Re: Hydroplan accident.
During the monsoon season we have a lot of frog stranglers around here and hydroplaning is one of the things I am concerned about particularly in a wide tire on a light car situation.
Most tires are pretty good when new but the real test is at half worn. On my other cars I generally run club Michelins and just accept a little squirm when new in the dry for exceptional wet manners when worn.
On my tow car I just replaced a set of Goodyears with 6/32nds remaining for Michelins because I could not only feel them sliding but the TC light was coming on. Fact that I often pull a 3500 lb travel trailer was a factor.
On my Judge I run BFGs because I rarely drive in the rain and 235x60x15 front and 255x70x15 rear are not easy to find in other brands. I also replace then at least every decade so not a wear issue.
Brakes and tires are not things you want to cut corners on, can cost much more than you saved.
So far the Contis that came with Crossie have felt good in the wet but are near new. When they start to squirm in the wet though they will get replaced.