Snow Tires for the 21s (and chains and socks)

[jwardell]

Rivian continues to refuse to sell me a 20" set of wheels for use with snow tires, so I am now researching options to swap the tires on my 21" road for the season.
The problem is NO other tires are made in their 275/55-21 size.

I'm curious if anyone has any suggestions.
For example digging through Nokian's site, they have Hakka 9 SUV tires in 275/50-21 which would run 3.3% small...is that doable?

Update: as we were unable to find a suitable snow tire, I am evaluating snow chains and wheel socks, head to this post for more details: https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/snow-tires-for-the-21s.8540/page-3#post-218488

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[Madsen203]

The key is making sure you have the same load rating. Being off a marginal percentage in size/diameter won’t be a big deal long term.

 

[Madsen203]

The key is making sure you have the same load rating. Being off a marginal percentage in size/diameter won’t be a big deal long term.

Looks like this has a lower weight rating at 113 rather than 115. If you’re not maxing out payload, it should be OK but is not recommended. Given its a winter tire, I’m sure you won’t be near max GVWR.

 

[atebit]

~150 lbs difference between the two load ratings:

 

[jwardell]

Yeah I'm the heaviest thing the truck will be transporting in the winter. I might have to pay a visit to my nearest Nokian dealer.
Any other tire suggestions?

 

[R1Sky Business]

If it's a safety issue....probably shouldn't mess around with it

 

[Madsen203]

~150 lbs difference between the two load ratings:

Which would mean 1/2 your available Payload (which includes passenger weight) is cut. Otherwise, fine to use

 

[Riviot]

When you say "snow tires," do you mean studded tires?

 

[jwardell]

When you say "snow tires," do you mean studded tires?

Possibly, not sure I will stud or not, but I need GOOD snow tires. Hakkas are usually the best, but if there was a decent better size/rating match I would consider.

 

[Riviot]

Possibly, not sure I will stud or not, but I need GOOD snow tires. Hakkas are usually the best, but if there was a decent better size/rating match I would consider.

https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/cars-trucks/studded-tires-winter-car-prep/

This will be the first real winter of real Rivian customers driving, I'm interested to see how the stock tires fare throughout the U.S.

 

[crashmtb]

https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/cars-trucks/studded-tires-winter-car-prep/

This will be the first real winter of real Rivian customers driving, I'm interested to see how the stock tires fare throughout the U.S.

That's such a stupid article.
The reasoning of "nobody needs studded tires every single day of winter so no one should use them" is just silly. Life is compromise.

I don't use studded tires, because most of my driving is in town or on the highway...and I leave my winter tires on past the March 30th cutoff for studded tires.

My sister lives out in the country and uses studded tires on every vehicle they own, despite most of their commuting being on paved highways.

 

[SACDFJC]

If you REALLY want 20's this person on FB has had these for sale for a long time. I'm guessing you could talk them into a lower price.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1566090087144350/

 

[the long way downunder]

The key is making sure you have the same load rating. Being off a marginal percentage in size/diameter won’t be a big deal long term.

Right. As long as Rivian agrees with the fitment (for stability and traction control more than clearance) and all four are the same, it will work. I'd rather be 3% larger diameter than smaller. A bit narrower in winter is generally preferable for traction (wider is useful driving over snow, not in snow on a traction surface.)
If studded is an option, I'd go with something larger than 27.7" overall diameter.
https://nokiantyres.studio.crasman....liitta+10_EV_Info_Sheet_NA_September_2022.pdf

 

[the long way downunder]

That's such a stupid article.
The reasoning of "nobody needs studded tires every single day of winter so no one should use them" is just silly. Life is compromise.

I don't use studded tires, because most of my driving is in town or on the highway...and I leave my winter tires on past the March 30th cutoff for studded tires.

My sister lives out in the country and uses studded tires on every vehicle they own, despite most of their commuting being on paved highways.

I wonder if they're arguing statistics – convince 1000 people to stop using studs, that 1000 less vehicles ripping up the roads, maybe 1 or 2 more fender bender collisions and zero additional fatalities?
Personally, our ski cabin is on a 16% grade asphalt road and 20% grade concrete driveway … with a day or two of freeze-thaw in spring or early winter, I either have studded tires or chains, or the given vehicle will just slide downhill till something expensive crumples up against the scenery.

 

[Riviot]

I don't use studded tires, because most of my driving is in town or on the highway...and I leave my winter tires on past the March 30th cutoff for studded tires.

I believe this is the case for most people, especially those seeking a new expensive electric vehicle. Personally, I'm happy to drive slower and more careful that .1% of the time studded would demonstrably help. However 99.9% my 20s with stock will serve me well.

Put me in the "ban the sale of studded tires" camp, they absolutely destroy roads and lead to higher costs for all of us. There are far better tires out there now, like your winter tires, for the same cost.

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