Connecticut How does a second set of snow tires work? Question from a skiing flatlander

[DB-EV]

Hi all - I am finally getting my R1s. I have 20ATs configured, and am in flatland metro NY but I ski the Adirondacks and Catskills 20-30 days per year (yes hold the snark about how I should move too the mountains, please).

Given what I have seen, I am leaning heavily to running snow tires say December to April. I am reasonably intelligent but not mechanically trained.

How do I do it? Do I buy a cheap set of rims and get the snow tires, then pay an installer? Instead do I keep one set of rims and have the tire folks change out the tires on the rims 2x per year (to Blizzak LT in fall and to Rivian AT tires in Spring)? What is cheaper? What is more efficient in time? If over five years it is a difference of a few hundred dollars, I would go with more time efficient.

Many thanks in advance. (PS I am actually on Long Island but it would not let me select NY so I did CT).

Sponsored

 

[Jger928]

So I just got snow tires on my R1T. I got Nokian Hakkappelitta R5’s on 20” dodge ram 2009-2012 wheels. The reason I did this was because Rivian isn’t selling second sets of rims only (officially but some people have gotten SC’s to do it). Also, the dodge wheels are a cheaper aftermarket option. I personally prefer to change out my winter tires myself and just swap the whole wheel.

Had Rivian offered the 20” OEM wheels with no tires I would have gone that way and put the Nokian tires on.

 

[moosehead]

@Jger928, where did you find the R5’s in 20”? Please and thanks.

I had tried to find them earlier but was just prepared to wait until next year.

 

[Jger928]

@Jger928, where did you find the R5’s in 20”? Please and thanks.

So I did 275/60/r20 as the overall diameter matched my 22” OEM wheels. Was able to find them on simpletire and locally ata tire shop that is a Nokian dealer.

 

[epnfrn]

Way cheaper to just buy some snows and have them swapped out fall/spring at your tire shop. They usually charge like $100 each time and will often even store them. We have 22” Michelin x-ice being installed tomorrow for our R1S.
I have snows on separate wheels for my 911 and just swap them in my garage. With the Porsche, timing is more important as the summer tires absolutely stink below 40 degrees. Sometimes I’ll swap them back and forth a couple times. The Rivian won’t have that issue - snow is the real problem you are trying to deal with, so shouldn’t need to swap frequently. And honestly, winter tires do decently well even if you get an occasional mid winter warm day.

 

[cbrcanuck]

Hi all - I am finally getting my R1s. I have 20ATs configured, and am in flatland metro NY but I ski the Adirondacks and Catskills 20-30 days per year (yes hold the snark about how I should move too the mountains, please).

Given what I have seen, I am leaning heavily to running snow tires say December to April. I am reasonably intelligent but not mechanically trained.

How do I do it? Do I buy a cheap set of rims and get the snow tires, then pay an installer? Instead do I keep one set of rims and have the tire folks change out the tires on the rims 2x per year (to Blizzak LT in fall and to Rivian AT tires in Spring)? What is cheaper? What is more efficient in time? If over five years it is a difference of a few hundred dollars, I would go with more time efficient.

Many thanks in advance. (PS I am actually on Long Island but it would not let me select NY so I did CT).

On my outgoing car (Subaru) I have a summer set of tires, mounted on wheels and a winter set mounted on wheels. I just swap them myself using a cheap car jack in the garage. Smaller tires, so the wheels were pretty cheap and I can store the unused set at home.

On the Rivian my plan is to run the 21" (maximize range) during the summer and get a set of snowies for the winter. If I can find cheap enough rims I'll get them premounted and continue to change them myself. If not, I might just get the tires only and have a shop swap them in spring/summer. But not having to deal with the shop is a nice plus (scheduling, driving, waiting, etc).

I was originally going to go with the 20" AT and just run the one set, but from everything I've seen on here about they perform in the winter, it was an easy decision to run better winter tires in the winter, which also meant there was no reason for me to go 20" AT (I don't offroad). Might as well lower the purchase price and increase the range. Although I like the look of the 20s a lot more. But they're tires, easy to change later.

 

[DB-EV]

On my outgoing car (Subaru) I have a summer set of tires, mounted on wheels and a winter set mounted on wheels. I just swap them myself using a cheap car jack in the garage. Smaller tires, so the wheels were pretty cheap and I can store the unused set at home.

On the Rivian my plan is to run the 21" (maximize range) during the summer and get a set of snowies for the winter. If I can find cheap enough rims I'll get them premounted and continue to change them myself. If not, I might just get the tires only and have a shop swap them in spring/summer. But not having to deal with the shop is a nice plus (scheduling, driving, waiting, etc).

I was originally going to go with the 20" AT and just run the one set, but from everything I've seen on here about they perform in the winter, it was an easy decision to run better winter tires in the winter, which also meant there was no reason for me to go 20" AT (I don't offroad). Might as well lower the purchase price and increase the range. Although I like the look of the 20s a lot more. But they're tires, easy to change later.

Cool. Yeah AT tires were 'free' as launch edition. I think this may be the way to go.

 

[Jger928]

Hi all - I am finally getting my R1s. I have 20ATs configured, and am in flatland metro NY but I ski the Adirondacks and Catskills 20-30 days per year (yes hold the snark about how I should move too the mountains, please).

Given what I have seen, I am leaning heavily to running snow tires say December to April. I am reasonably intelligent but not mechanically trained.

How do I do it? Do I buy a cheap set of rims and get the snow tires, then pay an installer? Instead do I keep one set of rims and have the tire folks change out the tires on the rims 2x per year (to Blizzak LT in fall and to Rivian AT tires in Spring)? What is cheaper? What is more efficient in time? If over five years it is a difference of a few hundred dollars, I would go with more time efficient.

Many thanks in advance. (PS I am actually on Long Island but it would not let me select NY so I did CT).

Sending you a DM if you are still looking for a cheap set of rims

 

[Jger928]

On my outgoing car (Subaru) I have a summer set of tires, mounted on wheels and a winter set mounted on wheels. I just swap them myself using a cheap car jack in the garage. Smaller tires, so the wheels were pretty cheap and I can store the unused set at home.

On the Rivian my plan is to run the 21" (maximize range) during the summer and get a set of snowies for the winter. If I can find cheap enough rims I'll get them premounted and continue to change them myself. If not, I might just get the tires only and have a shop swap them in spring/summer. But not having to deal with the shop is a nice plus (scheduling, driving, waiting, etc).

I was originally going to go with the 20" AT and just run the one set, but from everything I've seen on here about they perform in the winter, it was an easy decision to run better winter tires in the winter, which also meant there was no reason for me to go 20" AT (I don't offroad). Might as well lower the purchase price and increase the range. Although I like the look of the 20s a lot more. But they're tires, easy to change later.

@cbrcanuck when do you get your R1? I’m swapping to the 20”OE rims and have the 20” dodge wheels with TPMS (no tires) that I’m gonna try and get rid of.

 

[cbrcanuck]

@cbrcanuck when do you get your R1? I’m swapping to the 20”OE rims and have the 20” dodge wheels with TPMS (no tires) that I’m gonna try and get rid of.

Sigh. Good question. I’m in Canada, so we’re still in a cricket wasteland. The last projection was Apr-June this year, but I’m expecting that to push back. Again.

If I remember and I’m looking for that second set later this year I’ll reach out to see if you still have them!

Sponsored