We're at about 35,000 miles on our 2007 4X4 SMB. My choice for tires at the time of the build was the BFG All-Terrain 16" 315's. They have been a good tire for the most part, but, due to some wear issues, it's time for new rubber...

Our "normal" travel have been the paved backroads, and the not too technical dirt roads. We've gone off the beaten path, but I would probably put the real challenging/technical rocky terrain at about 10% of our miles to date.

I've been looking at the different models at Les Schwab and Sears (I've looked at these two places due to the amount of locals they have to repair any issues, or general maintenance for the tires), and I've found a few less "off-road" styles which still appear like they would handle where we've gone so far. My brother-in-law is running some Cooper tires on his Dodge 4x4 truck which have worked really well in the snow, mud, and dirt, areas we've explored together, and they are not as "off-road" as the BFG's I'm running.

I've liked the 315's, but I've even considered going down to a 295 if the design fit my needs.

Well, just putting it out there to see what other's have put on their vans, and the good and bad found along the way...

Just FYI, I was really interested in the Toyo Open Country (I have them on my VW Baja), but Les Schwab no longer has it in the 315.

a friend of mine has the toyo M/t's on his f250 and he said they suck in the snow but they are also 40" tall tires.. haha. Ive been told the Cooper LTZ's are great tires. I always liked the Nitto Terra grapplers that I had on my tahoe but I will either get the coopers or toyos (love the look) on mine.

305 Toyo M/T, wider but no taller than the 295s.

Any Mud tire will suck in the snow because it digs, however my Toyo M/Ts have been great around town (eg 1" - 3' of snow). I run 35s on the Jeep and the 305s on the van. The Jeep had a leak once and the front pass. was down to 13psi and I could barely see the difference... I can see where they would suck more in deep snow if they don't flatten out with very low pressure.

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it was good to be back

The Nitto Terra Grapplers which I am using are E rated in various sizes.
E rating is important to me for not nearing the tire load capacity (as maybe in D's).
The Terra Grapplers also have a good amount of siping for rain and the siping helps on compact snow too.
2WD (and posi) goes a long way on compact snow.
I haven't had my van out on sheets of ice yet...
They also have a bit of side bite tread and they work decent on wet dark soil.
Haven't tried them in full mud. Obviously they aren't m/t's.
Good all around tire for me in 7500 miles so far.

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Two wheels or four, its all good. :-)
'10 E-350 EB V-10 QuadVan 4x4, SMB penthouse top, Van Specialties interior

I agree the nitto terra grappler are ok in the snow. I am running them now. I have the 315's too. I am replacing them with the Toyo open country MT's 305/70R-16 rated E. I also chose these because every small town we usually travel through has a Les Schwab in it which is great for repair purposes. It is a big hit to the wallet however which is why I haven't gotten them yet.

After tires mounted, balanced, taxes it will be around $1850 for 5 tires.

I'm on my 2nd set of Toyo MT's, and I'm satisfied in all conditions.

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Chris Steuber
02 E350 7.3 (V4)
17 Focus RS, 90 SHO, 49 CJ2A, 89 LSC, 20 T250 AWD
ujointoffroad.com

I like my Toyo M/Ts. Very good on and off the road. Have not tried in snow.

Also have liked the BFG A/Ts, but not crazy about the M/Ts.

Stick with E-rated whichever way you go.

steve

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'05 Ford V-10 4x4 SMB "50" White
'00 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 Highly Modified
'04 Jeep Grand Cherokee- wife won't let me modify it. :-(
Does anyone really read this stuff other than surfgeek?

I really like my Toyo M/T load range E. I'm driving in snow constantly - they do just fine. Conditions are a huge factor. Give me dry low density, cold snow any day- they dig through deep snow well. Wet snow with a lot of moisture content is a different matter - you just have to slow way down.

Nothing does well on ice but studs, but heavily siped center treads do pretty well.

I don't expect them to wear very good, hope I get close to 30K out of them.

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2007 SMB White 4x4 RB50 6.0l Diesel PH, Toyo 295/70/17 M/T E
https://www.ecotonephoto.com/

Toyo M/T's here too, got them from all the positive marks they got from the forum. I drive it in snow, no problems that I can tell, still have to put it in 4WD in nasty stuff, but thats with any tire. Came from BFG A/T's that wore out faster than I would have liked. Get E rated whatever you end up with, makes a big diff. Toyos have worn pretty well and even.

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'03 Ford E350 7.3L Diesel
(de)SMB'd Custom RB-50
Quigley 4X4 w/Deavers & Agile Offroad's R.I.P. package
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