Snow Tire Advice Needed for 2010 T4R S45

[Avalanche]

My apologies if this post is in the wrong place or has been already answered elsewhere, but this is my very first post.

I am the proud owner of a 2010 T4R SR5 with about 30k miles on it. It currently has the standard Dunlop Grandtreks AT20 265/70/17, which I understand are decent all-season tires. However, I have a place in Colorado up in ski country and the main reason I bought this vehicle is just for reliable trips to and from there during ski season, which is now upon us! In other words, I am not going to really drive this vehicle much except for those trips (so I tell myself, we'll see...), so I am in search of snow tires.

Do you veterans have any advice on the most reliable snow tires? In the little bit of research I've done, I know Bridgestone Blizzaks W965s seem impressive, but I figured I'd check with you guys first. And another question if you don't mind, will these existing Dunlop Grandtreks be decent in normal snow? I'm not planning on going off-road or anything.

Thanks
Av

 

[Avalanche]

SR5, not S45. Oops.

I should have posted after a consumed cup of coffee. I guess I'm just not awake yet. Anyway, thanks for any help.

 

[Lineman]

Yep, Blizzaks or Nokians. I'd highly recommend to mount them on a separate set of Rims and put them on when you go and take them off when you get home. I wouldn't trust the Grandtrek's for trips to the snowy mountains.

 

[jrhaze]

Have a look at the General Altimax Arctic. It is very well reviewed and was rated by consumer reports to be one of the best. They're also studdable if that's your thing.

I did a significant amount of research and ended up with them. Just received then so I can't give you any feedback unfortunately but I do think they're worth looking into.

 

[philsey]

I'd not run the OEMs for your use.

I run Blizzaks on FJ steelies, on in late December, off in late March. Unless I high-center, I'm unstoppable.

Nokians are popular too, esp in the GWN, but are more costly, and not available everywhere.

Consumer Reports (PLEASE guys, no CR debates OK?) actually tested snow tires recently FWIW. You can subscribe to online access for 1 month for cheap.

Dedicated wheels are a no brainer IMO, costed against twice-annual remount changes and balancing. Plus, with a floor jack you can DIY.

Do it, you will never be sorry when the snow flies.

EDIT: Whoa!! A reread discovers you have 30K on the OEMs. No way I'd take a snow trip on those!!!

 

[the great him]

i ran blizzak dm-v1's on my 3rd gen in 265 70 17 http://www.bridgestonetire.com/tire/size/filterSpecs and loved them, they did great both on and off road, in fresh powder, slush, ice, graded and packed snow. didnt have one single complaint about them and after the first season they still looked brand new and i had only used 2/32nds of tread(on a dd). i would have kept them, but i lifted my truck and went with bigger tires -i was able to sell them used for the same price a paid for them new so it was worth it for me to sell but i love the tires and kinda regret selling. cause i too was unstoppable with those tires

 

[adam2562]

i ran blizzaks on 2 cars we have and they are amazing.. went right by a stuck crv on ice and an incline on ice.. the general altimax seems to be very good.. i had those put on my mothers mustang when she had it.. it allowed for her to get to work no problem and for me to have some RWD fun in the snow.. we still have those tires after we sold her mustang.. i plan on putting them (same size) on her awdGS350 if we ever get a substantial amount of wintery weather

 

[Reino]

Hi neighbor. I bought Arctic Claw Xsi simply because they were cheap, about $130/each. Blizzaks will run you about $190.

The Arctic Claws work great. We took a ride over McClure pass from Paonia to Carbondale on Christmas Eve in a snowstorm. The pass wasn't even plowed for the upper ten miles. The tires chewed through the snow without ever slipping.

Also, when roads are plowed but covered in hardpack, I don't even have to drive in 4H and they grip just fine.

If you are looking for the best bang for your buck, get the Arctic Claws. I couldn't justify Blizzaks because most of our winter driving in CO is on dry pavement. Its the ten or twenty days of snow that they are needed.

 

[Avalanche]

First of all, thanks to all for all the great replies. I really appreciate it, and I am sure it will help others. Remember, you guys were new once! Glad you remember that and help us newcomers out. I will be sure to return the favor as time marches on the best I can, assuming I gain knowledge about my 4Runner, which has just been a multi-decade-long dream come true to finally own one.

Reino (hello to you as well, neighbor) that is sort of my issue. My place is in Keystone, let alone those areas in Southern CO like McClure pass, Aspen, Monarch, etc. Since you live in Denver, you're surely well-versed with I-70 of all places. I have 750+ miles of interstate the entire drive, and it's not until the Eisenhower Tunnel and the 8-mile drop after "The Dwight" do I get a tad nervous about things, and then after that it's only 6 miles to my ski-in, ski-out place. Nothing too dramatic. So that's why I was wondering if snow tires are a waste of time since most all of the driving is all interstate. I still feel the psychological effect of having real snow tires would help me even if I don't necessarily need them, though. I'd rather sacrifice mileage and early replacement to have them on all the time or perhaps switch out like another poster said.

