Best Winter AT Tire??

[SierraMare]

As they say, opinions are a dime a dozen, and most of them are based on perception, not science.

That said, the critical part of winter road traction is staying glued to the road regardless of snow and ice conditions. The most important traction enhancer is "driving for conditions", meaning to slow down as traction conditions deteriorate. A problem with many 4WD vehicles driving on winter roads is many drivers, overconfident by their vehicle's enhanced "starting traction", drive too fast, only to spin out on a slippery patch, or fail to stop when needed.

The critical part of winter traction on-road is the ability to stop. Dedicated winter tires help you stop sooner than later. One of the better "scientific" testing I've seen of tires for winter driving is HERE. Note that they put a tire from MT, AT, HT, winter studded, and winter studless tire classifications up against each other in a real world test. It's just one source and others should be sought out, but the results are surprising and informative.

If you want to maximize on-road winter traction there are tires that provide that. If you want greater winter traction off-road, then you would be advised to pick a different tire and drive carefully to the trailhead. Being that most 4Runners are driven mostly on roads, the answer for most in areas dominated by severe winter weather (like Alaska) is provided by research.

If you are set on an AT tire that does okay in year round conditions, the Cooper Discoverer AT/W might be your best bet. Cooper makes a LT/Load Range E tire in the stock 4Runner size (265/70R17). Here's a non-scientific review from Expedition Portal: https://expeditionportal.com/cooper-discoverer-atw/

Good luck!

PS- A little preview from the tire test (LINK):

The Contenders
We spent two days this past winter with Woody Rogers and T.J. Campbell, product information specialists for Tire Rack, comparing popular 275/65R18 tires on a twisting, curving half-mile section of track three behind the wheel of two identical 2016 Ford F-150 4x4s. The tire comparison contenders were:

Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude HT OWL SL (P-metric)
Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 SL (P-metric)
Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT LT (E load range)
BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 RWL LT (C load range)
Firestone Destination MT LT (E load range)
The two F-150 SuperCrew 4x4s came from the factory equipped with the Wrangler Fortitude HTs. The other four sets of tires were chosen by Rogers based on the most popular tread type with the highest customer satisfaction ratings from Tire Rack's customers: mud, all-terrain and dedicated winter tires — one studless (Blizzak DM-V2) and one studded (Ultra Grip Ice WRT.)

 

[Steel28]

Safety is #1 for me so I got a dedicated winter tires (Hakka R2 SUV).

 

[StuB]

Thanks. I'm actually asking if the swapping of the tires on the rims will damage them over several seasons.

But given your advice I'll look at the Nokians once my Blizzaks are done.

Mounting and dismounting won't hurt them.

 

[StuB]

Unless your driving 100% on ice or snow most people don't need a tire like a blizac. I've had 'snow' tires I grew up in WI. Talk about snow and ice. I learned to drive in a 75 rear wheel drive pick with normal tires. Here in CO I've never wanted a deticated snow tire. It the weather is that bad you shouldn't be on the road or you need to slow down.

Just get a any good AT tire and you'll be fine. I've had the graber at2 and they are great in the snow. If you want proof watch the expedition overland guys in Canada. They use the tires in 2ft of snow on forest roads.

Sent from my SM-G930U using Tapatalk

Well not exactly. It depends on where you live. Where you live in Colorado, you have lovely dry snow (generally speaking) that is most always colder, and has a different crystalline structure. Much friendlier driving snow basically. I used to live in Snowmass, and so have spent some time there. My brother still lives in Gunnison.

What we get here in the Pacific Northwest is incredibly moisture laden, almost always. We call it "Cascade Cement". It's different than the WI (Great Lakes region) snow too. It gets very icy, very fast when packed/driven on in heavily crossed intersections, and on even the mildest slopes from the spinning tires of the multitudes of snow driving idiots we harbor. And then it turns into snotty, slippery, mashed potatoes when our milder climate warms it up on it's way to melting. The studs, and stay soft cold weather compounds of proper snow tires are of great use to us here. The State of Oregon has been trying to outlaw studded tires due to road wear concerns for about 2 decades, but can't. Until we start using salt (which I hope we never do), which we won't because of the runoff into the salmon streams issue, studded tires are our only defense short of chains. Studless snow tires are great, but not as good.

