Is there a magic snow A/T tire out there?

[White_Knuckles]

Okay how about the ultimate dream tire that actually has traction in snow and ice conditions yet is forgiving in rain and doesn't howl? This is basically for street use. 265/70R16 P or C rated.

I'm mainly using the 4runner in winter for 4wd and stopping traction in the Northwest. Studs are out 'cause I'll keep tires mounded year around. No real off-road concerns as she'll only see occasional summer fire-road use. So looking at the below winter rated skins:

(1) Cooper, Discoverer A/TW. Interesting blend of what I want but there are few reviews.

(2) Yoko, Geolandar A/T G015. Another hybrid. Perhaps magical but again, few snow reviews.

(3) General, Grabber AT2. Interesting tread design. Might be a good snow tire?

(4) The mysterious Goodyear Duratrac. Seems overkill on the "tractor" tread but many claim it's a good snow tire. Some report they are "just OK". Kinda spendy for just OK.

It may be best to run true winter treads like the Cooper M+S, or the classic Blizzac but fishing for the best year around soft performing tire that may last 30K? You true off-roaders please stay in your world. I'm hoping for responses from true on-roaders that are lazy swapping tires. Tell me it's out there!

 

[vukos]

Have you considered the Firestone Destination AT? There among the most reviewed all-terrains available. From my personal experience I haven't had any trouble using them in around four inches of snow (or less). We don't get much more snow than that where I live.

 

[fblainen11]

I've heard Falken Wildpeak AT3W are the best.

 

[repo]

I've never felt I would get stuck with ko2s but nothing compares to proper winter tires especially for stopping and steering. They changes winter driving from stress to enjoyment. Blizzaks are great in low temp rain, or low temp anything. I dont feel ko2s are very good in rain. There's no good year round tire because the compound needs to be different for different temps.

 

[White_Knuckles]

I've never felt I would get stuck with ko2s but nothing compares to proper winter tires especially for stopping and steering. They changes winter driving from stress to enjoyment. Blizzaks are great in low temp rain, or low temp anything. I dont feel ko2s are very good in rain. There's no good year round tire because the compound needs to be different for different temps.

Indeed and I agree about the two compounds. However, now we see newer blends where the Three Peak symbols are applied suggesting the temp rating is leaning to the colder side yet they claim to work well on hot pavement. Wear quicker sure but functional year around. (The dream tire) This hopefully isn't a marketing trick 'cause I've spotted several of these Hybrids. Not killer A/T rock grinders, nor squirrely winter, death tires. Somebody's got this. Maybe?

 

[Vizzy]

I've read a bunch of reviews on the Grabber AT2's and they've all been great. Even went into my local tire shop to ask about them. End result is I will be putting on a set of those puppies

 

[19963.4lsr5]

I have the Cooper M&S tires on my Cummins and they are also studded. They are very soft tires. Coming to a hard stop will show rubber tire lines in the rear view mirror.

I had / have the Cooper AT3 tires on two rigs of mine a 04 Grand Cherokee and a 97 4Runner (puppy hauler) liked them on both rigs in snow. Although the jeep felt like a snowmobile with rubber tires compaired to the 4Runner.


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[White_Knuckles]

I've read a bunch of reviews on the Grabber AT2's and they've all been great. Even went into my local tire shop to ask about them. End result is I will be putting on a set of those puppies

Yeah, reviews seem off-road favored with mud, sand, and whatnot tales. I didn't spot many scary ice and snow descriptions more than "great in snow".

Canada 'eh, hmmm you might have more data?? Thinking of studding these pups?

 

[fblainen11]

Indeed and I agree about the two compounds. However, now we see newer blends where the Three Peak symbols are applied suggesting the temp rating is leaning to the colder side yet they claim to work well on hot pavement. Wear quicker sure but functional year around. (The dream tire) This hopefully isn't a marketing trick 'cause I've spotted several of these Hybrids. Not killer A/T rock grinders, nor squirrely winter, death tires. Somebody's got this. Maybe?

The Falken Wildpeak AT3Ws have the Three Peak symbol.

 

[White_Knuckles]

I have the Cooper M&S tires on my Cummins and they are also studded. They are very soft tires. Coming to a hard stop will show rubber tire lines in the rear view mirror.

I had / have the Cooper AT3 tires on two rigs of mine a 04 Grand Cherokee and a 97 4Runner (puppy hauler) liked them on both rigs in snow. Although the jeep felt like a snowmobile with rubber tires compaired to the 4Runner.


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Thanks, good to know the Coop M+S or Schawb's Wintercat SST is a streaker from soft compound. So, the 4Runner felt twitchy compared to the "snowmobile" jeep? Didn't quite get the comparison.

 

[12BYotaFan]

The Answer You Seek

My dad ab-so-lutely *Loves* his Falken wildpeak at3w's. He has a 2010 tacoma, before that he had a 93 4runner. He never bought a second set of the same tires *Ever* until he bought a set of falken wildpeak at's. He put two sets back to back, probably 65-70k miles between them because he liked them so much. We live in SW PA, so we deal with snow, sleet, rain, we have steep hills and tons of potholes. His wildpeak a/ts handled everything he threw at them, and I ended up with a set of 265/75r16s on my '99 based on his recommendation.

I drove two winters in upstate new york, and again this past winter here in SW PA on them. For being a very linear tread, they have handled everything I've thrown at them.

