Best A/T tires for snow - Ko3's or Ridge Grapplers?

[VermontTaco]

I know there are other threads on these tires, I've read them all but still wondered about snow driving.

I have a TH, and I'm going to keep the stock 18" rims. I live in VT, so lots of snow driving on hilly terrain. I do a lot of road/highway driving as well and hit the trails a few times per month (mostly summer and fall). Not as concerned about off-road capabilities, as most of these tires perform well enough for my needs.

I'm looking at:

• Ridge Grapplers
• Ko3's
• Toyo open country 3's
• Wildpeak A/T 4's

I've heard the Wildpeaks are great in snow, but they are about 8 lbs heavier than the rest.

Also torn a bit between 285x70x18 and 275x70x18. I've heard that 285's can be tight on the TH.

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[Powhunter]

I’d guess the Ridge Grapplers would be the least capable in snow. I’ve had a couple sets of KO2s and they were very capable in the snow, the KO3s look like they would be even better. Always wanted to try Wildpeaks based on the AT3W reviews but haven’t yet. The AT4s are very heavy like you said, and if off-roading isn’t much of a concern I’d opt for a lighter tire. I haven’t had Toyo AT3s, but I had a set of AT2s that I really liked.

Based on what you’ve said it would be a toss up between the KO3 and Toyo. I like the more aggressive sidewall of the KO3 so if it were my money that’s the way I’d go.

 

[VermontTaco]

I’d guess the Ridge Grapplers would be the least capable in snow. I’ve had a couple sets of KO2s and they were very capable in the snow, the KO3s look like they would be even better. Always wanted to try Wildpeaks based on the AT3W reviews but haven’t yet. The AT4s are very heavy like you said, and if off-roading isn’t much of a concern I’d opt for a lighter tire. I haven’t had Toyo AT3s, but I had a set of AT2s that I really liked.

Based on what you’ve said it would be a toss up between the KO3 and Toyo. I like the more aggressive sidewall of the KO3 so if it were my money that’s the way I’d go.

Thanks for the insight, especially from a fellow snow chaser.

Waiting for our first storm out in the Northeast. Can't wait to get some turns in.

 

[Powhunter]

Thanks for the insight, especially from a fellow snow chaser.

Waiting for our first storm out in the Northeast. Can't wait to get some turns in.

Yeah buddy!
For the first time I now have dedicated winters on a truck, but in the past KO2s worked well.

Lake Louise just opened this week here, but waiting for the freeride terrain to open before I head out. Here’s hoping for much better snow than last year!

 

[tacorancher]

Nokian Outpost nAT supposed to be good for snow.

 

[bitflogger]

I know there are other threads on these tires, I've read them all but still wondered about snow driving.

I have a TH, and I'm going to keep the stock 18" rims. I live in VT, so lots of snow driving on hilly terrain. I do a lot of road/highway driving as well and hit the trails a few times per month (mostly summer and fall). Not as concerned about off-road capabilities, as most of these tires perform well enough for my needs.

I'm looking at:

• Ridge Grapplers
• Ko3's
• Toyo open country 3's
• Wildpeak A/T 4's

I've heard the Wildpeaks are great in snow, but they are about 8 lbs heavier than the rest.

Also torn a bit between 285x70x18 and 275x70x18. I've heard that 285's can be tight on the TH.

3PMSF rating is all important for snow performance. Tires too wide and too blocky or without a lot of sipes have been less than ideal for me in winter.

My strategy here is to start the ski season with my OEM Trail-Terrain TA and if not happy right away get the 3PMSF version. It not only has a whole lot of good crowd-sourced reviews but even my OEM are nicely capable and civilized and proven good in heavy rain and my off road use.

I'm not a specific off road hobbyist with motorized vehicles but I am a MTB trail builder and ski area crew using it off road a lot. Having had a lot of 4x4 and tire experience find them wonderfully capable for how civil and predictable they are.

My eyes are on Michelin 3PMSF offerings though BF Goodrich is their brand because we have their SO impressive year round 3PMSF CrossClimate2.

 

[kaliforniaman]

It really depends on the type of snow. They say the Inuit have 50 words for snow. One tire may perform better in dry powder, another better in wet snow or sleet. Years ago we had five 4x4s trying to transcend a hill outside of Tahoe City in a storm. Two of them couldn’t climb it. The CHP arrived in these Chevy Tahoes, and went up the hill with ease. When I talked to them, they mentioned that the CHP does a lot of testing, and went with the BFG A/T KO2 for the typical California snow. However, in Utah or Colorado, it’s a different type of snow.

 

[907Yota]

I’ve been driving in Alaska for 48 years and have tried many tires. On my truck, I run BFG KO2’s year round and they do great. However, the best snow tires I have ever used are on my wife’s CRV. Blizzak studless tires are amazing.

the worst I’ve ever had were the Good Year Wranglers that came stock on my 4Runner. (Down right frightening)

 

[MT-Taco]

Cross the Ridge Grapplers off the list! Great all around tire but horrible on snow packed icy roads!
Look at the Nokians

 

[GPTaco]

I'm running the Toyo Open Country on my sport premium and so far they have performed very well.
We have had a few snowfall events and I was recently on a trip in the rockies, they worked flawlessly in snow and icy roads.

 

[VermontTaco]

It really depends on the type of snow. They say the Inuit have 50 words for snow. One tire may perform better in dry powder, another better in wet snow or sleet. Years ago we had five 4x4s trying to transcend a hill outside of Tahoe City in a storm. Two of them couldn’t climb it. The CHP arrived in these Chevy Tahoes, and went up the hill with ease. When I talked to them, they mentioned that the CHP does a lot of testing, and went with the BFG A/T KO2 for the typical California snow. However, in Utah or Colorado, it’s a different type of snow.

Couldn't agree more. The challenge is, in the NE we get every type of snow. Heavy wet slop and sometimes that champagne powder.

 

[VermontTaco]

I’ve been driving in Alaska for 48 years and have tried many tires. On my truck, I run BFG KO2’s year round and they do great. However, the best snow tires I have ever used are on my wife’s CRV. Blizzak studless tires are amazing.

the worst I’ve ever had were the Good Year Wranglers that came stock on my 4Runner. (Down right frightening)

Heard the same about the wranglers...

 

[VermontTaco]

Cross the Ridge Grapplers off the list! Great all around tire but horrible on snow packed icy roads!
Look at the Nokians

Helpful, thanks

 

[MPGunther]

Wild peaks IMHO

 

[JaidenA]

I know there are other threads on these tires, I've read them all but still wondered about snow driving.

I have a TH, and I'm going to keep the stock 18" rims. I live in VT, so lots of snow driving on hilly terrain. I do a lot of road/highway driving as well and hit the trails a few times per month (mostly summer and fall). Not as concerned about off-road capabilities, as most of these tires perform well enough for my needs.

I'm looking at:

• Ridge Grapplers
• Ko3's
• Toyo open country 3's
• Wildpeak A/T 4's

I've heard the Wildpeaks are great in snow, but they are about 8 lbs heavier than the rest.

Also torn a bit between 285x70x18 and 275x70x18. I've heard that 285's can be tight on the TH.

I've had the Ridge grapplers before, not that great in snow but loved them off road. I really liked my Goodyear Duratracs in snow, best snow tire I've had IMO. I'm looking at either a set of KO3'sor a set of Goodyear Duratrac RT's in 275/70/18. Never heard anything but good things about KO@'s and KO3's but no personal experience with them.

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