Top 10 Best ATV Tires for Snow

ATV tires are specially designed to fit all-terrain and off-road vehicles. These tires are usually bigger to accommodate the size of the all-terrain vehicle. They also tend to be more rugged tires with aggressive treads that can navigate the difficult terrain that these vehicles operate on. Tires are a crucial component of ATVs and changing the tires on your ATV can dramatically impact how it operates. There's a lot to consider when buying new ATV tires, and it's important to make your selection carefully.

Think about what kind of terrain you expect to cover. If you ride on a variety of terrains, your best bet is to look for a good-quality all-terrain tire. But if you tend to drive most frequently on a certain type of terrain, like mud, sand, or rocky trails, there are specific types of ATV tires for those surfaces. ATV tires specifically designed for mud, sand, and rocks each have unique treads that maximize an ATVs performance.

Think about what kind of terrain you expect to cover. If you ride on a variety of terrains, your best bet is to look for a good-quality all-terrain tire. But if you tend to drive most frequently on a certain type of terrain, like mud, sand, or rocky trails, there are specific types of ATV tires for those surfaces. ATV tires specifically designed for mud, sand, and rocks each have unique treads that maximize an ATVs performance.

ATV mud tires, which have a wide and deep tread for dispersing dirt, also tend to be among the best ATV tires for snow. Those big mud treads do a great job of gripping snow and dispersing it. Because ATV owners so often use mud tires to navigate snowy conditions, there aren't as many specialized snow tires on the market. If you're just looking to perform a few straightforward tasks in the snow — plowing, for instance — an alternative to mud tires is to outfit your regular tires with chains, which will grip the snow.

The ply rating is a measure of a tire's load capacity. If you are carrying a heavier load, you'll want a tire with a higher ply rating. However, before switching to tires with a higher or lower ply, check with the manufacturer of your ATV, or your local dealer, to determine if the new ply rating is compatible with your vehicle. The play rating is sometimes expressed today as the load range. Load range is usually a letter, with letters further down the alphabet representing greater strength and higher capacity.

Consult the manufacturer of your ATV, or your local dealer, before switching to tire sizes that are different from those recommended in the owner's manual. Changing the tire size may mean you need a different rim size. Also, it's important to maintain the clearance around your tires at all times, and switching to a larger tire size could cut down on that clearance.

Beneath the tread on a tire is a layer of embedded rubber-coated steel "plies." Radial tires are constructed so that the plies lay perpendicular to the direction of travel, essentially covering the face of the tire and running down its side. ATV owners are increasingly using radial tires because they offer a smooth ride and the treads on these tires tend to last longer. Radial tires also tend to have softer sides, which have a spring-like effect that absorbs bumps. Some radial tires are among the best ATV tires for snow.

Keeping your tires properly inflated is the most important step you can take when it comes to extending the life of your tire. Under-inflated tires cause uneven wear, cracking, fatigue, and other problems. Performing occasional visual inspections of your ATV tires to ensure that foreign objects have not lodged themselves in the tread — and removing any foreign objects that you find — is also a good step to take. Finally, avoiding dramatic stops and starts will extend the life of your tires.

When inflating your tires, follow the guidance provided by the manufacturer of your ATV. Don't exceed the maximum pressure noted on the sidewall of your tire. Because tire pressure greatly influences the way your ATV performs, it's a good idea to check your tire pressure before every ride.

Sometimes you can tell you need new tires by the way the ATV is handling. If your vehicle doesn't seem to grip the road as well, for example, and you find yourself spinning out more often, it may be time for new tires. A visual check of your tires may also signal when it's time for new ones. Does the rubber on your tires look dry, cracked, and faded? Can you see worn down knobs on the tires? These are physical signs that you may be due for new tires. Most ATV tires need to be replaced 4 to 5 years after the manufacture date.

Run-flat tires are able to keep going at reduced speeds for a modest distance even after they've been punctured. This is a useful feature when you're on an ATV is a fairly remote place.

You should always keep a tire repair kit within reach, but it doesn't have to be an ATV-specific kit. Tire Slime, which can be used to instantly repair tread punctures on the spot, can be used to mend small holes in ATV tires. Bigger holes, however, will require a plug. You can patch holes in the side of ATV tires, but those patches usually don't last long and you'll eventually need to replace tires damaged in this way. If you consistently get holes in the sides of your tires, it may have to do with the way you drive. You may be going into turns to abruptly and hitting rocks.

The size of each tire is printed on its side. The size consists of a sequence of 3 numbers. The first number represents the overall diameter of the tire. The second represents the section width, and the third represents the rim diameter. All 3 measurements are in inches.

ATVs and UTVs are different, but many all-terrain tires work on both types of vehicles. ATVs tend to be smaller than UTVs and are usually designed to accommodate just one or two riders. ATVs are often used for recreation. UTV's are off-road vehicles that sometimes hold as many as 4 individuals and are designed for rougher terrain, including work tasks. When selecting an all-terrain tire, getting the correct tire size and finding a tire that is built for the specific type of terrain you are covering are the two most important considerations.

Tire shape does matter, and there are 2 basic tire shapes: round and flat. Tires with a flattened shape have a broader, flat surface that strikes the ground. Experts generally recommend round tires for soft terrain and flat tires for medium- to hard-packed terrain. Round tires are often the best ATV tires for snow.

Look to see if the tires on your ATV are wearing evenly. If the tires on one side of the vehicle are more worn, or if a portion of a single tire is more worn, this could be a sign that your wheels are not completely aligned. Keeping the tires properly aligned will ensure that the ATV handles better and operates efficiently. Proper tire alignment is also a safety consideration. It's a good idea to re-balance your ATV tires every 5,000 miles.