Best Tire Brands for Winter?

[just_dave]

Searching online for an all-season/winter light truck tire. Reading the online reviews isn't a big help. Coming here I know I can trust the input.

Tires will be going on a Silverado 4x4. I was thinking of going with the Cooper Discoverer X/T4 in a 265/65R18 or a 275/65R18.

http://ca.coopertire.com/tires/discoverer-xt4_suv.aspx

Something I'm most concerned about is life of tire. I hope for the tires to last at least 3 years before showing any sign of dry rot or separation. Winter handling is second.

Any recommendations or warnings would be much appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

[Twisted Canuck]

I've got Nokian Hakks (some studded, some not) for all our fleet. I run the studded LTs on my E250 work van, excellent traction on ice and ok in snow up to a point. In deep snow....well, it's an extended RWD cargo van, no tires are sufficient. Then I have chains. But I love the Hakks they are fantastic tires. I've run mine for 4 winters already, and still lots of meat on them. I believe they are 10 ply?

Now, tirebob is the man to ask, he knows tires AND whisky! Wisdom right there!

[just_dave]

Thanks, Twisted!

Will check them out now.

[CaberTosser]

I like Nokian for sure, but I've have had great experience with Toyo's and Generals too. I have a Consumers Reports subscription but their ratings seem to stop at tires for half ton trucks and SUV's as there weren't any LT tires tested, just P-rated tires. On the list below I find it a bit curious how low they rated the Toyo Observes as I've driven with these on two Nissan Titans (one crew cab and one with the small rear doors) and they were fantastic, the test however rated them low on handling and wet braking but excellent for snow traction & very good for ice braking.

The Toyo Observes were on borrowed trucks, the Nokian Hakkapellittas (older series) and studded General Arctic LT's I had on GMC 2500 Savanas. The previous winter I bought some Cooper AT/W's as an experiment and they were reasonable, but still a noticeable compromise when compared to a dedicated winter tire.


For those interested in the P-rated light truck/SUV winter tire ratings they rated in this order:

• 1: Michelin Latitude X-Ice XI 2: score 74

• 2: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV: score 68

• 3: Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2: score 68

• 4: General Grabber Arctic: score 66

• 5: Dunlop Winter Maxx SJ8 tire: score 66

• 6: Yokohama iceGUARD iG51v : score 66

• 7: Nexen WINGUARD winSpike SUV: score 62

• 8: Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT: score 62

• 9: Toyo Observe GSi-5: score 60

• 10: Hankook I*Pike RW11: score 56
  
  For winters for your cars the top rated tires looked like a real value as they were also a lot cheaper than many of the next-best rated tires. The winner there are the Cooper Discoverer True North which rated a 70, leading Contis, Michelins, Nokians, Generals and Blizzaks in that order.

[tirebob]

Originally Posted by CaberTosser

I like Nokian for sure, but I've have had great experience with Toyo's and Generals too. I have a Consumers Reports subscription but their ratings seem to stop at tires for half ton trucks and SUV's as there weren't any LT tires tested, just P-rated tires. On the list below I find it a bit curious how low they rated the Toyo Observes as I've driven with these on two Nissan Titans (one crew cab and one with the small rear doors) and they were fantastic, the test however rated them low on handling and wet braking but excellent for snow traction & very good for ice braking.

The Toyo Observes were on borrowed trucks, the Nokian Hakkapellittas (older series) and studded General Arctic LT's I had on GMC 2500 Savanas. The previous winter I bought some Cooper AT/W's as an experiment and they were reasonable, but still a noticeable compromise when compared to a dedicated winter tire.


For those interested in the P-rated light truck/SUV winter tire ratings they rated in this order:

• 1: Michelin Latitude X-Ice XI 2: score 74

• 2: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV: score 68

• 3: Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2: score 68

• 4: General Grabber Arctic: score 66

• 5: Dunlop Winter Maxx SJ8 tire: score 66

• 6: Yokohama iceGUARD iG51v : score 66

• 7: Nexen WINGUARD winSpike SUV: score 62

• 8: Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT: score 62

• 9: Toyo Observe GSi-5: score 60

• 10: Hankook I*Pike RW11: score 56
  
  For winters for your cars the top rated tires looked like a real value as they were also a lot cheaper than many of the next-best rated tires. The winner there are the Cooper Discoverer True North which rated a 70, leading Contis, Michelins, Nokians, Generals and Blizzaks in that order.

Honestly, I dislike these types of lists for tires. Even as unbiased as we assume these tests to be, the problem with tire testing in the scope this sort of thing shows is there are far to many variables that occur in the real world for a generic test to emphatically tell someone that one product is emphatically better than another, and it slants people away from asking the questions that will help them select potentially a tire that is actually maybe better for their needs.

Sure in the tiny scope of testing they performed that days the results indicate the order shown, but change the variables slightly with say a decrease in temperature by 10 degrees and I guarantee you the results would flip around. Put the tires on a car that was heavier by 1000 pounds and try it again. Again, they will vary. Use a different group of drivers with different driving styles, it will be different. Alter road surface (asphalt versus concrete etc) and results can change.

