Need a snow tire recommendation

[CanuckRam1313]

I had a logging company in Colorado for awhile and ran studded winter snow tires with the little spikes on them on a Jeep Waggoneer. I ran them on all four wheels. It required two sets of tires, but I took that truck everywhere including old skid trails in the woods at 10,000 feet. Studded tires are the only thing that works on ice.

Today's tires are much better, and an aggressive tread without studs will work for most applications.

Studded tires do make an amazing difference on ice road conditions!

I've always used dedicated summer & winter tires.

Whatever floats your boat but where I live, often the streets don't get plowed until 36 hours after a big snow dump. I don't care how great you think your all-season tires are with a snowflake and how well they perform, you're not likely going to have much fun here. Definitely, not even close to a fraction of the fun factor I get almost every winter day.

In fact, I'm headed out for supplies soon and we've had a fresh snow dump.

I just chuckle at some of my nearby neighbors, fighting to get out of the area with their SUV wannabes and crappy tires.

It's all about fun and safety and FUN.

I bought 17" OEM steel, brand new at the Ram dealer where I bought my truck. At $60 CDN each, I didn't require to look anywhere else. The OEM steel winter rims I had for my Tundra lasted about 11 years with zero maintenance effort. If you're so motivated, a bit of effort should make them last much longer.

Plus, if you mind your tire pressures and rotate regularly, tires could last for many years when you have 2 sets. If you're happy with the odd white-knuckle drive, best of luck to you. Living in a big city would likely change my choice of tires but I would still have summer & winter wheels for anywhere around this part of the world.

Wait, it didn't. I used the same tires on my Tundra since 2008. My first proper winter drive in the Tundra was in February 2008. About 21 hours to drive to North Florida and the first 4-6 hours of travel were in 4WD looking at cars, trucks, and transports in the ditch everywhere.

I was very happy with my new truck and quite satisfied to have invested in dedicated winter tires.

I've swapped out my summer/winter wheels for years and now getting a bit lazy as I age.
Last October, I used a special at the local Dodge dealer that included my maintenance inspection, synthetic oil change and swap to the winter wheels.

A seasonal wheel change around here is about $45 CDN, IIRC. If I'm feeling lazy, I might pay for the service when in for an oil change.

I use BFG All-terrain KO2s and not big fat tires but that's for another thread , 255/70R17.

If you're comfy driving in your area with all-season tires, have fun with that. And think of me who gets all excited about the idea of driving up the road every time it snows.

YMMV
.

I spent my life frequenting the Ottawa Valley as my Grandma and Grandpa lived there, and then spent 4-years there full time because I wanted to get away from the concrete for a while and reset.

Up there winter tires are essential, and good ones aid all the more. It's the compounds and sipes coupled with excellent overall tread design that makes a dedicated winter tire what it is, and this is what the Blizzak DM-V2 delivers in spades.

I too love to play in the snow, and know how to drive in it too (anyone can get behind the wheel, but not everyone knows how to drive ), so having that ability to know what your vehicle and tires can do in any situation, and how to manage the power and handling will net a safe and fun winter driving experience.

 

[Jrod]

Falken Wildpeak AT3! I'll be buying my 3rd set by next winter.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Falken Wildpeak AT3! I'll be buying my 3rd set by next winter.

Decent tires. Might be worth a look. But he's in ID. Lot more snow, different terrain.

 

[IDSandman]

Falken Wildpeak AT3! I'll be buying my 3rd set by next winter.

Those are good all terrain tires. Decent choice if you can only run one set. Fall short against a true dedicated snow tire.

 

[healthyrx]

If your truck has the "auto" 4X4 ,you might be better off seeing if Brandon-W has any of his transfer case switches in stock.The 44-44 t-case leaves alot to be desired as a transfer case in the snow

Can you elaborate on this for me? It sounds like something I may be interested in since I no longer live in a snowless state

 

[Wild one]

Can you elaborate on this for me? It sounds like something I may be interested in since I no longer live in a snowless state

His switch basically bypasses the poorly programmed electric clutch in the 44-44 and makes it act more like the 44-45 t-case.He's on here if you want to message him.

Home | blackfoxindustries Ram 1500 Paddle Shifters | Blackfoxindustries 44-44 Tr

blackfoxindustries transfercase harness and paddle shifters

www.blackfoxindustries.net

 

[tron67j]

I am in the "get good snow tires mounted on rims" camp. I have done this because I drove mostly highway in the summer and wasn't off-roading so got a good, quiet tire. Then had an aggressive snow tire for winter. Take the time to find someone with 4 rims they took off to put different tires on.

I actually just bought steel rims last time from a local discount tire place, wasn't that bad for price and they mounted and balanced for free with the tire purchase at the same time. Just looking for my 2018 2500, I found basic steel rims for $165 at Walmart, and possibly a cheaper steel rim for $129 but need to measure to be sure.

