Which tires for snow?

[336wheeler]

I have a '00 4runner on Bilstein 5100s @ 2.5" with a revtek top out up front w/ a diff. drop, and OME 890 coils in the back. I'm currently running some 265/75R16 Toyo ATs, which have been great to me over the past ~40k. Well, it's time for some new shoes. I know that I can clear a 285 without rubbing (except just a hair on the upper a-arm when fully stuffed), because I've had a set of 285/75r16 BFG ATs on my 4runner before. For the MPG junkies, I have 4.30 stock gears in my 4runner and typically see ~17 with mixed driving of highway/ mountain passes.

My question is... would another set of 265s, 285s, or 255s be best for snow? I realize that 285s have the most flotation, but it seems like that may not be the best for my application because of the amount of snow I would be driving in (no more than 12"). On the other hand, the 255s have more PSI per contact patch, which is nice for getting down to the ground but it seems like a 285 would have more of a "safety zone" for when I lose traction and not sliding around so much. I do need the tires to be streetable as I do a good bit of street driving as well. Something in the all terrain flavor seems to be desirable as they typically perform better in snow than MTs, although I do have a tendency to like more aggressive tires, as I do a good bit of exploring in the warmer months.

My choices at this point are: 285/75R16 in either the Toyo Open Country AT or Nitto Terra Grappler AT, as I have ran the Open Country thus far and had excellent results <<< great tire for snow. I'm looking for a little more height than the 265s allow because they look kinda small on my 4runner, which makes me look at the 285 or 255. Of the 255 choices, the Maxxis Bravo AT, Toyo Open Country MT (slightly out of my price point), or Cooper S/T seems to be the most snow worthy of the available choices. These tires will be going on my stock wheels.

Any input from the mega tire gurus for which is better in the snow? I'm looking for a new set of shoes within the next 2-3 weeks as winter seems to be starting a little earlier than normal this year.

[CA-RJ]

When I lived in Connecticut, I had a set of 285/75-16 Nitto Terra Grapplers on my 4Runner. I also had a rear Lockrite installed. They did just fine in the snow and ice. Braking distance was acceptable considering the conditions. I found that I never had an issue getting anywhere safely.

When we moved to California, I put them on my 05 Rubicon and went on a snow wheeling trip up in the mountains. On hard packed snow, they did not work very well. The packed up with snow and wouldn't clean out.

For daily driving, though, I would reccomed them.

[grntrdtaco]

the narrower the tire the better

i have been using the BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO and they have been the best all around tire that i have ever used. good on the highway, dont wear that fast, great offroad and great in the winter.

look for this symbol on the sidewall of the tire, without it the tire is not rated for winter use.


this tire is also really nice when studded for winter use
http://www.coopertire.com/html/produ...=discoverer_ms

narrow tires are actually better for 90% of offroad situations.. everything other than deep sand. a narrow tire will do ok in sand if you deflate it to 15 or less psi

[AKRover]

I run 255/85 R16 Truxus MTs all year around and they do great in the snow and ice.

[Lost Canadian]

Winter road performance is a big priority for me as well. I've been happy with my BFG AT's but I've read nothing but rave reviews about the winter performance of the Dick Cepek Radial FC-II's. My BFG's are a few years on now and am thinking they will need replacement within the next 6 months to a year so I'm also interested in this talk.

[tacomadave]

Guess it depends on where you live, because different places have different snow, where I am the snow is really sloppy and wet and the BFG All Terrains I had on my Xterra sucked in the snow. In fact BFG All Terrains have been the worst tires i've ever owned, but people on here rave about em so I don't know...(logging road commute, im hard on tires) Anyways, the 265 Toyo Open Country MT's have been fantastic tires, and great in the snow, though now that they have 40,000km's on them they might not be as good in the snow. My next tires will be Open Country MT 255's.

[4Rescue]

Guess it depends on where you live, because different places have different snow, where I am the snow is really sloppy and wet and the BFG All Terrains I had on my Xterra sucked in the snow. In fact BFG All Terrains have been the worst tires i've ever owned, but people on here rave about em so I don't know...(logging road commute, im hard on tires) Anyways, the 265 Toyo Open Country MT's have been fantastic tires, and great in the snow, though now that they have 40,000km's on them they might not be as good in the snow. My next tires will be Open Country MT 255's.

Huh... I live in Western Oregon and so far in alot of rain and a bit of slushy snow these BFG AT's (33x10.50) are great on road and off .

Cheers

Dave

[Jedd]

Seems like your looking more for an AT tire. If you want a true winter snow tire the best i've run is the Nokian Happakalidas, mine are studded but you can get them more commonly withought studs. Excellent tire for snow and ice. I'm running them in a 265 75 R16 size

[grouch]

I use BFG AT's in the snow in CT and have never had an issue. I get around the state a lot so I can see everything from slushy, icy snow by the coast to deep packable powder farther up north where I live. The only time I have issues is when I am offroad and the snow is deeper than my tires and I am dragging my front skid and rear diff. I have 235/85's for what it's worth.

[336wheeler]

How does the narrower footprint of the 255s stand up against 285s when it comes to sidehilling and overall stability? I do think that I am looking for more of an AT tire, I just wish that the AT tire choices were available in the 255 flavor. The tires that are available in the 285 push me in that direction more just because there is more availability in a load D selection versus E, and the AT styles that are available.