Best tires for storm chasing

[Steve Polley]

Round and black tires work for me but in all seriousness, Im in the automotive industry and its alot like which oil is better. Its really hard to prove that one brand is better over the other. Just really depends on what conditions that you will primarily be driving in. Also, the CHEAPEST place on the internet to buy tires is Discount Tire Direct.

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/home.do

I order all my tires here because they have the CHEAPER prices plus FREE Shipping and the rebates that you would get at your local tire store as well.

 

[ericjkelly]

Michelin Latitude Tour's are my favorite for a small SUV

 

[Bryan_Knitter]

I'm pretty happy with my General Altimax HP tires. They have superb grip in dry AND wet conditions. I don't plan on taking my Saturn Ion off-road, so I can't tell how they'll perform on anything worse than a gravel road.

 

[Jason Foster]

Rank by my research...which actually involved more "real person questions" than just depending on site reviews (I did factor them in however). I ranked these based on criteria that is important to chasers, and didn't compromise much if any dry weather driving (everyday...not talking high performance driving).

1. Michelin Hydroedge (often go for as long or LONGER) than the long mileage they are rated for (90,000 long). The complaints about ride comfort (stiffness) are only complaints that come from those that have sucky OEM supplied tires. You'll find many folks complain about that. Manufactures will often use 'softer' tires at the assembly point. SUVs often come only with "passenger" tires now
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...055TR6HE&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

2. Goodyear Assurance TripleTred (there is even a newer 91H model that is designed for slightly heavier vehicles). Good long range tread warranty but 10,000 less than the Michelin. Goodyears: 80,000 mile warranty.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...55HR6ATT&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

After that...it's mostly about the same for most prices that match. I only compared tires that fit my Subaru (205/55r16) which doesn't include SUV tires, but generally considering the expansive dominance of sales of the BFgoodrich All-Terrain T/As...they'd be all I get for chase duty on anything SUV/Truck sized.

 

[Mark Blue]

I put on a set of Yokohama Avid ENVigors when my OEM Toyos wore out and I've been very satisfied with the performance and handling. Here's a link on Tire Rack if you are interested Avid ENVigor. I haven't bought tires anywhere else except online since the mid 90s and I haven't had any regrets since I started. I normally save $200 per set when going this route and I would recommend it to anyone who is in the market for a new set. I've been thinking about getting something along the lines of an light duty off road tire for upcoming chasecations, but haven't committed to the idea just yet. If only I had $800 burning a hole in my pocket...

 

[Jeff Hawkins]

Lots of good suggestions for tires in this thread BUT...not if I can't get them in my car's tire size (P105 50 R16), which is a bit difficult. After reading the posts on this thread and doing several hours' worth of digging around the 'net about tires for my '07 Ford Focus to replace the Goodyear Eagle GT's I used for chasing last year, I settled on a set of Continental Extremecontact DWS tires (Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S was my other choice). I could have purchased them at Tire Rack for ~$500 with shipping and had them mounted for $30 ea and $60 alignment (~$680 total) but I decided to get them from NTB at $560 for the set, since they have stores almost nationwide including most of the tornado alley states, so if there's a problem I can get the warranty service anywhere free. Going this route was a bit more expensive, around $770 with taxes and all...around $90 more than if I would have bought them online, but for me the peace of mind is worth the extra $$$. Now I'll sit back and wait to be told how I got ripped off (I feel that way for some stupid reason...probably just because I hate spending so much money on tires even though I needed to lol).

 

[Wes Carter]

$770-$680=$90. That's worth it to be able to get warranty service on the road IMHO.

 

[Jason Foster]

Jim...you meant 205/50r16 right...105 would be like for a wagon wheel I think...LOL. Those are some of the most common size anywhere. Collura can tell you about the Focus, he had two different variants.

Yes, everyone has to check out the bottomline price when shopping. I still find it easy to shop online via tirerack which then I go to a 'certified' installer (Mr.Tire) and it's only $12 per tire (plus tax and environmental fee). Shipping is included most of the time. Warranty is extra..and that can get pricey.