And to echo an aforementioned maximum safety thought, it only takes one incident a year of an out of control Suburban coming at you driven by a "soccer mom" that you need to maneuver around, to make the snow tires worth it IMHO.

 

[HOJeepster]

Either get a dedicated snow tire with studs for the winter, otherwise a new set of Duratracs or Falken AT3W would work for "all seasons". I've run both, and have been happy with both.:lookout:

 

[comtn4x4]

Well not exactly. It depends on where you live. Where you live in Colorado, you have lovely dry snow (generally speaking) that is most always colder, and has a different crystalline structure. Much friendlier driving snow basically. I used to live in Snowmass, and so have spent some time there. My brother still lives in Gunnison.

What we get here in the Pacific Northwest is incredibly moisture laden, almost always. We call it "Cascade Cement". It's different than the WI (Great Lakes region) snow too. It gets very icy, very fast when packed/driven on in heavily crossed intersections, and on even the mildest slopes from the spinning tires of the multitudes of snow driving idiots we harbor. And then it turns into snotty, slippery, mashed potatoes when our milder climate warms it up on it's way to melting. The studs, and stay soft cold weather compounds of proper snow tires are of great use to us here. The State of Oregon has been trying to outlaw studded tires due to road wear concerns for about 2 decades, but can't. Until we start using salt (which I hope we never do), which we won't because of the runoff into the salmon streams issue, studded tires are our only defense short of chains. Studless snow tires are great, but not as good.

And to echo an aforementioned maximum safety thought, it only takes one incident a year of an out of control Suburban coming at you driven by a "soccer mom" that you need to maneuver around, to make the snow tires worth it IMHO.

Dry snow in Denver? Been here in Spring?

 

[PaulB-2006 T4R]

Quick vote for the Falken AT3W also. I haven't personally had mine in snow yet (just got it in July), but have heard good things.

Ditto on the Wildpeak AT3W, today was my first day on snow and ice with my 2016 Trail and I was amazed. I've had numerous sets of AT tires and these are clearly the best AT tire snow tire I have ever driven, I will say the only AT tire with the mountain snowflake symbol. I actually told my wife that I need to be careful because I could easily get too confident.

 

[Granitesilverunner]

I just ordered the Grabber AT2. Have the ko2 on my truck and they are great in the snow. Hope the AT2 is as good.

 

[b407driver]

I'm in a similar boat. I am currently running a new set of Cooper AT3s on my new 4R but I have a set of Blizzaks from my last SUV that have at least one more winter left - maybe two as little as I drive.

I'm trying to figure out if I really need to swap tires for winter use.
If I can just run the AT3s that means I can sell the Blizzaks and the stock "OffRoad" wheels.

We haven't seen a serious storm yet in Denver and I don't plan on heading to the slopes until January so I haven't had a chance to test out the AT3s on shitty roads.
Anyone else have that experience yet?

Mine were fine last winter, and I personally wouldn't bother with an ice-specific tire for CO. The AT3 should get you through just about anything that you'd want to bother driving in.

 

[zxpwr350]

Yokohama G105

My vote goes to Yokohama G105, survived 2 Lake Tahoe blizzards last year, spanning 2-3 days each when most highways are closed but was able to get around with no issue. For comparison, my bro-inlaw's Taco on Duratracs had several close calls (lots of slippage) and had difficulty getting up the driveway of the cabin we stayed at which is incredibly steep, covered in packed and fresh snow, no problem on the G105.

It has also been good on summer. Can't comment on off road performance though since it is on my Rav4. My 4R has Wildpeaks, I am yet to test it on snow and off road.

 

[scanny]

I'm on second set of Goodyear Duratracs, they have been good for me in last 9 winters including some winter offroading and driving to Quebec during ice storm .
So far I'm not looking for other tires. But no tires of course can be a substitute for common sense and good driving habits especially in winter driving : )

 

[roverguy]

AT tire-winter

Hi:

Bought a SR5 14 CPO about a year ago. First thing I did was junk the crappy Dunlops and put on a stock size Khumos AT51's, same tire I ran on my 00 Landcruiser; it was an absolute beast in AWD & 4WD.

I know the Landy was AWD, but my 4Runner is just plain scary in 2wd on an few inches of snow. Guess it's basically a Toyota pick up.

