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Winter tires on a pick up truck

cliffy | Posted in Tools for Home Building on February 19, 2008 06:08am

I have a Ford pickup truck and have the pleasure of living in Northern Ontario, a place with no shortage of winter.  The Michelin LTX tires on the truck are pretty good most of the time but when the plows are slow to respond the tires are not that great in snow, especially considering I live in a hilly ares with a sloped driveway.

Anybody out their in Breaktime land have anecdotal experience on a decent tire for snowy driving that the care to share?  My co-worker has recomended Michelin X-Ice but I’m wondering how great they would be in 6 inches of snow.

Have a good day

Cliffy

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Replies

  1. robinpillars | Feb 19, 2008 06:44pm | #1

    LTX's work fine for the first 10k miles or so, then become really poor winter tires imo.  I won't run anything on my truck that doesn't have a sever service rating (little mountain and snowflake symbol).  M/S alone just doesn't cut it imo. 

    I have BF Goodrich AT's on my truck and on several previous ones have always been pleased.  Nokian Hakkapalitta LT's are better snow tires, but not as good on the dry raod, and not in as many sizes.  Both tires have gotten me through hundreds of 6-40" snowstorms.

    Rob

  2. frenchy | Feb 19, 2008 06:48pm | #2

    cliffy,

      go to  http://www.tirerack.com  and look there . that's about as unbiased a test of tires as you will find.. plus it gives very competitive prices for tires should you decide to buy tires  from them.

  3. JonE | Feb 19, 2008 08:28pm | #3

    I've got the Cooper Discoverer M+S on my Ford F-150, and they are a good tire.  I just put General Grabber AT2 tires on my wife's Yukon, and they seem to be very effective in snow.  The Grabbers look like a direct knockoff of the BFG AT tires, but are half the price.  I need new ones on my Ford, and likely I'll go with the Grabbers unless the Coopers are a lot cheaper.  Last I checked, the local tire place had both at the same price.

     

    1. User avater
      IMERC | Feb 19, 2008 09:57pm | #6

      I have the same in a 12 ply studded...

      they work well... 

      Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

      WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

  4. peanutsdad | Feb 19, 2008 09:24pm | #4

    I ran Bridgestone Blizzaks for three seasons on a caprice with limited slip rear end.  During the first two seasons, you could barely tell there was snow or ice on the ground....incredible grip.  Third season was not as good. After that I ran them all year as an all season.  You don't get a lot of mileage out of them. And they are expensive....$100/tire for 235/70r15.  Also very quiet. Don't know if they make them in LT rating. 

    This year I tried the Winterforce for about half the price.  Still gets me thru the snow, but not nearly as good as the Blizzaks.  Winterforce has a lot more slip under icy conditions.

    Both sets from TireRack.com.

    Neither set was on a truck, but hope it helps. Tirerack also has a good review section.

    1. frenchy | Feb 19, 2008 10:24pm | #7

      peanutsdad

        Based on reviews that's what I put on my daughters car.. Blizzaks!   Really great winter tire..

        

    2. LittleItaly | Feb 20, 2008 05:12am | #13

      I used to work in a tire shop, and we installed a lot of Blizzaks come November.  We always warned the customers that as soon as winter had receded substantially to get back in for an all weather tire.

      Blizzaks are made with a real soft rubber compound thus the superior performance in nasty winter months

      1. peanutsdad | Feb 20, 2008 09:16am | #19

        Yep...I always keep two sets of rims and tires...winter set and all-season set. Not sure what the cutoff should be, but I try to change over when temps stay consistently over freezing.

  5. builderbruce | Feb 19, 2008 09:25pm | #5

    The company I work for in the upper midwest has a fleet of vehicles and all of them have winter tires in the winter. These tires, like Blizzaks for example, are a great way to go. No single tire type does everything well but winter tires generally do very well in both ice and snow. Not just my opinion, I've heard this a lot from other drivers in the fleet.   

  6. Henley | Feb 20, 2008 02:38am | #8

    I tend to get obsessive about things, and tires are a big deal to me!
    So personal preference aside-

    Bridgestone blizzacks and Micheline XT have been trading off for best reviews for a few years now. Their both probably better than any tire you've ever had (unless you've had one of them). The reviews seem to say that Bridgestones are a little better in deep snow.
    While Micheline is better on wet and ice.
    Trust me I ran this into the ground last fall, You'll find the same thing with endless searching ( just trying to save you the agony and boredom).

    1. User avater
      Heck | Feb 20, 2008 02:45am | #9

      What's pricing like?

