Hey everyone, curious what those who live in the north east and Canada use for winter tires? I currently looking at a rig with 18 Inch RIM with K02s...i'm not sure how good they will be, I am in Ski country every month so i need something good on winter highways.. I am looking at switching to 16 inch wheels for more sidewall..Curious what brand of tires people like for winter. This is the vehicle i have offered on. 2004

 

This is a good discussion. I’ve never run separate tires on my 4x4s and only while living Germany used winter tires on my car (it’s the law to have the 3 peak, not just M+S). In the S4, the Vredestein tires are insane for bad weather traction whereas the summer tires are downright dangerous AWD or not.

In D2 land, I had a set of moderate Coopers for a season with 16” wheels on the current driver Disco. They were really good- nothing special but very predictable. I had KO2s on my last Disco that I think were rated for a big heavy truck (more so than the D2) and they were HORRIBLE in the snow.

Now on the current D2 I have another set of KO2s that I got used as another stop gap until I refinish the original Comets and although I’ve not had them in snow- yet (house is at 7400’ in CO, so we get real snow)- but based on some mud and off moderate off road I’ve done, I expect them to be really good in the snow. These are 18” wheels and the ride is WAY better than the 16” Coopers, which sounds nuts, but absolutely true.

My point is, I’d pay close attention to the load rating of the tire as I think the lower load rating KO2s have a significantly softer compound, which helps in both ride quality and traction.

 

I have 265/75R16 KO2s. Here are a couple of videos taken by one of our club members. This is from a offroad run two weeks ago. We went up a couple of mountain points in British Columbia at 2,000 meters. It was quite heavy snowfall and some icy sections. I was aired down to 15 psi front and 20 psi rear for traction. I know there are critics of KO2s. However, they have handled well for my needs - mostly highway (quiet), ocassional offroad (mostly dry with occasional snow). I have done research in the past on WildPeaks, Open Country, etc. I like the KO2s as they have more siping coverage on their 3-peak plugs than the ones I have researched.





https://rover-landers.smugmug.com/Ro...25/i-3wfJrBw/A

 

Wow that is awesome, yes I am hoping the K02s are adequate but the roads here in ON and Quebec are ice sometimes, (highways) so i am just trying to make sure i have the best grip...I see the Three Peak symbol but that doesn't mean too much lol

 

I live in South Western British Columbia. I ski at least once a week in winter and drive the Coquihalla highway several times each winter. I use dedicated studded winter tires for almost half the year. Toyo G3 Ice. They are mounted on 18” tires, because I had them. My All Terrains (KO’s) for the rest of the year are on 16”. The KO’s aren’t a bad snow tire but they are no match for the studded winters.

 

Ya i wish we can't use STUDDED here unless you live way north.

 

I’d still go with dedicated winters if you plan to do much winter highway driving. I think Southern Ontario gets some pretty wicked winter conditions. I don’t know if 16 or 18” makes a big difference for winter tires. The 16’s are nice for airing down off road.

 

Yes for sure, the roads here are brutal in the winter so I want winters. But Ideally 16s I guessi could get the steel set from Atlantic B, and add tires...but iw as hoping to get nicer rims lol...I will probably sell the 18s with the K0s they are basically brand new

 

I don't think I understand the question, that there even is a thought NOT to have dedicated proper winter tires.
I'm in Finland and we do have a winter, and it's illegal to drive in winter conditions without proper winter tires.

I have on my 2004 4.6 some Toyo open country AT, well, the are illegal now as they are only M+S and not 3PMSF.
Will still drive on them as I have for a winter or two and they are just fine. I think these are 255/55/18", can't remember..

I just bought new winters for my 2003 TD5, Radar Renegade AT5 in 285/65/18. These have the 3PMSF and will see what they will be like.

Used some "normal" studded tires before and have two sets of them (with rims) still, I just wanted the same size than my summer tires on the 2003, and not studded to be able to drive on winters for longer without listening to the studs destroying the roads.

I daily my 2003 TD5, usually so early in the morning that not all the roads have been plowed and thankfully not salted yet.
So I drive on black ice etc.

 

Ya its not a question of whether or not the K02s are worthy, they DO have the three peak, but I am asking if I should grab a set of winter specific tires.