Winter tires for just one trip?

[MisterBen]

I just bought a new set of Bridgestone Revo 2's for my Tacoma, and I got a pretty good deal. The factory tires are terrible as far as traction goes. They are so new they aren't even installed yet, as I have an appointment next week.

Where I live I have absolutely zero need for winter tires. It snows once every other year, and it only lasts a day or two. Additionally, the Revo's get really good reviews as tires to use in snow.

This winter my girlfriend and I are planning a winter road trip to see a few National Parks and visit my family. It will be about 4500 or so miles, and towards the later part of December. My question is, should I buy dedicated winter tires just for this trip? I pretty much bought the Bridgestones for the trip, but I realize they are not winter tires.

Safety of course is the utmost concern, but Christmas is going to be very expensive anyway and I don't want to drop $500 on winter tires if I don't have to.

What do you think?

 

[UG_Passat]

why not carry 2 sets of chains?

 

[Colt45ws]

Are these all terrains that are "snow flake on the mountain" marked?

 

[MisterBen]

They are not snowflake rated, just all season or whatever. I planned to have a full set of snow chains just in case and 2-300lbs of play sand in the back for extra traction.

All the "stuff" out there says you should buy winter tires. I grew up in the snowy midwest and I've made the trip twice in the winter with probably much more questionable vehicles, and I've never owned a set of snow tires. However, both times I took the direct route (3200 instead of 4500 mi). We will be going the long way to see all kinds of stuff both directions, including through Moab/Arches and Rocky Mountain National Park.

I'm not really concerned about going, only traction for stopping or that big ice patch hiding on a clear highway (been there done that). I have dedicated ice-sole boots at work, and the difference is incredible. I guess my job makes me think a lot more about safety than I used to, but it is probably overkill.

ETA: It is also possible I may not be able to run chains in the front due to interference issues with the suspension or chassis... Still researching this.

 

[Herz]

when it snows here ( the occasional 2 or 3 feet every 2 or 3 years lol) the bfg rugged trails get the job done. [censored], I think thats what comes standard on your tacoma. Though, I have the e load range ones you probably had the standard ones.

Well I'd just toss some chains on it and you will be fine.

Onmo I think the mountain marked tires are only good if the truck is 4x4 aswell. not sure though.

 

[MisterBen]

I have the Dunlop Grand Trek AT20's on my truck. They are terrible.

Good to know about those tires though. I am not worried about getting stuck with the Bridgestones... just stopping!

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: MisterBen
Safety of course is the utmost concern,

Sounds like you answered your own question. You can't put a price on safety. A lot can happen in 4500 miles, and $500 is probably what your deductible would be should you get into an accident.

 

[HTSS_TR]

I used to live in Minnesota for few years, before that I lived in Illinois and both states have a lot of snow, specially Minnesota. I did not have any problem driving on 8-12" snow with all-season tires on '82 Supra which is a rear wheel drive sport car. The main thing is you need to be careful and pay attention to traffic around you (when it snows) so that you don't brake hard or jerk steering then you'll be okay with Bridgestone Revo 2's on your Tacoma.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I used to live in Minnesota for few years, before that I lived in Illinois and both states have a lot of snow, specially Minnesota. I did not have any problem driving on 8-12" snow with all-season tires on '82 Supra which is a rear wheel drive sport car.

On the other hand, the all-season Bridgestone RE960 on my 530i (also RWD) proved rather pitiful during last Chicago winter. With some slush or light snow, and the DSC/traction control was working overtime. I really had to take it super extra slow to prevent fishtailing. Hence, I avoided taking the car out most of the time. But if I was forced to drive it during winter, I would have certainly gotten dedicated winter tires.

 

[rpn453]

Since you'll have good all-seasons I wouldn't get winter tires for a single highway trip. If you run into some winter driving conditions you can drive just as safely on all-seasons as winter tires; you just have to go slower!

You may be legally required to carry a set of chains in the mountains (unless you have studded tires), depending on the route.

Originally Posted By: defektes
Onmo I think the mountain marked tires are only good if the truck is 4x4 aswell. not sure though.


Tire ratings are independent of drive configuration. A winter tire on a 2WD truck is still better on ice and snow than the same truck with all-seasons.

 

[javacontour]

Why not rent an SUV for the trip? It keeps the miles off your vehicle and likely will have a better tire for mountain roads.

 

[Captain_Klink]

Not if you have Revo 2. The way to find out is to read through the reviews on Tire Rack. Here is one review:
I have a 02 Grand Cherokee and i like to go play in the snow everytime it snows, and this tire has been AWESOME i still haven't got stuck yet..... I would definitely recommend this tire to people that does plowing during the winter. Very very good tire! Tread wear its not that great but I'm still happy with it.


Everyone at TireRack thinks the tires you bought are excellent, and will be great in the snow. Your Tacoma will be a perfect vehicle for the trip too.
From the looks of the tire, you should have a great trip!!!
All the best.

