temperatures so the traction stays good. They are loud. They sound like I have a bad wheel bearing and I just had them replaced in the spring.

 

one thing i might add.. did you look at the date on the tires? if you dont know how to check the date (lots of people dont) there should be 4 numbers in a little bubble on the tire somewhere, first two numbers represent week's second two represent year. ie: 0210 (second week in 2010) i ask this because when i bought my truck the person gave me snow tires but they were 10 years old, along with the tires on the truck (i guess they never drove it) just something to look at. anything over about 10 years old might not be safe.

 

I think they are from 09 actually. I checked it and the last two numbers were 09. Not sure about the spare that was on the spare rim, but I already have a brand new spare tire under the truck, so that is not an issue since I already plan to toss the old spare if I need that rim.

Edit: It says "2509", so around mid-09 they were made. So not that old and they don't look 2 years old considering how much tread is left.