I have always found it funny that after doing more comparable ride and drives and driving tests than one can count over my last 31 years in the automotive tire industry, you can count on the fact that the manufacturer who is setting up the ride and drive, it is their tires that invariably end up coming out on top. There are so many ways to manipulate what the final results will be, and if there are ways to manipulate a supposedly controlled environment, it means the real world will come up with even more.

Testing tires is a whole lot more complicated than these lists can ever do justice. It isn't even remotely the same thing as say testing and comparing a toaster yet people tend to afford the word of a magazine more creedence than that of a professional, experienced individual and that does cause me a bit of exasperation when someone comes in asking for advice only to tell me they disagree because Consumer Reports says I am wrong... Ugh lol!

The real truth is that any single one of the tires on those lists will be a huge improvement in real winter driving over not using them, and even thought it shows one tire being bottom and one being the best, the specific characteristics of the apparent worst may actually do the job you need better while the supposed best one is completely the wrong choice. Figuring out what that best choice is for you specifically will not come from a simple magazine test.

[Anvil1010]

Bob, can you answer this please. For a 2018 GMC 1500 are P rated tires ok to run or should a guy be running an LT?
I no longer have a sled deck and no longer sled in the mountains. I may need to tow the sled on a light trailer but not for any extensive mileage.
Thanks

[bubba 96]

I have the cooper discovery they are awsome, can’t beat the price I have them on my f150 and it stops on a dime, I do have them studded as well...this will be the 3rd winter and they have barley worn.

[tirebob]

Originally Posted by Anvil1010

Bob, can you answer this please. For a 2018 GMC 1500 are P rated tires ok to run or should a guy be running an LT?
I no longer have a sled deck and no longer sled in the mountains. I may need to tow the sled on a light trailer but not for any extensive mileage.
Thanks

On any standard half ton, most come with P rated right from the factory unless they were a special edition or heavy half so unless you have one of those, you absolutely do not need an LT tire. If you are loading heavy for long distances or need some more toughness offroad etc then an LT can help, but the correct P rated tires are up to the maximum factory stated capabilities of an OEM truck.

[kevinhits]

Originally Posted by just_dave

Searching online for an all-season/winter light truck tire. Reading the online reviews isn't a big help. Coming here I know I can trust the input.

Tires will be going on a Silverado 4x4. I was thinking of going with the Cooper Discoverer X/T4 in a 265/65R18 or a 275/65R18.

http://ca.coopertire.com/tires/discoverer-xt4_suv.aspx

Something I'm most concerned about is life of tire. I hope for the tires to last at least 3 years before showing any sign of dry rot or separation. Winter handling is second.

Any recommendations or warnings would be much appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

Was wondering about cooper tires on my HD Chev for next year replacement. The link you provided...Did you get a price on them?

[just_dave]

CabberTosser, great list! Thanks for sharing. I remember running some Toyos in the past and they were surprisingly good.

Kevin, I haven't priced them yet. I'm hoping for a reasonable price, even if I have to shop around.

[Trochu]

I've only had one set of winter tires, so I don't have anything to compare them to, but we've got the Michelin Latitude X-Ice on the van and they are fantastic.

[just_dave]

Originally Posted by Trochu

I've only had one set of winter tires, so I don't have anything to compare them to, but we've got the Michelin Latitude X-Ice on the van and they are fantastic.

Will search these as well! Thanks, Trochu!

[fishaddict]

Falken wild peak A/T .Have a set on my 1/2 ton and have complaints about them

[just_dave]

Originally Posted by fishaddict

Falken wild peak A/T .Have a set on my 1/2 ton and have complaints about them

Ok, good to know, fishaddict!

Thank you!

[zims23]

I did some research and selected these for my Tacoma. Only have about 150 kms on them. No road noise, look good. Interested to see how they perform in Winter.

http://ca.coopertire.com/tires/discoverer-at3-4s.aspx

Bestway Tire in Edmonton had them in stock.

The tacoma came with Toyos. They were terrible in the winter.

[just_dave]

Originally Posted by zims23

I did some research and selected these for my Tacoma. Only have about 150 kms on them. No road noise, look good. Interested to see how they perform in Winter.

http://ca.coopertire.com/tires/discoverer-at3-4s.aspx

Bestway Tire in Edmonton had them in stock.

The tacoma came with Toyos. They were terrible in the winter.

That's a good looking tire. Even as an AT tire that looks like an ok-ish winter tire too.

[JB_AOL]

If you want the best. Hakkas hands down. There is no comparison, but they are expensive (worth every penny as far as I'm concerned).

[Parker Hale]

I have been running the Cooper Discovers on my Sierra for a couple years, I'm happy with the performance in winter conditions and they seem to be lasting quite well. I would also recommend the Michelin LTX M+S. Had them on a previous truck and was very happy with their performance, they are a higher priced tire though.

