[Alien18]

Hi All!
I recently got my first car and I was wondering what would be the best rim size and tire type for winter offroad performance?

 

[waltrav]

Are you going to drive strictly off road, or use them for every day driving too?

If you were racing you would not have just one set because of the different types of conditions.

As for the rims diameter you obviously don’t want to go over the stock 16” so the vehicle can absorb the bumps.

As for the tire width, it gets tricky. I stayed with the 235 / 60 / 16’s even though the norm is to go down to the P215/70R16.

The 215’ will dig and hold better heavy (wet or packed) snow situation. Not skate as much.

The 235’ are great in virgin powder and even better the deeper powder.

As for slush, a good V-directional 235’s will disperse it as well as the 215’s, plus there is slightly more road contact.

Also, steel rims will add wheel weight, which is good.

Weighing down the Rav helps too.

As for tires you need to be specific on where you are going to be driving.


Hope I was of some help.

 

[Alien18]

hey mionee,
thanx thats what i needed to know

 

[waltrav]

My pleasure

Just remember to look at:

http://www.1010tires.com/ and

http://www.tirerack.com/

and research buy comparing the qualities you are looking for. Select a group of tires side by side and read the consumer's feedback.

101 has the Toyo Observe G-03 Tires that I have. They are very aggressive in all types of snow. They blow your mind in slushy snow. The V-direction also is very stable in the rain/water above freezing even though the angle of the V is less than on Summer High performance tires.
There are a couple of other good companies with this type of tire design/ excellent rubber compound and gripping swipes (small wiggly slits) in there design.

Good luck,

Walt