Snow tires thread! (1 Viewer)

[snowmatt1]

Moved to North Idaho, where I realized my KO2s with 45K miles on them aren't cutting it at all on the snow/ice. My daughter's 2011 Highlander FWD with snow tires handles way better.

I'm due for new tires pretty soon anyway, so I'm pretty open to options. I'm wondering if there is a real AT tire that does well in snow/ice (read here about the DuraTracs), but also read here about having dedicated snow tires and switching them out is still way better. Open to both options, but likely prefer dedicated snow tires as I have long winter drives, and want to be able to help winch people out who get stuck.

Fellow northern states guys, help me out!

1. Is there a legit all-season, all year tire that will perform well on snow/ice, nearly as well as an actual snow tire?
2. If not, what's the best 33"-35" option for my cruiser for snow tires? I run 33s now (285/65/18) but am open to going bigger I have a 2.5" OME lift.
3. Also, since I'm in need of new AT tires anyway, any updated thoughts on the AT tire landscape (I can search other threads for this, but so many aren't up to date).

Thanks fellas!

 

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[snowmatt1]

I think I've decided to get some good winter tires, then come spring get a set of my normal summer AT tires. I'd rather be really safe out here in the winter. Leaning towards the NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA LT3

 

[Mike NXP]

I live in NW Montana and the roads are hard packed and icy all winter. All terrain tires just don't cut it with such a hard rubber compound, even if they have that fancy snowflake on the side of it.

Any proper snow tire will do way better and make sure you get them studded. The 100 series is pretty unstoppable with that setup.

I'm running mastercraft courser snow tires with studs. I went a bit skinner and taller than stock size. Going on 4 years and they barley have worn and do great.

 

[snowmatt1]

Any proper snow tire will do way better and make sure you get them studded..

How are studded on dry pavement? Roads were bad here two days ago and clear today.

 

[Mike NXP]

How are studded on dry pavement? Roads were bad here two days ago and clear today.

Not a big deal, I usually install in early November, or whenever the temperatures drop, and run on some dry pavement in the beginning and end of the season. The studs just barley come over the tred and hold up really nicely. I think the bigger concern is the soft rubber on hot pavement wearing quick so just make sure you swap them out before temps go up.

I would never buy a snow tire again without studs the difference is really amazing and for most daily drivers running the hard pack icey roads it really helps. No difference really if your just off roading in deep snow.

 

[StinkyPig]

I think I've decided to get some good winter tires, then come spring get a set of my normal summer AT tires. I'd rather be really safe out here in the winter. Leaning towards the NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA LT3

There is no better snow tire IMO.

 

[hickuptruck]

Nokian Hakkas - end thread

In second if you cant get Nokians are Blizzaks. Get P-rated tread. They perform better than LT in the winter because softer. Would not get LT unless you're hauling or do some winter trail driving.

 

[snowmatt1]

Nokian Hakkas - end thread

Studded ?

 

[CBdeJ]

I didn't think studs were necessary until one day I stopped on an icy road in northern Sweden one new years eve. My volvo with studs was fine. My friends without (but with snows) slowly slid toward a ditch powered only by gravity and the crown on the road. Studs for me (if legal) from then on. If you can get Hakkas and studs are legal I'd go that route every time. I guess the next question is, "how good are you at getting your chains on and off?"

 

[snowmatt1]

I didn't think studs were necessary until one day I stopped on an icy road in northern Sweden one new years eve. My volvo with studs was fine. My friends without (but with snows) slowly slid toward a ditch powered only by gravity and the crown on the road. Studs for me (if legal) from then on. If you can get Hakkas and studs are legal I'd go that route every time. I guess the next question is, "how good are you at getting your chains on and off?"

I ordered studded. Thanks for making me happy with that decision.

FYI - I'm amazing at chains. Snowboarded 50x a year, never had a 4wd vehicle. Chained up like a nascar pit crew!

 

[hickuptruck]

I ordered studded. Thanks for making me happy with that decision.

FYI - I'm amazing at chains. Snowboarded 50x a year, never had a 4wd vehicle. Chained up like a nascar pit crew!

I never once used studded tires in Tahoe or Mammoth. I don't think you need them. They're be more dry days where they are just noise makers. Blizzaks and Nokians are designed to be studless snow tires, but studding them just makes you a rally driver on ice.

Sure you can order the studded version of the Hakka, but I think you need to find another tire shop to stud them(I dont think there are any in Socal), or get the studder tool yourself.

 

[AirheadNut]

I'm running a Cooper A/T tire on my Cruiser, but generally drive my Jetta with studded tires if the conditions dictate. You made the right choice with the Hakkapeliittas and getting studs. Here in Western MT and North ID roads tend to be hard packed, glossy smooth snow a lot and studded tires make a huge difference in stopping distance. Supposedly studs increase stopping distance on dry pavement, but I've never noticed very much difference. They do tend to wear longer too, I've been running the same set of snow tires on my Jetta for 5 consecutive winters and they're still pretty decent.

 

[snowmatt1]

I never once used studded tires in Tahoe or Mammoth. I don't think you need them.

Same. SoCal hardcore snowboarder. Done big bear and mammoth and Tahoe in all sorts of conditions. But I am learning there is a massive difference between snow resort town driving after a big snow and that clears out and hard packed snow that becomes ice as the top layer melts then freezes. I don’t know what it is but in town the roads ice up and get very slick. The day of the snow is awesome and easy. 2 days later is the problem.

 

[snowmatt1]

Probably helps to add I have a ‘22 Tacoma TRD Pro for my daily driver on dry conditions and can leave the cruiser for the harsher days. That’s what pushed me to the studded tires. I can drive the Tacoma on dry days.

Also I have some friends that live “out there” and the roads get steeper and much less traveled. That ice stays around for a long time.

 

[jdam]

Same. SoCal hardcore snowboarder. Done big bear and mammoth and Tahoe in all sorts of conditions. But I am learning there is a massive difference between snow resort town driving after a big snow and that clears out and hard packed snow that becomes ice as the top layer melts then freezes. I don’t know what it is but in town the roads ice up and get very slick. The day of the snow is awesome and easy. 2 days later is the problem.

It's the worst when the day temperatures hover just above freezing and it's cold at night. That icing/thawing cycle sucks.

 

[snowmatt1]

Got the new tires on just in time!

 

[greenbeast]

Those look great, after 10 years here in Steamboat, I have used a few different tires. Blizzaks have been our go to with great results and we have them on daughters' truck and wife's car. I just put some Cooper Snow claws on the son's Tacoma but sold it too quick to see how they did. I personally have use Cooper AT3 on my GMC 2500 for last 2 years but since they were great in the snow they didn't last much past 35K miles before I had to replace which was quite frustrating but softer tires simply don't withstand daily driving any other times.

Those Nokian (not gonna try and spell the other word) look great! I have never owned studded tires but would bet they do well on the slick stuff.

 

[snowmatt1]

They are solid but I’m learning once it’s icy - slushy - icy, you’re gonna slide in anything. But these are a vast improvement over my KO2s.