Killer snow boots for 3G Taco - General Grabber Arctic LT

The snow tires came off today. Thought I’d update with some thoughts about the winter running on these General Grabber Arctic LT snow tires.

I traveled about 800kM (500miles) on gravel, about 100km (60 miles) in very deep snow, about 800kM (500 miles) on icy pavement and racked up about 3600kM (2200 miles) in total this winter including driving around town on dry streets.

Thoughts:

Winter performance and traction: There is no comparison between these tires and my experience with k02s in deep snow, on slick ice, and over compact snow. These tires are full beast-mode in all cases. The truck felt planted and safe, and I drove in some conditions where I thought I would get stuck and didn’t. They even do well in mud and dirt.

Durability: The treadwear is phenomenal. I was very worried I would destroy a set of snow tires with all the gravel driving I had planned, but that wasn’t the case. The tread is still deeper than a brand new k02 and the blocks and sipes are still reasonably sharp and defined after so much gravel travel. The “duragen” technology works I guess. I bought these tires because they were reported to survive gravel roads, and I would say that is definitely true. I suffered no punctures or treadblock slashes or significant chips either.

Photos after a full winter:


vvvv You can still see the circumferential manufacturing lines on the face of the tread blocks. Wear was negligible for this 1st winter season.



Regarding fuel economy: The tires are heavy (10 ply). I seemed to lose about 1.5L / 100kM (1.8mpg) of economy with these tires, but I was also driving in more challenging conditions and using 4WD etc.

Regarding Noise: These tires have a noticeable drone or buzz. Not like a mud tire, but not as quiet as the k02. You only hear it on the highway.

One surprise came when proving a FSR over an unplowed mountain pass. When other trucks chained-up. I didn’t need chains. The only thing I was hoping for was more ground clearance. Traction wasn’t an issue.

















I’m a super-fan of these tires. I will be buying another set if these ever wear out

 

How's your experience been after two years of winters? I'm considering these for this winter. Ice traction is my main concern as I live in the outskirts of Ottawa. Not worried about highway noise etc.

These are stock size right? I'm also considering skinnier...something like 245/75/16

 

They are still great. No concerns. 265/75/16 is one size up from stock 265/70/16.

Still happy with them and would purchase again. The wear on them is minimal, so I imagine I’ll have them for several more winters.

 

Awesome thanks for the update

 

Can you get these in C rated

 

Go Vikings

 

Another General Grabber Arctic LT fanboy here. Got them installed on the 12th of this month and I'm already impressed. Like OP said they're very hard to get spinning or lose traction. Snow and slush traction is fantastic. Haven't been on ice yet but I don't think I'll have any issues.

 

2ND winter on these tires and still impressed. Very good quality product.

 

I was pretty worried when people said they were a cheap tire. All things considered they cost as much as a set of Nokians in the same size up here, don't think I need to be concerned with a "cheap" product. Right off the bat they were incredibly confidence inspiring.

 

Had them 4 winters in a row back in NH on my Subaru and loved them. General makes awesome and cheap snow tires. I have the Altimax Arctic 2 on my STI. Trying out DMV2’s on the Taco this winter because that’s all I could find in CA. Hope they work out as well as Generals do.

 

What did you use to paint you wheels they look good

 

Plasti-dip. This was pre-dry. They dry matte black unless you get the glossing finish which is like $40 bucks in addition.

https://www.dipyourcarcanada.com/collections/wheel-kits/products/matte-black-wheel-kit

 

A fellow taco owners mini-review:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=auj4Ln2_L3w

 

Anyone running these studded? Looks like there's holes already which is super nice.

 

See video posted above your post.

 

My General Grabber A/T X are Fantastic in the snow. Sooooooo much better than the BFG AT(I ran for over 20 years).

 

As an update to previous posts I am not wowed by ice and slick compact snow traction. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 SUV are leagues better than these for any kind of slippery surface traction even without weight over the axles. I do like the moderate depth snow traction on the Arctic LTs though - I would rate it as slightly better than my previous Nokians. All in all a solid tire and better than an AT, and a decent winter tire all things considered.

 

I am sure there are better ice radials out there. The thing that is nice about the Arctic LT is that the tread doesn’t chip out on gravel roads and the tire works just fine in “all terrain” situations if you encounter mud or deep snow. A really good tire for winter road trips that may involve bare gravel for many miles. That was what originally caught my attention about these: The chip resistance and massive tread depth. I’m on them for my second winter and they look brand new, so long lasting as well.

The R3 SUV does look like a better ice tire for sure.

 

All things considered I'm still happy with my decision - I don't mind needing to slow down in the winter at all and we've had a very, very mild winter with no freeze/thaws to cause ice until recently. The polar vortex is starting to drift down and that means I get to play in the snow with an awesome set of snow tires!

 

I had these tires as a second set for my first gen. I only rolled 300 miles on them. They stuck like glue and when I sold the 1st gen I let them go a few weeks after.

I wish I would have kept them, but I figured all the traction and stability control stuff would make up for selling them on the 3rd gen.