need advice on winter tires

i found these http://www.generaltire.com/tires/T13/AltiMAX-Arctic on tirerack for 106 bucks a piece and good reviews. anyone using these for a dedicated winter tire? I have a pre-runner and will be living in new hampshire for the next 10 years and don't wanna trade my truck for a 4wd (done too much to it) any personal reviews would be great

 

I ran those tires on my FWD Honda Civic Del Sol (non-studded) last season when my Hakkapelitas wore out and they are very good imo. No problems in the snow, ice, slush.

I have liked them so much, I was thinking of going with a studded version on my Tacoma this winter. The past two seasons I have had Firestone Winterforce studded. I have really liked them too but they are kinda squishy, its hard to explain. We spend a lot of time up in the mountains and tow which is why we've run studded. There has been way more ice than huge storms. Thats my experience here in Vermont.

There is talk on many of the tire reviews that these are rebranded Gislaved NordFrost 3's made in Germany by Continental (Continental owns both the Gislaved and General Tire brands).

I do not know that for a fact only that I really liked the tire a lot last winter. Whatever it is.

Where in NH? Reason I ask is the weather south & seacoast is much different than in the White Mtn Region.

 

i'll be living in nashua area, but job has driving involved into mass and maybe ny

 

I have no experience with these tires, but I would recommend some duratracs. They are great in the snow and you can run them year round. Also as a former new englander you might wanna rethink trading that prerunner....good luck.

 

I see yeah more southern but hey that area gets hit with stuff that comes up the coast, nor'easters heavy wet slush crap plus driving I93, 95, 495, Rt 3 at a good clip with a light back end on the Dcab, yeah maybe Lusetaco is right about the prerunner. You do not see many up here but its not to say it can't be done.

Its the black ice, or slushy hardpack on the interstates that freak me out the most with crazies blowing by in their Escalades & Armandas down that way.

maybe someone from the Nashua, Worchester, Ma area can give their opinion...bump

 

well i just installed some total chaos uca's, have a nice aftermarket stereo in it, exhaust, offroad suspension tsb and spacer kit, plus paid 180 for 2011 grill. i can put it all back to stock including exhaust, but dealers down here in sc offered my 21500 for all mods and 20000 stock and that was with less than 20k so i don't wanna take a huge hit on trade in for a 2009 4x4 even though i still owe 20k

 

I would advise to trade your prerunner in SC before you make your move. I think you will get more for it down there. Trust me, your gonna be kicking yourself the first time you get stuck and wishing you had 4 wheel drive. Snow tires will help alot but if your gonna be in the area for 10 years I would personally just take the hit and opt for the 4x4. Just my .02

 

well i was thinking of the 4x4 option but then found that i can get a fully loaded 2011 wrx for less than a used 09 taco. so now i think i'll try the prerunner in the snow this winter and if I hate life then in the spring drive down south, somewhere where a prerunner will get more money and sell it. I really only need the truck for hauling and trips to lowes, so i'm sure i can find a junker for these things.

 

NH, with a prerunner? everyone will know you're from out of town, especially when you're stuck. i've had an '85 s10 4wd, '91 taco 4wd, '94 s10 2wd, '00 taco 4wd, and now an '08 taco 4wd - guess which one i got stuck with? 2wd trucks are for Florida, imho.

 

what about all these sport cars bmw's caddi's that are rear wheel drive i know it can be done you just need a light foot and when a big storm hits hopefully have a sick day saved up

 

I have two friends with BMWs, one studs his 5 series, the guy with the M3 puts it up and drives his civic.
Most have a winter beater 4WD or FWD here in VT.
You hear a lot of tick, tick, tick in parking lots...
The weather patterns change so quickly...in the morning it can be beautiful, then the temps plumment, the wind picks up from the south & its a blazing ice/snow storm...its the jet stream being closer to Canada & near the coast. You will see...Mt Washington Weather Observatory will give insight....it is like this area is where 3 weather patterns converge. Its not pretty some days.

 

If you've got a little bit of money the easiest thing to do would be find a set of inexpensive steel rims and mount dedicated snow tires on them, get them balanced and then you can change from all season to winter yourself. I know TireRack sells steel wheel/tire combos if you wanted to go that direction.

 

WELL THE DEDICATED SNOWS IS MY THOUGHT BUT I DON'T WANNA BUY A SET AND STILL FEEL LIKE SOMEONE PUT PLEDGE ON A LINOLIUM FLOOR

 

Do you have any experience driving in snow?

 

yeah, lived in nh till i joined the corps had a jeep cherokee that i wheeled the crap outta, it was my first 4 wd but they are light to begin with, never had a problem but ran 4wd when there were storms so at least i had the option. i know how to drive in snow but haven't driven a 2wd only truck in it. 4wd and all wheel subaru's are what i'm used to

 

I bought Michilin x-ice 245 70 16 and there great on snow pack or icey roads,but in a snow storm with 4x4,I felt like I was pushing a snow plow.now granted it was my first winter with them and it was 20cm of unplowed road,but we'll see this season.

later tig1

 

well thanks for all the advice, i think i'm gonna go ahead and get the genereal snow tires put like 300 pounds of sand in the back and see how the season goes. from all i've read and heard i should do ok, just stay off the unplowed back roads and have a friend with 4x4 just in case

 

weight in the back and have a set of V-bar ice breaker chains for backup.

With a set of V-bars on, and 300-400lbs of weight in the back, you can go almost anywhere a 4x4 can.

Some states don't allow the V-bars because they are so aggresive to the road, so check it out.

 

PM replied Adam.