Snow Tire Recommendations/experience

Hi folks- Don't post very often and I apologize if this has been discussed on a previous thread... Just looking for some recommendations/opinions on a decent snow tire that you would recommend and/or had a positive experience with... Thanks in advance...

Mike

 

I have had a few sets of bridgestone blizzaks and loved them for a studless winter tire:



Cooper also makes or, or at least I have bought them in the past tires that were almost identical in tread and a little cheaper as well, although I cannot remember their name.

 

Duratracs! Good for any season!

 

x2 on the Blizzaks. I had a set on an Accord, parents have them on their TSX and Pilot. They're great tires. Just be warned, they're soft, so if you run them in warm weather, the tread will wear away very quickly.

 

Howdy, Mike.

Will these be a dedicated tire for snow only and taken off in the other three seasons, or a year-around, all purpose tire?

 

Can't go wrong with Blizzaks, they're what every other snow tire aspires to be. Hakkapellitas are also good, I picked up a studded set at an amazing price (wheels/rims included).

I ran a knockoff brand on my FWD cobalt for a couple seasons and the only difficulties it had was deep snow and ice, but everything struggles on ice.

No matter what you go with, throw some sand or gravel bags in the back for additional traction.

 

Thanks for the replies...

 

Duratracs are rated for extreme winter conditions and they're great year round. Would save you needing 2 sets of wheels and changing tires out.

 

Haven't needed any on my taco (moved to FL before I bought it), but I had an Audi with quattro that I threw a set of General Altimax Arctics on. Quattro is good in the snow, but those Altimaxes made it feel like I was driving a slot car. I plowed through about a foot and a half (mid-way up the grille) of semi-fresh snow in a separated right turn lane like it was nothing while a Yeep Wrangler went way around it. Haha your Yeep got beat by station wagon! (miss my A4 *sniff*)

 

He hasn't indicated need for an aggressive off road tire either. If he is doing one tire for year around there are many better options for other applications. Of he does all highway all Summer and snow in the winter I wouldn't recommend Duratracs at all. However of he is looking to wheel I would say that is one possible option with many other all terrains being in there.

 

My last Tacoma I had studded Firestone Winterforce dedicated snow tires that worked awesome in 4 Vermont winters. For one season before the Firestones I did try Goodyear Silent Armors that were snow rated but their performance while towing was a little squirrelly so thus went to a dedicated snow tire.
This Spring I managed to pick up a set of Blizzaks barely used on black rugged trail rims so I'm looking forward to trying the studless route. Everyone who has had them here say they are a great option.

 

I've been running studded Nokian Hakkapellitas for the last 5 winters in Saskatchewan and they keep the rig in between the ditches.

 

Been running blizzaks on my wife's odyssey for three winters. Great, but loud road noise. Like really loud. On my Acura, I run Michelin Pilot alpines. It's a performance snow tire. Awesome on snow and no louder than stock tires. Not sure if they make these for the tacoma, but they are pretty sweet.

 

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7, I bought a set last year and I'm fully satisfied after the first winter.

 

http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/tire-selector/category/off-road-tires/all-terrain-t-a-ko/tire-details

My babies...

 

I have run the Nokian Hakkapeliita without studs on three cars in New Hampshire and would recommend them as a winter-only tire. Like most open-tread tires, they get noisier as they wear. I know a guy in Farmington with great pricing on all tires, but I won't let the booger-eaters in his shop install them. PM me if interested.

Mike

 

I had a set of the Blizzaks on my Nissan Sentra SER SpecV. Best snow/ice tire I've used on a car.

 

Bridgestone Blizzak or Toyo Open Country GO2+.

They're best dedicated winter tires. I've had both and didn't see difference. I let price make my choice when I need to change.

 

i've been rocking hte firestone winterforce with good results.

 

Winterforce 265/75/16 on mine in the winter. No weight in the bed needed- they totally transformed the truck from scary to unstoppable in snow, even in 2WD. Any decent snow tire will be a big improvement over A/T tires, so look for the best deal.