      (as long as yur saving us time <g>)                        

      1. Henley | Feb 20, 2008 03:53pm | #20

        Well I put Michelin's on a forrester-$530.00
        And bridgestones on a mazda protege- $539.00

        The Mazda has some funky size so I think it cost more. Generally the Bridgestones were like 5-10 bucks cheaper.

        1. Henley | Feb 20, 2008 03:58pm | #21

          Just read some other replies, couple of thoughts.
          Cooper I've had a few-Exactly they wear out to fast. Nokia- one of my favorite snow tires ever! The reviews all say,if you go with studded they kick butt. But if not the new rubber compounds leave them behind. Which is what I've found to be true.

  7. User avater
    JeffBuck | Feb 20, 2008 02:50am | #10

    current Jeep has BFG AT's which I love ...

     

    old Jeep ran Cooper Discovery's ... which I also loved.

    'cept I love the BFG's a bit more.

     

    tire rack ain't nothing special on pricing ...

    I can beat them at several local places.

     

    also ... for the one ton box van ...

    Uniroyal H/D AT .... they're a knock off of another BFG ...

    all terrain, E load .... very solid ride ... nice deep lugs ... great traction ...

    quiet highway ride.

     

    I'm picky about my tires. Like them agressive tread but with highway manners.

    Jeff

     

     

        Buck Construction

     Artistry In Carpentry

         Pittsburgh Pa

  8. andyfew322 | Feb 20, 2008 02:59am | #11

    my mom had a junky volvo that ouldn't go anywhere in snow without studded tires. They work terrifically.

     

    Ductape can fix EVERYTHING!!!

  9. User avater
    maddog3 | Feb 20, 2008 03:38am | #12

    been using Cooper on both trucks since around '96. Discovery ATs on my Ranger 4 wheeler and HTs on hers

    .

    .

    .

    . . . . . . . .

  10. Stuart | Feb 20, 2008 05:33am | #14

    Probably the best winter tire you can get is a Nokian Hakkapeliitta.  They're made in Finland.  http://www.nokiantires.com/en/winter_suv.aspx

  11. jet | Feb 20, 2008 06:31am | #15

    Quebec just passed a law that we must have winter tires on our vehicles as of next winter season.

    My Nissan Frontier was hours old when I bought it in December. First thing I did was buy winter tires and rims. $1100 later.

    "No doubt exists that all women are crazy; it's only a question of degree." - W.C. Fields
    1. natedaw | Feb 20, 2008 06:48am | #16

      On my new f-150 I put Toyo Open Country truck tires. What a world of difference from the Michelin XLT's that were previously on there.

  12. Jemcon | Feb 20, 2008 06:50am | #17

    I agree with BFG A/T.

     

     

     

    Headstrong, I'll take on anyone!

  13. gordsco | Feb 20, 2008 07:32am | #18

    I've  got Michelin X-ice on DW's Caravan, great for roads. For me, the X-ice are about stopping on slippery intersections not plowing snow.

    My truck has studded Canadian Tire Nordics on the back for the 3rd season. It's a 2wd Dakota, and normaly sucks in the snow, but these tires seem to get me where I'm going. 

     

    Gord

                            

     

     

  14. tmaxxx | Feb 20, 2008 05:20pm | #22

    try these

    Tmaxxx

    Urban Workshop Ltd

    Vancouver B.C.

    cheers.  Ill buy.

    1. frammer52 | Feb 20, 2008 05:31pm | #23

      where is the ladder rack?

      1. User avater
        boiler7904 | Feb 20, 2008 06:55pm | #24

        Get a set of Mattracks for your truck and you'll be able to have ladder racks.

        http://www.mattracks.com/

        I'm in the market for a set of tires for my truck too.  Don't need seperate winter tires but a decent set of all terrains with good off road traction and good on road manners.  I have few options for the stock size (265/75R15 - thanks GM) but a 31x10.5R15 is basically the same tire and everyone makes it. 

  15. trunnel | Feb 20, 2008 07:53pm | #25

    I live in central new york(avg.120 inch. snow per year), and have owned only pickups for thirty years. After each set of tires that came on the truck wore out , i replaced them with B.F. Goodrich all terrain radial T/A s.Far better in snow , mud, wet roads than any other tire i've tried.Also have tons of sizes and load ranges to choose from.Good Luck!

    1. frammer52 | Feb 21, 2008 01:44am | #26

      hey I live in central NY also.  4x4 the only way to go

      1. Henley | Feb 21, 2008 03:25am | #29

        Seams like upstate is well represented here.
        Outside of cooperstown myself.

