Suggestions for Snow Tires

[Cooker]

Well it is getting to be that time a year again when I start to think about that white stuff, and I am in the market for some new meats to stick on my stock wheels for use in the cold and snowy months only. I'm thinking whatever tire I get I will have siped as I have read a great deal about the added traction of siping a tire, but I am not sure which tire will do the best job.



As far as size, I was thinking 255/85's for the height but selection in that size is limited so I am considering 235/85's or 265/75's.



Your suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[WDaniels]

I've found that the Cooper Discover M/T are one of the best tires for siping from the factory on the tire and are great on ice and snow.

WD

 

[illflem]

Siped Toyo M-55s work great for me

 

[nickleinonen]

nokian's are my vote. if you are looking for an all terrain that works real good in snow, the hakka 10 LT tire. if you want a dedicated made for winter/snow only tire, the hakka LT is good [link below]



http://www.nokiantires.com/

 

[bighammer]

My Kelly Safaris suck in snow. Consumer Reports had given them a high rating for in the white stuff, so I got a set. I am also looking for new treads before the snow flies.

 

[Pit Bull]

Go with the 235/85/16's, the narrower the better for snow traction. Big fat tires are not what you want for snow traction. Michelin makes the XPS tractions which are heavy duty commerial tires. Should last you forever if you are just using them during the snow. JMHO

 

[MJawsman]

When it comes to snow tires, opinions vary. But as I have several years in the tire industry, I'll give you a few of my opinions.



First: Tall narrow tires are generally better than wider tires EXCEPT in really deep snow. The "pizza cutter" type tires are good as long as you're not dragging your front diff. In deep snow, a wider tire will compact the snow and allow you to ride on top of it. Wider tires lose out in 4-5 inch or less snow falls due to increased steering input (wander is increased).



Second: Siping is very important. Sipes are micro sized biting edges and help a great deal in icy situations. Not all tires have "full tread depth" sipes however. All tires (except mud terrain types) have sipes, but check to see if they are full depth or only a couple of 1/32" deep. This will ensure the tire maintains ice traction as it wears.



Third: It's going to be very difficult to beat a true winter tire for snow traction. Look for a giant snowflake on the sidewall to see whether or not it's snow service rated. That designation is different from just an M&S rating.



Fourth: Snow varies in water content, and certain types of tires will show various strengths or weaknesses depending on how wet the snow is. I know people who swear on mud terrains while others say only tall, narrow, all terrain tires work for them.



My suggestion is to base your decision on people with personal experience in your area. Guys who plow snow might be a good place to start as they make their living in the white stuff. Should you choose the 265/75R16 size, I'd recommed the Michelin LTX M/S. It's got full depth siping, silica rubber for increased traction on ice, availability in a 10 ply (load E), and if you run them only in the winter, it should last several years.



Good luck!



No affiliations... just . 02 opinons!

 

[JBlock]

Wife snow tires studded

Stud are legal here in washington Nov1 to April1, we put Les Schwab, I not sure who made them. but they worked great on Ice with the studs, just ask Ron my neighbor with the power stroke, actual we pull him out in his wife car.



Tire size stock 275/75/16 on chrome steel wheels. I got aluminum to change out to this year any one in washington wat a set of 99 chrome factory wheels for mid $200



Joe

 

[Cooker]

Thanks for the suggestions.



I work in an industry where 9 out of 10 clients I come in contact with plow snow, but I like to get the low down from fellow Cummins drivers. As we all know the Chebby gassers are just not the same truck so tire comparions may not be as valid.



At work I have been asking a few questions to those who are running the non-stock tires. One gentleman came in with the Nokians and said they are great on snow, but wear quickly on the dry pavement (which we have alot of during our Michigan winters, damn road salt). He also said the sidewall seems a little soft and it "rolls" a little too much in the turns. They were on a 97 Cummins so that is a pretty good comparison.



I spoke with another gentleman today who has Yokohama Geolander AT+II on his truck (Chebby) and he said they are the best plowing tires he has ever run, so this is another option. The commnets I have ready on here seem to speak highly of the Yokos too.



I was already looking at the Toyo's. So the M55's are the way to go? Toyos are hard to come buy around here, but they seem like they would be a decent snow tire.



I know there is someone running sipped BFG Mud Terrains. I wish I could remember who. I think these would be great in the snow if they were sipped, but maybe I'm wrong.



Any additional comments?

