Stock tires in winter driving conditions

Live in a CO ski town with lots of snow (we’ll hopefully!). Even though our Subaru gets snow toes in the winter, most truck owners here seem to be fine with A/T tires. The stock tires (Goodyear Wrangler with Kevlar) seem pretty poorly rated by tirerack in snow. These things “good enough” to keep on for the winter and replace with a better version when they wear out? Any experience is appreciated.

 

I had the stock passenger tires when I started out. THESE TRUCKS ROCK IN THE SNOW! I bought my truck January 1st 2017 and took it though an icy seasonal mountain pass (in 4 lo) here in NY without any trouble. https://www.google.com/maps/@43.4258756,-73.7988346,1314m/data=!3m1!1e3 It didn't look that bad in the fall when the google car went through.

 

I've been caught in a late season snow storm after changing back to my Goodyear's to early from my snows that I run in the winter months. They aren't bad in the winter conditions, of course utilizing 4 wheel drive. I was surprised how good they were actually in snow conditions, but not that great on ice, that's where I could really see the difference.

 

I'm in No. CO and thought the Wranglers were quite good in snow. I had to switch them out with only 22K miles on them in the fall of 2017 cause they had 6/32 tread depth, which I read is the minimum recommended tread depth for snow.

 

I have the stock wranglers and went through a snow season here in the midwest. pretty decent but they wear very quickly.

 

We ran the same tires last winter on my wife’s JGC Trailhawk and they were ok. They did great in snow and slush but left a little to be desired on the hard pack or ice. They were far better than the Geolander AT-S that I had on my FJ in everything though. We had Blizzaks on her Explorer the year before so we got a little spoiled with those too. I’m probably going to swap them onto the Jeep for this winter just since I already have them.

 

They were ok new, but are horrible with some wear. I’m shopping for new now, with 27K on them. They barely grip wet roads at this point.

 

How much tread do you have left? I also have 27k and 4/32” on the two edge channels and 6/32” on the two interior. I have Wildpeaks in the shop ready to go on but I am trying to hold out until December when I do my 6112/5600 lift.

 

Thank you gentlemen for your feedback. Seems like the consensus is “good enough until they wear out, which will be soon.” In icey situations, the Subaru with Blizzaks is probably a better bet. Happy taco’ing.

 

Nothing worse then going off the road and potentially damaging your new Tacoma because you skimped on proper tires. I have been through some pretty nasty weather getting out to Vail/Brek etc. so I wouldn't even chance it.

 

I agree with the sentiment, its why I am asking the question of experience with this tire on the same vehicle. Have you used this specific tire on your tacoma?

 

Haven't measured, but am in the process of ordering new tires as we speak.

 

Blizzaks on a Subaru are awesome! It's like a snowmobile!!! I got the Wildpeaks & a new remote start on the Tacoma so I'm kinda looking forward to winter this year

 

Kinda off topic, but how are the stock tires in loose sand? Should pick up my new truck next week, think it has 245/75/16 on it which seems would be the same as the 31x10.5 I have on my Jeep. Sand in this pic is packed, but it gets bad sometimes.

 

Getting dedicated winter tires. Even with duratracs, a few sketchy moments on icy highways. Not worth my life or hurting my tacoma. Getting the studed nokian hakkapalitas

 

Hmmm. Part of the reason I went with Duratracs is because of all the good winter reviews.

 

They are good for winter but still... i have never had winter tires so i’ll give it a shot. More control is never a bad thing. I also know i will own the truck for a long time so i figure i will just save my duratracs for non winter weather. The one time it was sketchy was when i turned off my 4x4 on an icy highyway. Had me driving diagonally. I switch 4x4 back on it was good. I just dint like going highway speeds with 4x4 on

 

Stay away from K02 is my advice. Worse in snow and ice than the stock rubber.

 

If you plan on owning it long enough and don’t mind the swap, winter tires are pretty awesome compared to most all terrains I’ve had.

The situation you described sadly probably wouldn’t have mattered too much what tires you had. A light rear end in rwd is always going to try and pass the front when you’re applying any throttle and hit ice.

I would play it safe and keep it in 4wd in those conditions. That’s what it’s designed for.

 

If you commute long distance for work or play I’d spring for snow tires/studded snows. The stock tires have worked fine for me the last two winters, however they weren’t phenomenal or anything. Good enough that I won’t be changing them prior to this season I guess. Also I don’t drive far and we had mild winters the last couple years.