Best Winter Tires

[brillmtb]

Ok, crap, my Toyo AT extremes 12.5 x 35 look real cool but its not cool when they take me off the cliff in the snow and ice. They are off now and I put on my Firestone Winterforce which I didn't think were that good but way better than the Toyos in snow and ice.

Now the research begins. Since I was unlucky enough for my local tire store to scratch my brand new stock rims they had to buy me a second set then they sold me back the first....YES...my winter rims now.

So, I have researched winter specific tires and there are few for 20inch wheels. Nokian seems to have the best by far but harder to get in the US but after all my research I may get those, stud them and see how it goes.

Anyone have any other preferences for winter tires, especially since I can set up on a second set of rims and stud them.

Thanks.

 

[nukegm]

comrade - have had good driving in winter with goodyear durtracks. had toyo all terrains on a 16 2500 and was shocked as to how slick they were in hard packed snow/ice. they wore very well, but im guessing that the rubber was harder than most tires. i live at 9400 feet in colorado. winters are hard up here, but my vote is dur track first, bfg ko2 second. i drive a 2018 2500. cheers!

 

[brillmtb]

Duratracs with studs on my winter rims was one of my top choices

 

[brillmtb]

I live in Reno

 

[Ozymandias]

First i thought you really want winter tires.
But after reading i see the usual discuss about AT or MT and even studded Tires.
These ar NOT winter tires, not even close to.

A winter tire is a winter tire is winter tire - not an At not an MT or anything between.
These are all crap compared to a real winter tire, no more then band aid with its M&S branding and even the snowflake on like the Goodyear one.

Many brands have good winter tires, the mentioned nokian sure is on of the top brand, but others are too.
I had good winter tires from; Michelin, Nokian, Falken, Hankook and Kumho (decending order) , and would all of them recommend and buy again

 

[nukegm]

First i thought you really want winter tires.
But after reading i see the usual discuss about AT or MT and even studded Tires.
These ar NOT winter tires, not even close to.

A winter tire is a winter tire is winter tire - not an At not an MT or anything between.
These are all crap compared to a real winter tire, no more then band aid with its M&S branding and even the snowflake on like the Goodyear one.

Many brands have good winter tires, the mentioned nokian sure is on of the top brand, but others are too.
I had good winter tires from; Michelin, Nokian, Falken, Hankook and Kumho (decending order) , and would all of them recommend and buy again

comrade - from my memory, the description of the dur trac tire they say something like " rated for severe snow " which to me, sounds like they are a winter tire. also, an observation locally here in golden , colorado - every police suv is equipped with dur tracs. which, to me, means something....cheers comrade!

 

[Wiredawg]

I had 35" Nitto ATs on my 2003 Ram 2500. Amazing in deep snow.

Ron

 

[Wayne M.]

Me being a first responder in the city in the event of snow, I must drive roads that usually haven’t had any attention after or during a storm. For this reason, I feel qualified to say that my BFG AT KO2’s are unstoppable in snow that’s up to the front valance of my otherwise stock suspension 04 3500 SRW.
Regarding tire shops doing damage, I had a wheel destroyed because they (Costco) used brake cleaner to hose off the light coating of anti seize I put in my hubs. They bought me a new wheel too, but wouldn’t let me have the stained one at any cost.

 

[brillmtb]

So I do know the difference between dedicated snow tires and AT. The problem is not many to choose from that also get good ratings in a 20 inch rim.

Nokian looks like a top choice and can be studded which I would probably do. The duratracs can be studded and are rated well in deeper snow but they may not do as well on ice. I have seen one or two other ATs that people swear by but usually deep snow performance

My wintertracs did WAY better than my Toyo AT extremes this morning in snow and ice so a inch narrower and snow specific tread does make a difference

So since I do have a second set of rims I can go to the extreme side. Winter dedicated My short list is the Nokian and duratracs right now and both will be studded

Then I have to figure out what I want to go with for summer tire for fly fishing, camping, 5th wheel towing

 

[brillmtb]

I should have said firestone winterforce LTs. That’s what I am using now and I wish I would have studded them although way better than previous AT tires

 

[brillmtb]

Duratracs are three peak rated as stated above

 

[JR]

Since you are studding whatever you buy why not just stud your Winter forces? They are a winter tire which means the compounds don't harden in cold temps. The studs will greatly improve the capability.

 

[Ozymandias]

It's all about the rubber compound, a dedicated winter tire has a real soft one and a bazillion sipes to grip on ice and snow.
An AT or MT has always a hard rubber compound to withstand gravel and stones and high heat.

This two thing don't go together, never.

Deep snow doesn’t count - hard snow an ice are the benchmark.

 

[brillmtb]

It's all about the rubber compound, a dedicated winter tire has a real soft one and a bazillion sipes to grip on ice and snow.
An AT or MT has always a hard rubber compound to withstand gravel and stones and high heat.

This two thing don't go together, never.

Deep snow doesn’t count - hard snow an ice are the benchmark.

I agree I’m that I am looking for a hard snow and ice tire that’s why I may go Nokian with studs. Off in spring so they don’t wear out.

 

[jhenderson]

Anyone who doesn’t agree with Ozzy should buy a real winter tire and tow with them for a few thousand miles and measure the treadwear. Most manufacturers will warn consumers of accelerated treadwear in temps over 50f . The snowflake symbolizes deep snow traction but not hardpack and ice.

 

[brillmtb]

Agree. Towing in the winter is not something I look forward too. But if I had to I would say the heck with the tire wear. I had to pull my 5th wheel out of devils postpone without chains after an overnight snow in OCT. tea shirt weather the day before. Won’t get cught like that again I hope


As far as tires that can be run AT mode yet have some kind of rating like three peaks the KO2, cooper discoverer at3 and duratrac on my short list. Perhaps one of those for my spring to end of fall set.

Then the Firestone winterforce and Nokian Hakkapeliitte soon to be out in a new at3 for the winter and studded. The Nokian’s probably better but I bet that will come at a steep cost.

 

[jhenderson]

Quality costs. Nokian builds a wicked tire.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

JR

You stated to stud the used tires. I've always been told to never stud used tires since the debris in the holes will be between the bottom of the hole and the stud and work it's way to cause a leak in the tire.

Are you aware of this or what have you heard?

I've never studded a used tire.

 

[JR]

Dan,
Your probably right in regards to most larger tire retailers, and I would guess for liability reasons. They also wont install used tires although you and I know many people do with no problems. I would probably be more concerned about overall tread depth on wether or not to stud them, but I don't have alot of experience with studded tires so I could be wrong. It was more of a question, I found it odd the op was looking for a set of winter tires when he already has a set. This could very well be the reason. I grew up in Wyoming and not alot of people ran studded tires but everyone had a set of chains behind the seat.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

JR

Thanks!

I've given up on studded tires and just run the Michelin snow/ice tires. I didn't like how the studs reduced traction in dry weather (or so it seemed to). I haven't used my stud gun in many years - guess it still works. Just looked on E-greed - hmmm maybe I should sell it! Nah - never can sell tools. When I die my kids will be wondering what some of these tools were ever used for. Heck, I wonder that now. I've modified tools throughout the years to do certain things. I've got several that I have no clue why I did what I did to them...... oh well..... still won't get rid of them.