Deep Snow Tire Experience?

[1engineer]

Can a dedicated snow like an Xice or Blizzak do this?

I have no idea why I am responding to this. I guess I have eternal optimism that people can somehow actually learn a bit of logical thought.

Look, the vehicles in this video DO NOT represent a standard 5th Gen 4Runner in any shape, way or form. Your original post asked the question

"Looking for first hand reports of tires used in deep heavy snow like Sierra Cement. Depths of at least 18". My favorite snow is the Xice but I have my doubts that the tread is deep enough for wheeling in 18"."

I responded with a post that outlined not only my experience in three different 5th Gen 4Runners but a plethora of previously owned vehicles running many different tires.

Now you post a video of locked dedicated off road trail rigs running 37's and 40's and they are fully locked. That is a comparison of apples and... and cans of tuna or something. Sure, they are both food but that is where the comparisons end.

You do realize you are posting in the 5th gen subforum right? By posting here we assume you have a 5th gen 4Runner that is set up to run both the highway and off road. Following that assumption means you will be driving in many different conditions with ONE SET OF TIRES. This means you will be driving on dry road, wet road, snow covered road, off road and deep snow. The 5th gen with 265/70/17 tires has limitations (even with 285's) and those limitations include ground clearance. If you take a stock 5th Gen 4Runner into the deep snow (18"+) you will look like the Jeep at the 2:40 mark in your little video REGARDLESS of tire choice. Also at the 3:40 mark and the 1st Gen 4Runner.

Now back to the snow depth: If you watch the video again at the 4:30 mark those guys are going through about 18" of snow, as extrapolated by the snow level against their tires. Our 4Runners are NOT going to do that in stock form with any type of tires, even with chains. You will ride up and high center and get stuck. Understand?

I thought with your original post you were actually asking a real question. Now that you have posted this video and asked that question I realize you are just trolling. Have a great holiday.

 

[nevada]

Which is funny because the Nitto's did well in that respect and even in light fluff. Anyone have any experience with the Toyo MTs or new RTs in deep snow?

the toyos are VERY heavy, and pretty terrible in the deep snow.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

the toyos are VERY heavy, and pretty terrible in the deep snow.

I assume your talking about the MTs? I heard much of the same, though apparently siping them helps a lot and they don't seem to chuck up as much as other MTs when siped and aired down to the tens or lower.

The RTs have better snow rating and these are the ones I'm starting to really look at.

 

[nevada]

I assume your talking about the MTs? I heard much of the same, though apparently siping them helps a lot and they don't seem to chuck up as much as other MTs when siped and aired down to the tens or lower.

The RTs have better snow rating and these are the ones I'm starting to really look at.

yes, sorry. I was talking about the MTs.
I haven't seen, nor even heard of the RT's.

 

[Jetboy]

Can a dedicated snow like an Xice or Blizzak do this?

In addition to 1Engineer's response - my short answer is no. They don't make blizzaks in 40" tire sizes that I'm aware of.

The closest you could get would probably be a set of maybe Maxis Trepador sticky or super swamper Trixus in sticky compound and then run them through a siping machine.

Also the 5th gen weighs 5000lbs. An early Toyota pickup weighs around 2800-3000lbs. So the 5th gen now has to float a lot more weight. I'd guess you're looking at 38-40" tires on a 5th gen to compare to 35" tires on an early pickup, Fj40, CJ5, or similar vehicle. So far no-one other than arctic trucks on a couple 150 series landcruisers has done it. It can be done - but you need a lot more than just set of snow tires.

If you want probably the cheapest ticket to this type of snow wheeling in a 5th gen, these are it:

for about $10k for a set.

 

[Ol'Blue]

Looking for first hand reports of tires used in deep heavy snow like Sierra Cement. Depths of at least 18".

My favorite snow is the Xice but I have my doubts that the tread is deep enough for wheeling in 18".

So let me get this strait, are you thinking about doing this deep of snow in a stock 4Runner? If it is a 5th Gen I wish you the best of luck. At some point your truck is going to be nothing but a snow plow and all that plastic front end crap is going to flex and break. Now even if it lifted lets say 3inch over stock. That is still going to be a work out. 18 Inches in my 3rd Gen is just plain fun and not even a warm up but it is built just stupid and on 37's. I really don't care what tires your running your are going to have other issues and problems if you try this.