I'm not much of an adventurer; more of a creature of habit that likes to ski in "my back yard" over and over. So I am not really looking to go to far and distant places so much. So basically every trip is to Keystone and back, a mere 6 miles off I-70.

So since another poster pointed out my Dunlops have 30k on them already, I know I need new tires, so the question is more of the same or snow tires? I agree the snow tires are where I've always been going, hence the post in the first place.

Thanks, and go Broncos, btw!

 

[Reino]

First of all, thanks to all for all the great replies. I really appreciate it, and I am sure it will help others. Remember, you guys were new once! Glad you remember that and help us newcomers out. I will be sure to return the favor as time marches on the best I can, assuming I gain knowledge about my 4Runner, which has just been a multi-decade-long dream come true to finally own one.

Reino (hello to you as well, neighbor) that is sort of my issue. My place is in Keystone, let alone those areas in Southern CO like McClure pass, Aspen, Monarch, etc. Since you live in Denver, you're surely well-versed with I-70 of all places. I have 750+ miles of interstate the entire drive, and it's not until the Eisenhower Tunnel and the 8-mile drop after "The Dwight" do I get a tad nervous about things, and then after that it's only 6 miles to my ski-in, ski-out place. Nothing too dramatic. So that's why I was wondering if snow tires are a waste of time since most all of the driving is all interstate. I still feel the psychological effect of having real snow tires would help me even if I don't necessarily need them, though. I'd rather sacrifice mileage and early replacement to have them on all the time or perhaps switch out like another poster said.

I'm not much of an adventurer; more of a creature of habit that likes to ski in "my back yard" over and over. So I am not really looking to go to far and distant places so much. So basically every trip is to Keystone and back, a mere 6 miles off I-70.

So since another poster pointed out my Dunlops have 30k on them already, I know I need new tires, so the question is more of the same or snow tires? I agree the snow tires are where I've always been going, hence the post in the first place.

Thanks, and go Broncos, btw!

Snow tires are never a waste of time. The OEM tires will slide on the slightest bit of snow. I see it in Denver all the time. No one drives with snows in the city and it is mayhem when it snows. I have all-seasons on my F-250 and even it slides a bit.

Also, snow tires aren't just for snow. They have a softer ply that is more effective on low temperature pavement even when it isn't snowing. You never know what can happen out on the plains between OK and Keystone.

Mine cost me a little over $700 out the door, and will be $50 to swap back to summer tires. If I can get three winters out of them I will be happy. If your Dunlops need replacing that is a separate issue--you'll have to end up shelling out for two sets of tires, but if you swap them back and forth you'll be good for many years to come.

 

[philsey]

.... I have all-seasons on my F-250 and even it slides a bit.
.

Reino makes a good point. I read something on here once that made soooo much sense: "All season tires are really no season tires".

In addition to "go", snow tires also give you better "whoa".

I also put 'em on the wifey's CRV, for MY peace of mind.

 

[M1911]

I'm running Nokians on my '03 in the winter. Snow tires let you turn and stop much better than all-season tires.

 

[tHeGeeK]

I run Toyo Observe Gsi-5's and I love them. My wife and I travel home at least twice in the winter, 3300km per round trip. We've never had an "Oh sh*t" moment. They slip once in awhile just driving around town, but the ice can be really bad, never an issue with stopping or turning. Still drive like new with about 10k on them.

I used to use Nokian Studded Hakks, can't go wrong with them either.

Be safe.

 

[jrhaze]

First of all, thanks to all for all the great replies. I really appreciate it, and I am sure it will help others. Remember, you guys were new once! Glad you remember that and help us newcomers out. I will be sure to return the favor as time marches on the best I can, assuming I gain knowledge about my 4Runner, which has just been a multi-decade-long dream come true to finally own one.

Reino (hello to you as well, neighbor) that is sort of my issue. My place is in Keystone, let alone those areas in Southern CO like McClure pass, Aspen, Monarch, etc. Since you live in Denver, you're surely well-versed with I-70 of all places. I have 750+ miles of interstate the entire drive, and it's not until the Eisenhower Tunnel and the 8-mile drop after "The Dwight" do I get a tad nervous about things, and then after that it's only 6 miles to my ski-in, ski-out place. Nothing too dramatic. So that's why I was wondering if snow tires are a waste of time since most all of the driving is all interstate. I still feel the psychological effect of having real snow tires would help me even if I don't necessarily need them, though. I'd rather sacrifice mileage and early replacement to have them on all the time or perhaps switch out like another poster said.

I'm not much of an adventurer; more of a creature of habit that likes to ski in "my back yard" over and over. So I am not really looking to go to far and distant places so much. So basically every trip is to Keystone and back, a mere 6 miles off I-70.

