Winter Tires
- Thread starter killy
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275 65 18 Blizzak DM V2s for New England and Canada. Limited choices for 265 70 18s winter tires at the moment unless you go for heavier duty truck tires. For the driving we do in the snow, ATs won’t work for us.
Here’s a preview of my setup. Method 316 18x9 +18. I need to switch out the old 265 60 DM V2s from our 460 to the 275 65 18s when it gets colder.
Here’s a preview of my setup. Method 316 18x9 +18. I need to switch out the old 265 60 DM V2s from our 460 to the 275 65 18s when it gets colder.
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Was a bit disappointed to not find any C load winters in the OE OT size.
I really liked them on my Sierra and were a good compromise between passenger and truck tires.
Debating trying studded this go around for an ultimate go anywhere winter mobile
I really liked them on my Sierra and were a good compromise between passenger and truck tires.
Debating trying studded this go around for an ultimate go anywhere winter mobile
Just bought the same Michelin Blizzak DM V2’s for both my Overtrail and my wife’s LC FE. A lot of $ for rubber but we do a lot of dicey winter driving here in Vermont and helping to avoid even a minor fender bender is worth it.
Not dedicated winter tires, but I've run these on my trucks the last 4 years and they're awesome in snow, dirt, and anything I could throw at them. Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rated. CalTrans winter trucks all run them.
If you need ice tires though, these may not be the ones.
If you need ice tires though, these may not be the ones.
Bringing this thread back since it's getting closer to winter tire time. What did people run last winter?
I've shortlisted the X-ICE SUV, Hakka LT3 and Blizzack LT for this winter in 265/70 R18. The last two are LT E rated tires so not sure how they'll ride with the GX which definitely doesn't need a E rated tire.
I've shortlisted the X-ICE SUV, Hakka LT3 and Blizzack LT for this winter in 265/70 R18. The last two are LT E rated tires so not sure how they'll ride with the GX which definitely doesn't need a E rated tire.
Last season I ran BFG KO3s in the OEM size of LT265/70R18/E 124/121S RWL on my Toyota Land Cruiser First Edition and they performed extremely well in a typical inland Pacific Northwest winter. I’m planning on running the same tires in my GX550 Overtrail+ this season and I’m optimistic I’ll have a similar positive experience despite them not being a dedicated winter tire.
The other tire I have heard great things about in the Nokian Outpost nAT in both the lighter duty 265/70 R18 116S and heavier duty LT265/70 R18 124/121S. Although not a dedicated winter tire, the feedback I’ve heard about their snow/winter performance has been extremely good.
If I were going to buy a dedicated snow/winter tire I would probably choose the Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT3 in LT265/70 R18 124/121Q. While I haven’t used their LT tires in the past, I’ve had Hakkapeliittas on several vehicles in the past and they have always performed extremely well.
The other tire I have heard great things about in the Nokian Outpost nAT in both the lighter duty 265/70 R18 116S and heavier duty LT265/70 R18 124/121S. Although not a dedicated winter tire, the feedback I’ve heard about their snow/winter performance has been extremely good.
If I were going to buy a dedicated snow/winter tire I would probably choose the Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT3 in LT265/70 R18 124/121Q. While I haven’t used their LT tires in the past, I’ve had Hakkapeliittas on several vehicles in the past and they have always performed extremely well.
We put 7,300 miles on our Blizzak DM V2 last winter and it was great in snow. Black ice downhill was still a little sketchy. Slight hit on mpg ve stock tires. Ours was 275 65 R18, that was the only available size last year for 18”. Hoping it will last till 20k miles.
I might switch to Nokians next as the DM V2s don’t last as many miles.
Those of you looking at Blizzak LT, those are designed for full size truck and heavier loads, more rugged and would ride more stiff and with more tire noise. For everyday use on mostly paved roads and light trails, the DM V2s are much more comfortable. Only trade off for DM V2 is the short thread life compared to competition.
I might switch to Nokians next as the DM V2s don’t last as many miles.
Those of you looking at Blizzak LT, those are designed for full size truck and heavier loads, more rugged and would ride more stiff and with more tire noise. For everyday use on mostly paved roads and light trails, the DM V2s are much more comfortable. Only trade off for DM V2 is the short thread life compared to competition.
Good timing to bring the thread back! Was just looking today and see that choices are limited (275/70/18). Agree that the GX does not need an E, but I might give it a go. I have run the Blizzak LT for two winters on my 2024 HD diesel truck, running at 55psi or so, and they are noticeably more compliant and supple than the Goodyear Duratrac RT AT tires that I run during the other 3 seasons. In other words, they feel less "E" than everything else I have used on diesel trucks over the last decade (including Goodyear Ultraterrain). But not ideal, and would like to see find something in C.
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If you'll be in snow, a 3 peak A/T tire will usually get the job done. If there's ice in the mix, a real snow tire is going to perform better (though the best approach is still to stay home when it's icy)
I feel the E rating is the total strength of the tire carcass which will take on all roads. Tough. You give up ride quality with E but tread depth will help. So if you drive on paved roads or graded maintained gravel roads you might not need the tire strength of E with no real heavy loads on our GX550's. Lots of choices out there. Realistically I will be driving on the above roads not rocks, so I like the E rating for road hazard survival and a soft compound tire for winter grip including ice. I agree a few bucks more for the margin of safety is worth it. Best to everyone......
Thanks for all the info. I just bit the bullet and went with Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT3 Non-studded for my 550. Had the OEM Toyo last year on snowy mountain roads, and as @killy noted, not quite the grip needed. Pretty good price (I think?) at $290. Will report back once I drive them in some crud.
How did these perform last winter?
Not Jack but I ran the LT3's last winter in all conditions including -40C, ice and deep snow, they performed great.
They are a little noisy in the rain/slush as the tread evacuates/sprays a ton of water, which is a good thing but quiet everywhere else.
The E rating is overkill for most & they are heavy. I did lose about 15% fuel economy, part of that is winter gas, while tread depth and weight is significantly higher than stock tires.
In my experience Nokian Hakkas (non R) are the best all around winter tire especially if you see deeper snow. Blizzacks and Xice generally have the edge if you're mainly driving on well plowed roads where ice is the biggest hazard.
Thank you!
Did you get 265 or 275 tires?
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