Take a look at the side by side of a stock Runner Vs something that is built and you can see there huge difference. It more than just tires when you hit really deep snow. It's about tires,gears,locker or lockers, do you have the correct wheel for the tire and on and on and on.....


Just my .02 on this subject.

Blue

 

[BlackWorksInc]

[MENTION=84120]nevada[/MENTION]

https://www.toyotires.com/tire/pattern/open-country-rt-on-off-road-rugged-terrain-tires

They slot between the A/T & M/T series and take strong cues from both. Apparently as a "light" Mud Terrain they match up with the Toyo M/Ts pretty well and do well on many other surfaces from the reviews I read; not much on snow though, but Toyo rates them much higher than the MTs and the limited reviews I heard said they do pretty well for a non-dedicated winter tire.

 

[nevada]

@nevada

https://www.toyotires.com/tire/pattern/open-country-rt-on-off-road-rugged-terrain-tires

They slot between the A/T & M/T series and take strong cues from both. Apparently as a "light" Mud Terrain they match up with the Toyo M/Ts pretty well and do well on many other surfaces from the reviews I read; not much on snow though, but Toyo rates them much higher than the MTs and the limited reviews I heard said they do pretty well for a non-dedicated winter tire.

it looks like it would work much better than their MT.

though, after my personal experience in deep snow, I have to stick with BFG KO's. I just hope the KO2's are at least as good as the originals.

if they offered them in 38-42's, I would have a set on my truck, instead of the SX's. they are absolutely AMAZING in snow.

 

[Raven]

Don't think these would easily fit on a Runner, but, if wide enough they would help "float". Seriously, if not for 18" of snow, this looks like a good idea for off-road and rough terrain.

http://youtu.be/2wAvxQfusWU

(Wasn't it time for thread drift anyway?)

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Don't think these would easily fit on a Runner, but, if wide enough they would help "float". Seriously, if not for 18" of snow, this looks like a good idea for off-road and rough terrain.

http://youtu.be/2wAvxQfusWU

(Wasn't it time for thread drift anyway?)

Waiting to see how this technology develops. It's been brought up before on the forum, the main concern that comes up is how variable it will be in regards to real world needs.

For example, in current tires for most of our rigs we're running a higher street pressure for a stiffer tire than we do on the trails (this translates to better MPG, braking, and handling on-road). For most trail runs you air down probably about 30~40% of your normal street pressure (I run 46psi on my LTs and my general "Trail Pressure" is 18psi as an all around number that works well, which comes out to 39% of my street pressure), then if you need more grip or float in various obstacles like mud, snow, rocks you'll air down further for the tire to deform and "wrap" around objects and/or float, so lets say another 5~10%? (I dropped down to 15psi in snow yesterday and probably could have gone to about 10~12psi with no issues, so that's 32% & 21~26% respectively).

From what I have seen these "solid" tires are at a static flexibility which would be like having them set to a constant psi, not bad for a military vehicle since they aren't typically driving the same as a civilian vehicle on the streets and are at a better medium for on/offroad. But for us, it would mean that we'd have to either go for a tire that's set at a very low pressure, or one that is set at a street pressure, or go for a compromise and hope it works out.

 

[nevada]

the Twheel.

I don't think they would work well, as you cant adjust air pressure, therefore you cant adjust contact pressure.

 

[Raven]

Agree with the above posts - that would be their limitation.
However, they do appear to be somewhat self-adjusting, in that they could be manufactured for the average weight rating of your choice, but then have variable core deflecting characteristics that might cover the typical sidewall flexing properties of your "normal" tire from, say, 15 psi up to 32psi.
Just dreaming out loud, and they are not likely to be available for us to try out for some time, if ever.
Sorry for the thread drift - now back to playing in 18" of snow with a stock 4Runner!

 

[Jetboy]

Who's going to be the first to toss a set of these on? 34x10.5x17 ATV tires. Could be interesting if they'll hold the weight.

 

[Raven]

Naah! No siping!

 

[FJ Cruiser Matt]

High centring is always the worry as they said. For a tire that is both fantastic onroad, and still does very well in deep snow is the Nokian LT2. Any mud tire will be better in real deep snow, but will suck onroad. This is a great compromise. I have the nokian 8s and so far haven't been able to get stuck with them.
Cheers

 

[Raven]

I also love the Nokian's, but if you have not been able to get stuck with them, you are not trying hard enough! :frog:

 

[trex9K]

Following that assumption means you will be driving in many different conditions with ONE SET OF TIRES.

