Thinking ahead to winter in August: What tire content.

Reduced the fleet and will be driving the Tacoma 4x4 this winter in MN. OEM tires are worthless in our winter conditions and the Farmers Almanac forecast for this winter is very cold and normal snow (50-60 inches). I have been using winter tires 25+ years because of packed snow/icy conditions on all except major roads most of the winter(November-March). According to TR tire surveys the Blizzak DM-V2 and the BFG All Terrain T/A KO2 have very close customer scores. I am thinking about the BFGs so I can run them year round and avoid purchasing another set of wheels and tires. Any feedback on winter driving experience with the KO2 by the hive??

In reply to outasite:

What size are you running now? Any of the Firestones Billzards? or Michelin X-ice.

I've had great luck with General Altimaxx Arctics

Very close customer scores wouldn't convince me .. The customer would have very different expectations for a winter vs all season tire. But then on a 4wd truck you probably don't need perfect winter traction so in the end it might work just great for you. I swear by winter tires for snow and ice but I'm usually driving RWD cars.

The BFG ATs are a decent tire in snow, but they're not a great ice tire. What are the typical road conditions like?

I made it through several nasty snowstorms with 2wd on BFG ATs but icy areas required some planning ahead for sure.

Those 2 will be in no way comparable. The BFGs will feel like slicks compared to the Blizzaks if there's any white stuff on the ground.

I use studs exclusively in winter. I just bought a new set for the explorer, they are cheaper Mastercraft tires but I was pretty stunned by how well they grip

In reply to rslifkin:

I disagree, mine have done well in snow on both 4wd and 2wd vehicles. It's ice you have to worry about.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ wrote: In reply to rslifkin: I disagree, mine have done well in snow on both 4wd and 2wd vehicles. It's ice you have to worry about.

I've used several sets of A/Ts on the Jeep in winter before switching to snows. And been through the same with friends in pickups. In every case, it made the difference between having to be slow, very careful and really work to keep traction at times versus just being able to drive and having plenty of grip.

The only time the A/Ts were almost as good as the snows was in 8+ inches of fresh, unplowed stuff. And that hardly ever happens on public roads. Anything even slightly packed, icy, just been plowed, etc. there was no comparison.

In reply to rslifkin:

The only vehicle I had back to back snows (winterforce) and ATs on was my '85 Celica and I didn't feel there was an appreciable difference even on packed snow- but my definition of a good winter tire is largely based on whether it gets me there, lots of wheelspin and sliding is expected. The difference may be more pronounced in heavier vehicles.

In reply to ¯_(ツ)_/¯:

Were the winterforces studded? If not, that's why. A studdable snow tire without studs will work great in deep snow and slush, but only ok on hardpack or ice. They're designed to rely on the studs for grip on that stuff. If you're not running studs, the studless snows will do better on hardpack and ice as they aim for that grip with tread feature rather than expecting the (nonexistent) studs to do it.

Being in upstate NY, I consider a good winter tire critical, as there's not really an option of "just wait for the roads to clear up" because that can be days sometimes (when it just doesn't stop snowing).

dculberson wrote: Very close customer scores wouldn't convince me .. The customer would have very different expectations for a winter vs all season tire. But then on a 4wd truck you probably don't need perfect winter traction so in the end it might work just great for you. I swear by winter tires for snow and ice but I'm usually driving RWD cars.

I agree about the scores. Having used winter tires 25+years I have avoided numerous situations by having traction to steer/brake/accelerate to avoid accidents. This is where winter tires are superior to no season tires. I was shopping winter tires when I noticed the high ratings on the BFGs. I have used BFG T/A tires years ago on a K5 Blazer and ice was not there strong point. Just seeking first hand experience.

Just get a set of the Generals. They are astoundingly good, even without adding studs, and are surprisingly inexpensive for how well they perform. Hell, just read Tire Rack's winter tests of them!

Antihero wrote: I use studs exclusively in winter. I just bought a new set for the explorer, they are cheaper Mastercraft tires but I was pretty stunned by how well they grip

MN outlawed studs back in the late 70s/early 80s. They eat road surfaces.

