Tall n' Skinny winter rubber?!

How many people would invest in a dedicated winter tire if they were manufactured in a tall/skinny fitment.

255/85r16
or
255/80r17

in something like a toyo gsi-5

These have been my favorite snow+ice tire, and I'd love to put a 33" version on my tacoma without having to go to a 285, or 18"+ rim size.


Anyone else agree?


I'm back and forth with team toyo, and I'd like to show that there is a market for these sizes in a winter rubber.

 

I'd like it if they made winter tires in a 255/85/16. However, I think the market for them in this size is probably pretty small.

 

Says has crushed walnut shells embedded in tire I see that as new green tech that could lead to balancing issues potentially down the line. Let someone else be the test pilot.

 

I've always been of the "skinny for snow" mindset but I'm running a set of winter tires in stock size 265/70 R16. I was surprised to see that are actually quite a bit wider than the stock Wranglers. No complaints though, they have performed great in snow/slush/ice. Just my 2 cents.

 

That tire looks interesting but definitely seems more like a car tire. I am definitely an advocate for tall/skinny winter tires though. I'm running 235/85r16 Firestone Winterforce LTs as that was the best combination of tall/narrow I can fit without additional lift, and had the most options for winter tires. The tread design and compound are certainly not as cutting-edge as some of the newer designs like those Toyos, but they kick ass, were easy to balance and in season #2 they are still showing virtually no wear at 15K or so. I've honestly had zero traction issues with the prerunner in snow and ice, and I feel that says everything about the tires. I ran these last year on my 4runner, and compared to the year before that running the stock 265/70r16 size, it was night and day. Truck just felt like it tracked straighter and bit through the snow, less "snowboarding" effect on hills and heavily crowned roads.

 

I suppose I should have mentioned that I've worn these shoes before, I had a set of 265/70r17 (31.6" diameter) They landed up getting trashed due to a severe toe issue/uca uniball problem that I neglected for too long..

It's true, they aren't much to look at, but there is no substitute for true winter rubber when the temperatures drop and the roads ice over, which is half the year up here..



Now I have michelin x-ice in stock size, and I feel like they could do better.. they definately do better than an all season when temperatures go below zero (Fahrenheit), but the high end ice tires perform ridiculously well.. its the -30 to -40 range where other tires just stop responding to the road and slide like a hockey puck, and we get that for weeks on end..


The toyos weren't great on deep snow until I dropped the psi, but they were awesome on ice, where the michelins are kinda dissapointing everywhere, especially visually in a 265/70r16.. and a lifted 2gen


I'm suprised firestone has the most options, they also offer a 255/75r17(32"), I might pick up a set until one of either toyo gsi 5, nokian hakkapelita, or cooper discoverer M+S make a skinny...

I know I'd regret an all season compound, but thanks for pointing out the firestones, its not 33", but its soft rubber and 32"..

 

They balanced super easy, and you don't see chunks of shell embedded in the rubber, I feel like its a bit of a gimmick, but they also stop better on sheer ice better than a lot of studded tires, so who am I to say.. but i have worn thru two sets of these, one on a small 2door hatchback, and one on the taco, and thats why I want a tall skinny version, they're the best!

edit: found a photo

toyo gsi 5 on 17s
man this was a long time ago, and a side note, they're an okay tire in the sand too..lol

 

No doubt, I’m right there with ya. I learned how to drive in northern New York State, where winter tires are a must. Here in Wisconsin I see very few winter tires any more, which baffles me. People don’t seem to realize that they are “winter tires” because of not only the tread, but also the rubber compound that stays grippy in sub-freezing temps. I wish we had a law requiring winter tires. Wisconsin doesn’t even have a minimum tread depth requirement of any kind, if you can believe that. Maybe the highway department wouldn’t have to waste taxpayer money dousing the roads in the evil Toyota-disintegrating salt brine every time a weatherman farts just to keep idiots on the road. But I ramble.

 

Even in canada, there's no winter tire requirement, at least not until you get into the rocky mountains, then the high passes require the snowflake or chains being carried. Theres still the "trucks have 4x4, don't need winter tires" mentality, or people just going slowly with AT tires... personally, it drives me insane..
Hopefully common sense, the laws, and the manufacturers can all come together shortly.. Make the roads much safer.. I'm a driver and I love poor conditions, but it kinda screws me up inside how many peoples parents, children and loved ones are out there on all season tires like its nothing..

 

I love the "pizza cutter" look on a taco! If I ever lift my truck I'll go that route.

 

reviving a old thread here, but I'm on board.... If anybody hears of a dedicated winter tire flavor in either the 255/85/16 or 255/80/17 sizes let us know