Snow tires or A/Ts?

[kscott]

I've been reading tire reviews all over this forum for a while now, and of course there are many opinions. My basic question is this: I'm looking for new tires for my 04 4Runner Sport 2.5"/1.5" Daystar and am wondering if I should go with a snow tire (looking at Blizzak) or an A/T (Dueler Revo or BFG A/T KO).

My problem is that I live in Santa Barbara where the temp during the winter is usually in the 50s or 60s, but I frequently drive to Mammoth/Tahoe in the Sierras where we get significant snowfall (350 miles away). When I'm up in the mountains I want to have the best tires possible, but I'm concerned that driving 80mph on them for 700 miles per trip on dry/wet pavement may wear them out too quickly. I plan on making this trip about 10 times in the next 4 months. Any opinions?

By the way, I currently have 40,000 miles on my Bridgestone Dueler AT Revos. There is plenty of tread remaining, but they've really lost "the edge" on snow covered roads. These tires really performed well when new, and I really like them, so since they're not worn I'm going to keep them and put them back on when winter is over.

So, snow tires or A/Ts? Thanks in advance.

 

[Gromulus]

Tough call. of course the snow tires will exhibit the best winter performance, especially over ice. I understand not wanting to wear down the snows on pavement during warm conditions. Snows also are also usually inferior on wet roads not to mention dry handling/cornering.

Since your ATs performed well in the past under these conditions, it may make more sense to go with a new set of these. If snow is the issue (as opposed to icy condtions), this would probably be the route I would take. Just my opinion.

 

[Elusive]

I head to Tahoe about 20x during the winter. I have had 2 sets of the Nitto Terra Grapplers, and they always perform great. I was up this weekend during the storms and all the roads in town were iced over. I did not lose traction other than hard breaking and still that was minimal. I have been in all snow conditions and the Nittos are fantastic. They are especially fun in several feet of fresh.

Also of note they are wonderful on road and in my experience alot better than the BFG in rain.

Long story short, go with a really good A/T tire. I prefer the Nittos over the BFG due to better rainy day performance and just as good if not better snow traction.

 

[rook]

The warm temps will wear out high traction snow tires quickly. The majority of your trip to Tahoe will be on road in warmer temps as well, so I'd skip on snows.

There are a lot of options for severe weather rated all-terrains that will allow you safe passage.

General Grabber AT2 - A lot of people in Maine run these and like them because they deliver good winter traction and long treadlife.

Kumho SAT KL61 - A newcomer - more like a highway friendly AT. I haven't seen any feedback on snow handling yet.

BFG AT KO - Tried and true.

Goodyear Silent Armor and its less expensive cousin the AT Extreme (avail in 275/70/17 only)

The Nokian Vatiiva AT - It does not carry a severe weather rating, but based on the tread design and siping, I'd be willing to say that it can perform as well or better than the others on this list. One member here said they handle well in the snow and posted some pics.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

With your lift and needs I'd do GYSA's in 255/75/17. They are dirt cheap right now on tirerack.com, they'd look great, they have the 'snowflake' to drive right through the Cali chain-up stations... The slightly narrower tire will be a little better in the snow.

Especially with the present sale it seems like "the deal". Even if you don't buy from tirerack it's a great bargaining chip

Revo II's would be sweet too...

Was that whole post a waste? Are you riding on 18"s?

:cheers:

 

[kscott]

Was that whole post a waste? Are you riding on 18"s?

Ha. No, I've got the stock 17" for now.

Thanks for the input everyone. I'll stay away from snow tires. I continued reading reviews for a couple hours and came to the conclusion that there is no "best" A/T tire. Just when I think I find one that everyone likes, I find threads where people hated it.

I like the idea of the GYSA at the smaller width, especially at that price. It got the best snow traction ratings out of them all on tirerack, so maybe I'll do that.

Thanks again for the comments.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I like the idea of the GYSA at the smaller width, especially at that price. It got the best snow traction ratings out of them all on tirerack, so maybe I'll do that.

If you do it understand they are a 44psi max tire and you have the flexibility to run the pressure a little higher if you like. My suspicion is running something in the 40psi range would be great: 1) Any loss of cornering feel because of the taller sidewall would be regained with the higher pressure. 2) The hydroplane speed goes up with a higher pressure. 3) The ride will still be good too as it's a taller tire with more sidewall than the OE tire so a higher pressure won't be a total 'ride killer'.
:cheers:

PS- Can you guess what I'm about to buy:lmao: Still can't decide which one, GYSA, Revo or possibly even the Toyo. I "want" the Revo but the GYSA is the right answer. I can have 5 for less than 4 Revos.

 

[kscott]

Well, in case I didn't make it clear in my first post, I did the Revos a few years ago and they were great! After 40k miles though, they just don't quite have the snow grip that I'm accustomed to. So I'm in the market....

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Well, in case I didn't make it clear in my first post, I did the Revos a few years ago and they were great! After 40k miles though, they just don't quite have the snow grip that I'm accustomed to. So I'm in the market....

I caught that... I have first hand experience with Revo 1's and Toyo's. Both were great tires. The GYSA is new to me that's why the slight hesitation. It has so many good reviews and the price is great so I think I'll try 'em Like I said I can have 5 for the price of 4...

 

[paraordnance]

I caught that... I have first hand experience with Revo 1's and Toyo's. Both were great tires. The GYSA is new to me that's why the slight hesitation. It has so many good reviews and the price is great so I think I'll try 'em Like I said I can have 5 for the price of 4...

I could not resist that price and bought a set of GYWSA in 255/75/17 thanks for pointing in that direction. I wanted Duratracs originally but they probably too much tire for me since I almost never get off the pavement. No I just affraid they might not fit without a lift. I have a front 2.5" spacer which I have to install yet but hope they will fit without

 

[chaz]

in case anyones interested,heres a closeup of the GYSA on stock rim, very good tire, handles well in all weather.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

No I just affraid they might not fit without a lift. I have a front 2.5" spacer which I have to install yet but hope they will fit without

FWIW- A member put on GYSA's in 275/70/17 (same height, much wider). Spaceman had some rubbing and did lift but it was easily driveable pre-lift. Other members have used the 255/75/17 BFG Jeep tire prior to lifting with little or no issues. If I've read and understand correctly minor tweaking, as J.A.'s wheelspacer page outlines, is more than enough to make it all work. Toyota 4Runner Wheel Spacers scoll to bottom of page.


Once the tires are on your rig :worthless

 

[Will_4R]

in case anyones interested,heres a closeup of the GYSA on stock rim, very good tire, handles well in all weather.

Does the siping go all the way down/through the lugs? It is hard to tell from the pics.