I'm running BGF M/T's (33% tread) on one rig, and I'm worried about snow/ice traction. Been told that siping them does wonders for winter traction. Anyone run siped M/T's?? any advice??

Siping helps disipate water from under the tread. I'm going to have my swampers siped next week. Discount Tire Co. will do it for 10 bucks a tire.

Good question, I have a set of BFG's with about 90% tread on them. Is it worth it the time.

I have every tire I buy siped. It kicks ass. I have "NEVER" had a problem with with the tread chucking out. I've ripped entire lugs off tires that weren't siped though. It will ocassionally happen to everyone whether they are siped or not. Almost everyone up here in the PNW sipes their tires.

http://www.snort4x4.com/~4xford/images/tires/siped.jpg

http://www.snort4x4.com/~4xford/images/tires/siped2.jpg

http://www.snort4x4.com/~4xford/images/tires/siped1.jpg

I think I'll look around to see if anyone does it around here.

thanks.:)

Originally posted by fatkid
I think I'll look around to see if anyone does it around here.

thanks.:)

I recommend going to a place that does truck tires. A lot of the smaller automotive tire places have the machine, but no one that has a clue how to use it correctly.

The truck guys are usually pretty good at it. If the machine cuts over the same area twice, it really starts to fuck up your tread. I also recommend cutting them as deep as you can. Get your moneys worth, and it loosens up the tire carcus. Some people only cut half way though. I also recommend cutting into the outer lugs a bit. Leave a good 1/2" shoulder on the smallest lug though.

Thanks guys. There's a bangdad place in town that sipes tires. I'll try them before it gets too nasty up here

I had my BFG MTs siped (back when I used run 'em) and--yes--it does wonders for traction on ice and hardpacked snow--something we have a lot of in Northern MN. You might wanna check around and get the best price though--it can range anywhere from 8 to 15 dollars a tire around here.

HTH,
Jake

Here's an article on siping tires yourself (http://www.outdoorwire.com/4x4/toyota/tech/sipe/) for the same cost as having a shop do it once. Then you have the knife and blades left over to sipe dozens more sets of tires.

AFCO Racing sells the heated knife + head and blades for around $60.

So I drove the claws on the street in the snow for the first time last week. THEY SUCKED! Not that I expected them to be good in this type of condition. So the question now is should I sipe them or get some A/T retreads? The siping would be a cheeper initial investment but would a tire like the bias-ply claw last as long or longer after being siped? I really dont want to fawk them up since I would rather not have to buy new tires.

Originally posted by Eddie Mcstiff
So I drove the claws on the street in the snow for the first time last week. THEY SUCKED! Not that I expected them to be good in this type of condition. So the question now is should I sipe them or get some A/T retreads? The siping would be a cheeper initial investment but would a tire like the bias-ply claw last as long or longer after being siped? I really dont want to fawk them up since I would rather not have to buy new tires.

They do seem to last a little longer, although I don't know if you'll see the 15-20% in that ad. I always just get 'em siped new before I they're installed. I'd sipe 'em if there's a decent amount of tread left on them. Definitely cheaper than retreads.

Jake

Originally posted by Jakesteramalamajama


They do seem to last a little longer, although I don't know if you'll see the 15-20% in that ad. I always just get 'em siped new before I they're installed. I'd sipe 'em if there's a decent amount of tread left on them. Definitely cheaper than retreads.

Jake

I just got them this past spring so they have a bunch of tread on them. I was just worried that with such a large amount of void that they might react diffrently that a more conventional tire. Would discount tire be a good place to get this done or should I seek out a "TRUCK" tire store?

I usually get mine done at a local chain store called Tires Plus. they use the same Saf-Tee-Sipe system as in that ad. I'd imagine any Goodyear, NTB, or other discount tire place could do it. It's not like it's difficult for them to do. They set up the Saf-Tee-Sipe machine and then they put the tire in it and turn it on. like I said--I'd look for whomever had the best price and give them the business.

Jake