Love the look (and the scenery), NoGaBiker! Unfortunately, for me, it doesn't make sense to have something as aggressive as the Rugged Trek. I needed to strike the right balance between street (where I spend 95% of my time) and offroad. The Road+Trail is just that. Great on the street - barely any difference in noise and ride quality compared to stock. Has a more aggressive tread. Snow rated. No rubbing. Etc. For those in a similar situation as me, worth checking out the Road+Trail.

 

Zero issues with rubbing. They really are great.

 

Sorry air suspension or springs? From the specs of both tires they are less than 1/2" wider so that makes sense.

 

No worries. Air suspension.

 

Same as for my other vehicles, a lo-profile race-style jack from Home Depot 10 years ago or so. Works on a track-prepped Cayman GT4 and the Defender. Just make sure you are at access height when you start. It takes 7/8s of the jack's height to get the OEMs off and 8/8s to put the RTs on (1/2" taller, despite being OEM size of 255/70-18)

Jack

 

Just chiming in on the AT3 4S here. Previous owner mounted them on the stock 22s, 275/45/20 size. Good on-road manners, low noise for an AT.

I haven't done any off-roading with them (they appear to be capable) but have driven them through varying winter conditions since purchasing my D90 a month ago.

I would say the breakaway characteristics could be better in snow/ice. The front end tends to let go first, and then after a while, the rear will. Recovery out of a 4 wheel slide could be better. My only other experience with ATs in snow is with a KO2. They're not as progressive as a KO2 as far as release and recovery characteristics, and obviously nowhere close to a true winter tire which I have ample experience on with various vehicles. It's a bit less predictable in a slide than theKO2 (I'm the type to turn off the traction/stability control on anything remotely fun to drive as soon as there's accumulation).

With that said, with 6" on the ground, I never felt that I was in danger of being stuck. Ice performance wasn't great (we had some freezing rain here in Denver last week), especially coupled with the instantaneous torque of the V8. I'm looking at Nokian Outpost nATs to replace them as I want to have a one-tire solution for this vehicle (I have a 4x4 Sprinter on snows for stormy days or anything more than a day-trip to the slopes).