Dedicated winter tires?

I live in NW Ontario. I believe we are allowed studded tires here. Have em on both the Taco and the VW. Running Firestone Winterforce LT’s 245/75r16 on the Tacoma. There’s an insurance discount for running dedicated winter tires in the winter from some companies.....
Winters are 5-6 months here. I may put the winters on next week actually....
When the going gets real tough we put the skis on.....
Now what better.... Skidoo DS2, Simmons, or Polaris Grippers....

 

I have been using Toyo Observe dedicated winter tires for 20+ years now. My Tacoma uses Toyo Observe GSi 265-70-16 and will buy a new set when these are worn out.

 

I ran Hankooks for the past 6 winters. I stepped up to Nokian Hakka R3s without studs for this winter. I’m eager to see what they’re like.

 

Southern Ontario is the only region in the country that doesn't permit studded tires, wish they'd change it to allow them for the sake of people who drive elsewhere during the winter.

All highways in BC aside from the lower mainland around Vancouver and some parts of Vancouver Island require 3PMSF from Dec 1-March 31st, IIRC.

 

I ran those blizzaks last winter and they did great, got em for $100 a piece on Amazon last November.

Did great all winter but especially so on this 300mile drive through a storm up to lake placid in February right before covid hit.

Had to sell em though cuz the 16" wheels won't fit on the 4runner I swapped my taco for

 

I’ve run just about everything over the years. Problem is it’s been on all different platforms so it’s had to make an apples to apples comparison. For me Blizzaks and Hakkapeliittas have stuck out as superior though. The last 3 years or so I’ve been exclusively running Hakkas on all my vehicles. I’ll be throwing 265/75/16 studded Hakkapeliitta LT3s on my 3rd Gen in a few weeks.

 

Still have Twin Otters based out of YHD? Are they all contract positions?

 

This is wrong. 3PMS or M+S (not both) is all this is required in BC. By all means get good winter tires, but they are not required. M+S is sufficient in BC.

 

the key word is “either”

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/...on/seasonal/winter-driving/about-winter-tires

 

Ah, thanks for clarifying. M+S is certainly not much of a standard to meet. I'd hate to cross say, the Coquihalla in winter with a MT on.

 

I agree with you.

In my opinion, BFG Ko2 should not have the 3PMS symbol. The stock wranglers are better in winter than k02s, at least on icy or plowed roads.

I run the General Arctic Grabber LT. I’ve boosted the benefits of those tires enough elsewhere on this site, so will stay out here. They are heavy, and somewhat noisy, but awesome otherwise.

Definitely run dedicated snows if you can afford it. I agree with whomever said they pay for themselves if you avoid one crash.

 

For what it’s worth @EastVanTaco, I am on my third winter on these. I do a fair amount of gravel driving in winter, and some winter wheeling, where I might not be in snow all the time. I chose these specific tires because they are supposed to resist chipping on gravel roads and be a reasonable AT tread when called upon. They have lived up to that claim.

They might not be as impressive on ice as some of the Scandinavian studless tires, but the super deep tread (16/32) and the durability of the tread compound off-roading has been a good compromise for me.

I agree with most of what is said in this review / sales exercise vvvvv

https://www.tirebuyer.com/education/general-grabber-arctic-lt-review

 

Another vote for Bridgestone Blizzaks you won't be disappointed.

 

Just can't forget the quality control issues at Bridgestone.

Bridgestone President Admits Tire Quality-Control Problems

 

I caution about loading weight behind the rear axle. You have to be mindful of taking weight off the front tires. If you unload weight from the front you can hydroplane easier while driving on the highway. Also sandbags get soaked with water then freeze. They will slide and bust up your bed or tailgate if you don't have them secure. What can work pretty well is to shovel snow into the bed. It adds the weight and then melts away gradually as you no longer need it.

 

You aren’t kidding, that article is from 2 decades ago!

 

I don't know how to set up

Snow in bed?! I've never heard of that. Wouldn't want to be driving behind you on the highway!!!

 

I run studded good year duratracs in the winter. They do good on the bc highway mountains passes.

 

I was very happy with my Yokohama IceGuard IG51V winters on my 2015. Just got a new set of the updated version, the G075, made in Japan. Getting installed in a few weeks.

 

Always the way with tire threads, it seems.

My other favorite is when someone says they're looking at tire A and tire B and wants insight to make a decision, and people pop in to say that tire X is better.

I also see the opposite, where someone asks which AT's are good in snow, and folks pile in to say that they should buy dedicated snow tires. Some people's winter just doesn't necessitate dedicated winter tires.