Maxxis Bighorn Tires????

[Spinalguy]

Tell me any experiences or hearsay on this MT tire please.

Mainly, do you feel safe with them in a hardpacked snow covered road/highway?

size is 32x11.50. But i will take any input on these tires for DD winter duty.
Thanks!!!

[Zombie]

I think you can stud them, that would help on ice, but no idea on snow.

I just heard that the dick cepek  mud country's were a good tire for winter(better than a half worn BFG ATKO anyway)
have some siping on them for better winter traction.(although they don't have the 32, just 31 or 33 in the 15's)

[Spinalguy]

Thanks.
i should elaborate...
These are the new tires on the CJ5 that i will be bringing back through the mountain roads.
Too late to change them so i just need to know what i am in for 

My last experience through the mountains near Fernie with a MT tire on a jeep was nightmarish.
360 at 110km/hr and stayed in my lane. i replaced them soon after!

[BlackYJ]

Is this the tire Tom,

It looks like they have some siping which will help, but they will not grip like a winter tire.  It should also be interesting with the short wheelbase

[Zombie]

I see now.
good luck I guess, hope it doesn't snow

[Spinalguy]

Is this the tire Tom,

It looks like they have some siping which will help, but they will not grip like a winter tire.  It should also be interesting with the short wheelbase

That is them.

Zombie...lol.

[Bnine]

Maxxis do pretty soft sticky tires. I would imagine through warm winter stuff like going through the crowsnest area, those things will work like a charm.

I wouldnt worry Tom

[Spinalguy]

Thanks Bill.
one more question. As it has manual front hubs, if i put tcase into 4hi, do i have to get out and manually lock hubs in to have 4 hi work?

[JackstandJohnny]

Thanks Bill.
one more question. As it has manual front hubs, if i put tcase into 4hi, do i have to get out and manually lock hubs in to have 4 hi work?

yup.  no biggie though. just lock them in before you leave.  they can stay locked.  on older fords/exploders the 'automatic' hubs would not disengage until the vehicle was put in 2wd and put into reverse.

[Spinalguy]

yup.  no biggie though. just lock them in before you leave.  they can stay locked.  on older fords/exploders the 'automatic' hubs would not disengage until the vehicle was put in 2wd and put into reverse.

But would that mean that the driveshaft turns (like TJ's) full time even though i am in 2wd?

[JackstandJohnny]

yea i believe it would. just like a typical jeep.

[w squared]

Yup yup. Johnny's got it right. I drove a lot of Fords with lockable front hubs (both manual and auto-magnetic-craptacular).

If you run them locked while in 2WD, the only differences that you'll see are a drop in fuel economy and a little bit of bind when you turn sharply on dry pavement.

Have a safe trip...and it sounds like you've got a great Jeep!

[Spinalguy]

wow, do i feel like a newbie
but the TJ's were all so 'easy' ha,ha,ha

i'll make sure to photog the trip.

[RedApe]

Tom,

I have had GREAT success last winter with the Dick Cepek Mud Country's...
The siping on the Maxxis' certainly looks like it will do the trick.  I think the only thing in the Mud Country design that it has over the Big Horn is the clear center channel for slush and water displacement:


Note the depth and breadth of the center channel in comparison...it was the number one reason I went with this tire.

[Hi Lo Silver]

Tom, I would not put the hubs in when you leave. This is the beginning of where all those little personalities I mentioned in the other thread will start to come out.  If you see ice or a major amount of snow on the road, that would be the time to put the hubs in if you feel better with 4WD but I wouldn't drive for extended periods with them in if you can avoid it.  Yes the drive shaft and all else turns with hubs engaged. The front just doesn't get power delivered to it from the transfer case till that's engaged. Extra wear and tear and vibrations at that point, when not even engaged yet.

If the seats haven't been altered then you won't need ear muffs for warmth. Your knees will be around your head anyway. This ain't no
Rubicon ya know.

I'm sure you'll really enjoy the trip up, but I bet you'll also avoid longer trips with it in the near future. I do look forward to seeing a road report when you get back. I also look forward to taking a look at the new rig.