Why would anyone make such an assumption? I already have two sets and I'm looking at a 3rd. I asked a simple question about deep snow tires, I didn't say or even imply any other use.

So let me get this strait, are you thinking about doing this deep of snow in a stock 4Runner?

Heck no.

 

[zidaro]

Can a dedicated snow like an Xice or Blizzak do this?

the tires you mention are not even remotely designed to do that. they are for sticking really well to the paved road covered in a layer of snow or ice

I'm still confused. are you trying to drive in deep snow for recreation, or snow covered roads? Two very different applications.

I have an older runner, running 37" rockers on beadlocks. If i air down LOW, i can cruise across DEEP snow. This is achieved by a HUGE tread pattern and no spinning of tires.

If I'm in my wifes 5th gen (with an ICON stage5 suspension and blah blah) then i am NOT going on the same trails, ever!! But, seeing that we live in the Eastern Sierras (Mammoth) we see a ludicrous amount of deep snow during regular Winter storms. I have driven u my driveway in over 3' of FRESH snow, and we are always driving around on icy or <1' covered roads. No big deal.

So, assuming its the later.

Started out on the standard Limited tires Toyota had on them. Cant even remember what they were, but coming from a life of AT and MT tire experiences- i was very impressed how well they did on icy roads. When it got deep- they sucked (as any 20"wheeled tire will) with no sidewall and no way to soften the tire. And they REALLY sucked on all the rocky trail we had out here. One time out in death valley i slashed 2 sidewalls big time on one outing. Had to get purdy creative to get home. That was the last time those tires and wheels were on our runner

Ive had Duratracs. they are AMAZING! But they wear too quick for my liking. That is the reason they are so good on icy roads. Softer tread. Great for a 2-3K rig, but anything near 5K wears them too fast.

We had Falken Wildpeaks, they are great too. Sorta. Nothing exciting. Wore them to the bone and they naturally got a little slippery

Had some lame ass BFG rugged trails for a bit. they came off an FJ. all i can tell you is they were the worst tire for every condition you can come up with. Made my wife run those all last year, even thru winter. She hated them passionately.

Just bought a set of Cooper Zeon LTS in a 33.5. WOW!!! they are still new, so obviously they ride great on the road. But we've gotten them out on the trails before the snow set in and they have a really nice feel. Great traction and are willing to wrap around a rock when aired down to <20psi.
Siping is bountiful so you know they should be great in the ice
Now that it has been snowing- EVERY time my wife pulls down the driveway she comments on how amazing the runner handles the snow and ice. She is excited like it is a new car (THANK F'ING GOD for that!!!!!!!!!!).

I have a Crewmax Tundra. Its running Mickey Thompson ATZ P3 in a 35". LOVE THEM!! Great in the snow and rough desert/mtn dirt trails. Its no MT for baja or crawling, but thats not what were doing in our "daily" rigs, now is it.

So, as we all can imagine- there are many types of snow, and depths. Different tires are good in each and no tire will do it all.

 

[zidaro]

Why would anyone make such an assumption? I already have two sets and I'm looking at a 3rd. I asked a simple question about deep snow tires, I didn't say or even imply any other use.



Heck no.

you posted this while i was rambling on! Lets hear what rig your running

 

[trex9K]

the tires you mention are not even remotely designed to do that.

...which is why I started this thread.

We had Falken Wildpeaks, they are great too. Sorta. Nothing exciting. Wore them to the bone and they naturally got a little slippery

I've heard the new versions of the Wildpeaks are well received but I have no 1st hand experience with them.

ust bought a set of Cooper Zeon LTS in a 33.5. WOW!!! they are still new, so obviously they ride great on the road. But we've gotten them out on the trails before the snow set in and they have a really nice feel. Great traction and are willing to wrap around a rock when aired down to <20psi.
Siping is bountiful so you know they should be great in the ice
Now that it has been snowing- EVERY time my wife pulls down the driveway she comments on how amazing the runner handles the snow and ice. She is excited like it is a new car (THANK F'ING GOD for that!!!!!!!!!!).

I have a Crewmax Tundra. Its running Mickey Thompson ATZ P3 in a 35". LOVE THEM!! Great in the snow and rough desert/mtn dirt trails. Its no MT for baja or crawling, but thats not what were doing in our "daily" rigs, now is it.

Thank you for the specific suggestions.