Tire Studding

[GHarman]

Anybody doing this? I am a firm believer in running studded tires in the winter. It is getting more difficult to find dealers that will stud your tires and those that do charge an arm and a leg. Are there hand tools available? I found the tire, just need to stud'em. GregH

 

[JDiepstra]

I know a guy in CO who runs zambonie tires on his Suburban.

 

[bnbrown]

I was gonna get a set of studded tires from the local CoOp... was an extra $10.

 

[GHarman]

I was gonna get a set of studded tires from the local CoOp... was an extra $10.

I'm lookin' at the BFGoodrich Commercial M&S at Costco. Costco no longer studs tires. I can do that myself through the summer in my spare time if I have the tool. Then they can mount and balance them. GregH

 

[CookJ]

Mastercraft makes a studded AT tire.

 

[JLEONARD]

I have been running studded snows on my 2wd for 4 winters now... . with 8 or 10 cement blocks in the bed. Works great. . I have never been stuck... almost a couple of times last year but the tires are spent... time for new ones in November.

Buy the tire from someone who will put the studs in. My son has a reapair shop and he does it so I imagine most shops have the tools. It only takes a few minutes.

 

[steved]

Mastercraft makes a studded AT tire.

MasterCraft/Cooper also make a studable severe weather rated snow tire...



The Copper version is called the M&S...

 

[Lurch]

Few minutes? Hardly. Not a killer job but it does take some time.
Need a stud gun.

Part # TSI-9 ----- Stud Gun for Installing Tire Studs - Tire Supply & Accessories

 

[GHarman]

Few minutes? Hardly. Not a killer job but it does take some time.

Need a stud gun.



Part # TSI-9 ----- Stud Gun for Installing Tire Studs - Tire Supply & Accessories

Thanks for the replies, everybody!

Lurch, Cant afford one of those. Was actually looking for a hand operated unit. An old friend had one locally many years ago. He took it with him when he moved to Alaska. back in '84. Was looking for something similar, but New and priced less than $100. GregH

 

[steved]

Have you tried contacting any local shops... surely someone can order the tires and stud them??



I believe it cost me $10/tire for studding... although they didn't advertise it, they did studding.

 

[GHarman]

Have you tried contacting any local shops... surely someone can order the tires and stud them??



I believe it cost me $10/tire for studding... although they didn't advertise it, they did studding.

The best deal on the tires I want is from CostCO. They no longer stud tires. Walking in to another tire shop with 4 new tires that you bought from a competitor at an undercut price is not a way to get a good deal on studding. I've had quotes of $20. 00 each!!! GregH

 

[JLEONARD]

Few minutes? Hardly. Not a killer job but it does take some time.

Since it cost $ 10 a tire then it really takes only a few minutes.

 

[Lurch]

Ever done it?
It's one of those things they discount because tire monkey labor is cheap and they already raped you on the tires.

 

[bnbrown]

not to mention they already bought the stud gun and paid for it.
I would look around, try some places that do commercial tires, or in our case the local Coop, might find a better deal than $20 per.

 

[steved]

Ever done it?

It's one of those things they discount because tire monkey labor is cheap and they already raped you on the tires.

Yep... they add a little to all the tires, of which only a few actually have them studded.



It took two guys over an hour and a half to do my four tires...

 

[JLEONARD]

Ever done it?

To be quite honest with you... yes I have actually

 

[MAleshire]

IMO studded tires are highly over rated. The studs usually get thrown off or worn out long before the tire tread is gone. At speeds over 60 mph you frequently lose studs. I lived in ice and snow country for 30 years and used both studded and siped tires. On studded tires I regularly lost or wore out the studs before wearing out the tires. Studded tires necessitate having two sets of tires. They provide less traction than regular tires on wet pavement. Their only saving grace is their extra traction on glare ice. I am a real advocate of siping tires. The advantages of siping are one set of tires year round, better traction than studs in all situations other than glare ice (almost the same), and increased tire life due to the tires running cooler. The only draw back of siped tires on a truck, is if you're driving on gravel roads a lot, and carrying heavy loads, the gravel can work its way between the sipes and cause an occasional flat. An up side of siping is using siped highway tires that will provide the extra traction without the noise and drag of M&S tires.



Skip

 

[carson6]

5 years running mastercraft 315 studed...

from oct. to march then the non studed set for summer ... . they last alot longer that way... they cost 20$ per tire @ genos tire in big bear (hes got a stud gun)we have a set for the subaru too!when your on pavement watchout they skid easy but on ice their great

 

[GHarman]

If I did most of my driving on flat pavement, I would definitely use the siped tires, exclusively. However, driving steep, winding mountain roads that have 5 Months of ice in patches at a minimum and snowpacked hills that are 3+ miles long at a 15% Grade in one place with no guard rails, I'll stick with what works, Studs! I have had no issue with driving with studs at highway speeds. The proper stud for the tire was used. My tires are worn out when the studs are gone. I have never gotten more than 30,000 miles from any tire! With 2 sets of rims, running allweather tires in the Summer and studded M&S in the Winter, I get about 4 years worth of use. However, the service time will lengthen, cause I dont drive that much with the high fuel costs. GregH

 

[Paddy McMahon]

If I did most of my driving on flat pavement, I would definitely use the siped tires, exclusively. However, driving steep, winding mountain roads that have 5 Months of ice in patches at a minimum and snowpacked hills that are 3+ miles long at a 15% Grade in one place with no guard rails, I'll stick with what works, Studs! I have had no issue with driving with studs at highway speeds. The proper stud for the tire was used. My tires are worn out when the studs are gone. I have never gotten more than 30,000 miles from any tire! With 2 sets of rims, running allweather tires in the Summer and studded M&S in the Winter, I get about 4 years worth of use. However, the service time will lengthen, cause I dont drive that much with the high fuel costs. GregH

As someone who has had to commute across 200 miles of icy roads five months a year I can only say "AMEN" to your comment regarding studded tires. With weight in the truck bed I NEVER had traction issues with studs unless driving through drifts that were over the bumper.