Tires for the PNW

long time lurker, first time poster...

I have a couple of leads on Quicksand TRD Off Roads and will for sure need to replace the stock tires - up here in BC it's regulated that tires have the 3 peaks/snowflake logo for most of the roads I'll drive between now and Easter.

I live in Vancouver, and don't drive to work.
The truck will spend a fair bit of time driving to Squamish and Whistler for skiing, mountain biking and the usual logging road camp sites. Won't be doing much in the way of rock crawling, but figure once I've a decent 4x4 I'll start looking at some more challenging/fun places to explore... I've plans to road trip to Utah in Spring for Mountain biking and will have to find some trails for the Taco.

Anyhow, I'm debating whether to keep the stock tires for the Summer and get some new rims/rubber for the Winter or just get some all-weathers and not have to switch when the seasons change... I'm thinking that if I need to buy tires anyway, I may as well get some really good wet/winter tires and stack the odds in my favour... A guy at one dealership suggested KO2s because everyone has them, not sold on that logic but hey, there might be a good reason.

I'd love to hear suggestions from other folks in the PNW to see what they're running.

thanks and I promise there'll be photos once the truck is mine

 

General Grabber AT2 - same thing as the KO2, 20% less expensive.

 

+1 to the General Grabber as well.

I've been running the Michelin LTX AT2 for a long time, it doesnt look as aggressive but works as an All-terrain, decent pave performance and awesome in snow. I ran these for years in the Colorado Rockies. They work well on the east coast ice as well. I used to run the BFG All-terrain but the Michelin replaced them.

 

KO2 all the way.

 

solid rain/snow performance? I do a little backcountry up around Joffre and the Coquihalla and those roads can be treacherous at the best of times...

great photos btw, looks like the Chilcotins - I have that tent, and wish I had that dog!

 

KO2, cooper st maxx or Toyo RT. Toyo RT is the best "do it all" tire hands down. Assuming the make it in the size you want..

 

I agree...sort've. I run the Toyo MT's on my 2017 TRD Off Road, but I would have no problem at all running with the RT's, the look good too!

 

thanks guys but they have to be winter rated... the Toyo CTs have the snowflake but don't come in the stock rim size

 

Fantastic in the rain (grippy, very predictable). I haven't had them in the snow yet.

Getting up to Joffre Lakes parking lot won't be a problem at all. I've no worries about the Coquihalla, either. They obviously won't be as good as a dedicated winter tire, but for all around with some snow use, easily one of the best options. As quiet as stock all-season tires were, way comfier, and way better traction in all conditions.

 

Try Craig's list I found some nice rims and snow tires on there for cheap.

 

Any tire with the M+S rating meets the requirements for winter tires in BC. I run Hankook Dynapro ATMs year round, they are just M+S rated. I've found they perform better in all conditions than my previous snowflake rated BF Goodrich KOs.

http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/t...ng/winter-tires-and-chains/about-winter-tires

 

+ 111111 duratrac!!
Had ko2 and they slid like hockey pucks. Good tire and all but not for us alberta/bc drivers. Duratrac does ride a bit stiffer, but not noticeable after a week or two.

 

Snow performance on the BFG's I have heard is above average (except hard packed snow or ice but what is?) but rain is their downfall. They have been known to have hydro planning problems, the C shaped tread just isn't designed to evacuate water at highway speeds as well as more open designed tires.

I would give another nod to the Grabber AT2's if you like the BFG's as many sizes are snow rated. They are stud-able and while similar to the BFG's their tread isn't C-shaped so water evacuation at speeds is better (haven't heard any issue with hydro planning in those). They are highly looked upon for a much cheaper price too.

Otherwise I would look at the hybrid tires, I have been hearing good things about the AT3W and those are more geared to winter or duratracs. Maybe the ridge grappler or ST Maxx? Though not sure how aggressive you want to get as well as how far from street manners. Hybrids are even noisier and worse in terms of road handling than even the most aggressive AT tires.

Good luck.

Tyler

 

good to know thanks, maybe I won't need to be in such a hurry to swap them at the dealership...

Cheers Tyler, def don't need studded and not too worried about street manners but hydroplaning yes. Vancouver/Whistler winters are 70% rain, 15% sleet, 10% snow and I'll be on the highway 80% of the time.

Had Duratracs on an old 4Runner and they seems decent but even slight acceleration out of a corner was a bit touchy in the wet

 

looks like they come in 265/70/16 and 276/65/17 so good for either stock rim size...
I'm get stuck into some reviews tonight...

 

I picked up some Nitto Ridge Grapplers and love them. I'm in the Portland area.

 

I'm in New West... I've been getting this a bit with my Duratracs as well, but overall they've been very good! They do have the mountain snowflake too, I'm excited to see how they do in the snow!

 

Just drove the coquihalla today and had no problems with my ko2s, also just drove down to Moab with my buddies to MTB bike and camp in October . No matter the tire 80 mph speed limits kill your gas Mileage.
We did Banff to Montana back roads, flathead valley last year no issues with the KOs

 

Some weight in the back makes a big difference as well, my leer canopy helps add some weight for traction.

 

Ok, they sound great but can't seem to find a place to buy them in Vancouver... no idea why but it's not looking promising