GeorgeB’s 2013 Suburban LTZ “Fin”

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adventurenali92

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How do the Defenders really perform in snow. It’s not but a couple rimes a year I run in snow but when I do it is important that I be in control.
They're really good. They have crazy good grip! When I first went to 20 inch wheels, I picked up a used set of them and threw them on in late April figuring we were down with snow that particular year. We always get snow sometime right around Mother’s Day, but for some reason mother nature decided to throw us almost a foot of snow that second week of May for Mother’s Day.... it was crazy!! And the defenders I had on rolled like a champ in the snow!
 
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George B

George B

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After doing a bunch of looking online at new, takeoffs and used wheels I am getting frustrated. I see wheels I like but of course they have someones unwanted crappy 3 season tires on them. And..... According to the asking price most of these guys want they must be chrome plated gold with the best tires you can get! Some are even corroded and pitted already. Forget that!

I would run a set of LTX M/S tires on my 22s and forget it IF I could be reasonably sure they will do what I need them to in the snow when I need them to. One time stuck where another tire has gotten me through and I will not be happy. Finding a good honest review has proven difficult too.

What I really want is a set of 18" wheels that look decent on this truck that I can put a set of AT tires on at a realistic price.
 
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George B

George B

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Just got off the phone with a long time buddy of mine at my local tire shop. Turns out Falken has released a part number for the Wildpeak AT3W in 285/45-R22 and they should become available in the next couple months.
 
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George B

George B

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Was doing some reading on a different thread and got curious regarding towing capacity, gearing and trailer brake controls so I went out and looked at my RPO sticker again. It turns out I do have 3.42:1 gears along with G80. What got me thinking was that I have a brake control and I thought that would be odd with 3.08:1 gears.
Here is my RPO label for more discussion.

A326770E-313B-4B64-B87D-E77AACAEDC26.jpeg
 

Geoffsfas10

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Those Wildpeaks are awesome!!! I had them on my Sierra when I traded it in and they were hands down the best AT tire ive owned, and I've had all the big names in them. After one winter of driving with these OEM goodyears thats are on my tahoe, the wildpeaks are a must do upgrade
 

swathdiver

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Was doing some reading on a different thread and got curious regarding towing capacity, gearing and trailer brake controls so I went out and looked at my RPO sticker again. It turns out I do have 3.42:1 gears along with G80. What got me thinking was that I have a brake control and I thought that would be odd with 3.08:1 gears.
Here is my RPO label for more discussion.

View attachment 245290

So you're set for towing 8,000 pounds. If you want an All Weather, All Terrain tire that can slice through snow, KO2s baby!

Now, when I did my wheel and tire research, I noticed that tires for 18" wheels were noticeably more expensive. I am considering a 34" tall tire on 20 inch wheels and those tires are $100 more per tire compared to the stock size on 17 inch wheels.

Our trucks are near identical but yours has the auto-ride suspension and the electronic improvements like Trailer Sway Control, Hill Start Assist and Powertrain Grade Braking - Normal Mode and Cruise Grade Braking - Normal Mode and the improved navigation unit.

What kind of gas mileage do you get, city and highway?
 
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George B

George B

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Those Wildpeaks are awesome!!! I had them on my Sierra when I traded it in and they were hands down the best AT tire ive owned, and I've had all the big names in them. After one winter of driving with these OEM goodyears thats are on my tahoe, the wildpeaks are a must do upgrade
I went from DuraTracks to the Wildpeaks. the DuraTracks were great but loud. The Wildpeaks were awesome and my wanting them has added to the wheel dilemma I have.
 

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