Requesting Snow Tire Recommendations

[DWordinger]

Four years ago I got a set of BFG All Terrain T/A KO tires, 285/70R17. I've put over 50,000 miles on them and still have good tread on them. The first year I used them I was impressed with their performance in the snow. Since the second year, I've experienced a noticeable reduction in performance, as if the outer layer of tread, which wore off, were a different softer compound. For what ever reason they don't perform like they used to and I'll be getting a new set of tires this coming snow season.



I may get the same tires, but this time in 265/70R17 load range E which were not available when I bought the first set. I've also read some good things about the Michelin LTX A/T2. Does anyone have experience with the Michelins?



What are some other good tires for snow and ice? I prefer 265/70R17 load range E, but will accept 285/70R17 load range D or E. I don't want to go wider than 285.

 

[Bernie]

What are some other good tires for snow and ice? I prefer 265/70R17 load range E, but will accept 285/70R17 load range D or E. I don't want to go wider than 285.

-Good thinking. The narrower the better for economy and snow performance.



-I use the Nokian Hakkappelliattas snow tyres. They are from Finland, and they know a thing or two about sow performance. I used to drive sports cars in the winter, and win bar bets on what I could drive through with Hakkappellittas. They are no doubt the best tyre for snow performance

-Yes, they come in the load and sizes you are looking at

-More info at Nokian Tires



Two dissadvantages:

-Not sold everywhere. Usually at independent shops. Also check European car shops, because they are popular with those cars.

-You won't get 50k miles out of them. Probably 15k to 20k good winter miles and another 15k to 20k summer miles. Good winter tread is soft, and wear out quicker than summer tyres.

 

[BHolm]

I used to run the BFG's as well and found the same thing you did, as the tread wore down, the snow grip went with it I tried the GoodYear Wrangler Silent Armor in 285 width, D rated and loved them. They lasted over 50k miles and had good snow grip even when they really should not have. I was VERY impressed by these tires and we get a ton of snow in the winter. Highly reccomended.

 

[PKnoerzer]

I had the same problem with the BFG's getting slick after about 20k miles. I had Discount Tire sipe them and they grip great at 40k. They're no good in deep snow , but they grip well on ice and wet pavement.

 

[opjohnny]

I went through last winter with my new at/2's and I loved them. They are more narrow then the as in the same size. They worked great in snow here in kc. I did not get to try them on ice. I would suspect the Happs would work better there. I believe Bridgestone makes an E Blizzack snow tire also.

 

[Paddy McMahon]

Don't know where you are geographically, but you may want to consider a winter tire set that is studded if you have seven months of snow and ice on the roads like I do in Idaho. The ice traction with studs and a 1000# of weight in the truck bed is amazing. At the least consider having your new tires siped to help biting traction on the ice. Tires for deep snow traction have a much different pattern than those exclusive for use on icy pavement.

 

[Mr.Goat]

I'am having good results with Toyo M55's.

Like the afformentioned tires from Finland the Toyo's also are not easy to find. But they are good, a far cry better traction than anything else I'ver ever used.

 

[DWordinger]

Thanks for all the good replies. With the confirmation by others who have had the same problem with the BFGs, I'll drop them off the list. I've had problems with Goodyears in the past and was very unhappy about the way they stood behind their product. (They didn't. ) I'll look into the Nokian Hakkappelliattas and the Toyo M55s. I've thought of studs, but can't find any studded load range E truck tires. Any specific recommendations there? I'm near Spokane WA and we have calendar restrictions on stud use, but that isn't a show stopper.



It was 98° a few days ago and today it's down to 90°. If the temperature keeps dropping it could be snowing any day now.

 

[Paddy McMahon]

Go in to Les Schwab and ask. They sell Toyo tires and some of their own brand that are very respectable in performance. I haven't run E rated studded snow tires since my first gen truck with 16 inch wheels so I am not up to date with the offerings in 17 inch wheel sizes.

 

[icman95]

I was a Goodyear fan until my mechanic at an independent shop convinced me to try Coopers. I've know this guy for years and really trust him, so I did. Wish I'd done that years ago. They work great. Got a set of Cooper Discoverer H/T for my wife's Durango and they were great. Wanted something a bit more aggressive for my Jeep because it's my plow vehicle, so I got Cooper Discoverer ATR's and even better. They put the ATR truck version (load E) on my dually and really loved them! Loved the Coopers so much that I ended up buying 14 of them from him and am very happy. Fair price, bite well in snow, and made in America.

 

[Bernie]

I've thought of studs, but can't find any studded load range E truck tires. Any specific recommendations there?

The Hakkappellita Tyres use what they call an "eco stud". The idea behind it is a special shape for the stud and the "stud receiver" on the tyre.



The result is the studs have a little give. As a result the studs last longer, make less noise, and supposedly more friendly to the road. I really like them. In a standard snow I throw most all of the studs early in the season, but these last a lot longer and are much quieter.



It needs a special stud gun to put them in, so if you order a set make sure they come from the tire distributor with the studs in place (they are different shape and don't work in a regular stud gun).