Best winter tires for ice and snow

[Dogcreek]

Folks, I have a 2016 1500 Laramie with the stock 275/60/20 tires. 8 years ago, I put Cooper Discover ATS4 tires on, and now they are checkering and falling apart. They also wore VERY poorly as they have maybe 25k on them...Partially due to age and sun I suspect. They were/are terrible in snow, even worse on ice, and somewhat noisy. Not a slam on Cooper, but I have not been happy with these tires.

I need recommendations on a tire that is good/great on ice, packed snow and moderate snow. They don't have to be warranted 60k tires as you can see, I don't drive it that much. I never "off-road" with the exception of logging roads and dry trails. All most all of my driving is done in town and on the freeway.

I would like to put Michelin Cross Climates on as I have those on two other rigs and for where I live, they have been awesome. However, Michelin does not make a 275/60/20 yet.

Anyone in a snowy and icy climate have recommendations? Please don't flame me as I have done a Google search... I am looking for real world wisdom from people that know our trucks- Thanks!!!

Jeff in Spokane

 

[danielmid]

Get on TireRack or Discount Tire and look for 3 peak snow rated tires, quite a few options, and everyone has their favorite.

 

[jws123]

They make your Michelin Cross Climates in 275/65/20 they will fit just fine very expensive tho.

Michelin Agilis CrossClimate All-Season LT275/65R20/E 126/123R Tire - Walmart.com

Buy Michelin Agilis CrossClimate All-Season LT275/65R20/E 126/123R Tire at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

 

[pacofortacos]

They make your Michelin Cross Climates in 265/60/20 also which is just a 1/2" shorter than the stock 275/60/20 tires.

I have always had good luck with Bridgestone Blizzak tires in bad weather.

Bridgestone Blizzak IcePeak comes in 275/60/20.​

 

[JJEH]

I need recommendations on a tire that is good/great on ice, packed snow and moderate snow.

I have my issues with Nitto Tires since they did me dirty on a warranty claim, but I have to admit that the Ridge Grappler was an awesome time. Lasted ~4yrs and ~73K miles, with driving/towing in all kinds of conditions (no rock climbing/serious off-road). We got it in that exact size, but as an LT, and it did great in snow. This was back in 2021, during the TX snowstorm, when suspension and wheels were still OEM.



Just remember to add some weight to the bed, use appropriate 4WD setting and turn traction control off.
But I'm sure you know this already...

This is what they looked like when I replaced them.

 

[danielmid]

They make your Michelin Cross Climates in 265/60/20 also which is just a 1/2" shorter than the stock 275/60/20 tires.

I have always had good luck with Bridgestone Blizzak tires in bad weather.

Bridgestone Blizzak IcePeak comes in 275/60/20.​

I love the Blizzaks on our Durango, but I think OP is looking for a snow rated all terrain or similar that can be used year-round.

 

[danielmid]

I put on Falken Wildpeak AT4Ws earlier this year, I replaced AT3Ws and downsized. I haven't had them in snow yet but they ride well and did well in rain so far. I was very very close to switching to BFG KO3s and might regret not switching if the AT4Ws aren't great in snow like some reviews mention.

 

[pacofortacos]

I had Wildpeaks on my Chev. Traverse, probably the worse tire I have ever used in wet weather. Almost dangerous new was my experience. lol
What was strange, they actually got much better traction as they wore down. After 1/2 tread they did well in rain and snow, only tire that I've ever had that experience with - maybe the vehicle????

 

[RamDiver]

Folks, I have a 2016 1500 Laramie with the stock 275/60/20 tires. 8 years ago, I put Cooper Discover ATS4 tires on, and now they are checkering and falling apart. They also wore VERY poorly as they have maybe 25k on them...Partially due to age and sun I suspect. They were/are terrible in snow, even worse on ice, and somewhat noisy. Not a slam on Cooper, but I have not been happy with these tires.

I need recommendations on a tire that is good/great on ice, packed snow and moderate snow. They don't have to be warranted 60k tires as you can see, I don't drive it that much. I never "off-road" with the exception of logging roads and dry trails. All most all of my driving is done in town and on the freeway.

I would like to put Michelin Cross Climates on as I have those on two other rigs and for where I live, they have been awesome. However, Michelin does not make a 275/60/20 yet.

Anyone in a snowy and icy climate have recommendations? Please don't flame me as I have done a Google search... I am looking for real world wisdom from people that know our trucks- Thanks!!!

Jeff in Spokane

This decision is best made by examining the conditions and terrain where you plan to use them most often. You have to decide where to compromise.

City or rural driving. On or off-road. Deep or hard-packed snow with ice.
Most multipurpose tires translate to lacking in all tasks.

Blizzaks are likely the best for wet or icy roads in the city.
BFG All-Terrain or other AT tires are great for deep snow but totally suck for wet or icy roads after a short period of use.

I use BFGs in the winter for deep snow in the rural area I live in, where plowing doesn't seem to happen soon after big storms or often enough. I have to be extra careful in wet or icy conditions, because the grip sucks after a couple of years.

I'm willing to slow down and use extra caution in the rain and ice so I can have fun with great control in deep snow and unplowed roads.

