2006 Silverado: Winter Tire Options

rog_ski · May 10, 2011

I finally picked up a set of 17" OEM steel wheels for my truck and was looking for winter tire options. I know I have a few months to get this right but might be nice to bolt them on when the snow flys as opposed to looking at that time.

I am looking for something that runs along the highway well, doesn't have a ton of road noise, wears well but still works well in snow and ice. To be honest I have no idea what I am looking for and after doing a search through the forums didn't really get any answeres.

I do quite abit of driving in winter conditions and tow a trailer and I am got a little tired of the all seasons that had come with my truck and not happy with the winter performance of the wheel - tire combination I have now, plus like the idea of saving the rims.

What are people running and or what are your suggestions for a winter tire to meet my wish list. I live in canada so would prefer to shop north of the border but would go south of the border if the deal was a sweet one.

Thanks in advance for your ideas

tbhuge · May 10, 2011

I finally picked up a set of 17" OEM steel wheels for my truck and was looking for winter tire options. I know I have a few months to get this right but might be nice to bolt them on when the snow flys as opposed to looking at that time.

I am looking for something that runs along the highway well, doesn't have a ton of road noise, wears well but still works well in snow and ice. To be honest I have no idea what I am looking for and after doing a search through the forums didn't really get any answeres.

I do quite abit of driving in winter conditions and tow a trailer and I am got a little tired of the all seasons that had come with my truck and not happy with the winter performance of the wheel - tire combination I have now, plus like the idea of saving the rims.

What are people running and or what are your suggestions for a winter tire to meet my wish list. I live in canada so would prefer to shop north of the border but would go south of the border if the deal was a sweet one.

Thanks in advance for your ideas

Will you be running studs with these winter tires?

rog_ski · May 10, 2011

Will you be running studs with these winter tires?

No studs, not allowed on the roads in ontario

kawtoy_77 · May 10, 2011

The Hankook DynaPro ATM rf10's are excellent for the snow, and ice. Do an image search and look how much more tread block siping they have as opposed to others. It is what I am running on my truck now. Check out my pic gallery. They have a decent side bite for an all terrain, and they are not noisey IMO. I have 25,000 miles on mine, and they have alot of life left. I look forward to driving on them this winter again. I will definitely buy these tires again.

ChevyTech77 · May 10, 2011

Bridgestone Blizzaks, hands down, no comparison, end of story.

rgv · May 10, 2011

Bridgestone Blizzaks, hands down, no comparison, end of story.

ditto. I buy quite a few sets every year, having personal trucks and a couple work trucks. I only buy Blizzaks or Nokians now.

The cheaper Winterforce and Arctic Claw tires are ok when they are new, but once down even a little bit, are pretty second rate in performance. They are better on wet and packed snow than the Nokian Hakka-somethings, but the Nokians are more aggressive and slightly better on deep snow.

If you don't need 10-plys, buy the P-rated Blizzaks, not the LT rated W965's. The softer P-rated tires are considerably stickier.

Toyo makes one with ground walnut shell mixed in, but I haven't tried them.

nigelforsythe · May 11, 2011

I've got those nokian hakka-somethings in that size. I ran them this past winter in which we got a ton of snow and they always got me where i needed to go. I would definitely recommend them!

onntn87 · May 12, 2011

I've never personally owned any, but I have heard the Cooper M+S are great snow tires, and they're reasonably priced.

kawtoy_77 · May 12, 2011

I never get winter only tires..... don't see the point for 3 months out of the year. But I live quite south of the OP, and there is quite a seasonal difference I am sure.

rog_ski · May 15, 2011

Guys

Thanks for the feedback. It certainly narrows down my search for tires.

As far as winter onlys I have managed to get by for the past 5 years without them but I do like the added security and feel of them in snow and on ice. I have gotten myself self stuck a couple times in deeper snow and its a pain when your that far in.

Plus I like the idea of saving my new wheels from the salt they throw around here.

Ianf · May 16, 2011

I ran a set of new Arctic Claws last winter and had very good luck with them and saved myself a few hundred dollars. I only drive about 12-13K a year so would only put 5K on my tires in the winter months and could not justify the large upcharge for blizzaks. Handled very well in the ice and the snow around Toronto last winter.