 

[c502cid]

You aren't driving through RMNP in the winter anyhow so I wouldn't worry about sliding off Trail Ridge Road (it's closed in winter). While I personally would find (rent? borrow?) another vehicle beofre taking a winter trip in a RWD taco, I think if you just use your smarts about it you should be ok. If safety is the number one concern then the tradeoff you have for taking your taco on a winter roadtrip is if the roads get too bad, you stop and enjoy where you are.
December driving the passes of Colorado? Practice putting on those chains now, it's a whole lot harder when your fingers are cold, snow is packed under your truck, and sliding semi's are mere inches away from your toes!

 

[stxonall8]

Is your truck 4x4 or not but either way I think you will be more than fine. I have yokohama geolanders at-s on my 2wd f-150 and wouldn't think twice about going on a trip like yours with it

 

[bepperb]

If you have new all season tires, then I probably wouldn't buy new snows just for the trip. If you're unfamiliar with driving in heavy snow (and even if you are), you're probably better off taking your money and staying a night in a hotel during a storm, and waiting a few hours for the plows to go through.

I've lived in WI for 30 years now, never owned snow tires. There were plenty of times I wished I did, but in the vast majority of those situations I probably shouldn't have been on the road anyway. Always seem to get where I need to go, but I replace tires pretty early when fall comes.

IMO, you'll be fine.

Is the truck 4x2 or 4x4, or did I miss that. 4wd doesn't help you stop, but it will make you more comfortable driving in snow.

 

[MisterBen]

Thank you very much for the replies everyone, they are very helpful!

I did forget to mention that my truck is a 4x4, and currently only has 10,000 miles on it (2009). I did a lot of reading and the Revo’s really get great reviews. I was torn between those and the Michelin LTX A/T 2’s, but the final deal I got on the Bridgestones sealed the deal (though I might have to buy two sets to keep up with one set of the Michelins). I am not the least bit worried about getting stuck in plain old snow in it, I’ve had a lot of experience with the stuff and it’s only since I moved to the Pacific Northwest that I don’t really have to deal with it.

At the end of this last May we took a summer road trip of 4500 miles, and the truck performed flawlessly. The last time I drove home for Christmas was in a 4x4 Cherokee, and while there were some hairy bits it did just fine. I definitely needed the 4WD to get through in some spots, as I drove through some pretty nasty weather. The snow doesn’t worry me; the ice that I don’t see worries me!

When I drove the Jeep home, on the way there I had a good bit of sliding around on slick highway. On the way back I had a couple pieces of furniture in the back and I don’t think I had any problems at all, so if I have enough sand in the back it will probably be just fine.

Bepperb, you’re probably right that the best bet is to just know when not to push my luck and stop if the weather gets too bad.

 

[Rand]

I'd buy some wheels and winter tires.. you can always sell them after and get 2/3 your money back probably. This trip is about fun.. and the safer more confident you are driving the more fun it will be.

or you could just run them in the winter.. since its new and you will have the truck for years.. you could just save wear on your revos for the other 3 seasons. Winter tires are better on black ice and on cold roads too not just snow.

I agree its overkill.

also if regular chains interfere I believe they make cable chains for that reason. You dont drive faster than 20mph with chains on anyway.

 

[rpn453]

Originally Posted By: javacontour
Why not rent an SUV for the trip? It keeps the miles off your vehicle and likely will have a better tire for mountain roads.


Wouldn't it have OEM tires? OEM tires are typically designed to be quiet and fuel efficient but are horrible for winter driving. There are exceptions, but it's extremely unlikely you'd receive an SUV from a rental agency with tires as good as those Bridgestones.

I'll add that I don't understand why anyone would even want to drive a rental vehicle instead of their own vehicle, unless their own vehicle is unreliable. Why wouldn't a person want to put the easy highway miles on their own vehicle? Is there really a situation with a normal vehicle where the depreciation is worth more than the rental cost? How would a rental car agency make money if they're charging less-than-depreciation value for rentals?

You don't even really need 4WD in the mountains if you have decent tires and some weight in the back. My buddy has been living in the middle of the Rockies for years with his 2WD '88 Dodge Ram. He plans on replacing it in the next few years with another 2WD truck. He hasn't needed 4WD yet and doesn't think the initial expense and fuel economy hit is worth it for the occasional time he may need it.

 

[Ursae_Majoris]

Make sure to carry some weight in the back. Tacos have a very light rear end. At least 300 pounds, more the better. I carried 350#, plus with a D-Cab I had more weight in the back already.

I had studs for my Taco (TRD OR 4x4), but factory BFG Slippery Trails were TERRIBLE in the snow, so I had to have winter tires.

Taco will plow thru just about anything in 4x4. Just remember that ABS is VERY touchy in those trucks. Your stopping distance will at least double if not triple on ice and snow.

 

[The_Jeff]

OTOH the snows will be noisy when you're driving on dry pavement. I like the "put the money toward a hotel room" idea... be flexible in your itinerary and enjoy the adventure!

If your Taco has a outside air temp display pay attention as you change altitude; that's where black ice hides. A map/GPS and weatheradio would complete the kit. (Weatheradio rattles off names of obscure towns at times, making the map handy.)

December is a great time to see the National Parks, they're empty, except for foreigners (!). Grand Canyon opens (opened) all sorts of roads to civilian cars that are normally closed during the busy season, and the elk and stuff bask in the absence of tourists.