Moving to MD from upstate NY... what are ya'll running for tires down "South"?

[muscle_doc]

Moving to MD from upstate NY... what are ya'll running for tires down "South"?

Currently have Duratracs on my T4R, but since I'll be moving to Maryland in December, I know I won't need Duratracs (which I specifically bought for upstate NY winters which are BAD). I'm considering KO2s or Discoverer STTs... what is everyone's thoughts? Looking for tires that will be used for "light off roading/trails" but mostly daily driver on highway 50 miles round trip. I know MD/VA tends to get a light coat of snow once in a while and people panic, but I am fairly confident in driving in snow since I've been living in upstate NY for almost 10 years now, so I'm curious as to what you guys down there are running. Thanks!

 

[comtn4x4]

Currently have Duratracs on my T4R, but since I'll be moving to Maryland in December, I know I won't need Duratracs (which I specifically bought for upstate NY winters which are BAD). I'm considering KO2s or Discoverer STTs... what is everyone's thoughts? Looking for tires that will be used for "light off roading/trails" but mostly daily driver on highway 50 miles round trip. I know MD/VA tends to get a light coat of snow once in a while and people panic, but I am fairly confident in driving in snow since I've been living in upstate NY for almost 10 years now, so I'm curious as to what you guys down there are running. Thanks!

Are you unhappy with the Duratracs? Or just looking for a change? They are a pretty solid choice for "light off roading/trails" use. Both the STT and KO2 are arguably a heavier duty tire. I went from Duratracs to Ridge Grapplers and am very happy with them. Much quieter. But much heavier duty and heavier in weight than Duratracs

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

I moved here from Long Island NY 2.5 years ago. MD is not much better but welcome lol. Since MD has absolutely no clue how to handle snow in any way shape or form and MD is home to literally some of the worst drivers in the country, get yourself something with a good snow rating. BTW, MD has some winters just as bad as NY winters and they don't plow roads very well if at all. 2 winters ago we got hammered, took them close to a week before even touching some side roads.

Where in MD are you moving to?

 

[muscle_doc]

Are you unhappy with the Duratracs? Or just looking for a change? They are a pretty solid choice for "light off roading/trails" use. Both the STT and KO2 are arguably a heavier duty tire. I went from Duratracs to Ridge Grapplers and am very happy with them. Much quieter. But much heavier duty and heavier in weight than Duratracs

I am more than happy with the Duratracs, but figured I didn't need something so winter-aggressive while down there... I am also looking for something lighter, so maybe the STT and KO2s aren't the better choice? Looking for something comparable to the Duratracs, for daily driving/highway use. Sometimes during the summer, it feels like I'm driving a boat with these tires and the thread wears down quickly for the amount I drive.

I moved here from Long Island NY 2.5 years ago. MD is not much better but welcome lol. Since MD has absolutely no clue how to handle snow in any way shape or form and MD is home to literally some of the worst drivers in the country, get yourself something with a good snow rating. BTW, MD has some winters just as bad as NY winters and they don't plow roads very well if at all. 2 winters ago we got hammered, took them close to a week before even touching some side roads.

Where in MD are you moving to?

Nice! Fellow Long Islander (Plainview) here also. Moving to Gaithersburg. I've been told that MD and Va drivers are awful in the rain and snow... been used to Syracuse winters up here for quite a while, so it's like a drive on a sunny day for me. Looks like I may be keeping Duratracs.

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

I am more than happy with the Duratracs, but figured I didn't need something so winter-aggressive while down there... I am also looking for something lighter, so maybe the STT and KO2s aren't the better choice? Looking for something comparable to the Duratracs, for daily driving/highway use. Sometimes during the summer, it feels like I'm driving a boat with these tires and the thread wears down quickly for the amount I drive.



Nice! Fellow Long Islander (Plainview) here also. Moving to Gaithersburg. I've been told that MD and Va drivers are awful in the rain and snow... been used to Syracuse winters up here for quite a while, so it's like a drive on a sunny day for me. Looks like I may be keeping Duratracs.

MD drivers are awful on a bright sunny day, forget about it if it rains or snows. They can't hold speed around a curve, can't hold speed up a hill, can't merge from an on ramp or off ramp, never heard of a signal, never learned to stay out of the left lane unless they're going to hit 70 or better (yeah I know, left lane is for passing) you'll see soon enough lol.

My first winter here was pretty bad, just as bad as a bad NY winter. You know how a good snow in NY closes schools for 1 day, maybe 2 TOPS? Yeah, that equated to 5 day school closures here because MD had no idea how to handle snow removal lol. Last winter was very mild, not much snow at all. They're calling for a bad winter here this year but who knows what'll happen.

What's making you move to MD of all places? I moved here with work and have about another 16 months here before I head down to NC which I can't wait for.

 

[4RnR Grl]

I'm just outside of Baltimore. I assure you this isn't the "south"...lol. I run my BFGs year round. I camp, wheel, and DD my truck everyday.

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

So since there are some MD people here. There's a gathering planned for this Saturday at Frisco in Columbia 3:00 for anyone interested.

