I'm seeing a couple companies are offering E-load rated winter tires now (Firestone, Goodyear, etc.)...

I'm just curious if any of you guys have any experience with these on a 3/4 or 1-ton truck? I'm in Colorado and I do quite a bit of winter camping with my 5th wheel, so I'm intrigued by the notion.

I've used winter tires on my Expedition EL and the traction difference from all-terrain tires I've traditionally always run was significant (especially for stopping!).

Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

 

BFG AT KO's my favorite all around tire, and I live utah and see similar conditions.

 

Depending on your size Bf Goodrich makes their All Terrain KO's in E load ratings and for me they've always been an excellent tire. The main thing to double check though is that the size you want is both E rated AND has the M&S rating. They have a few tires sizes where if you get the E rating then their not traction rated. Actually some of them carry the blizzard symbol which apparently is even a better traction rating.

 

What I'm referring to is something like the Firestone Winterforce LT, or the Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT (both are listed on Tirerack for 275/70-18).

In my experience with actual winter/snow tires, the traction increase is substantial over any A/T or M/T tire I've run in the past... but my hesitation is in the softness of the tread, and how that might affect towing stability and wear while towing a 12.5k 5th wheel.

Really looking for thoughts or comments from someone who has run actual winter/snow tires on a truck while towing. Not so much looking for 'advice' on what A/T's people have had good luck with in snow.

 

I went through 3 sets of the Goodyear Silent Armor 265/75/16s on my '99 F250. I used that tire because of the weight rating of 3450 for towing my 14K 5th wheel, but loved them also for the snow ( the few times I got caught in it they worked great. Goodyear rates them highest in snow, as I recall, of all their tires.
I did not find them to be overly loud. I had them for so long I forgot what regular tires sounded like. Never had a problem. I was very happy with them.

 

I have the goodyear ultragrip ice wrt studded on my F-450 and pulled a 10,000 lb tag along for 800 miles over mostly glare ice and was very impressed. The tires have been impressive in non towing as well. The studs have been remarkably durable over the 10,000 miles I have had them on

 

They are on of my fav non aggressive design tires out there. Such great tires.

 

most people don't run an ice and snow tire all year round, I think they are meant to be only used in winter as the tread is so soft it will wear out very fast. an all around tire makes more since unless you plan to change them out when winter hits.

 

Just get some Nitto Trails and call it a day

 

The Severe Snow tires in E rating are typically not soft tread... and the BFG AT does carry the Severe Snow symbol in most sizes. The mountains in my area average 500+ inches of snow every winter and I have ran a separate set of snow tires with an E rating for many years.

There are quite a few choices although most are made by Cooper and sold under several brand names with Cooper and Mastercraft being the most popular. I've had good luck with the Cooper M+S. When they get halfway worn down I have them siped which really helps bring them back to life... and mine are always studded. The "stepbrother" Mastercraft MSR look really good too- I wouldn't hesitate to get a set. Michelin now sells a LTX Winter and Bridgesone has the W965 but both look wimpy

I have the BFG AT Severe Snow E rated on a gas 2008 F250 with a plow and been impressed. That's one of the very few tires worthy of running year round IMHO