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Winter Tires

3K views 31 replies 13 participants last post by  HK_Runner 
#1 ·
I'm considering running a different tire through the winter months, 33" x17 rim in size. I live in MN. I'm thinking of having an AT tire on my rig from November through March and then putting the MTs back on for the warmer months when I do more trail runs. So I have it nailed down to four choices listed in order of lowest cost first.

1. Nitto Terra Grappler
2. Cooper Discoverer AT3
3. Toyo Open Country AT
4. Goodyear Duratrac

I read alot about the Duratracs but they are the most expensive out of this group. And really, I'm looking for winter performance at a reasonable price. I welcome any opinions on why I should or should not choose any of these tires. I also welcome any other suggestions for an aggressive AT tire other than what I listed. thanks
 
#5 ·
Looks like a good option for my summer trail tire but I am currently looking for a AT option for the winter months.
 
#3 ·
I am doing the same, taking off the stock rims and tires (2014 JKR) and putting on something a little less aggressive for the winter. The stockers are tearing up my road and driveway (dirt) with the rain the year. Went with the Duratracs, we'll see how they are soon. I am swapping them out after hunting season, starts this weekend for the month of september. Good deal at discount with the double rebate so I bought a little early.
 
#6 ·
Just realized I should've posted this in the Tires and Wheels forum.... can a moderator move me over?
 
#9 ·
So far, the Toyo Open Country AT2 seem to be the leading contender based on what Ive found on the forum. Keep in mind, this will be a November through March winter and very occasional trail tire, although Im reading about Jeepers that have had good results on rocky and muddy trails with the Toyo as well.... I will be running an MT on different rims in the summer.
 
#11 ·
I run Toyo at2's in 285/75-17 and live in Montana where we get lots of snow. I run them on every kind surface and when it is time to replace them I will replace with the same. I have 12000 miles on them and they show very little wear. At this rate they will last 70000 miles.
 
#12 ·
thanks, Jadmt. I'm starting to think the AT2 could be a year round tire but I already have a second set of wheels for MTs for the hard trails in the summer. Seems the Treadwright Guard Dogs might be a cost effective yet solid tire for the mud and rocky trails. This way I can get the best of both worlds and yes there is a larger initial investment, but both sets of tires will last several years. Thanks for your opinion.
 
#15 ·
I have lived in Montana for 55 years and have been driving in winter for over 40 years I have run studded tires but I can tell you from a million miles of driving experience that Toyo at2's do pretty darn good in the winter. On my last wrangler I had a set of Wild Country XTX sports with the snowflake and they were exceptionally good snow and ice tires with no studs. In all my winter driving which is a lot I have never slid off the road or rear ended anybody. Hopefully I have not jinxed myself. I have however been off roading and have been buried lol. but never an on road mishap.
 
#17 ·
jadmt,

do you run the XT (Xtreme) version of these tires? I am now trying to decide between the P, LT or LT XT. Since these will be mainly daily driver tires and occasional off-road, I'm wondering if I can get by with the P version and save $40/tire.
 
#18 ·
Personal preference and driving "skills" IMO. With that said, the BEST tire would be a snow tire one specifically made for SNOW....if that is not "your cup of tea"...I would go with the Duratracs. Mainly because of the great reviews that caused me to purchase a set 2 winters ago....best tire I have ever had on my TJ in 170K miles. Good Luck!!
 
#19 ·
Here's a 35" true snow tire. The difference between a snow tire and something like the Duratrac even if it is good on snow and ice, is the compound of the rubber it stays soft and pliable below 40°... Making it stick year on slippery surfaces.

Look at this on eBay:

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=310901761343

1 NEW 315/75-16 YOKOHAMA GEOLANDAR I/T GO72 Winter/Snow 75R R16 TIRE
 
#20 ·
Looks like a great option and I've seriously considered it but there are not many 33" x 17 wheel sizes available within the snow tire selection. Seems like I can only can a 31.66" tire in the 17" wheel size for some of the popular brands. I ran my Bridgestone Deuler ATs and then BFG MTs last winter in below 0 cold Minnesota and they both did OK, so going with an AT like the Toyo Open Country or Duratrac is a better option because I can then run the tire beyond the winter season (fall and spring) without wearing it down quickly from my daily highway driving. Once the snow goes away, the MTs go back on. I'm wondering if based on the hardness of the rubber, the P version of the Toyo is better for winter but then not as good for off-road?..... so many choices, which is why I love this forum. I value real life opinion over a couple "road n track" reviews.
 
#21 ·
Irun the 285/75-17 xtreme
 
#22 ·
aha! and I see the Xtreme is 3ply vs. 2ply for others. I see now why you have much confidence in your choice for the rocky terrains you conquer. :thumb:
 
#24 ·
Jadmt- what size are your DuraTracs? I just replaced my Hankook Dynapros (7/32 remaining) with DuraTracs on the 4Runner. We plan on a lot of ski runs (just got a condo up in the mountains) so need a good tire for all seasons but also snow. I keep hearing that the DTs are great in the snow. The JK's MTRs are still going strong but when I replace them, I'll consider the DuraTracs due to the snow factor. So the sidewall ply rating is just that- a rating. The 3-ply E rated DT doesn't actually have an extra layer over the C rated 2-ply DuraTrac. Just found that out today. Apparently it is just slightly thicker and thus rated as 3-ply equivalent. Who know exactly how it works but the DuraTrac has thin sidewalls and the E rated one may make more sense for those of us who offroad. I like the Toyos but those things are super heavy.
 
#25 ·
Jadmt- what size are your DuraTracs? I just replaced my Hankook Dynapros (7/32 remaining) with DuraTracs on the 4Runner. We plan on a lot of ski runs (just got a condo up in the mountains) so need a good tire for all seasons but also snow. I keep hearing that the DTs are great in the snow. The JK's MTRs are still going strong but when I replace them, I'll consider the DuraTracs due to the snow factor. So the sidewall ply rating is just that- a rating. The 3-ply E rated DT doesn't actually have an extra layer over the C rated 2-ply DurTrac. Just found that out today. Apparently it is just slightly thicker and thus rated as 3-ply equivalent. Who know exactly how it works but the DuraTrac has thin sidewalls and the E rated one may make more sense for those of us who offroad. I like the Toyos but those things are super heavy.
Which Dynapros did you have? I had the ATs at one point and they were decent. Now I have ATMs and they are fantastic especially in the snow. When they are done for I think I will be going to the MTs for the more aggressive tread but I'm not sure how they will be in the snow.
 
#28 ·
I have ATMs. Well, they are off the 4Runner but I have them. They are quite good in the snow actually (and great overall tires) but I think since mine were done to 7/32, the deep snow started to freak them out on turns. Even with AWD, they started to not bite down as much in deep snow. Since we will be on snowy highways going up the mountains a lot, I figured I'd spring for the Duratracs now and check them out. The JK with MTRs does well in deep powder but not very well on packed snow. The margin for error on these steep winding highways is too low. Nothing like dedicated snows but I am hopeful that these DTs will do well.
 
#29 ·
They still don't make a 35" Duratrac for a 17" wheel in E rating. The D rated one is around 34.4 but I'd prefer the E rated DT for the JK...for the sidewall.
 
#31 ·
#30 ·
I still have my old Tj with the 33's. Any Dts I get for the JK will be street use only, so stock size is fine.....I do understand your want/ need though. I have "heard" that the E rated are too firm.....makes the ride very stiff........however that may only apply to the TJs........
 
#32 ·
I have a good friend who runs the E rated DTs on his JKU that is set up similarly to mine. Will have to drive his JKU the next time we meet.
 
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