 

[muscle_doc]

MD drivers are awful on a bright sunny day, forget about it if it rains or snows. They can't hold speed around a curve, can't hold speed up a hill, can't merge from an on ramp or off ramp, never heard of a signal, never learned to stay out of the left lane unless they're going to hit 70 or better (yeah I know, left lane is for passing) you'll see soon enough lol.

My first winter here was pretty bad, just as bad as a bad NY winter. You know how a good snow in NY closes schools for 1 day, maybe 2 TOPS? Yeah, that equated to 5 day school closures here because MD had no idea how to handle snow removal lol. Last winter was very mild, not much snow at all. They're calling for a bad winter here this year but who knows what'll happen.

What's making you move to MD of all places? I moved here with work and have about another 16 months here before I head down to NC which I can't wait for.

I heard that snow removal was a big issue down there. The past two weekends I've been down there, I actually witnessed the horror of driving on the highways there.... couldn't believe it! And I took a job in North Bethesda. Really like that area, Gaithersburg/Potomac and eventually want to settle down there.

So since there are some MD people here. There's a gathering planned for this Saturday at Frisco in Columbia 3:00 for anyone interested.

Are there frequent meet ups? Would love to be apart of them once I get down there.

I'm just outside of Baltimore. I assure you this isn't the "south"...lol. I run my BFGs year round. I camp, wheel, and DD my truck everyday.

I guess it's South for me since I'm so used to upstate NY, and the brutal winters up here. So you're saying the BFGs are good for the area?

 

[Salvo Jimmy]

One thing you will be able to do from there rather easy is visit the Outer Banks of NC.

 

[jrbpit]

I moved here from Long Island NY 2.5 years ago. MD is not much better but welcome lol. Since MD has absolutely no clue how to handle snow in any way shape or form and MD is home to literally some of the worst drivers in the country, get yourself something with a good snow rating. BTW, MD has some winters just as bad as NY winters and they don't plow roads very well if at all. 2 winters ago we got hammered, took them close to a week before even touching some side roads.

Where in MD are you moving to?

As a native Marylander, I love it when people claim MD has the worst drivers. Everybody thinks they are an above average driver. If you ask anybody about their skills no one ever says, I'm average to low average. Everybody thinks they are the best mankind has to offer when they get behind the wheel. I blame the bad drivers on all the people that have moved here from out of state, which are a lot because of the large military presence and the Civilian workforce of the Federal Government.

Some winters MD gets a good amount snow, then we have some that receive barely any.

MD has a lot of roads, and way too many people. More people and cars than the roads can support.

 

[paddy1337]

MD drivers are awful on a bright sunny day, forget about it if it rains or snows. They can't hold speed around a curve, can't hold speed up a hill, can't merge from an on ramp or off ramp, never heard of a signal, never learned to stay out of the left lane unless they're going to hit 70 or better (yeah I know, left lane is for passing) you'll see soon enough lol.

What's making you move to MD of all places? I moved here with work and have about another 16 months here before I head down to NC which I can't wait for.

I just moved to MD from NC (8 years there), originally from PA. The driving habits you listed that annoy you are far, far worse in NC. There are 3 car traffic jams ont he highways because two cars put beside each other for 10 miles. Much less aggressive drivers down there, however. NC is like a couple different states in one though, so depends on where you move. I'll just say I've been much happier with the drivers in MD.

I'll be moving to Maryland in December,

I obviously don't know your life situation, but if you don't have tons of free cash laying around, I highly recommend you get your truck through Maryland safety inspection before you spend money on tires. You only have to do 1 inspection, EVER, when you first register the 4R, but they want it to be showroom fresh condition in every ball joint, spec of rust, windshield chip, etc. etc. Do some googleing for the horror stories if you haven't already. The cost of registration can be very high as well (depending on tax, etc.), but most people I've talked to with 5-10 year old vehicles spent thousands getting their cars through inspection before ever getting screwed by the registration process.

My wife's 4R just passed inspection pretty easily. But it's never seen winter, and at just over a year of ownership, has only had 1 oil change, like new condition.

 

[muscle_doc]

I just moved to MD from NC (8 years there), originally from PA. The driving habits you listed that annoy you are far, far worse in NC. There are 3 car traffic jams ont he highways because two cars put beside each other for 10 miles. Much less aggressive drivers down there, however. NC is like a couple different states in one though, so depends on where you move. I'll just say I've been much happier with the drivers in MD.



I obviously don't know your life situation, but if you don't have tons of free cash laying around, I highly recommend you get your truck through Maryland safety inspection before you spend money on tires. You only have to do 1 inspection, EVER, when you first register the 4R, but they want it to be showroom fresh condition in every ball joint, spec of rust, windshield chip, etc. etc. Do some googleing for the horror stories if you haven't already. The cost of registration can be very high as well (depending on tax, etc.), but most people I've talked to with 5-10 year old vehicles spent thousands getting their cars through inspection before ever getting screwed by the registration process.

My wife's 4R just passed inspection pretty easily. But it's never seen winter, and at just over a year of ownership, has only had 1 oil change, like new condition.

Good to know. Mine is a stock '14 SR5 with 265 Duratracs on them. Nothing crazy. I hope it goes smooth!

