Snow Tire Options

[AMP]

I swapped out the stock LTX Trail tires set for Falken Wildpeak AT4w on my LC and have been super pleased so far. I live fulltime in Breckenridge, CO where we just received shy of 3FT of snow last week. While the LC and WP did really well in the deep snow - I was finding myself slipping around my neighborhood (dirt road) as the roads iced up a fair bit. I was hoping to get away with just the Wildpeaks year round but given the fact we'll have snow until May - I should probably jump back into a seperate set of snow tires. I was running Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 on my Tacoma and was pretty happy. Prefer to use a set that is SL rated. Love to get some recommendations from the group! Thanks

 

[bluescruiser]

No recommendations but I’ve been agonizing over what snow tires to get. I think I am down to the Wildpeaks or maybe the KO3? Are the wildpeaks noticeably louder than stock tires on dry pavement?

Oh my last vehicle (2002 Sequoia) I ran Hakkapallitas for 4 years straight (summer and winter) with no noticeable or uneven wear when I sold it.

I found the Hakkas not particularly good on ice, but all around I felt it was great tire. I drive about 8-9k km a year (and snow is an issue for 5-6 mohths) so my next tires I’ll probably run for all 4 seasons as well

 

[NoMe cruiser]

I run blizzaks, I’ve heard good things about Michelin x-ice but never tried them. I’ll probably stick with blizzaks until someone makes something that is better but most reviews rank them at the top. Any dedicated winter tire will outperform an AT on ice and compacted snow.

 

[batchelor22]

I have used Michelin X Ice and Nokian Hakkapelitta in past. Due to the timing of my purchase, was required to have snow tires in right away, October 1 to April 30 for mountain passes in BC. I have Toyo Gsi-6 tires on, they are highly rated but not quite as high as the other two. Time will tell.

 

[Colonel Mustard]

I run blizzaks, I’ve heard good things about Michelin x-ice but never tried them. I’ll probably stick with blizzaks until someone makes something that is better but most reviews rank them at the top. Any dedicated winter tire will outperform an AT on ice and compacted snow.

Which Blizzaks? I like dmv2’s but they don’t make that in 275 70 18, or in 265 70 18 I think. I’m trying to avoid the LT blizzak, it’s not as good on ice apparently, plus the weight and harsher ride from a LT tire.

 

[NoMe cruiser]

Which Blizzaks? I like dmv2’s but they don’t make that in 275 70 18, or in 265 70 18 I think. I’m trying to avoid the LT blizzak, it’s not as good on ice apparently, plus the weight and harsher ride from a LT tire.

Yes dmv-2. I got mine in 255/70/18.
Correct the 275 & 265 both have aspect ratios of 65%. I never looked into those sizes because narrow is better in snow and almost every other situation off road.

 

[AMP]

Yes dmv-2. I got mine in 255/70/18.
Correct the 275 & 265 both have aspect ratios of 65%. I never looked into those sizes because narrow is better in snow and almost every other situation off road.

And these work/are compatible with the stock LC First Edition 265 R70 18?

 

[NoMe cruiser]

And these work/are compatible with the stock LC First Edition 265 R70 18?

255!
blizzaks are not available in 265/70/18.
But yes they most certainly work I put 255/70/18 on my lc that has FE rims.

 

[AMP]

255!
blizzaks are not available in 265/70/18.
But yes they most certainly work I put 255/70/18 on my lc that has FE rims.

Thanks for confirming

 

[TheBat]

255!
blizzaks are not available in 265/70/18.
But yes they most certainly work I put 255/70/18 on my lc that has FE rims.

I have the same P255/70R18 112 Blizzak DM-V2 winter tires on a set of 7" wide 1958 wheels. The nice thing about this size is the 112 load index is a standard load (SL) tire.

 

[Sofunkyitsacrime]

+1 for Blizzaks as the best, run them on multiple rigs here in Vermont. Just put them on our LC - 275/60r20 on the premium pkg rims, but no noteworthy snow here... yet.

