Nokian 33 inch snow tires?

[John E Davies]

I have been running Geolander I/T+ 285/75R16 for nine winters (counting the upcoming one...) and plan on replacing them next winter, if I can decide on which 33" snow tire. There are not a lot of choices, but the Hakka LT2 and brand new Rotiiva AT look promising.

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http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=132512&group=2.01&name=Nokian+Hakkapeliitta+LT2

Media release for the LT: .... http://nokian.tiremedia.com/news/2625.html
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http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=132374&group=2.01&name=Nokian+Rotiiva+AT

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The LT2 is definitely a "Yahoo, it's a blizzard!!!" tire. The Rotiiva AV looks more like a regular A/T that has some light winter credentials. Both are Load D in this size. The LT is studdable.

I am leaning toward the Hakka LT2 without studs. Spokane gets a highly variable snowfall, tho sometimes it's pretty darn desperate. .... Big pic link:

http://www.spokanister.net/images_web/LX450_Tech/Yokomaha_Geo-001c.JPG

I've been able to get around fairly easily in 20 inches of fresh snow, unchained, with the Geolanders, and I don't want to lose that ability. My family has four AWD or 4wd vehicles, all with snow tires. When it gets really bad, the LX450 is our go to vehicle....

EDIT: I wouldn't mind switching to a winter capable (with snowflake symbol, not M&S) A/T for year round use - I would install my very heavy Cooper STTs for serious off pavement trips - but ONLY if the A/T tires would hold up reasonably well to the the rocky forest roads we have in WA, ID and MT......

Any comments from owners? Any links to tests or reviews of the Nokians? I haven't found much online.

Thanks

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[Corbet]

No experience with those specific models. But, I've run many sets of Nokians with nothing but great results. The older version of the Rotiva (Vatiiva) was very good. We had the older WR's on our Subaru. And I've driven a handful of other vehicles equipped with Hakka's. I don't think you can go wrong with either. If they made a 315 that was studdable I'd have them on my 80.

 

[John E Davies]

I'm still looking online for reviews.... I ran across this _very_ interesting comment from a FZJ80 owner about the Vatiiva/ Rotiiva AT tires (I could copy and paste it, but I won't post other people's comments without their consent).

See Post 32 on this page:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/wheels-tires/197450-local-shop-steering-me-away-bfg-2.html

I also discovered that these are pretty lightweight tires:

Ratiiva A/T 285/75R16 Load D is 45.3 pounds
Hakka LT2 285/75R16 Load D is 46 pounds

I don't see any issues with the LT2 in winter, but I seriously doubt that the Ratiiva A/T would hold up when used year round as they advertise it, especially in rocky terrain when aired down..... A set of 5 Ratiivas (incl the spare) would be 55 pounds (!) lighter than the same size Cooper STT tires. I just can't see that light a tire being durable. My Coopers have been, well, indestructible.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[John E Davies]

Bump to top for any more comments.......?

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[Corbet]

I don't think your going to find much in the way of reviews. They are a boutique brand tire. Not a lot of people running them especially in these circles. We just bought another set for the Subaru and love them again.

 

[tundratrader]

Anymore reports from last winter on the nokian rotiiva? I run 255/85r16 cooper discovery s/t studded and sipped on my fzj80. They work great. Pizza cutters are the only way to go in winter. I was gonna get the same tire for my 2002 tundra but I have heard a lot of good things about the rotiiva. All the dealerships here had good reports from last winter. I just want some real people reports. I run 235/85r16 on the tundra for winter I know they are 10 ply and stiff but pizza cutters flat out work here in Alaska. If anyone has been running the rotiiva post up please on winter use.

 

[Corbet]

I still can't speak for the Rotiva personally but we put another set of Nokians on the Subaru last winter. And as always best snow tire out there.

 

[tundratrader]

Yeah they are great. I am replacing nokian hakkapalita LT's. They have the Lt2 now but if I can run a all terrain year round that would be awesome. They are the same soft compound as the rest of the nokian line. The rotiiva looks like an awesome tire. I wish I had got that big mud tire vativa for my fzj80 when they made them.

 

[daveIT]

Their studded bicycle tires rule.

 

[LimaBravo]

So, did you go with the rotiiva? What are the results?