I like separate packages, means I can switch over any time, no damage to my nice rims, and m/b runs almost $30 where I am now. 2x a year adds up real fast.

 

[indept]

Whatever this has:



NOT This:

 

[Wild one]

Whatever this has:

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NOT This:

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Damn near spit out my drink laughing Indept

 

[Shawn Burns]

I have the Falken Wildpeaks and I can say they are outstanding. I am coming from the OEM Toyo open country AT's. They were terrible in anything wet. I've driven on dedicated snow tires in other vehicles and I can say that they are too much of a sacrifice when it is dry. I do like a good winter tire if you are going to be swapping back and forth.

 

[IDSandman]

Those Nokians look like a decent all-around tire. But they don't look like they'd be all that great in the snow ....w/o the studs. Yeah, studs make all the difference in certain circumstances (but not all).

You guys can run studs in NY!??? (what are the rules for that?)

So do you use a fork lift to put truck tires on? LOL

Sorry but you have no idea about how snow tires work. Studs are only good for ice, the nokians also utilize their tread shape and compound for superior snow performance. Their design will hold dry snow and utilize it for traction, yes thats a thing and then channel wet snow out through their grooves to prevent planning. Not only due the outperform on packed plowed white roads but also in deep fresh snow. There is a reason they are THE top winter snow tire hands down, not just my opinion. Get the unstudded version if you don’t travel on ice much or local laws restrict. They will make those les schwab tires look like the all terrains they are in a head to head.

 

[BWL]

Best winter all terrains I've run are the BFG. I have ridge grapplers and agree that on snow they're poor. Dedicated snows are best in snow obviously, but if you only need them occasionally you can get by with a snowflake rated all terrain. Studs are a nice option if you're running dedicated snows and they're allowed in your area. They are really the only thing that work on ice besides tire chains.though some of the better dedicated snows like the nokians and bridgestones do a decent job even without studs.

 

[LouM]

Those Nokians look like a decent all-around tire. But they don't look like they'd be all that great in the snow ....w/o the studs. Yeah, studs make all the difference in certain circumstances (but not all).

You guys can run studs in NY!??? (what are the rules for that?)

So do you use a fork lift to put truck tires on? LOL

They do a very good job in the snow and the studs provide that final bite on hard pack and ice.
We can run studs from Octoner 16th till April 30th.
Forks make an excellent carryer for moving tires to and from storage.

 

[BuschLatte420]

BF goodrich AT KO2’s

 

[RamDiver]

One important detail I failed to mention in my previous post that many of us consider, most of us have different priorities in what makes the best winter tire for our individual application.

I use BFG All-terrain KO2s because of where I live & drive (mostly rural & infrequently plowed backroads). And, I can leave home in a blizzard and drive 21 hours to North Florida and spend 2 weeks in the heat on mixed on-road/off-road while Cave diving. And then drive home and experience the same in reverse.

If I wasn't so obsessed with my next Cave diving trip and enjoying driving through deep snow, I might prefer a softer compound like in Blizzaks. I went through a Crown Vic phase many years ago when I lived in Ottawa and Blizzaks were unbelievable for big city life and winter highway travel.

I was younger & crazier back then and spent every weekend driving to a dive site in my big huge rear-wheel drive V8 car, summer & winter.


This was getting ready for yesterday afternoon's road trip fun after a light dusting of snow.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Decent tires. Might be worth a look. But he's in ID. Lot more snow, different terrain.

Falken Wildpeak A/T3W work fine in -40 Canadian weather.

I dont like wasting money on 2 sets of tires, So I get A/Ts with the snowflake rating.

 

[cdn cj]

Tons of great information and opinions in this thread!
For the record I’ve been doing a dedicated snow and rim swap on all my vehicles as well as 4 daughters for years …
As to the OP who’s been stuck twice this year while playing,
There’s an old saying in the off-road crowd that 4 wheel drive and big tires just gets you stuck in worse places.

 

[Jeepwalker]

The Perfect tire for different types of snow and driving, is like finding the "perfect" one tool to cut all types of wood (lumber, plywood, woodworking, et). LOL

A separate set of winter tires probably gets ya closest. But yeah, more expensive. Good luck in the tire search. Hey let us know if you settle on anything particular (and why) for your next tire.

.

 

[Jrod]

Those are good all terrain tires. Decent choice if you can only run one set. Fall short against a true dedicated snow tire.

I’m in northern VA. Dedicated snow tires are not a thing here. All terrain are perfect for this area. Falken AT3 have not disappointed in any condition.

 

[IDSandman]

I’m in northern VA. Dedicated snow tires are not a thing here. All terrain are perfect for this area. Falken AT3 have not disappointed in any condition.

But the OP lives in Idaho……