So since another poster pointed out my Dunlops have 30k on them already, I know I need new tires, so the question is more of the same or snow tires? I agree the snow tires are where I've always been going, hence the post in the first place.

Thanks, and go Broncos, btw!

IMO keep the 30k stock tires and run them in the summer if they are still decent.

Buy a second set of inexpensive wheels to mount the snow tires on.

But if you are truly only driving it in the winter months then I'd just switch to the snow tires all together.

 

[jspagna1]

I have run Blizzaks on 3 of my autos and they have served me very well. But I did just replace the winter tires on my daughters Maxima with the General Altimax Arctic and they have been great so far and the price can't be beat.

 

[4BYTOY]

In other words, I am not going to really drive this vehicle much except for those trips (so I tell myself, we'll see...), so I am in search of snow tires.

Do you veterans have any advice on the most reliable snow tires? In the little bit of research I've done, I know Bridgestone Blizzaks W965s seem impressive,

Avalanche - IMHO Both the Blizzaks and Michelin X-Ice are great snow tires. I personally have two sets of the Michelin X-Ice snow tires (one for the 4Runner and the other for the Bronco) . I understand that the Blizzak is a bit softer than the Michelin, so it wears a bit faster.

I have taken the 4Runner on mountain roads that are "glare" ice and felt the grip was great. My avatar shows the kind of weather that I travel in during the winter to snowshoe. Just my personal experience, but I find the Michelins meet my needs. And yes, there is a difference between all-seasons and snow tires, but that is another thread.

Either way you can't go wrong the Michelin X-Ice or the Blizzaks.

Cheers,

4BYTOY

 

[Avalanche]

Thanks (again, to all).

Which are the best Blizzaks? Are the DM-V1's okay or do I need to upgrade to the more expensive W965s? I realize the latter are more expensive, so "logic" says to buy those, but the real experts seem to not indicate a difference between the two. Thoughts?

Please realize, despite best intentions, I will never change tires until I replace them. At least not until further notice. Will either set of snow tires prove me decently on the open road? I could not care less of gas mileage or fuel efficiency. I enjoy buying gas as I have a stake in it. Just how long would snow tires last in let's just say "the most ignorant person on Earth" using them? They don't have warranties that I can see.... so is it 20k, 30k? No more, no less?

Regarding the Michelin X-Ice tires, i've not heard of them before now (thank you, 4BYTOY for the insight). I've had bad experiences before with Bridgetone, and no bad experiences with any tire Michelin related. So therefore, you hear my bias.

The biggest question is this: If I am too lazy or not as cool and knowledgeable as you guys, how long would snow tires (of either variety) last given my situation? I am way more apt to replace "sooner rather than later" in any given capicity. And pardon me for being a novice, again, in this arena, but I'd rather lean toward caution than chaos any day.

I realize I am from OK. OK people drive like complete maniacs when there's even an inch of snow on the ground. I love my property up in Summit, and I don't pretend to be a local, as in the past it's been a rental, but I want to start using it, and the 4Runner was the first step. The insight I've already gleaned from you guys has been tremendous. I'm more than happy to return the favor with some stock picks if you ask. The most important thing of knowledge is you realize you don't have as much as other people, and you learn to learn from those people, and that's what I've attempted to do.

Thank you again to all. What a great venue.
Av (fully admitting of my shortcomings)

 

[Hellamatic]

DO NOT run a snow tire in warmer temperatures. They are made from a softer compound and will wear extremely fast in temperatures above freezing - if you intend on keeping them on year round you might as well just throw your money directly in the garbage can....or better yet, just buy me a new set of tires instead...... They are also more prone to punctures due to the softer compound, so it poses a safety concern as well.

I had a set of Nokian Hakkapeliittas on my '06 Ram - excellent tire. Blizzaks are very good too - do a price comparison and pick the cheaper one because you can't go wrong either way.

Or just get a set of Blizzaks if you're too self-conscious to walk into a tire shop and attempt to pronounce "Hakkapeliitta"

 

[Avalanche]

Thanks..... that's my point, and that's what I seeking to know. I'd likely never drive the T4R in the summer to anywhere other than the local post office. It is a seasonal vehicle to us. We want it reliable when it needs to really be reliable. Sorry for such stupid questions. Some of us in this universe have never had SUV's before.

 

[Batang.Gapo]

Yep, Blizzaks or Nokians. I'd highly recommend to mount them on a separate set of Rims and put them on when you go and take them off when you get home. I wouldn't trust the Grandtrek's for trips to the snowy mountains.

I second that, Nokians Hakkapeliitta SUV R or Blizzaks DMV1 on sepate rims... Check out the AD section for sligthly use 5th Gen wheels. I got mine for $400 plus shipping.