The Michelin Defenders I use as summer tires are spectacular in wet, not bad in icy conditions, but I hate using them in snow.

Unless you want to read a huge amount of testimonials about everyone's preferred tire,
why not be a bit more specific about your use case, and if you're willing to compromise in specific conditions.

.

 

[joesstripclub]

I dont think you can beat a dedicated winter tire for winter performance. If you dont have a second set of wheels or dont want to swap tires, I've had good luck with Michelin all seasons when I had my 1500. I think they were the Defender LTX, got me everywhere I needed to go living in Denver and driving through the mountains.

 

[Curmudgeon]

Just a month ago I replaced my Wildpeak AT3Ws with the newer AT4Ws
I thought the AT3Ws were among the better tires I've ever had, and
even more so being an AT tire. The tread seems well thought out with good siping for a year-round tire.

I haven't put the AT4Ws through a trial, but in good weather they feel at
least as good as the AT3Ws. I may or may not have spun them up to the
limit of 105mph while feeling confident and smooth. There are very few tires
I have been pleased enough with to buy again.

FWIW we don't really get enough snow/slush/ice to test them but they were alright in last years back-to-back snows here, even though I knew there were going to be replaced before the next winter.

 

[joesstripclub]

This decision is best made by examining the conditions and terrain where you plan to use them most often. You have to decide where to compromise.

City or rural driving. On or off-road. Deep or hard-packed snow with ice.
Most multipurpose tires translate to lacking in all tasks.

Blizzaks are likely the best for wet or icy roads in the city.
BFG All-Terrain or other AT tires are great for deep snow but totally suck for wet or icy roads after a short period of use.

I use BFGs in the winter for deep snow in the rural area I live in, where plowing doesn't seem to happen soon after big storms or often enough. I have to be extra careful in wet or icy conditions, because the grip sucks after a couple of years.

I'm willing to slow down and use extra caution in the rain and ice so I can have fun with great control in deep snow and unplowed roads.

The Michelin Defenders I use as summer tires are spectacular in wet, not bad in icy conditions, but I hate using them in snow.

Unless you want to read a huge amount of testimonials about everyone's preferred tire,
why not be a bit more specific about your use case, and if you're willing to compromise in specific conditions.

.

I will add that my wife's WRX on Michelin X-Ice performed way better than the 1500 on Defenders in the snow/ice, but the Defenders were plenty acceptable in the snow and were great at everything else.

 

[danielmid]

I will add that my wife's WRX on Michelin X-Ice performed way better than the 1500 on Defenders in the snow/ice, but the Defenders were plenty acceptable in the snow and were great at everything else.

That's why I put Defenders on our Durango and Accord, great 3 season and will cover the surprise early dusting until I get the Blizzaks and X-Ice on.

 

[crash68]

@Dogcreek

look for 3 peak snow rated tires, quite a few options, and everyone has their favorite.

^^^ this or a set of dedicated snow tires. Dedicated snow tires will handle better in the snow but at the expense of a second set of tires/rims as they can only be ran in cold weather preferably with snow or slick roads.
Read the reviews on TireRack and make more of what kind of vehicle the tire is on along with size for comparison to yours

 

[JJEH]

...or other AT tires are great for deep snow but totally suck for wet or icy roads after a short period of use.

This general statement is not true. The OE Goodyear Wrangler SR‑A on our 2018 RAM were the worst tires I've ever seen in wet conditions and none of any of the A/T tires I've ever bought was that bad. I think I changed these tires not even 2-weeks after buying that thing...

Now, with that being said, the OE Goodyear Fortera HL in 265/50R20 on our 2013 Durango were great. Lasted 50K miles, managed the Oklahoma snow as well, zero issues!

 

[RamDiver]

This general statement is not true. The OE Goodyear Wrangler SR‑A on our 2018 RAM were the worst tires I've ever seen in wet conditions and none of any of the A/T tires I've ever bought was that bad. I think I changed these tires not even 2-weeks after buying that thing...

Now, with that being said, the OE Goodyear Fortera HL in 265/50R20 on our 2013 Durango were great. Lasted 50K miles, managed the Oklahoma snow as well, zero issues!

LMAO

I should have indicated some AT tires.
Those SRA aren't worth having for free.

.

 

[pacofortacos]

I liked the Michelin Defenders on my truck when I had them, in deeper snow getting stuck wasn't a concern, but the did seem to float in the snow when driving. Not bad, just had to pay attention.

 

[pacofortacos]

That's why I put Defenders on our Durango and Accord, great 3 season and will cover the surprise early dusting until I get the Blizzaks and X-Ice on.

Yeah, the Blizzaks go my wife's FWD Mazda 3 right before snow.
They are currently worn out so this year I am trying Goodyear's Wintercommand that tire rack was blowing out.

 

[star_deceiver]

My Hakka 10s were down to 40% so they went. New ones weren't in stock so the newest is Hakkapeliitta 01. We'll see how these do, probably great like the last 4 sets I've had over the years. These were $2089 mounted.



One of these days I'll sandblast the old paint off the rims.

 

[Dogcreek]

Holy smokes! These look like they are serious for ice!