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Best tires for Canadian / northern U.S. winters

Discussion in 'Wheels & Tires' started by DepMode, Sep 26, 2020.

  1. Sep 26, 2020 at 7:08 AM
    #1
    DepMode

    DepMode [OP] New Member

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    Good day to all.
    Just throwing out a line to get suggestions for best tires to put on stock rims for the snowy and icy roads I'll soon be dealing with in the great white north. I used to use Goodyear Duratracs on my old Tundra and they were awesome. I wonder if they'd work just as well on my 4Runner. Any and all suggestions are appreciated. Have an awesome weekend!
     
    Taco Supremo and Thatbassguy like this.
  2. Sep 26, 2020 at 7:29 AM
    #2
    lyodbraun

    lyodbraun New Member

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    If you can find them Cooper AT/w they work great I run them year round and they perform awesome in all conditions...
     
    Toy4X4, Thatbassguy and DepMode[OP] like this.
  3. Sep 26, 2020 at 8:13 AM
    #3
    shellshock

    shellshock Lost guy from tacomaworld

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    Falken at3w. That’s what I’ve run for a couple years now and they’ve been great. I also know quite a few guys running them up north and have been very happy with them
     
  4. Sep 27, 2020 at 7:52 AM
    #4
    DepMode

    DepMode [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the suggestion. i'll see if I can find them.
     
  5. Sep 27, 2020 at 7:53 AM
    #5
    DepMode

    DepMode [OP] New Member

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    I've never heard of those. I'll check them out. Thanks!
     
  6. Sep 27, 2020 at 5:26 PM
    #6
    lyodbraun

    lyodbraun New Member

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    Last edited: Sep 27, 2020
    DepMode[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  7. Sep 27, 2020 at 6:24 PM
    #7
    Oldtoyotaguy

    Oldtoyotaguy Paid cash for it

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    Definitely get yourself a good winter tire. There are many good brands, mine are Blizzaks. I take off K02s and put on Blizzaks. K02s are snow rated, but it’s cold and ice that you need to worry about in a daily driver. A winter tire is fantastic on icy slippery roads. Their biggest problem is that you might be tempted to overdrive them, that’s how good they are.
     
  8. Sep 28, 2020 at 5:30 AM
    #8
    canadian.bacon

    canadian.bacon H9 halogen is the best led bulb

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    For the best performance, dedicated winter tires, no question about it. I’m getting along with the severe weather rated tires (wildpeaks), but they are far from a dedicated winter tire. How north are we talking about ?
     
  9. Sep 28, 2020 at 7:46 PM
    #9
    DepMode

    DepMode [OP] New Member

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    Slave Lake, AB north! :D
     
  10. Sep 28, 2020 at 7:48 PM
    #10
    DepMode

    DepMode [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the advice. I'm gonna do a bit more research. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of storage space to have two sets of tires, so I have to get something that's good all year round.
     
  11. Sep 28, 2020 at 7:50 PM
    #11
    DepMode

    DepMode [OP] New Member

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    Thanks, Ill keep an eye out for those and keep researching a bit. i'm hoping the white stuff can hold off for another few weeks! DOn't wanna say that too loud though. :D
     
  12. Sep 28, 2020 at 8:25 PM
    #12
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    RSG sliders, Yakima offgrid basket, Pro-Comp wheels, SOS Streamline bumper and skids, Warn VR EVO10S winch + Ultimate Sidewinder, Bilstein 6112 + 5100 + rear lift coils, Rigid Dually SS ditch lights w/Caliraised brackets and OEM style dash switch
    Dedicated winter tires would be the best option. If that's not an option there are plenty of 3-peak snow rated AT's worth considering. If you were satisfied with Duratracs in the past, they should be fine on the 4runner as well.
     
    Singleminded likes this.
  13. Sep 28, 2020 at 9:20 PM
    #13
    Trekker

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    I've heard Nokian makes good winter tires
     
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  14. Sep 29, 2020 at 2:41 AM
    #14
    Toy4X4

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    RevTek 3" front- 2" rear leveling, JBA uca's, LED interior lights, Cooper 275-70-17 AT3 LT
    Another vote for Cooper; their tires, like the AT's have lots of siping which seems to be the thing for wet/snowy/slippery roads.
     
    DepMode[OP] likes this.
  15. Sep 29, 2020 at 2:59 AM
    #15
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    Yes they do! We have Hakkapliittas on our Scion TC, and they're amazing!
     
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  16. Sep 29, 2020 at 6:18 AM
    #16
    Oldtoyotaguy

    Oldtoyotaguy Paid cash for it

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    Yes, my storage space is limited too, DepMode, but in the small town where I live, the tire shop stores the change over tires for me for free. I’ve been in Slave Lake, and while it’s not too far north in Canadian terms, it’s pretty far north for most of the members on this forum. God’s country! You might get away with a snow rated tire where you are, but with snow packed, icy roads a winter tire would be a no brainer for me.
     
