Tires for a road trip from Canada to Mexico in January

[Mark_BC]

I am seriously thinking about a trip from Vancouver, Canada down to LA and then into Baja California, Mexico in December and January. Wondering if I should run winter or summer tires.

There are snowy passes in California and I could get snow in Washington and Oregon that time of year. That is why I should run winter tires.

But then I'll be off-roading in Baja California in warmish temperatures. That is why I should run all terrains.

The disadvantage of winter tires in Baja is they will wear. The disadvantage of all season tires in the snow and ice is that they won't be as safe. What do you recommend?

 

[KidVermicious]

Run your favorite AT, chain up if the passes get bad.

 

[RuggedRunner]

Since you didn't state any disadvantages to all-terrains, It seems obvious to me that you should get those. ATs can handle snow, ice, dirt, sand, shallow mud etc. and my ATs even grip dry pavement really well..I like to take corners hard. My last road trip from VA to UT I had general A/T tires and went all over slick rock and sand. Also, I think ATs handle snowy roads better than winter tires.

 

[Kanoe]

Baja heat will kill a set of winter tires.

If the roads get bad just wait for a snowplow or take the interstate. You can be through the US in a few days.

That's a great trip. We did it a couple of winters back. Loved Baja. Have fun!

 

[Toyotayoda]

I am seriously thinking about a trip from Vancouver, Canada down to LA and then into Baja California, Mexico in December and January. Wondering if I should run winter or summer tires.

There are snowy passes in California and I could get snow in Washington and Oregon that time of year. That is why I should run winter tires.

But then I'll be off-roading in Baja California in warmish temperatures. That is why I should run all terrains.

The disadvantage of winter tires in Baja is they will wear. The disadvantage of all season tires in the snow and ice is that they won't be as safe. What do you recommend?

BFG KO2, they may seem a bit noisy on dry pavement, but not overwhelming, good all around tire for that kind of travel it think.

 

[SpidermanGeek]

Yeah, don't overthink it. A good set of A/T will do you just fine.

I drove through the East Coast Snowmaggedon (SC all through MD, on my way back home from FL vacation) last January with my Toyota Matrix (FWD) on fairly used Continental Extreme Contact DWS with no problems.

I'm pretty sure a 4WD 4Runner with A/T's can handle snowy passes in the hills of California.

+, you're in BC... so I'm pretty sure you've handled snow and ice conditions before without much worry.

 

[Mark_BC]

BFG KO2, they may seem a bit noisy on dry pavement, but not overwhelming, good all around tire for that kind of travel it think.

That's what I was thinkin

 

[pauldub]

Assuming you don't already have the tires, you can possibly get them cheaper in the US depending on what the exchange rate does to you. Discount Tire and Costco both sell the BFGs and you could get them in Bellingham when you pass through or hold off until Oregon where you wouldn't have to pay the 10% sales tax.

 

[Mark_BC]

Assuming you don't already have the tires, you can possibly get them cheaper in the US depending on what the exchange rate does to you. Discount Tire and Costco both sell the BFGs and you could get them in Bellingham when you pass through or hold off until Oregon where you wouldn't have to pay the 10% sales tax.

Good idea. Not sure if that will work well with the exchange rate. I can get them here for $250 each minus $50 coupon on the total so $950. That is for 265/75/16 BFG ko2 version e, no c available. Plus install and bałancing plus 12% tax and enviro fees. Not sure how that compares to the us. 75% exchange rate.

 

[RonJR]

Good idea. Not sure if that will work well with the exchange rate. I can get them here for $250 each minus $50 coupon on the total so $950. That is for 265/75/16 BFG ko2 version e, no c available. Plus install and bałancing plus 12% tax and enviro fees. Not sure how that compares to the us. 75% exchange rate.

Are you quoting Canadian dollars there? If so, you likely won't do better here. I paid $200 US each at Discount Tire. They did give me a $100 cash card, but you can't always count on that. Out the door it was $1000US for me.

I'm on my 3rd set of BFG KO/KO2's on 4runners. IMO, they're all the winter tire a 4runner needs.

 

[Mark_BC]

Are you quoting Canadian dollars there? If so, you likely won't do better here. I paid $200 US each at Discount Tire. They did give me a $100 cash card, but you can't always count on that. Out the door it was $1000US for me.

I'm on my 3rd set of BFG KO/KO2's on 4runners. IMO, they're all the winter tire a 4runner needs.

Yes Canadian $ so convert. I went to the Discount Tire website and for Bellingham (across the border in the US) they give me a total out the door price of $840 which isn't much of a savings when you convert to Canadian and compare to buying here. Not worth the hassle and it cuts into my vacation time.

 

[hgarcia]

I drive to MEXICO about 5 times from LA to MEXICO City I recommend the tires GOODYEAR SR/A for long trips. ALSO IF YOUR ENGINE IS BURING oil /or minimum burning OIL WHILE DRIVING AFTER 600 miles or more I recommend to take 1qt or bottle of motor oil with you. Even for cold driving or hot driving.

Most important check your BELTS IF is close to replace by 10,000 miles before service replaced THEM because local and city driving is not same believe me.

Check your radiator if is good condition. If you have OEM antifreeze I recommend to refill above FULL ABOUT 2.3 inches more just in case.