Snow Tires??

[JimJa]

The Ranger is in need of new tires. I've got some all season tires in mind, but am wondering if a set of pure snow tires have evolved enough to be installed year round without wearing out so quickly they are not worth it, making all-season a better choice? I know when pure snow tires initially came out they were expensive and would wear out in 15-20,000 miles. They've gotten much better since then, but am still a little concerned about making the year-round jump to a winter tire. What do you think?

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[LaBalbe]

I wouldn't. The parameters that they serve are so different, that I doubt that there'll ever be a true "all-season" option for those of us in snow country; we're going to need a set for warm weather, and a set for cold weather.

 

[TheNorseman]

I’ve always had 2 sets of tires for my vehicles and swapped them in the spring and fall. One with hard rubber for summer, and one snow rated set with sipes and studs for winter. It adds to the cost initially, but over the long run I can run a set of winter tires for 4-5 years no problem. I do live in Alaska though, so I’ve got lots of winter to deal with

 

[LaBalbe]

I’ve always had 2 sets of tires for my vehicles and swapped them in the spring and fall. One with hard rubber for summer, and one snow rated set with sipes and studs for winter. It adds to the cost initially, but over the long run I can run a set of winter tires for 4-5 years no problem. I do live in Alaska though, so I’ve got lots of winter to deal with

I do the same, and get a similar duration on a set of tires as you; both my winter & summer ones, since they're basically being used for half the year each. I also put my winters on a set of steel rims vs. the stock rims which hold the summer tires. Sure, the steelies don't look anywhere near as nice as my stock Lariat rims, but I'm also less concerned about the damage they'll take from rock salt, etc. and they make swapping out the tires that much easier and quicker. I actually got the dealer to throw them into my package when I got the Ranger, so it wasn't as much of an up-front cost.

OP is roughly at the same latitude as me, so I expect somewhat similar environmental conditions; that being said, I've never been to WY in winter, and it's been decades since I was there last.

 

[TheNorseman]

I do the same, and get a similar duration on a set of tires as you; both my winter & summer ones, since they're basically being used for half the year each. I also put my winters on a set of steel rims vs. the stock rims which hold the summer tires. Sure, the steelies don't look anywhere near as nice as my stock Lariat rims, but I'm also less concerned about the damage they'll take from rock salt, etc. and they make swapping out the tires that much easier and quicker. I actually got the dealer to throw them into my package when I got the Ranger, so it wasn't as much of an up-front cost.

OP is roughly at the same latitude as me, so I expect somewhat similar environmental conditions; that being said, I've never been to WY in winter, and it's been decades since I was there last.

Yup, I’ve always had my winters on a set of steel rims too, but since this is gonna be the first really nice vehicle I’ve owned, I think I’m gonna get a prettier set of rims at Costco for my winters. We will see how the bank account’s doing when fall rolls around

 

[LaBalbe]

Yup, I’ve always had my winters on a set of steel rims too, but since this is gonna be the first really nice vehicle I’ve owned, I think I’m gonna get a prettier set of rims at Costco for my winters. We will see how the bank account’s doing when fall rolls around

I've debated painting them black; the steels that I had for my 2G Escape were black, as was the SUV, so it kind of gave off the Black Appearance vibe. I might do that once I swap them out.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

The all-season promise is a myth unless you live in Barbados.

Winter tire compounds are far superior to summer or all-season tire compounds starting at about 7° C. The all-season and summer compounds become much harder at colder temps and are dangerous - not only because they lack adequate tread design for snow but because they do not grip well, even on bare roads.

Do yourself a favour and get a set of cheap take-offs or steelies and run dedicated winter tires. If you don’t have room to store them or can’t be bothered to make the swap yourself, many places offer a cheap swap and storage service.

 

[JohnnyO]

No.
Assuming you have 4wd, get a set of 3-peak rated all-terrains. Good in all but the worst stuff. True winter tires have softer rubber to grip snow and ice better and work in cold temps. That’s why they wear out fast if you use them in the summer.

I put Bridgestone Blizzaks on the wife’s last few minivans and it goes as good in snow as my 4x4 and probably stops and turns better. She won’t roll on anything else.

Firestone Winterforce don’t cost a lot and work real well. I bought a Jeep for my daughter that had them and it did real good.

 

[YaBoiNewton]

+1 for 3PMS all terrains.
Modern ATs have come a long way and do really well in a broad range of conditions.
Granted I live in FL, but I have plenty of experience in snow driving. I took a trip up to Marquette, MI just this past January on a fresh set of ATs. It snowed CONSTANTLY and I had plenty of traction whereas other cars were sliding all over the place. An SUV slid down a freshly coated hill right into a snow bank and I was able to pull it out up hill without slipping. They run great in 80°F weather back home, too!

 

[JimJa]

I have experience with full winter tires and M&S tires. In fact, I have two sets of Michelin Ice-X on rims for both my RS and Escape, swapping out in spring and fall. The Michelins were purchased Based on a college roommate that lives at Donner Summit. (I don't complain to him about our snow, especially this year when he enters his hour via the second story windows). They are excellent and wear very well. So well in fact it's why I asked the question about leaving them on all year. If I could get 50K from them I'd be happy.

A lot of our reference comes from the early Blizzaks, a very high wearing tire. They've improved. My Michelins are showing very little wear after two winters.. They work very well for my application.

 

[SigOris]

The Ranger is in need of new tires. I've got some all season tires in mind, but am wondering if a set of pure snow tires have evolved enough to be installed year round without wearing out so quickly they are not worth it, making all-season a better choice? I know when pure snow tires initially came out they were expensive and would wear out in 15-20,000 miles. They've gotten much better since then, but am still a little concerned about making the year-round jump to a winter tire. What do you think?

I think if you go to Tirerack and price out a Snow Tire Package you’ll be pleasantly surprised

 

[mtsoxfan]

Now is an ideal time of year, possible, to consider other options.
Take offs, usually you get very low mileage tires on some near new alloys. AND, people here have bought, and I have seen ads for those as low as $350. I paid $700 for 25 miles on Bronco alloys, and I still think I got a great deal. Hard pressed to find decent/good tires alone for that price.
Then you can think about winter tires another time, like when they are on sale...

 

[jthompson48]

Living in the rockies for 8 years and going skiing a lot, I used dedicated snow tires when I had a FWD sedan. I thought the Hankooks were fine on the Ranger for winter in the mountains. I have friends that live at 10000 feet and drive 80 miles round trip most days over mountain passes all winter and swear by the wild peaks on their 4x4 truck. When I have to replace the Hankooks I'm planning on Outpost AT, having been very impressed with their snow rated all seasons on the wife's car, or the Falkons.

 

[CB750F]

The all-season promise is a myth unless you live in Barbados.

Winter tire compounds are far superior to summer or all-season tire compounds starting at about 7° C. The all-season and summer compounds become much harder at colder temps and are dangerous - not only because they lack adequate tread design for snow but because they do not grip well, even on bare roads.

Do yourself a favour and get a set of cheap take-offs or steelies and run dedicated winter tires. If you don’t have room to store them or can’t be bothered to make the swap yourself, many places offer a cheap swap and storage service.

I was going to write what he said.
Go with a dedicated winter set, it's nirvana.

 

[RangerPNW]

If you don't mind the hassle of running two sets of tires, then by all means get a good set of winter tires, or even some of the chunkier all terrains can be studded (Duratrac's come to mind for that). Otherwise I'll echo the vote for a solid set of 3 peak rated snow tires. I've loved my duratrac's in the snow, they just chew through it all and never miss a beat.

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