Winter Tires

I ran Blizzak dmv before the Toyos. Got great performance out both tires. I drive snow packed and icy roads all winter.

 

The biggest factor in my Toyo vs Blizzak issue was that Costco carries Bridgestone - I couldn't get a Toyo quote anywhere within $150 of the Costco price..

 

If you face any icy conditions, studding is the way to go. If it’s mostly snow conditions and lots of highway travel, studless works fine. Studs deteriorate your on road handling. Check out ratings at Tire Rack.

 

Be careful using studded tires. Many states have made studded tires illegal. Pretty stiff fines to match.

Check your state laws regarding studded tires before you spend.

 

What rims do people recommend for my winter tires. I dont want to buy a new set of factory rims but looking for something of good quality. thoughts?

 

Factory steels......

Many folks remove and sell for low $$.

 

I was able to get factory steel rims from a salvage yard in excellent condition for $50 each. I bought six old Isuzu center caps for $10 each as the lug pattern matched perfectly.

taco rims haven’t changed for decades so there should be tons out there. I even used one set of taco rims on my 2004 4 Runner for 11 years of winter driving. They started to look rusty so I went to the salvage yard again and paid only the $50 each for four ($200) in exc shape for my 2015 taco OR.

 

Exactly. We have a very state friendly for studded and winter tires….but our roads suck. We have lots of dirt roads so if you travel them in winter, they get lots of frost which is like teaveling on ice all winter. So, dirt roads in cold areas almost requir studs. Otherwise, regular winter tires are fine.

 

I just put 265 60 18s Duratracs on my Truck in Maine today, normally run snows, but thinking this will do the trick.. replaced the stock michelin ltx m/s2 that came on my truck, and will run them in the summer.. may have made a bad call, but now with the ability to work remote half the week, I can decide when to run into work... tell me where I erred

 

Imo, they should be OK in snow. The difference will be
in icy conditions and hard packed snow in very very cold weather where the rubber of non winter tires hardens up
. If it’s mostly paved roads or the coastal areas, you’re fine. If it’s dirt roads that frost up, you’ll find out quickly. Either way, AT tires are much better then all season tires. Many in Maine do this successfully. It matters more that you are a good winter driver and keep weight in the back which is very important with trucks in snow areas regardless of tires.

 

I get my DuraTracs siped and run year-round in the BC interior.

Blizzaks on the wife's Rav

 

paved roads, coastal Maine.. Ice will be my concern.. so far I like them.. removed some Michelin LTX MS/2's which are a great tire, and are perfect for normal road riding.. can always put those back on in April...

 

If you can run em in BC, I think I am good in the lower half of Maine!

 

I grew up in Western Mass, and Live in Maine now, I grew up in winter driving, that said, I respect the weather and the road conditions.. I will put some buckets of sand in the back when needed..

 

Our issue is more ice than snow.

 

Im thinking of purchasing the Toyo Open Country AT3 and wanted to peoples experience with road noise, gas mileage, tread life and how they handle in wet and ice. If the tread life is horrible, I may keep my stock tires for summer and then run these for the winter.

Thanks for everyones feedback.

 

I hear you. The mist off the ocean that forms black ice can be a killer. I refereed BB for years and traveled the coastal areas in the winter. We need studs where we live 2 miles pin a dirt road on the side of a mountain so have always had the option of studs for coastal areas.


Though studs are best, just having winter tires even without is a huge advantage on ice.

 

Excellent. Might I suggest tube sand sold at many hardware stores. When in need, it’s available but is safer and cleaner otherwise.

 

I can't speak for Toyo but I do have a lot of experience with Goodyear Duratracs and also live on the front range in Colorado. Duratracs are a great AT tire with the same three peak mountain snow rating.

They grip well in a variety of winter conditions. the snow-pacalyspe event last year was no problem.

That said, I run them year round since I offroad year round and I have a little extra confidence everywhere I go due to their aggressive treads.

 

Just so you guys know... more weight = more difficult to stop. Sandbags in the back only help acceleration, not deceleration.