Tires: Wet slush in day, Ice at night

Need new tires. In California. Deal with wet slushy snow in the day and then ice at night and mornings. (can get a foot or 2 of snow, but is usually pretty wet)
Drive about 1/3 in the above conditions and 2/3 in rain. (in winter), then 90 to 100 degree days in summer. In winter the area I drive in snow is steep and curvy.

Recommendations please.
Was thinking may Cooper AT/W, but maybe just a decent all season would work.
thanks

 

Goodyear Duratracs.....GREAT snow tire. Good wet road characteristics for the first 40,000 miles or until sipes start wearing away.

 

Personally I would avoid duratracs like the plague. I've had them for a while and the wet traction has been non existent since around 15-20k miles. Plus they don't balance well at all.

 

michelins ms2's you wont regret it

 

Duratracs for sure

 

Agree, They are great on my wife's 4Runner. Very good when wet or dry, and about the best you can get for ice and snow without moving to a true winter tire.

 

++ on the Michelin's LTXMS2

 

BFG KO2 ( Load "C" if you wanna a little bit more durability, but wouldn't get anything heavier)..

Or General Grabber AT2 ( You can get these in P-Rated, if mostly road driving and not too concern with off road, bc they ride cushier).. Another plus side to these, you'll save some $. They are stud-able too.

Both very similar in tread pattern and therefore similar traction characteristics.. Both good all around. They both roll smooth and are quite as you're gonna get with anything other than a highway tire (and I've heard some of those that are louder).. Load C rides firmer.. P Rated softer.

I had a set of General Grabber AT2s for about 40k.. And they went thru everything you mentioned just fine.. I currently have the BFG KO2s..

Have also had, Duratracs and Copper ST Maxx.. Those would NOT balance out.

 

Are you looking for something to run year-round or for a dedicated snow tire to use only in the winter.

If it's the first, the suggestions above are good. If it's the last, don't waste your time with anything that isn't a dedicated snow/ice tire.

 

Go with what you wanted the Cooper AT/w best all around tire for your needs..

 

These seem to be the best all around tire for people who do not off road much

 

Hankook i-Pikes

 

Dunlop winter sport. Done.

 

For a year round all season tire, check out the Firestone Destination LE 2. I've had them on my truck four years now and haven't had a problem in snow or glare ice. And, they are quiet in the summer.

 

x2. I'd be going with MS2's as well. Lots of sipes for the ice. Will get you through the snow, too. Great on wet surfaces. And they're a really quiet tire on the highway when it's dry. If you really want a one-tire-does-it-all solution, MS2's fit the bill. And they last forever. Lots of reports of guys getting 90-100k plus. I've got 45k on mine and they still look almost new.

 

Well, so far it looks like the LTX MS2 are the favored tire.
After further research, along with the Cooper AT/W I am also considering Firestone Destination A/T, and Cooper A/T3.
I wish more people had experience with the Cooper AT/W. I have Firestone Destination LE on my SUV and do like them, but they seem to be a magnet for nail holes, are a bit to "highway".
Duratracs are out as I believe they are better suited to more heavy snow and less ice.
I guess the General Grabbers are also to be considered.
Too many dang tire to choose form now days. More confused that ever.
Only thing I know for sure is, the stock Rugged Trails are the worst tire I've ever had in winter.......fine in summer though.

 

Based on the bolded parts of your original post, if it is at all feasible for you, I'd give some serious thought to running two sets of tires; one being a dedicated Winter set. An all season year round tire will never match the performance of a dedicated Winter tire due to the rubber compounds used. I'm a fan of Blizzaks for Winter use. Just my opinon FWIW.

 

this hands freaking down.

I have yet to find another tire that has excelled so well in icy conditions that isnt a dedicated winter tire.

 

for what it's worth i'm running the Grabber AT2's year round on my 2WD Prerunner. They've handled 3 southern ontario (Toronto) winters no problem and are wearing amazingly. of the 3 sets of tires i've had on my truck i like these the best. i have the E rated set and no major changes in mileage. and they run very quiet on city and highway streets. just my $0.02

 

I've lived in norcal snow country my whole life, here's my take.
I originally had BFG ATs on my 07, good all around, but not impressed in the snow.
Then came MTRs, as stated they're great when brand new, rain becomes interesting about halfway through the treadlife. They are loud, and indeed don't balance well.
Then Toyo ATs, they were fantastic all around, my favorite of the bunch when I had to commute out of the snow. I think they lasted the longest too, still have em mounted on old rims just in case.