Minnesota Winter Tires?

[EddyB]

Looking for recommendations on winter tires for up north here in Minneapolis.

I've got a second set of the limited rims (R20) and from what I see from this calculator (Tire Size Calculator) I can run the stock 275/55R20 or to stay within +/- 1%:
245/60 - 9.6" wide
295/50 - 11.6" wide
275/55 - 10.8" wide - Stock
255/60 - 10.0" wide
305/50 - 12.0" wide
Not doing a ton of off-roading, but we do get considerable snow up here, so just curious if anyone has any experience with a specific type of tire to use and if it's worth it to change the sizing to allow for a smaller or larger contact patch.

Thanks in advance.

 

[GrumpyOleMan]

Greetings,
I put Falken Wildpeak AT3W on mine. Stock size for my 22" rims and they handled our Dakota winter wonderfully. Not exactly a dedicated snow tire, but they are three mountain peak rated.

 

[Bt10]

Looking for recommendations on winter tires for up north here in Minneapolis.

I've got a second set of the limited rims (R20) and from what I see from this calculator (Tire Size Calculator) I can run the stock 275/55R20 or to stay within +/- 1%:
245/60 - 9.6" wide
295/50 - 11.6" wide
275/55 - 10.8" wide - Stock
255/60 - 10.0" wide
305/50 - 12.0" wide
Not doing a ton of off-roading, but we do get considerable snow up here, so just curious if anyone has any experience with a specific type of tire to use and if it's worth it to change the sizing to allow for a smaller or larger contact patch.

Thanks in advance.

I'm not sure a 245 tire would stretch to the rim width, but some of those lowrider guys could probably help with that.

Also not sure who would've told you 1%, unless that's just your personal desire. Most people go to the 275/60/20 because that's what all the rest of the half ton world runs, including 4th gen Ram and Chevy and Ford truck and SUV, and their are many more SL or C range tire choices.

 

[mikeru82]

First you need to decide (maybe you have?) if you want to run a dedicated snow tire in winter, or go with a 3PMSF rated A/T tire year-round. But whichever you decide, for best winter traction, go with the narrowest tire that will fit the rim. Wider tires tend to act like skis and stay on top of the snow, while narrower tires tend to penetrate down to provide more traction. Any tire store can tell you which tire and wheel width combinations will work.

 

[EddyB]

First you need to decide (maybe you have?) if you want to run a dedicated snow tire in winter, or go with a 3PMSF rated A/T tire year-round. But whichever you decide, for best winter traction, go with the narrowest tire that will fit the rim. Wider tires tend to act like skis and stay on top of the snow, while narrower tires tend to penetrate down to provide more traction. Any tire store can tell you which tire and wheel width combinations will work.

Yes, planning on dedicated winter tire. Will swap with seasons.

Anyone ran like the 255/60, or would that be too narrow to fit the wheel?

 

[millerbjm]

Hello - I am also in Minnesota and have run a dedicated set of winter tires on my ram 1500 for a few years now. I have been running the Bridgestone Blizzak DMV2 in stock 275 /55 R20 117T XL BSW. I have been very happy with traction in deep snow and stopping on ice etc. I run the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W the rest of the season which are 3 peak M/S rated and work great if I haven't made the seasonal change and get and early or late storm etc. but the Blizzaks are noticeably better.

 

[RichInMN]

Hello - I am also in Minnesota and have run a dedicated set of winter tires on my ram 1500 for a few years now. I have been running the Bridgestone Blizzak DMV2 in stock 275 /55 R20 117T XL BSW. I have been very happy with traction in deep snow and stopping on ice etc.

Exact same here, also in MN - love Blizzaks, I run them on the factory wheels. In summer I run Firestone Destination LE3 on Raceline Spike wheels. I was so happy to get rid of the factory Alenzas - those things are trash!

 

[ceh329]

I just moved to MN and was reading this thread. Never really had to do much winter driving. If I plan on just driving mainly on city and highway would Falken Wildpeak A/T3W be sufficient?