 

[Pit Bull]

I have the Michelin LTX/MS 235/85/16's on my 3500 4x4, tires are OK in the snow but it is hard to really rate them because they are on a duelly (not good in snow). I also own a 95 Toyota Landcruiser and I had the LTX/MS on it before I switched to BFG AT/KO's. No comparison the BFG AT/KO's are the star's. They wear like iron and go anywhere in the snow. They are also very good looking if that is important to you? Hope this helps.

 

[JBoesl]

Toyo M55 sipped and studded work good. However my dodge is still tricky to drive in the winter compared to my Chevy plow truck. I could run any a/t tire on the Chevy with no problems, But the dodge requires a good snow tire.



Jason B

 

[JJW_ND]

Toyos are hard to beat!

I ran two sets of Toyo M55s. Got 55 - 65K out of them as compared to 30 - 35K out of Goodyear AT, Dunlop AT. This was hard pulling miles. Always had them siped. They were awsome in the snow and ice. I could run in 2wd pulling two 20 plus feet stock trailers through snow and ice. Many many miles of this *****. Siped, and LSD rear end.



I now have a set of Geolander AT II+. They are alittle queiter, softer but pretty good traction. Don't hardly pull anymore so had to fairly compare with the TOYOs. My guess is these would be gone in 40 - 50K if pulling hard.



The Geos will not last as long and will not provide as good a traction when getting worn like the M55s. I almost tried the Nokian but heard they wear fast when not on snow. The trailer company I pulled for always ran Michilen XPS's on their powerstoke fords. They would only get 45 - 50K pulling the same loads I did. I never ran them... to many $$$.



I have ran 255R85 and 235R85. I have had the best wear with 235R85.



One work of caution when siping. If pulling hard or carrying very heavy loads. Only sipe 50% or less through the tread the first time. Resipe with that tread is worn off. Otherwise you will will really feather the tread. I have siped tire with less then 8/32 tread left going into the winter and sill had geat 2wd traction. With good comercial tires like the XPS or M55 you can sipe into the carcuss and run then down to nothing with now fear of blow outs.



jjw

ND

 

[Cooker]

jjw,



Are your Geolanders siped? How do they compare, as far as traction is concerned, to the Toyos?



Thanks,

Ryan

 

[nickleinonen]

for those that are worried about tire wear with the nokians... yes, the hakka LT tire [the true dedicated winter/snow tire] will wear like a racing slick on dry warm pavement. but if it is cold and wet, they wear better. the hakka 10 LT however, doe to being an all terrain tire that that does quite well in the winter, do not wear all that badly. my pop has a set that he has run on his old 90 silverado and his new 99 in the 265/75/16 [c rated only though]. they will be on their 6th winter season coming this winter, and they have still about 1/2 the tread still left on. they probably have about ±100,000 km on the tread. i can snap photos of the remaining tread if anyone is interested. .

 

[MDKram]

Some advice from up north.



BFG A/T 235/85 work very well on snow and ice. The tires have full depth sipes and clean snow well. A great all around tire.



Michelin M/S have the most sipes I have seen and probably are the best on-highway ice/shallow snow tire.



Of course, if you want good ice traction, studs are the only way to fly!

 

[illflem]

Is it just me or do other folks have problems with studs on dry pavement? I've gotten in a couple situations where I've almost lost control of the vehicle due to lack of traction. I quit using them for that reason plus I was living in Washington state at the time, they imposed a $25 per studded tire tax to help cover road damage from them. Sipes have worked just as well if not better than studs for me.

 

[JJW_ND]

Geos not siped yet!

Ryan... . I put the Geos on last winter just as the snow was starting. They are "cut up" pretty good when new. While they did pretty good last winter I will sipe them this winter as they now have about 20K on the them.



The other thing I notice with the Toyos is they really balanced out nice. Even with less the 4/32 they still ran very smooth.



I went with Couteract dynamic balance (glass beeds) in these Geos. So far I am pretty impressed. Very smooth. No wheel weights.



jjw

ND

 

[Cooker]

jjw,



Thanks again.



I was considering the Toyos as I trust illflem's opinion a great deal, but I really like the look of the Geo's, they are less expensive, and a little easier for me to get.



Why do you feel the Geos will not provide as good of traction when worn?



Thanks to the others who have contributed to this trhead. I'm sure the Michelin and BFG's are great tires, but they are just a little too spendy for my budget.



Thanks again,

Ryan