What are the best snow tires for heavy Tahoe snow for 20's
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Ran this exact size of Blizzaks for most of last winter. They were great and zero issues with sizing.
That's a 33" tire, according to Toyota techs (at a vendor measuring event) the Land Cruisers are designed to accommodate 33" tires with no modification. I ran a different snow tire in that size last winter for >3000 miles, including a little light offloading, no issues. Fits fine in the spare location as well.
DM V2 is the Blizzak for Larger vehicles like SUVs and trucks. My go to for years and no other snow I have purchased is better. Owner would do better buying a set of takeoff 18s cheap and mounting them up for winter duty. If you are keeping it for 4 years, the rims are free......Also super easy to swap out as needed. I will be VERY happy with the 70 offset for winter duty.
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Agreed. The Blizzaks are great tires (although I'm on Toyos currently), and it's been totally worth it to put the winters on their own rims and swap them over myself. It's less about the cost, and more about the convenience of not having to try to book my vehicle in during the peak swap-over seasons.
Circling back on this as I’m having a challenge finding that Blizzak DMV2 for OEM 18” wheels for winter instead of swapping them a on the 20” - what’s the Tire size your suggesting for the 18” as the DMV2 is not available in 265/70R18 the OEM size.. thanks
- Jun 8, 2024
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- 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2007 Toyota Tundra 4X4 Double Cab 5.7L V8
Get a set of Michelin X-Ice Snow in 265/70/R18. I put a set of them on some take off 18” stock wheels. They were excellent last winter and will be going back on here in a few days.
Michelin X Ice is my other go to. Have them on my Stelvio Quad which need all the traction it can get. I have never tried Nokians ...but have NEVER heard a bad word about them...might be about the best considering the company location.
I'm on 275/70/18 Toyo Observe GSi6. They're awesome. Equally as good as the Blizzak's I've had. They are also available in 265/70/18.
Nokian - no more for me - while they perform well in very cold conditions is the mix ice snow conditions that failed me on my 4Runner .. they sidnt behave well and didn’t give me the same level of confidence sticking on the ground … blizzaks they just stick and stick and stick — deep snow, ice and slush even passing vehicles on piles between lanes it just handles so much better .. that’s why I’m leaning more towards the Blizzaks .. just wondering how the slightly bigger size will impact mileage, fuel gauge reading etc.. I guess it’ll report around 14k less on Odometer.. per 1000k ..
I would SUSPECT mileage changes to be neglible or a Plus 1 size. Just remember, you cover less INDICATED miles with a larger size so unless you appropriately correct, you will get a FALSE low.
All the recent tire testing I have watched have put the narrow snow tire myth to rest. Pressures have a far more profound effect. If driving on snow, ice etc DO NOT overinflate the tires. Higher inflation is only good in the rain. Lower is actually better on most other surfaces.. Go watch some recent reviews. I was a narrow snow tire guy for years........The old school Firestone Town and Country mentality was narrower pushes through to the pavement better. Old Moosehead pickup boys ran smaller rims n'tires in the winter.
New tires have siping now. Siping works better when more area is in contact with the surface. More Velcro works better mentality. Anecdotally, I have experienced this on extremely cold snowy nights when the pressures are at the bottom of what I would have considered acceptable. The tires felt a bit sluggish, but inspired confidence oddly.....think pressures set for +20 degrees and its -10.
New tires have siping now. Siping works better when more area is in contact with the surface. More Velcro works better mentality. Anecdotally, I have experienced this on extremely cold snowy nights when the pressures are at the bottom of what I would have considered acceptable. The tires felt a bit sluggish, but inspired confidence oddly.....think pressures set for +20 degrees and its -10.
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Interesting and unfortunate.
Which Nokian snow tires were you running? Hakka LT3s?
I just put a set of the LT3s on a couple weeks ago, so I really cannot attest to anything other than dry road handling, MPGs and road noise.
I have had a few sets of Blizzaks on recent vehicles over the last decade or so; Michelin X-Ice are on my wifes' current RDX. Both brands are awesome, no denying it. If someone is looking for an SL or XL load range tire, these are top tier.
Super curious to hear more about your experience with the Nokians and a little bummed you had such a negative run with them. Would there be anything else more specific you could add?
At any rate, I guess I'll find out in the next few months anyway
.*Edit for reference: 1958 wheels on 275/70R18 Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT3-No rubs.
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I can't recall if LT3 or something else but definitely a Hakka .. they were new and came with my 5th Gen 4runner.Interesting and unfortunate.
Which Nokian snow tires were you running? Hakka LT3s?
I just put a set of the LT3s on a couple weeks ago, so I really cannot attest to anything other than dry road handling, MPGs and road noise.
I have had a few sets of Blizzaks on recent vehicles over the last decade or so; Michelin X-Ice are on my wifes' current RDX. Both brands are awesome, no denying it. If someone is looking for an SL or XL load range tire, these are top tier.
Super curious to hear more about your experience with the Nokians and a little bummed you had such a negative run with them. Would there be anything else more specific you could add?
At any rate, I guess I'll find out in the next few months anyway
I got rid of them in 2016 .. been using DM-V_ Tires on other vehicles since 2011 and drove through some severe storms within them including the big December 27, 2012 storm that hit Quebec ... drove for hours (10+) in snow and ice that day with the DM-V1's back then as it was like ur driving on a dry pavements be snow, ice, slush, ......... full confidence and i was pushing the speed limits... when i switched the 4Runner from Nokian to Blizzaks the difference was day and night ... especially on the nasty mix conditions not sure How but they are awesome and inspire driving confidence in all winter conditions ... stops the nose diving heavy 4Runner on the dime! I remember with the nokian i had to be very very careful.. and many times the 4R was sliding in all directions looool - Now all my house hold vehicles are on DMv2s .... They are loud in winter especially on highways and will impact the MPGs but Safety first .. had to slam the breaks on highways many times in snowy conditions and they just bite and stop!
Nokian hakkapiiltta
