Thread: New Tires for a 4wd truck... snows or AT's

So I've searched here and done my homework elsehwere as well.
Everyone has a differing opinion about what kind of rubber to run.
I'm still on the fence so I thought I'd put it to vote!

I drive a 4WD toyota tacoma that needs new tires. I live in Maine and the roads here suck. Furthermore, every time it snows I drive to the mountains.

So the question is.... dedicated snow tires (Blizzak DM-Z3s) or nice M/T tires (Bridgestone Dueler Revo)? Or, both... one for summer, one for winter.

I've never had snow tires, but people who do swear by them. so, what does the collective say?

I recently got some toyo AT tires, mostly just because they were cheap. Turns out they're awesome in snow, takes a lot to lock them up. NB: I drive on snow all the time (5 months/year) but not ice, no frozen rain or anything here.

Been using Nitto Terra Grapplers for a while now. They're great in the snow due to a ton of siping. They're also way cheaper then the Revos, which I'm told are great all around tires too. If you can afford it though you should go for 2 sets of rims and tires and just be done with it.

nice timing on this thread. i was checking my tires on Thursday and noticed I need a couple of new tires. i'm going to do some more research, but what are your top 3 best A/T tires? I'm leaning more to A/T then snow because i gotta drive non-snow covered highway to get to the mountains.

iv had Cooper Discoverer stt for oh id say 12,000 miles now and drive em in everything from the sloppiest mud to the crudiest snow and they rock through all of it!

highly recommended!

Originally Posted by Tick

So the question is.... dedicated snow tires (Blizzak DM-Z3s) or nice M/T tires (Bridgestone Dueler Revo)? Or, both... one for summer, one for winter.

Both. I drive a 4Runner and have the same Blizzaks for winter and Pirelli Scorpion ATRs for the rest of the year. I changed over to snow a little late this year and ended up doing some winter driving in VT on the Pirellis. The difference is night and day.

If you have the room to store a spare set of wheels and will be using them for multiple winters, then go with a true snow tire. If you don't have the space for that, get Revos. I've had them the last 3 seasons (on a Toyota 4R) and they're great, but they're no snow tire.

Originally Posted by deuce

nice timing on this thread. i was checking my tires on Thursday and noticed I need a couple of new tires. i'm going to do some more research, but what are your top 3 best A/T tires? I'm leaning more to A/T then snow because i gotta drive non-snow covered highway to get to the mountains.

If you're talking stock size, BFG A/Ts from Costco.

AT's, but get them sipped (pronounced "sigh-p-t)

Get both... There is a reason we say "where the rubber meets the road..."

Originally Posted by jackbombay

AT's, but get them sipped (pronounced "sigh-p-t)

Or you could just spell it right (siped), and the pronunciation key would be unnecessary.

Anyway, I wouldn't really consider Dueler Revo's an MT tire.

Unless you're doing a bunch of off roading, get snows for the winter and at's or other all-seasons for the summer.

BFG All Terrain T/A-KOs (great tire) or BFG Longtrail T/A (very good tire better price point) and you're set. If it's that bad get some chains for the front.

okbye

Most good snow tires are pretty much AT tires that come siped.


I just use snow tires all year.

Originally Posted by kidwoo

Most good snow tires are pretty much AT tires that come siped.


I just use snow tires all year.

With walnuts and soft rubber.

Originally Posted by karpiel

With walnuts and soft rubber.

mmmm walnuts

I have Big O - Bigfoot A/T's on my Jeep.

They seem to be a pretty decent balance- definitely a little noisier & slightly lower mileage in the summer, rock in the winter.

Originally Posted by kidwoo

Most good snow tires are pretty much AT tires that come siped.
.

you don't think maybe the rubber is different ?

I have been on 4 studded winters mounted on extra rims since I moved north 13 seasons ago ,studded nokian Hak I's ,II's ,and now v's

Sure a full set of extra tires & rims are expensive but your summer tires last longer and if you sell the vehical just sell the winters seperate to recoup some $

and its safer ...cuz one trip to the ditch can really fuck up yer day

I vote for the 2 sets if you can afford it, and have the storage space.

1) nice wheels (stock?) w/ summer all-seasons/ all-terrains -- will work for the other three seasons
2) spare wheels (take-off set? steel cheapies?) w/ dedicated snow tires for winter

If you're going with one tire year-round, for a less-expensive solution, check out the Continental "Cross Contact LX" -- got great reviews on Tire Rack for longevity, wet/dry/snow, and road noise. It's not an off-road tire by any means. I bought some for Mrs. C.'s Tacoma, which doesn't see much real offroad use (dirt roads, logging trails are about it), and she drives a lot for work. So far (~5K miles) they're quieter and have better snow traction than the Michelin X Radial LT that were on the truck last (X Radial LT = Costco-branded version of the LTX M/S, with very slightly different tread).

The Continentals were cheap at Tire Rack for the size we needed; around $105/ tire.

If you need a more aggressive tread for more offroad use, but still want it to perform in snow, don't get a mud tire. BFG A/Ts are about as good as it gets in this category, but prepare to pay a lot.

I've been pretty impressed with the Michi LTX in snow, the tread blocks have quite a bit of siping and it goes full-depth, don't see that too often. (Most tire siping only goes halfway into the tread blocks, so you don't have any siping left at 50% wear.)

I am on my 3rd set of Bridgestone Dueler APT’s These are the new APT IV
The APT is only sold through Sears. I think they are better than the A/T or Revo.
Great everywhere

Originally Posted by XXX-er

you don't think maybe the rubber is different ?

Some are, some aren't.

Most good ones are.


I do a lot of offroading in the summer to get into areas to build bike trails. Sticky, siped kind of treads work great offroad too.

Plus I don't really drive long distances in summer. Your results may vary. It's pretty easy to find out if the winter tires you're interested in use a softer compound I think.

those finns can be dangerous to drink with but they know their shit when it comes to snow tires

http://www.nokiantires.com/testing-i...eme-conditions

I always buy the best snow tires ,not the cheapest

IMO snow tires and condoms are not places you want to compromise ... I think

Originally Posted by 1000-oaks

I've been pretty impressed with the Michi LTX in snow,

Seconded. I had that on my Tacoma (which I commuted from Tahoe to Reno everyday for 3.5 years, and never missed a day). Now I just bought a pair for my Xterra. They rock......blocky tread pattern is the best.

They are ranked for 50k, but there are peeps on blogs claiming 100k and stuff (which I dont know if I believe, but there are alot of them).

Originally Posted by XXX-er

I always buy the best snow tires ,not the cheapest

I buy the ones that crack and separate at the tread after one season cuz when that shit blows up at 70mph, it looks cool as hell.

Originally Posted by Huckwheat

Seconded. I had that on my Tacoma (which I commuted from Tahoe to Reno everyday for 3.5 years, and never missed a day). Now I just bought a pair for my Xterra. They rock......blocky tread pattern is the best.

They are ranked for 50k, but there are peeps on blogs claiming 100k and stuff (which I dont know if I believe, but there are alot of them).

I see mine lasting about 50k. I have also heard many claims of 75 - 100k miles.