Winter Tires

Bryan410 · October 20, 2008

Was wondering what type of winter tires some of you guys are running.

I know a lot of people get along fine with just their all season/AT tires, but anything without studs wont cut it here.

Currently the truck got the Fire Stone Transforce AT's (LT245/70R17)

No problems with these so far by the way.

So anyone got any suggestions for studded tires for these trucks (first full size pickup in a few years, kinda outta the loop by now)

Zembonez · October 20, 2008

I live where there is NO Winter, so I can't offer up personal experience. Tirerack seems to rate those Firestone's pretty well and the prices aren't bad. I've had good luck going by their rankings on several sets of tires.

mdrew · October 20, 2008

I live in Alaska. I make several long road trips throughout the years and spend several months driving on a sheet of ice. I used to only use studded tires up till about four years ago. One thing I hate about studs is when driving on dry areas of the road. I don’t like to slow down much, and studs and corners don’t get along very well. So anyway, I tried a set of Bridgestone winter duelers and love them. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...er+Dueler+DM-Z2

They are a siped tire and do remarkably well. For an example, last winter I got pulled over for speeding (it happens). I was cruising along about my normal speed and the truck was handling just fine. When the officer got out of his vehicle he slipped on the ice and landed on his rear end. The road was so slick he had to hold onto my truck as he was approaching my window to deliver the but chewing…..

If you have your heart set on studded tires, the unofficial favorite tire of Alaskans is the Nocian. You can get them with or without studs. Many of my friends run them and rant and rave about how well they perform. http://www.tirefactory.net/Hakkapeliitta5.htm

walbern1 · October 20, 2008

Finally someone else recommends the same tire as me, NOKIAN, that is the only choice. I run about 60,000 km a year and have used Nokian tires since 2000 on all my trucks with amazing results. These things are quiet, shed water and snow well, have amazing traction and have a 100,000 kilometer tread life guarantee on some of their tires. I have put 105,000 km on a set and still had 3/32 left. I recommend these to anyone that asks and nobody has ever been disappointed. With the snow you guys get on "The Rock" these should be available locally.

mcobb2 · October 20, 2008

I got General Grabber AT2's on mine and they come with the holes in them for studs

Bryan410 · October 27, 2008

What size are you guys running?

Stock 245/70R17 or 265?

mdrew · October 27, 2008

I run 17” – 265. I'll have to look, but I think they are 265/65. I bought them to be sized with the same circumference as the 20’s that came with the truck (as close to anyway). You should always try to keep the size the same so it doesn’t throw off the speedo. I also run them with a lower air pressure, about 26psi. This will be the fourth season with the Bridgestone’s and I’ll have to get another set for next year. I’ll probably give the Nokian’s a try next year. Just so you know, both the Nokian and Bridgestone are fairly expensive for winter tires. They run about $150 or more each. They are worth the money.

pennzoil29 · October 27, 2008

I just bought a set of Dayton Timberline A/T's. I was told that they are about the same tire as the Transforce by Firestone. Dayton tires are a product of Bridgestone, so I'm told. They seem to last forever, and I get good traction in the snow. I should go snap a pic of them. The tread looks like it could swallow a quarter.

Bryan410 · November 17, 2008

Anyone have any experience with Cooper winter tires?

One place I called in my area has them "Snow-Trackers" in 245s

Alot cheaper than the rest. And another place has "Winter-Crisp" or something like that...both 245 studded coopers.

Cant find anything on these and the only winter cooper tire i can find is the Discovery M+S which seems like a good tire.

Are these just canadian names of this tire, or cheap, garbage thats been sitting in storage for 10 years. Almost 2 hours to this place so cant see them before making a appointment. Gotta head in for the 6 month check-up for the truck at the dealer this week or next.

Thanks.

montecarloman90 · November 18, 2008

Anyone have any experience with Cooper winter tires?
One place I called in my area has them "Snow-Trackers" in 245s

Alot cheaper than the rest. And another place has "Winter-Crisp" or something like that...both 245 studded coopers.

Cant find anything on these and the only winter cooper tire i can find is the Discovery M+S which seems like a good tire.

Are these just canadian names of this tire, or cheap, garbage thats been sitting in storage for 10 years. Almost 2 hours to this place so cant see them before making a appointment. Gotta head in for the 6 month check-up for the truck at the dealer this week or next.

Thanks.

I love cooper tires on my last 2 trucks ive ran the Cooper Discoverer ATR they have great traction in the snow and great traction in the mud for an AT tire. They are also good all year round.

Bostonsfavson · November 18, 2008

Blizzaks. They're unstoppable, quiet and ride well. By far the best snow tire I've ever used.

stargazer · November 18, 2008

I bought the Firestone Winterforce 265/70R17 from TireRack mostly because they were cheap and had pretty good reviews. I installed them yesterday, despite the mild weather. In the dry they are smooth and seem to handle well around the corners. I'm looking forward to testing them out in some snow. They are studdable, but I won't be using studs.

bosssho · January 8, 2009

Hi All,

Just got an 08 Sierra Denali left over. My 08 Titan Pro4-x got totalled in an ice storm (Luckily My Family and I did not) and I just wanted to see what people were doing for Winter Tire and Rim combinations.

Am I correct in seeing that, even though a lot of our trucks come stock with 20" Wheels/Tires now, we can still use 17" Wheels and Tires that will fit over the front Rotors? My Titan would not see anything under an 18" wheel over the front rotors. If this is the case, will the old 17" Denali Wheels still fit at all 4 locations on the truck, and if so, does anyone know of a Winter Tire that is at least H rated for speed? I hate tires under that b/c they feel so wobbly when changing lanes or anything like that.

Thanks so much.

BuckFeverZ · January 8, 2009

^ Yes, I run 17's in the summer on my '07 NNBS Silverado.

bosssho · January 8, 2009

^ Yes, I run 17's in the summer on my '07 NNBS Silverado.

Thanks Buck. Does it matter that I have the Sierra Denali? Are my front brakes any bigger? Sorry for the simple questions, but I have to relearn all the specs on this new truck.