2020 Tire recommendation thread

[Craig Almaguer]

XZLs. Best in 2005 and they'll be the best in 2025, too. I wouldn't take anything else on a trip.

Hey Chris! a few questions/comments on the XZLs. They are my #1 for the authentic 110 look for sure, but I've heard nothing but smack talk on how they DON'T perform very well in snow and ice. I do hit the hills about every other weekend through the winter (and of course summer camping). I still want them. I've run the original BFG MTs and never had real issues with them. Maybe a tad noisy, but it's a freakin Defender. lol I assume the XzLs are loud also?

Secondly, where is a good source for getting them? shipping?

 

[jymmiejamz]

Hey Chris! a few questions/comments on the XZLs. They are my #1 for the authentic 110 look for sure, but I've heard nothing but smack talk on how they DON'T perform very well in snow and ice. I do hit the hills about every other weekend through the winter (and of course summer camping). I still want them. I've run the original BFG MTs and never had real issues with them. Maybe a tad noisy, but it's a freakin Defender. lol I assume the XzLs are loud also?

Secondly, where is a good source for getting them? shipping?

That is total nonsense in my opinion. I’ve done plenty of miles in the snow with XZLs and they are fine. Mud tires aren’t generally great in snow.

Road noise is noticeably lower with XZLs on the highway than the BFG KM2s I had before. The 8.25R16 size has a very distinct sound at 40-55, almost like a transmission with straight cut gears. The 7.50R16 are no different than any other mud tire for noise, IMO.

 

[Craig Almaguer]

That is total nonsense in my opinion. I’ve done plenty of miles in the snow with XZLs and they are fine. Mud tires aren’t generally great in snow.

Road noise is noticeably lower with XZLs on the highway than the BFG KM2s I had before. The 8.25R16 size has a very distinct sound at 40-55, almost like a transmission with straight cut gears. The 7.50R16 are no different than any other mud tire for noise, IMO.

Do you have a good source for them?

 

[jymmiejamz]

Rovers North for the 7.50R16 and eBay for the 8.25R16.

 

[mgreenspan]

I’ll give another update/plug for the General Grabber HTS. They now have 55k miles on them and they are still quiet and have probably another 5-10k left in them before I replace them due to age and not wear. Plenty of tread left and have worn evenly. They work really well in rain and the handful of times they saw 3-4” of snow.

 

[BenLittle]

I can’t count how many sets of garbage BFGs I’ve had. Dry rot has been common and unfortunate point of failure in my experience. As others have said, XZLs are an outstanding off-road tire, balance well, wear well etc.

 

[Napalm00]

I'm on the opposite side of this argument. Xzl and any mud tire with large blocks and no sipes is dangerous on hard snow and ice. soft snow, slush everything in between they're fine. But if you're driving on a road that's packed hard due to other cars it's like being on ice skates.

 

[chris snell]

I live in Central Pennsylvania and previously lived in northern Kansas and I’ve never experienced this on my XZLs.

 

[Z.G]

I've had one bad experience with XZLs, they were nearly bald 25 year old 7.5s and they performed poorly on ice and some greasy snow. Otherwise excellent experiences. Keep in mind these are mud terrains, which are not designed to perform well in every scenario. You can however get all terrains which perform *adequate* in ever situation and excel in none.

 

[jymmiejamz]

I'm on the opposite side of this argument. Xzl and any mud tire with large blocks and no sipes is dangerous on hard snow and ice. soft snow, slush everything in between they're fine. But if you're driving on a road that's packed hard due to other cars it's like being on ice skates.

I don’t think anyone is trying to say XZLs are a superior snow tire. We are just refuting the false fact that XZLs are worse in snow than other mud tires

 

[Napalm00]

I don’t think anyone is trying to say XZLs are a superior snow tire. We are just refuting the false fact that XZLs are worse in snow than other mud tires

Totally agree !

 

[jymmiejamz]

I can’t count how many sets of garbage BFGs I’ve had. Dry rot has been common and unfortunate point of failure in my experience. As others have said, XZLs are an outstanding off-road tire, balance well, wear well etc.

Total junk tires. These came on my wife’s D1. They were almost ten years newer than the XZLs on my D90 and much worse for wear

 

[MountainD]

Interestingly enough, Michelin owns BFG and has for 30+ years. I personally just have some weird relationship with the 255/85/R16 KM's (no on KM3's). And have for 20 years. However, if Goodyear made this size, I would switch to the MT/R in a heartbeat. If I go bigger, it will be with the MT/R.

 

[blueboy]

Interestingly enough, Michelin owns BFG and has for 30+ years. I personally just have some weird relationship with the 255/85/R16 KM's (no on KM3's). And have for 20 years. However, if Goodyear made this size, I would switch to the MT/R in a heartbeat. If I go bigger, it will be with the MT/R.

Had really bad experience with MT/Rs on my RRC. 265/75-16. They would not stay balanced. Was lucky the dealer in Liechtenstein liked our Rangie and balanced them monthly for me no cost. Was very glad to get rid of them upon return to US.

 

[chris snell]

Had really bad experience with MT/Rs on my RRC. 265/75-16. They would not stay balanced. Was lucky the dealer in Liechtenstein liked our Rangie and balanced them monthly for me no cost. Was very glad to get rid of them upon return to US.

You are probably the first person in Liechtensteinian history to receive something of value at no cost.

 

[blueboy]

You are probably the first person in Liechtensteinian history to receive something of value at no cost.

How true. The Landy dealer also was a Saab dealer at one time so was able to get the 9-3 serviced there as well. Great group of people and the techs really good for both vehicles. It was a great feeling knowing they were well taken care of while there.