Looking for opinions on snow tires for my 2006 LC. I'm hearing good things about the Bridgestone Blizzak's but the price is somewhat high. I have heard about an alternative tire, Yokohama iceGuard's which would save me around 200-250 all said and done. Please comment, especially if you have first hand knowledge of the Yokohama's.
SnowTires
- Thread starter sum1
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(My first year in snow for what it's worth) I'm running with BFG KO2's on my 2007LC. I drive ~22 miles each way to work (Missoula, Montana). 5 of those miles dirt road that is plowed by many, the remaining miles are plowed asphalt roads. I can let you know in a bit how well the KO2's work. Thus far I've driven in 6"-8" of snow without issue and up +8% grades.
Ideally I'd like to have a set of winter tires that have studs in them.
Some additional threads that may be of use.
forum.ih8mud.com
forum.ih8mud.com
forum.ih8mud.com
Ideally I'd like to have a set of winter tires that have studs in them.
Some additional threads that may be of use.
One tire to do it all - snow and offroading
forum.ih8mud.com
snow tires
forum.ih8mud.com
Best All Around Tires with Snow/Ice Rating
forum.ih8mud.com
I own Yokohama Geolandar snow tires (16") and they have been great. I've used them for about 5 seasons and the tread is still strong. They have served me well on trips all over western Canada, in deep snow and icy conditions. I know the older model I have may not be the same as the ones you are looking at, but I've been very happy with Yokohama's.
- Thread starter
- #4
Currently I have ROADONE M/T tires on it, which came with the vehicle when I purchased it recently. Not sure how much I plan to drive it this winter, I'm thinking possibly just getting some BFG KO2's and use them for all seasons. Thanks for the info.
uHu
Bridgeburner
x2 on the Yokohamas. The Geolandar I/T G073 (or G072) is the best studless snow tire I've tried on a cruiser. Definitely better than the Blizzaks. They give excellent traction for getting up the hills and for braking, but sideways traction is exceptional compared to many others. In curves, many tires just suddenly lets go if you go to fast, and you either manage to correct by counter-steering, or you end up outside the road or do a piruett. The Geolandar I/T will just start "walking" sideways in a very controlled manner if you go too fast for the current conditions, giving you time to adapt and adjust.
Good offroad (A/T or M/T) tires are generally no good for roads covered with ice or snow, but the BFG A/T Ko2 are remarkably good for being of this type. On ice or hard, wet snow they are not as good as a dedicated snow tire, especially when they age. Tires for snow or ice have to be soft and pliable, that's why they have softer rubber and lots of sipes. Don't get any higher load rating than you have to, as that means a less pliable tire. As they age they become harder - generally max 4 years for snow tires.
Good offroad (A/T or M/T) tires are generally no good for roads covered with ice or snow, but the BFG A/T Ko2 are remarkably good for being of this type. On ice or hard, wet snow they are not as good as a dedicated snow tire, especially when they age. Tires for snow or ice have to be soft and pliable, that's why they have softer rubber and lots of sipes. Don't get any higher load rating than you have to, as that means a less pliable tire. As they age they become harder - generally max 4 years for snow tires.
I have NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA 9 SUV tires on my 2006 LC. I have Bridgestone Blizzak tires on my 2016 GMC Sierra.
Both tires are night and better than all season tires. The Nokians are a 9/10 and the Blizzaks are close but I would rate them as 8/10. If i was buying again I would choose the Nokians.
I had an accident 25 years ago. Black ice on the road, my new pick up in the ditch on it’s roof. Been running dedicated winter tires (mostly Blizzaks) ever since the accident. These are my first set of Nokians. The biggest difference is on ice. The studs with 4x4 and traction control are great.
www.nokiantires.com
Both tires are night and better than all season tires. The Nokians are a 9/10 and the Blizzaks are close but I would rate them as 8/10. If i was buying again I would choose the Nokians.
I had an accident 25 years ago. Black ice on the road, my new pick up in the ditch on it’s roof. Been running dedicated winter tires (mostly Blizzaks) ever since the accident. These are my first set of Nokians. The biggest difference is on ice. The studs with 4x4 and traction control are great.