At the beginning of last winter he ended up needing tires again, so he took a look at falkens lineup, and ended up with a set of their at3/w's.

WILDPEAK A/T3W TIRE | Falken Tire

Im coming up on needing tires (38k and counting on my wildpeak a/t's, most of that with a bad alignment and almost 1.9* positive camber on my front end passenger and driver side) before winter, and these will be my tire, without a doubt.

They grip better on snow and ice than they have any right to. And they are great in the rain. The tread is very quiet. My dad is approximately 14-15k (3 oil changes since he got them) since last winter in on them, and he rotated them once. No cupping, no chunking, very quiet and civilized tires.

And they clear clay a little quicker than my a/ts do when aired down, which is a plus.

 

[White_Knuckles]

The Falken Wildpeak AT3Ws have the Three Peak symbol.

Okay, that would be two of ya's pitching the AY3W's now. Hmmm, I think these may be the very answer I seek.

Falcon says the "P" rated tire contains more silica than their LT's. So, still trying to see if 265/70R16 is offered in P class? I don't pull trailers and want 'em soft in the chill.

Never stumbled across these - 'till now. Interesting marketing pointing to what I'm talkin' about. Thanks for the lead!

 

[19963.4lsr5]

Thanks, good to know the Coop M+S or Schawb's Wintercat SST is a streaker from soft compound. So, the 4Runner felt twitchy compared to the "snowmobile" jeep? Didn't quite get the comparison.

It's hard to describe the difference between the Grand Cherokee and the 4Runner other than the snowmobile comment. The jeep just feels like your out on a normal drive. My truck and the Toy not near as settled may be and you know your in lock. But the jeep has the hydraulic variloc coupler in the transfer case. The most like the feel difference.


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[endgame56]

Yeah, reviews seem off-road favored with mud, sand, and whatnot tales. I didn't spot many scary ice and snow descriptions more than "great in snow".

Canada 'eh, hmmm you might have more data?? Thinking of studding these pups?

I've had the Grabber AT2s for about 3 years and 2 Colorado winters now, with plenty of trips to the slopes.

Long story short, they're fine, but probably not what you're looking for. Rest assured, I've passed semis sparking their chains and still sliding backward up Vail Pass, and I've never been stuck, but they leave a lot to be desired when it comes to packed roads and/or slushy conditions. They provide nowhere near the braking or cornering confidence of a bona fide snow tire. Also, they've never quite balanced out which I'm always reminded of at 65mph.

I'll probably try to eke one more season out of them and then move onto something else.

 

[White_Knuckles]

It's hard to describe the difference between the Grand Cherokee and the 4Runner other than the snowmobile comment. The jeep just feels like your out on a normal drive. My truck and the Toy not near as settled may be and you know your in lock. But the jeep has the hydraulic variloc coupler in the transfer case. The most like the feel difference.


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Ah, the jeep has different wheel base, center of gravity, as well the coupler. For a second I thought it may be preferred to drive the Toy.

 

[White_Knuckles]

I've had the Grabber AT2s for about 3 years and 2 Colorado winters now, with plenty of trips to the slopes.

Long story short, they're fine, but probably not what you're looking for. Rest assured, I've passed semis sparking their chains and still sliding backward up Vail Pass, and I've never been stuck, but they leave a lot to be desired when it comes to packed roads and/or slushy conditions. They provide nowhere near the braking or cornering confidence of a bona fide snow tire. Also, they've never quite balanced out which I'm always reminded of at 65mph.

I'll probably try to eke one more season out of them and then move onto something else.

Nice, good info. on the Grabbies. Ice slush and bears - oh my. I live in snow world and can't pretend it's not in your face for months. Guess the magic may be a few years out yet?

 

[19963.4lsr5]

Ah, the jeep has different wheel base, center of gravity, as well the coupler. For a second I thought it may be preferred to drive the Toy.

I'll let you know the winter. But what little I drove the Wife's 97 Limited Puppy hauler I prefer the jeep in snow over her 4Runner. I now have a 97 4Runner also, so the jeeps getting sold.


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[nobb]

I'm running the Goodyear Duratracs for the summer and the Cooper Discoverer A/TW for the winter. Even though the Duratracs have the snowflake rating, the A/TW's are far superior in the snow/ice.

I've never run a dedicated winter tire on the 4Runner so I can't comment on the A/TWs vs a true winter compound but we get some pretty nasty conditions and they've been more than enough. I hardly have to use the 4WD with these tires.

 

[White_Knuckles]

I'm running the Goodyear Duratracs for the summer and the Cooper Discoverer A/TW for the winter. Even though the Duratracs have the snowflake rating, the A/TW's are far superior in the snow/ice.

I've never run a dedicated winter tire on the 4Runner so I can't comment on the A/TWs vs a true winter compound but we get some pretty nasty conditions and they've been more than enough. I hardly have to use the 4WD with these tires.

Wow, the ever-rare A/TW! I checked local tire stores and "they can get them" but have no one asking or buying them. Not exactly new tires, they've been out there a couple years.

What part of the country might you live? And what did you think of compact snow or ice? ((1) Somewhat controllable. (2) Not-so controllable. Or (3) crazy out-of-control!

 

[frodiesel]

I have a set of snow tires from living in vermont, michigan, working in northern wisconsin. I think i spent 400 total and had a friend mount/balance the set.

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