Best AT for winter driving, and what tire size from the 2011 tires

[4runner Stig]

So I just broke down and bought the Icon extended length coil overs with Camburg UCA, and the Icon rear springs with the new Icon 2" mono tube shocks. With that being said I am now looking for some tires I don't really want to have a summer set and winter set so I'm looking for a tire that will be great in both( if that exists). We get a far amount of snow where I live and we have everything from dry powder, slush, and the occasional ice rink. I currently have been looking at the khumo SAT KL61, Revo2, and destination AT. I have had BFG AT KO they were good but expensive and I had them on a F250. I will be putting these on my stock 17" wheels, what is my best option( size and tire)with out blowing even more money.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Maybe a 285/70/17 Revo 2? From what I hear they're great in most every condition. I have experience with the Destination AT's. They're good at about everything, but don't excel in any area IMO.

 

[Casper421]

I just got a set of destination at's but havent used them in snow. I have a set of studded tired that I'll put on in a month or so. I've had revo 2's in the past and they did pretty well in the snow. For size, 285/70/17's!

 

[JB.]

I don't really want to have a summer set and winter set so I'm looking for a tire that will be great in both( if that exists).

Not really. There's no magic in tire design, everything's a tradeoff. If you're not going to be beating them up real hard off road, and want to save some money while having high summer suitability, I'd consider P-metric sizing. The Kuhmo you're looking at does a good job of coming reasonably close, scoring very high in Consumer Reports recent testing. The Kuhmo AT KL-78 scored a notch higher in snow traction and has a T speed rating while being a bit cheaper so you might look at that. It appears to me to be the best bang for the buck. Cooper Discover AT 3 scored 1st overall with the same max snow rating (and T speed rating) as KL-78. You could get a slight increase in snow performance going to something like the Goodyear Duratrac but that's an LT (requires more air pressure) Q speed rated, snowflaked tire lacking the modern safety construction of a nylon cap ply, making it far less appropriate for fast summer driving.

 

[Desert Fox]

Not really. There's no magic in tire design, everything's a tradeoff. If you're not going to be beating them up real hard off road, and want to save some money while having high summer suitability, I'd consider P-metric sizing. The Kuhmo you're looking at does a good job of coming reasonably close, scoring very high in Consumer Reports recent testing. The Kuhmo AT KL-78 scored a notch higher in snow traction and has a T speed rating while being a bit cheaper so you might look at that. It appears to me to be the best bang for the buck. Cooper Discover AT 3 scored 1st overall with the same max snow rating (and T speed rating) as KL-78. You could get a slight increase in snow performance going to something like the Goodyear Duratrac but that's an LT (requires more air pressure) Q speed rated, snowflaked tire lacking the modern safety construction of a nylon cap ply, making it far less appropriate for fast summer driving.

Duratrac are great looking tires and they have excellent dry traction. I did not get to use them in snow/ ice. They do impact gas milage about 1-2 MPG. They also are a little taller than some other tires.
We have REVO 2 on our FJ and so far they are great. Again, no snow/ ice experience with them. I need tires next summer so I will see how they do on the FJ.

I had Procomp 50000 mile AT and I was not at all happy with them. They are rated snow / ice but I am not sure why. They could not hold my truck backing out of our driveway on snow. I only got 35000 miles on them before replacing. Procomp did honor the warranty but I replaced them with Duratrac, then sold the truck.

 

[darkie3495]

First off, congrats on the new suspension!!

I used to run Revo 1's on my truck and they did very well in the snow/ice covered roads and I assume the Revo 2's will be no different.

However, as Desert Fox suggested, my vote is for the Duratracs. Bought them a year ago specifically for the upcoming La Nina winter season. The siping did very well on ice/compact snow covered roads, the thick blocks were awesome in deeper snow. Also did a few snow run and didn't get stuck once.

If snow is your main concern, then i would go with 285/70/17's with your lift. You want as much float as possible without getting stuck in ruts.

 

[ClockWork]

So I just broke down and bought the Icon extended length coil overs with Camburg UCA, and the Icon rear springs with the new Icon 2" mono tube shocks. With that being said I am now looking for some tires I don't really want to have a summer set and winter set so I'm looking for a tire that will be great in both( if that exists). We get a far amount of snow where I live and we have everything from dry powder, slush, and the occasional ice rink. I currently have been looking at the khumo SAT KL61, Revo2, and destination AT. I have had BFG AT KO they were good but expensive and I had them on a F250. I will be putting these on my stock 17" wheels, what is my best option( size and tire)with out blowing even more money.

You ask for the best then complain when they're too expensive. My KO's slay the snow.

 

[Casper421]

The snow stopped and we decided to go for a nice fall walk. The destinations felt very good; there was plenty of bite and control. If i didnt have studds, id definitely run these tires this winter.

 

[jamiemac1]

The snow stopped and we decided to go for a nice fall walk. The destinations felt very good; there was plenty of bite and control. If i didnt have studds, id definitely run these tires this winter.

+1 for the destinations as well. I've had my Destination AT's here in Michigan winters and they're great. I am, however, planning to give the 285/17 Duratracs a try soon. My Toytec Ultimate lift arrived today along with racing UCA's and 1.25" Spidertrax, and I'm looking for something that is a little more aggressive looking. Looking forward to the pics!

 

[CXS]

I'll be contrary and suggest Goodyear Silent Armor. Check out Goodyear's rating in different conditions and you'll find it rates 1 point lower off road than the Duratrac but 1 point higher in snow and rain. I've been running them over a year and am very happy with them. Last Winter I tried to make my truck slide/fishtail and it just wouldn't lose traction.

 

[4runner Stig]

I like the DuraTracs but not the price as they are $71 more a tire than the Kumho or Firestone (yes i know i probably bought one of the more expensive suspension systems and penny pinching on the tires now). Are DuraTrac and Revo2 that much better to justify the difference in price, also I noticed some said there is a MPG drop with the DuraTrac i have the V8 which isn't bad in stock form but i do drive a lot so i would like to minimize the decrease MPG? Also do i need spidertrax with the 285/70/17?

This is last year... thus y i tend to focus on snow for right now.... just got 10" at the peek the last 2 days

 

[Doozi]

I'll be contrary and suggest Goodyear Silent Armor. Check out Goodyear's rating in different conditions and you'll find it rates 1 point lower off road than the Duratrac but 1 point higher in snow and rain. I've been running them over a year and am very happy with them. Last Winter I tried to make my truck slide/fishtail and it just wouldn't lose traction.

I agree. I put a set of Silent Armors on last November and have been impressed in all conditions.