Dunlop AT20

Just for the record the winter weather in Lowell is usually nothing compared to Worcester.

As for upstate NY, I spend a good amount of time there in the winter, I am unafraid.

 

I hear you and appreciate your driving experience. The AT20 is basically all season tire traction. Your experience is valid but it is "exceptional".

 

Exactly. I just wondered why someone from Worcester would use a one year snow fall in Lowell. They ARE different. 113 inches in Syracuse is average, not exceptional like last year in Lowell.

 

I was just pointing out that THIS past winter, Lowell MA was the snowiest city (population 100,000+) in the US, followed by Worcester and Syracuse which tied for second snowiest.

This was in response to someone questioning the fact that Worcester has been one of the snowiest BIG cities in the US.

Lowell, Ma, Winner of The National Golden Snow Globe Contest
Congratulations to Lowell, Massachusetts and to the fine folks in Lowell on being the snowiest Big city in the united states for the 2014-2015 snow season. This has by far been the closest snow contest since it began several seasons back. Less than an inch separates the top 3 cities in the Golden Snow Globe contest.

It was looking like the contest was going to end up in a tie between Worcester, Ma and Syracuse, NY for awhile but Lowell managed to pull it off beating both Syracuse and Worcester by only 0.9 of an inch. Syracuse and Worcester both ended the snow season with 119.7 inches of snowfall.

Lowell, Ma deserves the bragging rights after setting their all-time seasonal snow record of 111.5 inches that dated back to the 1947-1948 season according to the National Weather Service website. Unless it snow tonight Lowell has set their all time seasonal record with 120.6 inches this season, 2014-2015. Way to go Lowell!

 

OE tires are always junk for one reason or an other, I wouldn't get too upset at Dunlop for Toyota making a budget driven decision.

Dunlop does makes some good tires. I've had 4 sets of their Direzza Star Specs, 2 sets of their Wintersports, and tried their Graspics on one car too. They were all great tires I'd recommend again.

My Tacoma was used so I've never experienced the appearant joys of the AT20, but I wouldn't swear off Dunlop because Toyota was being cheap and picked their lowest offering.

 

Lowell averages 50 inches and their roads don't freeze. The most critical determiner for good winter traction tire need is average temps and snow and not just snow totals. Residents in that Mass area do fine with all season tires. You can't when the temps stay below 9 degrees for a month at a time as our area does. That's the difference, not just snow level. Daughter in law did fine with her fwd with all season tires. Warmer above freezing paved roads are easier to clear and drive on. All Mass has fewer problems that way

 

You can put any tire on without voiding a warranty.

 

I have the equally dreadful BFG rugged trails on my "off road" on my truck. Fortunately I rotate tires for winter. But, when people try out trucks, they are more impressed by a smooth ride and good handling. That is the priority even with 4 wd trucks.

 

The OP lives in Maryland.

Driving in upstate NY does not require magic or tracked vehicles. Driving in 12" of snow there is no different than driving in 12" of snow here. A good portion of the population up there drives cars and somehow they manage to survive.

 

I don't see your point. USNY averages yearly what they only get once every 20 years in Lowell. Though I doubt if ANY cars drive around much in 12 inches of snow anywhere, it is much easier anywhere during the winter where the ground is warmer to Get snow cleared quicker....like Mass or Maryland for sure. Still the discussion is about tires. In Mass, snow tires aren't as necessary. You couLd live where they get 150 inches plus, like we do and if you wait for the plows, you're fine. We save the magic and tracked vehicles, which we do have on our mountain road, for you flatlanders when you visit from Mass. To say Mass snow conditons are equal to upstate NY is ......

 

The OP asked if the AT20 where adequate tires for snow in Maryland. I said that they work fine for me in Massachusetts nasty winters, so I assume they'd be adequate for milder Maryland winters. I went on to say that I like the tires and I don't agree with the negative reviews having driven a total of 140,000 miles on 3 sets of AT20's over the last 8 years.

I guess it then turned into a pissing match of my winter is worse than your winter. My snow is worse than your snow. My roads are frozen, yours aren't. Lol!

At any rate, I stick by original comments that IMO, the AT20's are a decent all season tire and are more than capable in the snow.

I'm done with this topic..

Happy thanksgiving folks!

JJ

 

The AT20's get traction just fine on horse shit covered roads in Lancaster County, PA. We most definitely have the most horse shit covered roads in the country. Beat that.

 

LOL

Anyone use the AT20's in D.C.? Those roads are coated with bullshit and MUST be worse than the horse shit covered ones.

 

LOL!!

I like the furniture that come out of Lancaster!

 

We definitely have the mostest bestest winters here in Florida.

 

I think it would be good to remember that OP is looking for an excuse to buy new and larger tires. Regardless of what our personal opinion is concerning AT20 tires, we owe it to a brother in arms Taco owner to band together. Remember, if there were a WF involved and all OP needs is an indication these tires are unsafe, whether they are or not is completely immaterial. He wants new tires.....so let's keep the message consistent and supportive for that effort. AT20 s suck, they are unsafe and should be changed immedialty in preparation for winter driving, even in Florida.

 

Australian Dunlop or Seinfeld Dunlop?

 

I believe this is where a lot of tire discussions begin.