Also check Walmart...mine only charges $10 per tire for everything. But I don't trust them on my nicer GT OEM wheels, but let them put my snow tires on.

Modern cars with Tire Pressure Monitors....get ready to pay a lot more though....Like and EXTRA $30 per tire.

 

[Jeff Hawkins]

Wes, Jason, thanks for the responses...glad you both didn't flame me LOL...Wes...you got my point on the warranty...and yes, Jason, I meant P205. I have to say first impression with these new tires is WOW....I feel a LOT less bumps and grinds on the roads than even my Eagle GT's gave when *they* were new...and the biggest concern I had about the Continentals was reading about the 'soft' sidewalls that caused them to sway with turns...although those complaints were from import owners (Honda, BMW, etc). I don't feel such a feeling with them at all. Definitely worth the $$$ to buy, and I'm now looking forward to safe and comfortable highway driving in the upcoming season. (and I just bought some new Bosch windshield wipers to replace the Bosch's I used last year too). Next year, I may utilize Sam's Club to install new tires if I need them...the battery service I got there 2 months ago was a real deal!

 

[Mark Blue]

I have to say first impression with these new tires is WOW....I feel a LOT less bumps and grinds on the roads than even my Eagle GT's gave when *they* were new...and the biggest concern I had about the Continentals was reading about the 'soft' sidewalls that caused them to sway with turns...although those complaints were from import owners (Honda, BMW, etc). I don't feel such a feeling with them at all. Definitely worth the $$$ to buy, and I'm now looking forward to safe and comfortable highway driving in the upcoming season.

I've been through 2 sets of the Continental Extreme Contacts on my wife's VW GTI (currently on the 3rd) and have a set on my 2nd car (VW Passat). They start out well, but all I can say is rotate them often because they just don't wear as good as one would expect. Overall I'd rate them well above average and they definitely provide good traction in the winter, I just wish they would last longer. I think you'll be happy in the end and I definitely don't want to rain on your parade. They run down the interstate very nicely and since chasing involves quite a lot of that you'll be happy in that respect. I wouldn't keep buying them if they weren't a good tire, but this next time around I think I'll switch to something else for my wife's ride.

 

[KendraReed]

Round and black tires work for me

I was going to add that along with round and black...preferably not bald or flat with black smoke coming out of them. May sound like I am being bitchy, but c'mon we have ALL seen tires on vehicles that should NOT be on a chase.

 

[Jason Foster]

I was going to add that along with round and black...preferably not bald or flat with black smoke coming out of them. May sound like I am being bitchy, but c'mon we have ALL seen tires on vehicles that should NOT be on a chase.

Like what I drove on during the DC snowmaggedon events in 2009/2010. I think only that I was in a Subaru with AWD did it manage to still get through. Snow tires were installed this season (which is of course why we had almost nothing this season).

 

[Patrick Martin]

to replace the Goodyear Eagle GT's I used for chasing last year

How were those?! I had considered those for the lower cost when I was shopping (and chose the Primacy MXV4), but my perception of this tire was that it would be great when dry, maybe ok in the rain, useless in the snow, and doubted they would last more than 40k miles. Maybe I was wrong, so curious what your experience was with them.

 

[Jason Foster]

Stay away from the Eagle GTs. They look kinda cool but they are terrible tires. Often one of the lowest rated and they where out much faster than spec'd and don't come with a warranty. It's a win-win for Goodyear & a lose-lose for anyone who buys them.

Stick with the higher rated GY or Mich. tires or even the Yokahoma Avid/Envigor line (next best to the TripTred & Hydro's I mentioned below). I actually had Avids on my S-10 Xtreme when they performed pretty good during my hurricane intercepts (where there is more water than you might encounter anywhere). I also have them on the PT convertible, used them some in snow...but that is where they won't match the better tires...and why they are only second best in my research and opinion.