[coalminer]

Another vote for Blizzaks

[CaberTosser]

Bob, I agree that such tests might not be the end-all and be-all, but its something. I noted that I was surprised that the Toyo's I really like were a bit low in the rankings. I guess though its fair to note I have not driven the other tires that were ranked ahead of the Observe's. The Toyo's were behind the Grabber Arctic's, but those were their P-rated ones rather than the entirely different Grabber Artic LT's that I bought from you last January (too bad those aren't available in the size I'm now seeking, we'll find something soon though).

The Consumers Reports test rankings in my estimation need to weigh certain performance factors much more heavily than others, for instance snow traction and ice braking should have greater effect on the ranking than minor performance qualities such as noise levels and rolling resistance. A 'ride comfort' column also seemed rather subjective, cumulatively that's 3 columns out of 10 that can have a heavy effect on a tires ranking. I'll note though that they don't include tread life estimate on winter tires as they do with summer or all-season tires.

It would also be interesting to know where the heck their test facility is, to get an idea of what kind of winter conditions they test in.

[tirebob]

Originally Posted by CaberTosser

Bob, I agree that such tests might not be the end-all and be-all, but its something. I noted that I was surprised that the Toyo's I really like were a bit low in the rankings. I guess though its fair to note I have not driven the other tires that were ranked ahead of the Observe's. The Toyo's were behind the Grabber Arctic's, but those were their P-rated ones rather than the entirely different Grabber Artic LT's that I bought from you last January (too bad those aren't available in the size I'm now seeking, we'll find something soon though).

The Consumers Reports test rankings in my estimation need to weigh certain performance factors much more heavily than others, for instance snow traction and ice braking should have greater effect on the ranking than minor performance qualities such as noise levels and rolling resistance. A 'ride comfort' column also seemed rather subjective, cumulatively that's 3 columns out of 10 that can have a heavy effect on a tires ranking. I'll note though that they don't include tread life estimate on winter tires as they do with summer or all-season tires.

It would also be interesting to know where the heck their test facility is, to get an idea of what kind of winter conditions they test in.

Again, they can only test tires in the conditions of the day the tests are happening. That is where the problem lies. If it was only -2 degrees that day, then that is what they are basing their results on and give you a list of "the top" or "the bottom", but like I was attempting to articulate, if they waited until a day it was -30 degrees and repeat the tests identically, the results will guaranteed be different, just as if they waited again and it was now -15 the results would be different again. This is because all the manufacturers blend their compounds to provide benefits one way, but sacrifice a bit in another way to improve the areas they are trying for. For example, in our environment we tend to see the majority of the people (here at least 4 to 1) will report far better ice traction from the Blizzak WS80 over the X-Ice Xi3 as we tend to have generally much colder temps regularly compared to somewhere like Kelowna or Vancouver, while in those two places people tend to appreciate the X-Ice models because in the less severe cold the work very well and end up usually being more durable in those temps closer to zero degrees.

Same with changing vehicles. Different cars that weigh more or less, or have front wheel drive vs rear wheel drive vs all wheel drive will all respond differently to the different tires. Different drivers who are more aggressive or less aggressive will respond differently than the driver of the tests shown. As for road noise and comfort, people hear different tones and pitches based on their own hearing spectrum so while one guy finds a tire quiet, another thinks it is noisy and visa versa because the note the tire generates is in their sensitivity area. It goes on and on and on.

The list only shows a very limited point on the spectrum and this is where I have an issue because people do not always live in an area or see the specific conditions represents by that small spectrum point, and these tests just cannot be remotely comprehensive enough to honestly quantify one product being better than another in any of the areas they test. For tires it just is not an effective list to base an individuals purchase on.

[SamSteele]

My favourite winter tires on my trucks have been Nokian Hakks (like most on here). I put Nokian All Weather tires on my wife’s Odyssey and they were not nearly as impressive. I had BFG AT KO2s on my last truck for a couple winters and they were good in snow but awful on ice. My new truck came with Blizzaks which I just put on last week. They are quiet but we haven’t had any snow or ice to test them with yet here in Edmonton.

[CaberTosser]

These tires performed great through the hellish winter we had last year but alas they don't fit my new whip:

http://outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=352342

[ctd]

G/F had Nordmans on her 08 Honda Fit. Drove that car to BC and back a few times in the winter through some snow storms. Never once was I concerned. They gripped the snow and ice very well.

Driving around town and QE2 all the time i was very impressed with stopping and starting.

If your on a budget you cant go wrong with them.

[teledogs]

I travel the Icefields Parkway regularly and have been through 5 storms already this year, last year it was ice almost all winter. I have hauled out a lot of stuck stranded people and have been through huge snow. I have the Nokian Haks studded on my Tacoma and they are a great tire. Haven't been stuck yet!

[Norwest Alta]

I waa shopping around for new tires and got in touch with tirebob. The savings on my tires will pay for my fuel while I'm on my antelope safari quite easily. The prices are so good I'm buying a set of tires for the house boss as well.