 

[cody maverick]

Sounds like we have a nice crew of Marylanders on here. Also those who have moved from long island here (except i was only 3 when that happened)


A meet up would be nice! I have been looking for people to go offroading with at Rauch Creek.

I run 285 firestone destination at and i hate how they arent aggressive enough. Havent had the 4runner in the winter yet but we will see how that goes. I got them because they are quiet and i live downtown so do mostly highway driving

 

[Runn4est]

I am more than happy with the Duratracs, but figured I didn't need something so winter-aggressive while down there... I am also looking for something lighter, so maybe the STT and KO2s aren't the better choice? Looking for something comparable to the Duratracs, for daily driving/highway use. Sometimes during the summer, it feels like I'm driving a boat with these tires and the thread wears down quickly for the amount I drive.



Nice! Fellow Long Islander (Plainview) here also. Moving to Gaithersburg. I've been told that MD and Va drivers are awful in the rain and snow... been used to Syracuse winters up here for quite a while, so it's like a drive on a sunny day for me. Looks like I may be keeping Duratracs.

Welcome to MD, I grew up in Rockville, but live up 270 from you now. Virginia has the absolute worst drivers known to man kind. Coming from a Marylander's perspective ound: We'll have to get together sometime at Rausch or something of the sorts.

I agree though, no one here knows how to handle snow. I have both k02 and falken at3w and they're both pretty solid. I've wanted the STT pro for a while, but I'm confident they will not be as good as either of my current tires in light or packed snow.

Also, We usually get our snow after December.

 

[e60ral]

i don't think you need anything more aggressive than KO2's unless you plan on playing on wet muddy trails. i don't know what it's like up there in the north, but the clay in the south is really slick and sticky when wet, that's my only complaint about the KO2s. I was also pretty happy with the performance of the KO2s on snow and ice last winter.

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

As a native Marylander, I love it when people claim MD has the worst drivers. Everybody thinks they are an above average driver. If you ask anybody about their skills no one ever says, I'm average to low average. Everybody thinks they are the best mankind has to offer when they get behind the wheel. I blame the bad drivers on all the people that have moved here from out of state, which are a lot because of the large military presence and the Civilian workforce of the Federal Government.

Some winters MD gets a good amount snow, then we have some that receive barely any.

MD has a lot of roads, and way too many people. More people and cars than the roads can support.

So no signals, clueless merging, not holding speeds up hills or around curves, 55 in the left lane, that's all the fault of out of state drivers? If you say so lol. I'm by no means perfect but MD suck in almost all aspects of driving. I'd drive in NYC over MD any day and be more comfortable. MA actually won the award for worst drivers in the US however MD and VA are in the top 5 Shockingly NY ranked pretty good. I always thought driving in NY was bad until I moved here.

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

I heard that snow removal was a big issue down there. The past two weekends I've been down there, I actually witnessed the horror of driving on the highways there.... couldn't believe it! And I took a job in North Bethesda. Really like that area, Gaithersburg/Potomac and eventually want to settle down there.



Are there frequent meet ups? Would love to be apart of them once I get down there.



I guess it's South for me since I'm so used to upstate NY, and the brutal winters up here. So you're saying the BFGs are good for the area?

We don't meet terribly often but that can always change. All someone has to do is make a post on here and people will always show up.

 

[Arishtat]

Central MD has more slush and freezing rain than the ‘real’ snow you’re used to in NY. Winter tires aren’t necessary around here. Western Maryland is more akin to what you’re used to.

Occasionally we get a real winter storm here, about one out of every three years or so; however, it is rare for the weather to stay below freezing for more than a few days.


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[4RnR Grl]

I heard that snow removal was a big issue down there. The past two weekends I've been down there, I actually witnessed the horror of driving on the highways there.... couldn't believe it! And I took a job in North Bethesda. Really like that area, Gaithersburg/Potomac and eventually want to settle down there.



Are there frequent meet ups? Would love to be apart of them once I get down there.



I guess it's South for me since I'm so used to upstate NY, and the brutal winters up here. So you're saying the BFGs are good for the area?

I've lived all over the country. A good majority of MD drivers are not from MD. The drivers in MD are terrible at moving out of the passing lane on the freeway. The I-95 corridor drives similarly to some Cali freeways. Always check the map before you get on the freeway no matter the time of day.

On the tires... I have 40k on my KO2s. I use them in all situations. We do get snow, in late winter. Sometimes it's a lot... Sometimes not. You'll be fine with duratracs.

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[Cymon]

I grew up and lived in Maryland the 1st 30 years of my life and all my family still lives there. All you really need would be a decent AT tire. KO2, Cooper AT3, Falken AT3w would all be more than adequate.

After living on both coasts and having the opportunity to have driven in 45 of the 50 states at one time or another I’ll say that Maryland drivers are not the best but far from the worst. I competely agree with all the points [MENTION=112177]4RnR Grl[/MENTION] just made.

IMHO Florida drivers, South Florida specifically takes the cake. Between the amount of people who are of advanced age and have moved from countries that don’t really have traffic laws (Russia and Central/South America) it makes for a really bad and dangerous combination.