        1. Spalted | Feb 21, 2008 03:57am | #31

          Depends on what you call UPSTATE. google zip code 12981. I froze my fingers today loading 6000 bf of kd poplar and Red oak. I own a '00 tacoma 4x4 (bare bones no-cab 4cyl) and after the tires wore off 15000 miles later, i put on Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo's in the OEM size for the truck. They are a great all season and even a decent mudder for the mud season that lasts 60 days here in the great white north. I got mine at sams club for about $525 mounted and balanced. You boys with anything bigger than a toy truck will pay more. After 8000 miles they still look like plenty of tread and i've crawled out of 18" of snow with them ( and some dozen block in the bed).

          1. JLazaro317 | Feb 21, 2008 05:06am | #32

            I second the Bridgestone Dueler AT Revo. I've had them on my 99 F350 for the last 3 years or so. Outlasted the previous Goodyear tires and the BF Goodrich AT. Gets me through mud and snow and works well for snow plowing. And I think they are a quiet highway tire if I could hear them over the diesel engine.John

            J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.

            Indianapolis, In.

             

          2. User avater
            Heck | Feb 21, 2008 06:21am | #33

            I priced some Revos for my F250, $900 for 4 10 ply 285x16.

            I am looking at the Coopers.Protect Our Interns - Keep Bill Clinton out of the White House                        

          3. Henley | Feb 21, 2008 04:17pm | #34

            Yeah your up there.
            I've wizened up and moved down here to The temperate zone.
            Miss the mountains, have to drive up to keen now and again.
            I think I'll wait for summer tho.

        2. frammer52 | Feb 21, 2008 04:49pm | #35

          utica

          1. Henley | Feb 22, 2008 02:05am | #36

            Born there.
            I love that town. good people, tons of culture.
            Economy is a bitch tho.
            Decided to go rural without heading north.
            Come to Cooperstown in the fall for the Giant pumpkin fest and I'll by ya beer.

          2. frammer52 | Feb 22, 2008 02:08am | #37

            remind me .

  16. RW | Feb 21, 2008 02:55am | #27

    BFG AT/KO, I agree. Real good average little of everything tire.

    Toyo M-55, better Canadian snow and gravel muck tire.

    Thinner width gives you more ability to sink down through snow to traction, the devils advocate of that argument is it gives you more ability to sink, period. But generally, snow covered roads, bicycle tire is better than a dually.

    Real trucks dont have sparkplugs

    1. frammer52 | Feb 21, 2008 03:15am | #28

      I agree with that, I've never got stuck when i was riding my bicycle!

      1. ANDYSZ2 | Feb 21, 2008 03:52am | #30

        I guess you never been stuck dirtbike riding either!

        ANDYSZ2WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?

        REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST

         

  17. cliffy | Feb 24, 2008 07:08am | #38

    Thank you all for your input.   With winter starting to tame down I will probably do a spring sale or wait till the fall.   The Blizzaks are perking my interest.

    A good day to you all

    Cliffy

  18. roontoo | Feb 24, 2008 07:57am | #39

    Nokian Hakkapalitta with studs. 

    I live in the Vail Valley in Colorado and I have a 2 WD (about the only 2WD in the valley) 97 F-150.  They have been great with all the snow and ice we have had in thae last two winters.  I also have Nokian Hakkapalitta on my wifes VW Passat 2WD and they have also been great.

  19. Vaughnzdad | Feb 26, 2008 06:47am | #40

    Cliffy

    I got my dream car before XMAS (2002 BMW 325 XIT....all wheel drive station wagon). First thing I did was get Nokian Hakkepellitta (sp?) RSi winter tires on it. Had it in Nelson BC over the holidays...plenty of powder...slush...frozen slush...sheet ice...compact snow...it didn't matter. Stopping. Starting. Turning. Crawling down and inching up steep, snow covered driveways and hills. The car handled like it was a summer day. I know that some of that was due to all wheel drive and traction control, but most was due to the tires...when the other cars are sliding off the rode sideways while crawling along and you just cruise along, it has to be the tires. Gotta suggest that you check out the equivalent tire for your truck. I saw them at the shop while I was getting my tires...looked equally aggressive. Warning: they are made of really soft rubber with lots of siping...get them off of your truck as soon as the weather starts to turn nice. They are pricey though...

    Of course, those tires couldn't prevent my wife from getting T-boned by another Bimmer at an intersection after only 2.5 months of ownership...her fault too...sigh...but that is another story!!!!

    Phil

    1. cliffy | Feb 26, 2008 06:55pm | #41

      ouch!

      Thanks for the input

      Have a good day

      Cliffy

      1. Muttly | Feb 28, 2008 04:37pm | #42

        Best winter tires short of studded snow tires have carbide granuals mixed in the rubber. They are only available in retreads, but work great and wear like iron.

        http://treadwright.com/CustomContent42.aspx

         

        My 3500 van went from a pain to drive in the snow to - snow, what snow.

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