Snow tire sizes and brands

Hey y'all,

Looking to get some solid snow tires on my truck (2012 stock 4x4 w/MT, access cab).

Currently running Jetzon Revenger All seasons (245/75R16).

What brands do you drive / recommend?

Thanks,
Henry

 

How much snow (and / or ice) do you get and what kind of driving do you do?

 

Here is a good all around option.
https://www.mastercrafttires.com/tires/trucks-pickups/courser-msr

This is critical to consider. Also, are you driving in single digit temperatures like in the Midwest or barely above freezing like the PNW?

 

I live in central / northern Vermont, and work down in Connecticut often. In VT, there's a good amount of single digit weather and can be quite a bit of snow, though recent winters have been more mild. Tends to hover between 15-35 degrees december-march Need something that can handle well on both dirt and asphalt.

 

Michelin x-ice are my go to for a dedicated snow tire.

Iive got BFG ko2 on the truck now and they are ok, not great compared to the x-ice. I've also used Cooper discoverer and they sat in between, but closer to the michelin.

 

I used to ski in Vermont all the time, so I know what kind of weather and roads you have. I'd recommend a dedicated Mud and Snow (M&S) tire on all four corners. All Season tires are at best a compromise in all four seasons, so skip them. Ice and Snow (Snowflake) tires are better on hard pack and ice than M&S, but you said you wanted something that can handle "dirt and asphalt." Ice & Snow tires can be a bit squirrely on dry pavement and they're not great on dirt. They also tend to wear faster than M&S tires. (Oh, but in their element, they're the only way to fly!) M&S tires are also better in deep snow, but not as good on hard pack and ice.

As for what brand and model of M&S tires, that's kind of like offering my opinion on who's the most beautiful woman in the world. I'd suggest a deep dive into the Tire Rack web site where you can compare ratings of many different choices and read reviews from folks who (supposedly) actually bought and used the tires.

If you want my 2 cents, I live in an area that averages 100" of snow each winter. I run a set of Blizzaks and wouldn't have it any other way. I also run a narrower than stock size tire for the winter. Contrary to popular belief, wider is not better in the snow and particularly on ice.

 

Falken Wildpeak AT3W. Great all around tire at a reasonable cost.

 

Thanks for all the advice/tire wisdom. Appreciate it.

 

Can't go wrong with either the Blizzaks or Michelins. I've used the X ices' for many years on all the cars and they've performed flawlessly. They've updated the tire and it's now called X ice Snow. On the Taco I have a Cooper variant (house branded) and they work well. Not Michelin well but provide good grip when things get ugly. All season tires are really 3 season tires. If you live in winter, proper winter tires can make all the difference.

Cheers.

 

Another vote for blizzaks. I live several miles up icy roads that shift from pavement to dirt and they've never let me down. Definitely go narrow - you want to maximize PSI of your contact area to get the best grip. Be sure to swap them out for your summer tires before temps are regularly above 50F or you'll start leaving rubber on the road.

 

Nokian Hakka R9 - Finnish tire but sold in NA, the Fins know how to make a winter tire.

 

Had some Nokians on a car, found them near as makes no difference as good as x-ice and hankook I-pikes

 

X ice are generally harder, hard may last longer but less grip. Goodyear’s are on softer side too.

 

Dedicated studless (or studded if you’re so inclined) in a 245/75R16 flavor will be your best bet.
Nokian iPikes or Bilzzaks are amazing. They will THROW Cheeto-sized bits of packed snow and the softer tread compound is superior. It’s important to realize that the softer rubber really only shines when surface conditions are <45° and it will wear down quickly on bare pavement.

 

I run the Blizzack DMV2 for my winter tire, it's been great. Big difference between it and and a AT on ice, frosty bridge decks.

 

I've had Blizzak DM-V2 in 245/75R16 on my truck every winter since I got it 4 years ago. Wore out the first set after the first 3 seasons (give or take 25k - 30k miles total) and replaced them with the same ones last year. Very happy in all kinds of winter weather. There is a need to be careful on the first wet-but-not-freezing day until you're used to them, as they can be a bit skittish on corners at speed on a wet road.

 

just put on a pair in May, will see how they do for the upcoming winter season. i had Duratracs for the first 5 years and they were great, but when it got really hairy i had to flip it into 4H. i snowboard a lot in the winter so im interested to see how the new tires perform this winter.

 

Michelin x-ice. I had them on my 2wd F-150, and in my wife's car. They were great

 

Another vote for Blizzak DMV-2. Made the difference in driving or just parking for the winter with my DCSB PreRunner. I also run them on my DCLB 4x4 all winter here in the PNW. We put Blizzaks on my wife's Honda CR-V and it's been a joy to drive to the ski area. Like others have said, they wear pretty quickly if you run them in warmer temps.

 

I live in Northeast Vermont (NEK by Burke Mtn Kingdom Trails). The last couple of winters I ran the Wildpeaks but just installed Cooper Discoverer Snow Claw M&S as dedicated snow tire.
In the past, I have run Mastercraft Courser, Bridgestone Blizzaks and Cooper AT3s on my 2013 TRD OR.
The Falkens were great new and are 3 peak severe weather rated but the soft compound wore after a couple years of using them year round, so opted to go back to a dedicated snow tire. The Cooper's are Severe Weather rated too.
Our recent snow storm I'm very happy with my choice. . $568 with a $50 rebate.