Winter tires?

looking for some winter tires.
I've had general altimax studs on my previous vehicle, but it's my first winter with the tundra

live in the sierras, have a steep driveway.

I've been doing some reading on studded vs non-studded that basically say that studs only help on ice and actually increase stopping distance, reduce grip on snow, loud, etc. plus the noise is always a factor

What have people run on their tundra? what size for a truck with stock wheels and suspension? I'd like to go narrower than 275 for the better winter performance.

I'm leaning towards either nokian hakkapeliita 8s w/o studs or some blizzaks in a 265/60/18

 

I run studs, stock size. Yep you hear them. I don't know if they decrease stopping distance on snow, but that may likely apply to pavement for sure. I'm probably on my last season with the set that are on the truck presently, but intend to go with the Hakk 8s, studded for the next set.

 

Nokians are awesome.
As for a dedicated winter tire you can not do better. Last a long time if you only use them a month or two a year. Nokians have the square studs so you do not lose as many of them over the round studs most tires use.
I had them on our Prius and Both our FJ's. Winner Winner!

 

My go-to tire guy was showing me the recently redesigned stud that is used in the Nokian tire. He was explaining that they're kind of dog-bone shaped so they stay installed and they're lighter now so they can install more of them per tire....so they make more noise!!!

 

CR's top three winter tires in the truck category are:

1. Michelin Latitude X-ice XI 2
2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2
3. Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2

I had the Blizzaks on my 17 Tundra and they worked well in the snow, but they only lasted me 2 seasons and they got really loud and obnoxious when they got worn down. I'll probably try either the Nokians or the Michelins next time.

 

No real snow tire will last long on pavement even wet pavement, the rubber compound is much softer than what is used on street tires.

 

Snow tire wisdom, from Georgia...Sorry, couldn't resist.

That's why we change them out for different tires when the snow stops falling and the roads clear up.

 

The best car snow tires hands down is Firestone Winter Force. I think they are now making SUV and light truck ones also.

 

Yankee by birth, Southerner by choice.

I have two sets of wheels and tires for both trucks, the locals think I am nuts but some habits never change.

 

I’ve run studded Cooper Discoverer M + S up here in northern NH for years, and they are a solid tire with superb traction on snow and ice. I run 275 70s on the Tundra and stock on the 4Runner.

 

Run Firestone Firehawk PVS on our work Tahoe's, along with Goodyear Ultra Grip. The Firestone's last a bit longer, generally 5 to 7 thousand miles. Both work great on our rigs which are loaded with heavy gear. Some of us run the Firestone's all year since they last longer than a street performance tire during warmer months.

 

Check local prices for Nokian Hakkapelitta LT2 's in either factory studded or not. You might find a smoking deal.

The LT2 got discontinued (replaced by the LT3) I wanted the LT3 but availability was low this season.

My local shop sold them to me for $159/ea. I'm old school and run studded. Ice traction is what I care about, I feel like I drive within a safe speed, but ice can be surprising (less visual cues) and panic stops are not fun on ice.

I've driven snow tires on a myriad of vehicles for the past 20 years. These are the best tires I've ever had.

Eta: Also have 350 lbs of sand strapped down over the rear axle.

-guy from North Dakota

Ymmv

 

I run Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 studless on my Audi A3 and they have been fantastic. One morning the road was a solid sheet of ice, I lost traction twice but they then found traction and kept on rolling. Car if front wheel drive with a heavy TDI motor which I am sure helps with traction. This is going up and over Teton Pass, WY daily. We have a major system coming Sunday that will last all week. I will report back.

 

I've been over Teton Pass a few times, that sucker is like a 10% grade.

 

Sure is, I drive it 5 days a week. Get real fun when it’s nuking out. That when the Tundra shines. General ATX Grabber on the truck. Snow is no problem for that tire.

 

Blizzak DMV2s in a 255/70/18 and maybe 2-300 #s of sand / equipment.

 

Studded Nokian Hakkapellitas are on my Tundra and The Woman's Corolla. Excellent tires that handle hard packed ice and snow with ease.