 

[toyotadude]

I swapped out the stock LTX Trail tires set for Falken Wildpeak AT4w on my LC and have been super pleased so far. I live fulltime in Breckenridge, CO where we just received shy of 3FT of snow last week. While the LC and WP did really well in the deep snow - I was finding myself slipping around my neighborhood (dirt road) as the roads iced up a fair bit. I was hoping to get away with just the Wildpeaks year round but given the fact we'll have snow until May - I should probably jump back into a seperate set of snow tires. I was running Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 on my Tacoma and was pretty happy. Prefer to use a set that is SL rated. Love to get some recommendations from the group! Thanks

I have just purchased the Nokian HAK R5’s in the 255/70 18’s purchased an extra set of 1958 wheels and sensors. Reviews on these are rated at the top of the heap. Have run Blizzak’s, X Ice, R3’s can’t wait to try out the R5’s in the UP of Michigan

 

[Greasecar1]

265/70 R18 KO3’s. No snow, or even rain yet, but they feel great and aren’t noticeably louder to my ear. They did great in some slick mud though, and they look amazing.

 

[JoT.]

I run blizzaks, I’ve heard good things about Michelin x-ice but never tried them. I’ll probably stick with blizzaks until someone makes something that is better but most reviews rank them at the top. Any dedicated winter tire will outperform an AT on ice and compacted snow.

Just bought Michelin X for my college kid 4Runner in Bozeman. So I’ll have an update on those soon. I got these because that’s all every review seemed to agree upon. He’s new to that type of weather for such a long period of time- not an aggressive cool sidewall look, unfortunately.. but if you stay on the roadway safely during winter, then that’s acceptable to me!

 

[JoT.]

I have used Michelin X Ice and Nokian Hakkapelitta in past. Due to the timing of my purchase, was required to have snow tires in right away, October 1 to April 30 for mountain passes in BC. I have Toyo Gsi-6 tires on, they are highly rated but not quite as high as the other two. Time will tell.

Did you prefer Michelin or Hakkap over one another ?

 

[JoT.]

I have just purchased the Nokian HAK R5’s in the 255/70 18’s purchased an extra set of 1958 wheels and sensors. Reviews on these are rated at the top of the heap. Have run Blizzak’s, X Ice, R3’s can’t wait to try out the R5’s in the UP of Michigan

How did your X- ice work out for you?

 

[toyotadude]

The x ice is a great product just liked the new Nokian R5 better but they are hard to get. Purchased 4 of them 2 weeks ago and having trouble finding the 5th for a spare. Running Baja Boss AT’s most of the year will switch out in December

 

[APIOQM]

+1 255/70R18 Blizzak DM-V2.

 

[crazycruizer]

I have used Michelin X Ice and Nokian Hakkapelitta in past. Due to the timing of my purchase, was required to have snow tires in right away, October 1 to April 30 for mountain passes in BC. I have Toyo Gsi-6 tires on, they are highly rated but not quite as high as the other two. Time will tell.

I also mounted Toyo Gsi-6 winter tires. I was initially thinking Blizzak or Michelin Ice, but got a great deal from Toyota, these tires have high ratings, plus Toyo is a reputable brand, so I decided to give it a chance. Haven’t tested them in ice/snow yet, will post my impressions at the end of the season

 

[Altitude]

I split time in Colorado between Castle Rock and Avon. Last year I put a set of Wildpeak AT3 on my Tahoe and I agree with you. They are pretty good in mid-deep snow but nothing special on hard slick. The Michelin Defenders I had before, which aren’t even 3 Peak rated, were at least as good.

So, snow tires on the LC. Mine is coming with the 20” wheels so I plan to have a set put on those.

I agree the Toyota sizes constrain availability. I see Hakke R3 as an option at Discount Tire and will probably go that route if any are still available when the truck arrives in about a month. I don’t see DMV2s.

There is a Toyo option (OpenCountry WLT1) that looks interesting too, as it looks like a more AT-focused tread. The Toyo AT tires are well regarded around here so I wonder if anyone has tried the snows.