Winter Tires for 2019 RWD Ranger XL Stx

[Franko]

Thinking ahead here for the upcoming winter. I bought a used 2019 Ranger XL Stx RWD with 17" tires and live in North Dakota. I know the general idea that people think that's nuts, well because i live in ND. But i got such a great deal on it with such low miles I had to get it. Plus it was time for a new vehicle. I still own my 06 Dakota 4WD that i will still use for plowing my road as needed.
SO, I have used studded Hankook Ipikes on another 2WD car in the past and although they are a bit loud, they worked pretty well.

I will put sandbags in the truck bed above tires and will buy a separate set of wheels for winter so changing out won't be as much as an issue.
Any suggestions as for tire brand, studded vs non studded is appreciated. Also should i go up on tire or wheel size (for winter)?

Thanks ahead of time!

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[EJH]

Best winter tires I have used are the Nokian Hakkas (studless). I use those on my Ranger and one of our Subarus. I have used the Hankook iPikes before and was not impressed. I have also tried about 5-6 other winter tires. Going forward, I will only use the Nokians.

 

[LaBalbe]

I had the dealership throw in a set of winter tires on steel rims, as I picked up my truck in Dec.; they gave me a set of Goodyear Ultra-Grip Ice, sized at 255/70R16 (my summers are the stock 265/60R18s):

I'm a little south of the Ontario snowbelt, so ice and slushy roads are more of a concern than snow, but these have worked quite well for the past three seasons. They're designed to incorporate studs as an option, but I don't have them.

 

[Franko]

Best winter tires I have used are the Nokian Hakkas (studless). I use those on my Ranger and one of our Subarus. I have used the Hankook iPikes before and was not impressed. I have also tried about 5-6 other winter tires. Going forward, I will only use the Nokians.

Noted. And appreciated.

 

[Franko]

Noted. And appreciated.

I had the dealership throw in a set of winter tires on steel rims, as I picked up my truck in Dec.; they gave me a set of Goodyear Ultra-Grip Ice, sized at 255/70R16 (my summers are the stock 265/60R18s):

I'm a little south of the Ontario snowbelt, so ice and slushy roads are more of a concern than snow, but these have worked quite well for the past three seasons. They're designed to incorporate studs as an option, but I don't have them.

Sounds good I really appreciate it.

 

[raytwntrvlr]

Hope the previous owner spent a couple hundred and got the locking rear end. How do you buy this truck and not get this option?

 

[Franko]

Hope the previous owner spent a couple hundred and got the locking rear end. How do you buy this truck and not get this option?

I think this vehicle originated in California so who knows. I will look to see if I have it.

 

[Franko]

Best winter tires I have used are the Nokian Hakkas (studless). I use those on my Ranger and one of our Subarus. I have used the Hankook iPikes before and was not impressed. I have also tried about 5-6 other winter tires. Going forward, I will only use the Nokians.

Pulled the trigger on some Michelin X-ice’s, which I beleive are comparable to the Nokian Hakka R5s. Not installed yet going to get some sandbags too and hope for the best. If they don’t work out, I will maybe get the Hakka studded. My RWD could be an interesting but expensive experiment.

 

[subquark]

Pulled the trigger on some Michelin X-ice’s, which I beleive are comparable to the Nokian Hakka R5s. Not installed yet going to get some sandbags too and hope for the best. If they don’t work out, I will maybe get the Hakka studded. My RWD could be an interesting but expensive experiment.

Great tires!

I'm also RWD and use chains for local driving, as needed.

Other than that, I hate driving on my Bridgestones during the winter and dream of getting Nokian Outpost nATs.

And because of old, abused, and painful shoulders, I no longer use tube sand but have this kooky thing for winter weight. It worked very well for last winter.

https://www.konigchain.com/shop/us-en/konig-xg-12-pro-1.html

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BV9MA2

 

[Franko]

Hey thanks for your reply! So, the water weight bag looked like a great idea at first when i saw your pic (and i really appreciate that!!) but my Ranger has a short short bed and wheel wells are almost right up against the rear cabin wall, so it likely would not fit correctly at all. So, gonna go with the sandbags (8 or 10 x 45lbs) this year. We'll see tho because my old, worn out back won't likely be able to do that for the next however many seasons either.

 

[JohnnyO]

I use all-terrains on my 4x4 Ranger but I always get Bridgestone Blizzaks for the wife's minivans and she swears by them. Getting four new ones put on this Saturday.

For the Ranger I built a box out of some 2x4's to hold the sandbags over the axle and screwed a piece of USB on top of it so I can set things on it.

 

[Ryands60]

Recently upgraded from using winter rated all-terrains the past 3 winters to dedicated snow/ice tires, studded Nokian Hakka LT3's, this season. The difference is night and day, and while the AT's were good, the Hakka's are on another level. Could not recommend enough.

I believe the Hakka 10 SUV's are slightly better performing than the LT3's but at the loss of towing ability which may or may not apply to you. Sizing can also be an issue, could not get the Hakka 10's in the size I wanted (265/75r16) but they do come in several sizes that fit rangers.

Regarding studs vs studless; if your area allows studs I will always recommend them. Any marginal loss in dry braking is well worth the significant improvement on ice both in braking and steering control.

 

[subquark]

Hey thanks for your reply! So, the water weight bag looked like a great idea at first when i saw your pic (and i really appreciate that!!) but my Ranger has a short short bed and wheel wells are almost right up against the rear cabin wall, so it likely would not fit correctly at all. So, gonna go with the sandbags (8 or 10 x 45lbs) this year. We'll see tho because my old, worn out back won't likely be able to do that for the next however many seasons either.

Sorry, I missed your response. It's 56" long, so it would fill your bed more. I have enough space for a row of plastic grocery bags. It's is slanted, so a second row of bags sit on the edge on mine in the Scab.

Nothing wrong with sand, it's my shoulders and back that complain. =)

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