4 Runner is only 500 lbs lighter than the Landy; I'm thinking I need to add some weight in the rear.

Maybe 250 lbs of sand bags or so?

I loved my Landy, but it was rusting out from the NE winters and needed a $3000 ABS pump, so I got a great trade of $5k on the 4 Runner.

Wish I could have afforded a replacement Landy.

Maybe should have gone for the Limited, but none on the lot.

Your thoughts/opinions? What are you guys doing.

 

[Jetboy]

Hi:

Bought a SR5 14 CPO about a year ago. First thing I did was junk the crappy Dunlops and put on a stock size Khumos AT51's, same tire I ran on my 00 Landcruiser; it was an absolute beast in AWD & 4WD.

I know the Landy was AWD, but my 4Runner is just plain scary in 2wd on an few inches of snow. Guess it's basically a Toyota pick up.

4 Runner is only 500 lbs lighter than the Landy; I'm thinking I need to add some weight in the rear.

Maybe 250 lbs of sand bags or so?

I loved my Landy, but it was rusting out from the NE winters and needed a $3000 ABS pump, so I got a great trade of $5k on the 4 Runner.

Wish I could have afforded a replacement Landy.

Maybe should have gone for the Limited, but none on the lot.

Your thoughts/opinions? What are you guys doing.

Did you buy a 2WD? If you have a 4x4 model I would suggest turning the little dial next to the shifter to 4hi.

 

[roverguy]

Guess I should have stayed what I thought was obvious.

Yes, 4WD.

What I meant is driving roads with just a little snow cover, as fun as it is to hang the rear out when safe it's just really skittish in 2wd when you just don't feel the need for 4wd.

Wondering if you guys find extra weight in the rear helps.

Sometimes my kids need the car and my wife's xc70 is off limits, so from my experience my 07 outback us Much better in dicey weather.

 

[Jetboy]

My response was partly sarcastic. I don't understand why you would not use the feature that's built in for exactly what you're describing. Just put it in 4wd when the roads have or may have ice on them. It won't hurt anything. Take it out if you need to make a tight turn in a parking lot.

Also, unless you're doing something very unusual, you can't get the rear end loose unless you've turned off the traction control. The traction control takes over way too early.

 

[roverguy]

I hear ya, I can react accordingly.

Worry about the kids.

 

[bamma]

I hear ya, I can react accordingly.

Worry about the kids.

If you are going to trust them with your vehicle, teach your kids how to use 4wd. The proper use and limitations of 4wd were some of the first things my dad taught me when learning to drive my first vehicle.

If you don't trust them to properly use the vehicle, including 4x4 when appropriate, they probably shouldn't be driving your 4Runner...

 

[Frederick1]

I learned to drive in a 1960 Dodge Dart. When we got a snow storm I would be the first to break a track on our West Michigan country road. Now 50 yrs later and I still like to be the first on the road. One of the things I learned early on is " a man's got to know his limitations". When we get a good snow you can always go out and count the suv's sitting down in the ditch because a lot of people just don't know how to drive.

 

[Venture4R]

Nitto Ridge Grapplers do pretty well in the snow

 

[aelarson]

Obviously, there are a lot of opinions on here, but I like this thread. Lets you get a good idea of the better tires and most liked tires out there.

I'll share some of my experience and thoughts:

I ran Duratracs on my last 4Runner, they did very well in the snow. I would recommend them to anyone here.

My Dad runs KO2's on his Tundra and man they are beasts in the snow. Probably the best overall winter traction I have experienced. Put it in 4WD and never worry about traction. Highly recommended if you don't mind the weight.

My current TRD Pro is on the stock Nitto Grapplers, and they do alright. Not the best, but definitely not the worst on the road. That being said, I will run them out for this winter, and probably replace them for next year because I am in no rush. I will most likely run P rated Duratracs for my next tire because they are great overall, and they are light. Maybe not KO2 worthy in the snow, but damn close if you ask me.

I personally believe that if you run a good AT tire (Duratracs, KO2, Nittos, etc, etc) you're going to be fine with any option you choose because at the end of the day, they are all great tires. With any of these options, you have a better tire on than 90% of the people on the road, which keeps you safe, and everyone else around you safe.

Best of luck with your search!