Picking up KO2’s Soon. Sell My Winters?

Snow rated AT tires usually get their snowflake rating through tons of siping rather than a soft compound. That's why they aren't as good as snow tires.

My Falken AT3w's are good enough for Denver winters, so I don't bother with snow tires (and yes I've had high quality snow tires so I know what I'm missing). It all depends on what your winters are like.

 

Very true. Midwest dry powder is much easier to drive in than west coast wet heavy snow. Flat country much easier than mountain roads with off-camber turns.

 

Believe me, we do not see a lot of "dry powder" snow. A lot of times, we get the sloppy, wet packing snow. It usually depends on how warm it is outside.

I have never driven through the mountains during a snow storm, but we get some bad conditions occasionally.

That said, I would really make snow tires a priority if I regularly had to drive through the mountains in winter. Even in Wisconsin, I am considering a set. 3PMSF tires do pretty well in snow, but are not even comparable to actual snow tires.

A question to those who do run dedicated snow tires on their trucks:

Do you recommend wider tires, or skinnies? I can see wider tires having the advantage of flotation in deep snow. But, I've heard of narrow tires cutting through easier. Any thoughts on what's best all around?

 

I’m running 265/70-17 Nokian Hakapalleta R2 SUV. They stick like glue to ice and do real well in packed and deep but I don’t have any Winter tires to compare them to. They much better than my Toyo AT’s

usually air them down a few psi and carry 250lbs of sand over real wheels in bed. Even though it’s 4x4 it helps.

and LSD is great feature for snow/ice driving

 

Same conditions where we live, except that we also have hills & mountains to deal with. I spent a few years in the Midwest a long time ago, mostly dry powder there.

 

Edit: maybe it's different where I am due to being so close to Lake Michigan. I didn't consider that when I originally replied.

 

Lake effect. Check. Huge factor. I just moved near a Great Lake. Whole new ballgame.

 

Yeah, I sometimes forget how much it affects us.

 

What the hell?!!?? I did NOT correct you, what I was saying is that our snow conditions (wet, sloppy vs dry powder) are similar to yours!
You also said you have not driven in mountains during snow storms and I said we have mountains & hills here!
I have no idea how any of that could piss you off -- either you are ungodly sensitive or I am a lot more abrasive than I realized.
Either way, I had no intention of offending you and I'll try not to let it happen again.

 

I apologize. I believe I misunderstood your post. I edited my reply.

Sorry!

 

Narrow for on-road and for snow up to your axles. You want to sink down and find the traction underneath the snow. Wide tires to float on top if the snow is over your axles.

 

Kinda what I thought. So, it sounds like wider would be better overall, as skinnies would be more likely to get stuck in deep snow.

 

Yes ... unless you're like me and never drive in more than 12" of snow. The skinnies are slightly easier/safer to drive in the snow conditions that I encounter. I have 235/85/16s.

 

Thank you for the input! I'm thinking if getting a set for the 4runner eventually. I mostly just want to see how awesome it would be. My previous 4runner was really good in snow with full time 4WD and Yokohama Geolander AT's. I can't imagine a 4×4 with proper snow tires. It must be downright fun!