 

[HSKR R/T]

I just moved to MN and was reading this thread. Never really had to do much winter driving. If I plan on just driving mainly on city and highway would Falken Wildpeak A/T3W be sufficient?

They will be sufficient, especially if you use 4-auto.

 

[millerbjm]

I just moved to MN and was reading this thread. Never really had to do much winter driving. If I plan on just driving mainly on city and highway would Falken Wildpeak A/T3W be sufficient?

Depends on your definition of sufficient. I run Wildpeaks April - Nov and Blizzaks Nov-April. The Wildpeak are good in snow and much better than all-seasons. A dedicated winter tire may not be much better on snow but they are noticeably better at start, stop and turn on ice. So you don't need them but they help when driving in active weather and I figure if they prevent a single fender bender they pay for themselves.

 

[Chris3058]

Looking for recommendations on winter tires for up north here in Minneapolis.

I've got a second set of the limited rims (R20) and from what I see from this calculator (Tire Size Calculator) I can run the stock 275/55R20 or to stay within +/- 1%:
245/60 - 9.6" wide
295/50 - 11.6" wide
275/55 - 10.8" wide - Stock
255/60 - 10.0" wide
305/50 - 12.0" wide
Not doing a ton of off-roading, but we do get considerable snow up here, so just curious if anyone has any experience with a specific type of tire to use and if it's worth it to change the sizing to allow for a smaller or larger contact patch.

Thanks in advance.

I run Bridgestone Blizzak LT....they are great pure snow tires.

 

[Dewey]

I just moved to MN and was reading this thread. Never really had to do much winter driving. If I plan on just driving mainly on city and highway would Falken Wildpeak A/T3W be sufficient?

The factory Wildpeaks aren’t very good. Aftermarket A/T3’s or currently A/T4’s are dramatically better. Totally different tread pattern and much more aggressive side lugs.

Mine are incredible in the snow. Best I’ve found so far.

Factory tires in the background

 

[HSKR R/T]

The factory Wildpeaks aren’t very good. Aftermarket A/T3’s or currently A/T4’s are dramatically better. Totally different tread pattern and much more aggressive side lugs.

Mine are incredible in the snow. Best I’ve found so far.

Factory tires in the background

View attachment 193154

I felt the factory Wildpeaks were great in the snow. Was able to do more than a buddy who had a Rebel with BFG KO3s in it.

 

[mikeru82]

Agreed. The factory Wildpeaks I had on the 2020 Laramie I used to own worked great for winter driving. Some of the best tires I've had on a truck.

 

[Dewey]

I felt the factory Wildpeaks were great in the snow. Was able to do more than a buddy who had a Rebel with BFG KO3s in it.

I was speaking more about tire wear and tread depth. The factory puts lower grade tires on than we can buy in a tire shop. Been doing that forever. As far as factory tires go these Wildpeaks are by far the best I’ve gotten on a new truck.

Factory were fine in snow till they had about 30,000 miles on them and then dropped off quite a bit so I replaced them.

The new tires are beasts compared to the factory tire. I can do more in 2WD now than I often could in 4WD before. There’s just no comparison between factory and aftermarket as seen here.

 

[OlegShv]

An all-terrain tire even with a 3PSMF symbol will never be as good as a dedicated winter tire. I am in Alaska and run Wildpeaks AT3WA. Apr-Oct, and Blizzak DMV2 Oct-Apr.

 

[HARDWATERFLYER]

Just put a set of WILDPEAK A/T4-4w 285/45R22-114T on last week. Previously had 2 sets of the A/T3 version first on a 2020 Laramie Night Edition after the Scorpions wore out at 20,000 miles. Worked out great. The 2023 Laramie Night Edition came with WILDPEAK A/T3 tires as I ordered the "Off Road Group." Again I thought the tires were very good in the winter here in western Minnesota. With the A/T4's now on I'm impressed even more. Winter just arrived so we'll see how they do but dry pavement yielded little if any road noise and very crisp handling on curvy 2 lanes drives. Not sure how much more this tire weighs but winter blend gas is here and that seems to decrease MPG along with the colder temps.
I've had lots of different brand tires along the way. Retired now. I'll stick with WILPEAKS.