  17. Sep 29, 2020 at 6:29 AM
    #17
    DepMode

    DepMode [OP] New Member

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    Hey Oldtoyotaguy! If I got free tire storage that would be a game changer for me. I'll have to ask the local tire shops about that, although I do think they all charge a fee. You're right, not so far north to a Canadian. ;)
     
  18. Sep 29, 2020 at 3:20 PM
    #18
    canadian.bacon

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    i'd get dedicated winter tires. Small town, snow plow services might not be as good as a larger town, you probably have to do some highway. I know it is not exactly cheap, but not that bad either. You can get a set of rims for under $150 (each) and 4 tires under $800. Small investment for this type of vehicle.
     
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  19. Sep 29, 2020 at 3:31 PM
    #19
    Oldtoyotaguy

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    If you have a good shop where the guys are careful and you know them, you can cut a few corners by mounting the tires on the original rims. Not ideal, but it will save a few bucks. Keep an eye out for OEM wheels. Guys sell these for ridiculously low prices just to get rid of them. If you go for steelies, you can do without tpms the first season, unless you’re OCD like I am and can’t stand a warning light being on all the time.
     
  20. Oct 17, 2020 at 4:26 PM
    #20
    RedWings44

    RedWings44 New Member

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    I can vouch for the AT3 4S tires. I had a couple of sets on my last truck and will likely be adding them to the Tacoma next month.

    However, the 4Runner will be getting some dedicated winters. Does anyone have any they'd recommend?
     
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  21. Oct 17, 2020 at 4:40 PM
    #21
    Oldtoyotaguy

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    Blizzaks work great for me.
     
  22. Oct 17, 2020 at 4:57 PM
    #22
    RedWings44

    RedWings44 New Member

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    Thanks, I'll look into them. The last winter tire I had was discontinued and it's been a few years since I've looked.
     
  23. Oct 17, 2020 at 9:22 PM
    #23
    kaitlyn2004

    kaitlyn2004 New Member

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    I live near Vancouver, so plenty of rain, wet snow, mountain and winding roads... Looking for a single all-year and my current thought is the 265/70/17 Falken Wildpeak A/T3W SL-rated

    Thoughts on the LT rated? Any other tires to be looking at?
     
  24. Oct 17, 2020 at 9:26 PM
    #24
    SR5 Limited

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    I’m running GT Radial’s ZR rated cruising tire right now but they offer a studded winter tire...
     
  25. Oct 18, 2020 at 5:36 AM
    #25
    Oldtoyotaguy

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    The venerable BFG K02 is always a great choice. A classic look on 4 Runner or Tacoma. Heavy duty.
     
  26. Oct 18, 2020 at 5:41 AM
    #26
    Oldtoyotaguy

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    Pretty well all the major brands of winter tires are good. They must all use the same soft compound to make them grippy at low temperatures. This is where price can be an issue, all other things being equal. I’d go with the best deal on a major brand. But The Blizzaks I have certainly perform well, and the local dealer gave me a good deal on them. He also stores the changeovers for free, as long as he has space to do so.
     
  27. Oct 18, 2020 at 5:54 AM
    #27
    RedWings44

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    Thanks, I'll definitely keep them in mind. I had some Toyo Open Country directional snow tires about 4 years ago, but said tires were discontinued.

    That's definitely nice about the storage! I think our plan is to get some TRD Pro wheels for the summer though and use the stock gray ones for the winters.

    I am also interested in the Cooper Discoverer Snow Claw, but it is so new that there are no reviews yet.
     
  28. Oct 21, 2020 at 5:24 PM
    #28
    Taco Supremo

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    I'd check out the Goodyear Duratrac. they are an all weather tire. The rubber is softer than the others so you won't get great durability with them but they perform much better on packed snow and ice than the KO2.
     
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  29. Oct 23, 2020 at 7:28 AM
    #29
    SweetMagnolia

    SweetMagnolia New Member

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    Newbie to the forum here. You’ve convinced me to buy Blizzaks for my 2019 4Runner TRD Off-Road. I had a terrifying black ice experience with my old Sequoia a few years ago so try to take tire quality seriously but also feel like I get “sold” on “great” tires in the shop. Bought the 4Runner early 2019 with stock Dunlop tires - not happy with handling in winter so will spring for the Blizzaks. My question now is what do I need to know about “steelies?” Thinking I might have the tires mounted on those right off the bat. Thanks!
     
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  30. Oct 23, 2020 at 10:16 AM
    #30
    Oldtoyotaguy

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    Great decision, SweetMagnolia! That decision also ensures the safety of others as well as yourself so it’s a win-win. I mounted mine on steelies, and had OEM tpms units installed in them. Tpms isn’t essential, if you don’t mind the dash light being on all the time. It’s part of the vehicles safety equipment, so I wanted it operate perfectly. There’s nothing magic about steelies, any reputable tire shop of your dealer will supply the right ones. Personally, I like steelies, they look traditional on a 4 Runner. I don’t off road in winter, so the OR wheels aren’t needed but they are a bit wider and higher quality. My OR wheels have a design that protects the valve stem when off road. But steelies are fine too, for pavement driving.
    You are going to find a tremendous difference with winter tires on your 4 Runner. Your biggest challenge will be to be disciplined in slippery conditions and don’t overdrive them. It’s easy to do! You’ll have about 2 x the traction of most cars in the road, but don’t use that for speed. Use it for safety. Good luck.
     

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