Stock Off-road tires for the snow

Will stock tires on Off-road TRD model work fine in the snow? or will I need different tires. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to use snow chains either.

Thanks

 

Are you running the Wrangler Kevlars? They did OK in the snow for me. Not great, but OK.

Are you in Death Valley??

 

There really is no yes or no to tires and snow.

It’s all compromises and probabilities.

Your stock tires will certainly get you to work and back on plowed roads. Tons of little corollas and civics make it around on summer tires every winter.

However, if you don’t want to be skating and sliding around oh so delicately..

Your first option is a three peak mountain snowflake symbol tire such as the Falken Wildpeaks. Can drive on them year around with better snow traction.

Even better snow traction would be dedicated winter tires. This will be the biggest jump in traction by far. However the downside is having to change tires twice a year and store a second set.

Chains are not for daily driving on paved roads. Good to have in your truck if you get stuck for sure, but only for bad ice/snow.

Each step up in better tires has a trade off in costs and convenience. There is no right answer for everyone. Gotta find the set that fits your scenario.

TL;DR: If you want a little better traction you can get new tires. If you’re just driving on paved roads to work and don’t want to spend the money just drive on the tires you have until they wear out and upgrade then.

 

Sadly, My Death Valley trip got cancel.. again.. I am still running the Wrangler Kevlars. I'm planning a short trip to Yosemite on Thanksgiving weekend. Its going to be a snow shower! Will be my first time driving in the snow!!!

 

Yep, the Wranglers do fine. Not the best but you can survive the winter with them. Generally you wont need chains for on-road/highway driving. I've only needed my chains for off road in 10+ inches untouched snow but your results will vary.

 

Maybe i'll pick a close dispersed campsite to the main road....

 

Oh you’re in Cali ha. Just drive what you have. No sense in buying brand new tires for one trip a year into some light fluff.

If the mountains are icy stay off until they thaw I guess ha. But a little snow on the ground is not the same as a snow-packed frozen winter road. You’ll be fine.

 

Yes i'm from Cali lol. I don't have any experience with snow.

 

With common sense most any tire is a lot better in snow than a lot of guys think.

My owners manual says no chains. There is very limited clearance between tires and suspension components and sheet metal. I've found that most cables fit and do pretty decently in light snow and ice. Around here we don't get deep snow often, but we do get lighter snow with lots of icy patches. Cables actually work better for what I need most of the time.

For heavier snow or off road use they do make some chains made for tight clearances. I've used both chains and cables on my truck but it is really close even with chains made for close tolerances. And I'd not try them on the front, rear only.

 

I Drive slower in the snow. Also drive right. Braking gently. A few inches of snow isn’t that big a deal. More than a few inches is kind of like driving on the beach (bump steering). Ice is a different story.

 

Location matters. But generally yes if you’re on road.

 

Turn into the slide and keep your nose up. Good luck.

 

Kind of off topic here, but what about weight in the bed? Is that necessary on a Taco? I always did on my F250, but that was a much longer wheel base.

 

They will do okay, but are not as good as the Firestone Destination A/T or Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revos I had on my previous truck. Just go slower, leave room for braking, and watch for other drivers going too fast. If there is more than 2-3" of snow I add some sandbags to the bed. That does make a difference.

 

I also read something about adding weight to the bed too but its supposed to help you accelerate. Doesn't help you stop though LOL.

 

I'm facing the same dilemma right now. I don't want to spend $800 on dedicated snow tires, but I know how much better they are as well. What to do...

 

Funny. I went to Yosemite last may , drove through snow over Carson pass and at crane flat. GY Kevlars did just fine. Almost hit a deer in a brand new 3rd gen though....

 

CA snow, especially in SoCal, is different than a lot of other places. Our freeze/thaw cycles make for much less consistent and much more sketchy winter driving. You don’t need chains for the front — look at your manual and get cables or chains for the rear. I saw lots of guys in 4Runners and Tacos slide into each other and parked cars (actual impact) last winter near Mt Baldy because they thought crawl control and 4wd equates to chains or cables (it doesn’t). Drive slowly, move the steering wheel smoothly, etc. have some weight in the rear.

There is a lot of information on this out there. Read up on it or take someone who knows what they’re doing when you go out your first time. Search the threads on TW and read your owners manual.

 

You didn't get pulled over by the CHP? or did you have chains on? Good thing i got deer insurance LOL

 

I have been using dedicated winter tires since 1990 in NH, AZ, and CO on many different types of vehicles from VW Dasher Diesels, VW Rabbits, Audi quattro, VW Quantum Syncro Wagons, TJ Jeep Wrangler, K2500 Turbo Diesel Suburban, 1 ton SRW Square body pickup, as well as others.

I use Toyo Observe GSi5 winters on my Tacoma from November through April. April through November I swap to Toyo Open Country ATIIs. A few times I was in snow, slush, etc with the Wrangler Kevlars, and wasn't impressed. The stock Wranglers are not as good in the snow compared to the ATIIs.

If you live in a region where you have winter conditions for 4+ months, do yourself, family, friends, and others by getting a set of 4 dedicated winter tires. You might "get away with" 3 Peak Snowflake rated tires, but these tires still do not have the softer rubber compound with more deeper siping.