Passenger Cars - All-Season tires / Nokian Tires
Find the right All-Season tires for your passenger car. Our All-season tires are tested under extreme conditions. They supplement the safety systems of your car and do what you could expect.
I have KO2s, but I'm honestly unimpressed with snow performance. They're not nearly as good as dedicated snow tires if you're driving on actual snow/ice.
If you're in an area with lots of snow, I'd consider real snow tires.
How about for the Falken Wilpeak AT3 / Nitto Trail Grappler owners, any feedback on wet/dry snow? Thanks in advance
These AT tires with snowflakes on them are nothing but a false sense of security to its owners. All that is needed for the snowflake certification is 10% higher snow performance than an all season, and why all these AT tires now are able to have that logo is because of their silica compound which enables it to be a pliable tire in the winter without turning into a hockey puck. There will never be a tire that you can run year round that will outperform a dedicated snow tire like a Blizzak or Nokian. I run AT3Ws on my truck for the 3 seasons and Nokian Hakkas for the winter. No comparison. Blizzaks, Yoko Iceguard and Nokians are top tier snow tires.
You really wont go wrong with any of the three but my top choices in order would be: Nokian, Yoko, then Blizzak.
You really wont go wrong with any of the three but my top choices in order would be: Nokian, Yoko, then Blizzak.
I have driven one WI winter on brand new KO2s and although they have the snow rating symbol on them they weren't that great on icy surfaces. They were great in packed snow and even deep snow.
- Thread starter
- #11
If I decide to drive it this winter it will be in MN with ROADONE M/T tires, or at least till I make a decision on tires. I think ideally I would like to get either the Yokohama Geolanders or BFG KO2's for the 3 seasons and Yokohama iceguards for the winter months. And sell the ROADONE M/T's which are new.
Eyedaho
SILVER Star
I agree that dedicated snow tires are superior to all season tires in winter conditions, and I have run them on every vehicle I've owned since I was sixteen. That being said, if you do end up buying the KO2s to run year round, make sure you don't get the DT version, which have a longer wearing rubber compound and will be worse in the snow. Just pointing that out in case anyone doesn't know since it wasn't obvious to me.
MT tires are the worst in snow, except for 4 feet of it. Geolander AT is a good at tire.
I put Bridgestone Blizzak's on my wifes Subaru and have to say they are absolutely incredible. I'm not sure I would run them on the Land Cruiser though. They have a very soft compound and I think the heavy vehicle would eat them up. I am running the Cooper STT Pro an have been very happy with them so far.
Cheers,
Scot
Cheers,
Scot
- Thread starter
- #17
Will the Geolander AT G015 perform well in lite duty overlanding scenarios?
I run 16" Blizzaks on my Land Cruiser here in Anchorage, AK and I also have Blizzaks on my other two vehicles. We can only run studs through certain time periods here, so I like the flexibility of being able to put these on earlier or keep them on later if need be. I have a 1,600' elevation change for my commute every day and I can honestly say there aren't many worse roads than what I have to contend with in the winter time.
The only time I can say I wish I had studs is for completely solid ice during the transition periods, I am talking 1" thick of ice over the black top. Downside of studs is when you drive them on pavement too often, they wear down quickly and then you have to either restud them of get a new set of tires.....
Good luck on your decision!
The only time I can say I wish I had studs is for completely solid ice during the transition periods, I am talking 1" thick of ice over the black top. Downside of studs is when you drive them on pavement too often, they wear down quickly and then you have to either restud them of get a new set of tires.....
Good luck on your decision!
My recent purchase came with Blizzaks which I plan to put on this weekend. I've not ran them in the past but they are supposed to be very good. I have ran Nokian's in the past and can say that they are tremendous. No experience with the Yoko's. I am anxious to see what this thing will do in the mess that is NEPA winter with dedicated tires. Good luck deciding and it would appear you have your top three choices!
Tripper
Tripper