WildScotsRacing wrote: Just get a set of the Generals. They are astoundingly good, even without adding studs, and are surprisingly inexpensive for how well they perform. Hell, just read Tire Rack's winter tests of them!

I'll agree, the Altimax Arctics are the best of the cheap studdable snows, especially if you're not going to run them with studs. They'll beat Winterforces hands down for anything that's not rallycross.

I decided on Xice3's last season, and never felt like I made the wrong decision. It started and stopped easily and confidently in fresh powder and slush. Don't remember facing any ice, though.

as I have had great use out of the geolanders on my Disco.. I decided that I will use one of two tyres for snow this year..

If I stick with the 18s

If I go to the 16s

I have been running Blizzaks since the WS15. Now have a set of WS 60s that have reached the end of a use full life. So, what to replace them with ? I have tried comparing the Alimax to the Blizzak. Price is a major part. I know and enjoy the capabilities of the Blizzak so I am leery of trying something different. The mention of studdable tires not being good on ice un studded. My experience with a set of Winterforce un studded on my KJ tend to make me shy of the Altimax although reports say that they are OK. I hate studs.

In reply to outasite:

Yes they do and provide lots of traction while doing it

Antihero wrote: In reply to outasite: Yes they do and provide lots of traction while doing it

Back in the 70s the new beltway around Trenton/over Delaware River to Philly was completed. Going to work by motorcycle, I was amazed by the amount of wear in the new concrete. Actual troughs down to the aggregate after one winter.

outasite wrote:

Antihero wrote: In reply to outasite: Yes they do and provide lots of traction while doing it

Back in the 70s the new beltway around Trenton/over Delaware River to Philly was completed. Going to work by motorcycle, I was amazed by the amount of wear in the new concrete. Actual troughs down to the aggregate after one winter.

That fast of wear probably had more to do with the concrete being poorly done rather than studs.

There's no doubt that studs interact with the road surface aggressively, that's how come they have so much grip

I've been sayin for years. They should outlaw studs. The roads in Oregon are ridiculous. It looks like a damn "W". Instead of catering to the idiots, they should be forced to learn how to drive without.

Trackmouse wrote: I've been sayin for years. They should outlaw studs. The roads in Oregon are ridiculous.

I'm disappointed in the lack of "When they outlaw studs, I'll be an outlaw" comments.

iceracer wrote: I have been running Blizzaks since the WS15. Now have a set of WS 60s that have reached the end of a use full life. So, what to replace them with ? I have tried comparing the Alimax to the Blizzak. Price is a major part. I know and enjoy the capabilities of the Blizzak so I am leery of trying something different. The mention of studdable tires not being good on ice un studded. My experience with a set of Winterforce un studded on my KJ tend to make me shy of the Altimax although reports say that they are OK. I hate studs.

I've never tried them studded, or compared against Blizzaks, but even without studs they work a hell of a lot better than all seasons on ice. Keep in mind the Altimax Artic is an older Gislaved design (Euro Nokian competitor) with a different sidewall mold, it's a real Nordic snow tire.

outasite wrote: Reduced the fleet and will be driving the Tacoma 4x4 this winter in MN. OEM tires are worthless in our winter conditions and the Farmers Almanac forecast for this winter is very cold and normal snow (50-60 inches). I have been using winter tires 25+ years because of packed snow/icy conditions on all except major roads most of the winter(November-March). According to TR tire surveys the Blizzak DM-V2 and the BFG All Terrain T/A KO2 have very close customer scores. I am thinking about the BFGs so I can run them year round and avoid purchasing another set of wheels and tires. Any feedback on winter driving experience with the KO2 by the hive??

I wasn't very impressed with the KO2 in the snow, personally (except really deep snow, where it was excellent). In snow-covered roads that weren't super deep I didn't feel they were terribly good. We have Bridgestone Dueller Revo2s on the truck now (also snowflake-on-the-mountain rated) and they've proven to be excellent in all winter conditions (though still not as good as a "true" snow tire like the Wintersports I have on the WRX).