Best AT for midwest winter use??

How often did you rotate them before. I do it every oil change, every 5,000 miles, you do it more or less than that.

 

I try to go every 5k, but it didn't always happen with the Wranglers. There was one stretch with 15k between rotations.

 

I'd say the Falken's are fairly under-rated, haven't been on snow yet but will be soon. I have high expectations

 

Just put a set of Kumho AT51 on my 2013 DCLB TRD Sport last week. Saw they were rated good for snow and ice, just what I want for WI winters. Talked with someone who has them and they are happy. I had BFG KO on my ZR2 Blazer, very nice in winter, but its also about price. It helps that Kumho has a $80.00 rebate now.

 

2 ideas

-bottom dwelling cheap tire that grips like a monkey in snow but will wear out in 2.5 years

cooper starfire sf510 (on 99 4runner now)

cheap as ramen but it does in fact grip snow and slush and ice really well...it sacrifices tread longevity to do it



-top end 4 season tire better than anything listed in this thread yet ?


Michelin LTX AT2 (on trucky now)


I am a Michelin fanboi and only got the cooper cheapos because....I let a shop pick them and I guess
they thought I was broke after they saw my beat-to-shit 99 4runner so I went
out one frozen and snowy day intentionally to see how these things did in snow packed roads...I'll tell ya not bad at all, in fact really good.

 

You can compare tires on tirerack.com. it has ratings for quietiness, traction on wet or ice. Kinda gives you an idea of what you looking for

 

Out of your listed tires I would choose the Rotiva.

 

I have thought about the Michelin AT2 tires as well, but wasn't sure on how they are off road. I can't imagine they are bad off road. I've always noticed Michelin in general tend to weather or dry out before the tread is worn which I thought was odd, but really 5 years is plenty on a tire no matter the miles.

What is your experience with the tire? I have been quite curious about them. They have the nifty little percentage marker on the tread and seem like they would be very good in the cold/winter although the set that I have seen in person feels pretty soft and I'm not sure how fast they will wear out.

 

Michelin at2 and 4wd button, all year round tire

 

Most good winter tires have siping, the zig zag slits helps traction on ice. So usually a good winter tire has lots of siping. Just cause a tire has a M&S stamp on it does not mean it will do well in mud and snow, all the M&S stamp means it meets the mimium requirements of tread depth for Mud and snow. When I air down my BF Goodrich ko2's, good traction on snow and little mud but ok on ice, you will hear mud and rocks flinging againts your fenderwells for 5 miles and it's a heavy tire, traction on wet roads not great. The Yokohamas Geolander at/s did well, maybe a little less traction on snow and mud but it didn't throw pebbles as much.

 

You know, I never really considered the Michelins until the recommendation a few posts above. Part of it is because they don't "look" the part. But after reading some reviews on some sites it might be between the Michelin, BFG KO2 and Goodyear now...... Things people are saying about the Michelins are pretty impressive, but the price...ouch! It's tough to spend that kind of money but it is what keeps you on the road and safe.

A co-worker has also recommended the Firestone Destination AT....So many choice, maybe I'll just get one of each tire and see corner is best. haha Either way any AT has to be better than the stock dunlops.

 

My friend had the michelins lt2 , it does not look like a mud and snow tire but it did ok but I imagine it has good wet and dry road traction. He was spinning his wheels in 5 inches of snow. Not exactly all terrain imo.

 

The Firestone Destination AT's rate high also.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=ORAT

 

My brother and my boss have the Rotiva tires. They like them very much. My truck has ST Maxx tires, but I have a Civic with dedicated winter tires so I chose a different tire for the truck than I otherwise would have. The Rotiva tires were high on my list during my research.

 

I've had the Firestone Destinations on a Jeep and they were ok. Great for highway driving. I've also had the Michelin LTX MS2s and they're suprisingly great for such a boring looking tire. I'd put them on my Taco in a heartbeat if they had some cool sidewall design but they scream Highway Tire - but again actually pretty kickass in snow and slush. My buddy has the Nokians on his Ford Super Duty and they do seem to be pretty good tires, but they aren't too readily available and I'd worry about getting a replacement if I had a blowout anywhere away from my home territory.

 

I agree, both of those tires do look fairly boring. I know that shouldn't sway any decision but it almost does. Haha

I think we only have one place in town that sells the Nokian tire and you're right about a possible replacement if I was ever on the road.

We will just have to wait and see what comes in the next month or two for weather and just how bad the stick Dunlaps are. I know I'm not impressed with them in dry or rain so I'm sure snow is going to be terrible. I wished this were an easy decision! But it's unfortunately something I will have to live with for a few years if I get wrong.

 

I live in Black Hills of South Dakota. I have ran the original BFG KO's on multiple vehicles and the were good in fresh snow, but bad in packed or icy conditions. Last year on our 4runner we put on BFG KO2's. Those tires for being an all-terrain tire are perfect for our conditions out here. I had a hard time breaking loose the tires while in RWD unless I turned off all of the nanny features. Of course snow tires would be best, but then what happens if you want to go off-road during the winter?

BFG KO2 all the way.

 

If you are looking for just a winter tire, why are you looking at A/Ts? Anything other than a snow tire is a waste of money if you are only running them in the winter.

 

Well i kinda need it as a 5-month tire. I only leave my afternarket wheels on in from end of april till around first to middle of october. So i want a good life tire thats more of an A/T because we dont always get alot of snow, and its my daily driver. My set will just be a second set, also if damage happens to my aftermarket set in the middle of summer. I will have a tires thats designed for anytime, not just dedicated winter.

 

Dang, that doesn't make the choice any easier! Haha it definitely has more of the look than the Michelin or firestone tires. Well just have to wait and see what I go with soonish. This is such a difficult decision!!!