Best Snow tires?

[jmurph]

He probably didnt understand the fact you cant run studded tires where you live. A fair bit of places are like that.

Ya Alaska is no rules and also no real roads, they keep snow layer at all times. So offroad tires and studs seems better for deep stuff than pure winter road tires.

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[Elgorr4]

If you drive daily in snowy conditions, you owe it to yourself and the other drivers on the road to get a dedicated winter tire. For ice, nothing beats studs. I have had great luck on two previous ford trucks with General Grabber Arctic LTs. They are studdable and aren't as costly as some other options. Firestone winterforce tires with studs are also a bit cheaper and served me well on a jeep for a few icy winters in Maine. I currently live in a drier (but far snowier) climate and don't need studs so I gave blizzaks a shot, given all of the hype. They have been working well so far this winter, but I do miss the deeper tread of the General Grabbers when pulling out of a snowbank. The blizzaks do the job but there is a touch more wheel spin. Could also just be because my ranger is a lot lighter than my old trucks.

 

[Frenchy]

If you drive daily in snowy conditions, you owe it to yourself and the other drivers on the road to get a dedicated winter tire. For ice, nothing beats studs. I have had great luck on two previous ford trucks with General Grabber Arctic LTs. They are studdable and aren't as costly as some other options. Firestone winterforce tires with studs are also a bit cheaper and served me well on a jeep for a few icy winters in Maine. I currently live in a drier (but far snowier) climate and don't need studs so I gave blizzaks a shot, given all of the hype. They have been working well so far this winter, but I do miss the deeper tread of the General Grabbers when pulling out of a snowbank. The blizzaks do the job but there is a touch more wheel spin. Could also just be because my ranger is a lot lighter than my old trucks.

Sand bags help with that sir!! I have notive a huge difference after putting 2 bags in the bed!!

 

[JohnnyO]

but are blizzaks really better than just studded 3 peak hybrid tires? and you can just take studs out in the summer and run the same tires correct? Id rather not have to pay for a set of winter tires just for one winter, blizzaks are $$$

Or you can get cheaper winter tires like Firestones or whatever generic you can find like Mastercraft. 3 peak all-seasons are livable. At this point winter is almost half over anyway.

 

[Bravohook]

Ya Alaska is no rules and also no real roads, they keep snow layer at all times. So offroad tires and studs seems better for deep stuff than pure winter road tires.

What region are you in?? Les Schwab house brand is very good. Have them on my wife's and daughter's car. They are studded which is legal here but you can get them without studs as well. They are the Federal Himalaya. They usually last 3 seasons here which are 8 months long, little loud but they work extremely well.

 

[Dairychuk]

I have very aggressive AT (Wrangler Duratrak 3p M+S) for summer tires and still switch to proper winter tires. I've had General tire and Blizzaks as winters before, this year I am on X-Ice Snow SUV which have preformed very well so far, but I have limited testing yet.

I have mostly light cover, snow, slush, icy conditions, but rarely deep snow. I get deep drifting in my area, but mostly maintained roads, free of deep snow other than when it's falling, or drifting.

If I were in a colder climate which some snow cover remains days/weeks/months I would be on Blizzaks as they are slightly more aggressive tread.

Vehicle, climate, and driving needs all play into the decision.

I second the x-ice snow SUVs

 

[jmurph]

Or you can get cheaper winter tires like Firestones or whatever generic you can find like Mastercraft. 3 peak all-seasons are livable. At this point winter is almost half over anyway.

What region are you in?? Les Schwab house brand is very good. Have them on my wife's and daughter's car. They are studded which is legal here but you can get them without studs as well. They are the Federal Himalaya. They usually last 3 seasons here which are 8 months long, little loud but they work extremely well.

I'm a wainwright baby just here until july.

 

[jmurph]

In Anchorage, where you at? I’ve seen a few bad ass Rangers on the road here, but still haven’t connected on the forum.

Just got mine A few months ago and am running Falken Wildpeaks. Better than the stock tires but next year I’ll probably get some snow tires.

I'm up in fairbanks in the less fun part of AK.

 

[Arly]

We have purchased extra rims and putting snows on them for over 20 years. That way each spring or fall, its an easy job to switch them them. Snow tires are your best freind at keep us out of the ditch. Actually, our little lake snow town has super steep streets and I have no idea how to get up them without snows.

 

[THLONE]

Never help push someone with studs in their tires. Some here in South AZ run mud grippers just for the look. My Ranger was in the cold and snow on the way here from the factory. I promised to never subject it to that again. My HT firestones have done fine offroad. But, I dont try to do dumb things on purpose.

 

[Dgc333]

Do yourself a favor and get a different tire for the winter. I had a set of ATX's and they were horrible in snow and ice.

I am fully prepared to but want to try the ATx tires first. I am retired now so getting out in the bad weather is not mandatory anymore and if the ATx tires are passable I will stick with them.

But with the weather we have been having I won't need to. Here it is 5 days before Christmas and we have not had any snow.

 

[Swingpure]

I am a big fan of Toyo Observes Si6, they are amazing snow tires. They were amazing on my SUV, my daughter’s front wheel drive van and on my wife’s front wheel drive car. They are good on the Ranger, but the lack of weight at the back allows them to slip going up steep slopes.

Inour area we are allowed studded tires. At the time I got my Toyo’s, it was difficult to get a set of studded tires, so I didn’t, but would they be even better than the Toyo’s.

I have a steep long driveway and when my rear wheels slip going up it, in 2wd, I think about having studs.

 

[MXGOLF]

Oregon is trying to outlaw studded tires That's Oregon for you. I have a set of spare rims with studded snow tires for my 2WD Tacoma and with sand bags can go anywhere I want. I go skiing 10+ times a year no problem. It's the other idiots that I always have worried about. Now for my Ranger I am going to wait until next year to do anything for snow and ice. I will just stay home and work from home. My taco will be staying in the garage this year. I am getting too old to change the tires to studs for a couple of weeks of snow if that. LOL

 

[EJH]

The best I have used: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 (currently on my Ranger). They are worthy of the reputation (and price).

Others I have used:
Continental VikingContact (runner up)
Continental WinterContact Si (third place)
General Arctics (not studded, but studdable). Slide too much in ice w/o studs.
Hankook iPike. Similar to the Arctics. I didn't stud them, and they slide too much.
Dunlap WinterMaxx (average).

In my experience, if you get winter tires that are studdable, they will suck in slick (ice) without studs.

 

[RangerPNW]

I've heard from some that Goodyear Duratracs with studs are pretty much unstoppable in the snow/ice.

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