Auto123.com presents its 2024-2025 winter tire buying guide. On Friday, we presented a summary of the state of the art in the field. Yesterday, we discussed winter tires for cars and small SUVs. Today, we take a look at products for larger SUVs and pickup trucks.
See: Winter tires in 2024-2025: introduction
See: The best winter tires for cars and small SUVs in 2024-2025
This article covers tires for larger SUVs and pickup trucks, as well as vans and light commercial vehicles.
Many of the tires discussed are carryovers from last year. Note that the trend in recent years has been toward more aggressive tires that are clearly designed primarily for off-road use.
Of course, they meet the demand of motorists who are attracted by rugged versions of pickups like the Ford F-150 Raptor and Tremor and even Ranger and Bronco Raptor, Chevrolet Silverado and Colorado (ZR2 and Bison versions), GMC Sierra and Canyon AT4, and Jeep Gladiator Rubicon of this world, like the large Ford Expedition Timberline SUVs and Z71 versions of Chevrolet models, among others.
Even the Ford Transit and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans are available with four-wheel drive and very aggressive tires for off-road excursions.
LT tires
If you have a heavier-duty pickup truck like a Ford F-250, Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra 2500 HD, or even a Ram 2500 HD, make sure your choice is marked LT (Light Truck), to accommodate the additional weight you might be carrying.
Obviously, the same advice also applies to F-350 or 3500 HD users, but here, we are mainly addressing entrepreneurs who should know more about these restrictions.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5, Outpost and LT3
As is the case with cars, our van tire guide begins with products from Finnish manufacturer Nokian. The model Hakkapeliitta R5 is ideal for more “normal” travel in urban or motorway situations, both for its quiet ride and its grip despite the absence of studs (optional).
However, more and more van drivers are choosing the version Outpost nAT which is a more aggressive, smooth and quiet tire on dry roads and very effective in snow and mud with remarkable off-road skills. In addition, the Outpost is an “approved” tire, usable in both summer and winter. I have been using this tire on a Jeep Wrangler TJ for a few years and I am fully satisfied with it.
Finally, still at Nokian, we must mention theHakkapeliitta LT3 which is truly more robust, specifically designed for work-only pickup trucks. Available in many sizes, this tire available in regular or studded versions can also be used with rugged SUVs such as the Bronco Raptor, Jeep Rubicon and Gladiator, and others.
Michelin X-Ice Snow and BF Goodrich T/A KO3
The Michelin catalog has no shortage of choices when it comes to winter tires for light trucks and SUVs. Most of the French brand’s products are both quiet and efficient, including the most recent ones. X-Ice Snow and North (the latter being studded). They are even available in SUV (CUV) version for large utility vehicles.
It should be noted that if you are looking for a product that is as good in winter as in summer, Michelin now offers its approved tire Cross-Climate 2 in the Agilis range for vans and large SUVs.
The BFGoodrich brand belongs to the Michelin group. It is therefore not surprising that it is under this banner that Michelin offers a more aggressive tire, but recognized for its off-road capabilities where it has already proven itself.
Since last year, BFGoodrich has been offering an improved version of this tire, now renamed T/A KO3 which is approved for winter and summer. It is available in 33 sizes for rims from 16 to 20 inches.
Note that the version Commercial T/A Traction is specific to heavier-duty trucks in commercial applications.
Goodyear and Cooper
The legendary American brand Goodyear needs no introduction. Its experience with heavy-duty products has beneficial effects on the world of vans.
Although Goodyear offers an excellent range of winter tyres under the name WinterCommand, our experience indicates that its rubber Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar would be the best compromise for dry, snowy, icy roads, or even for off-road driving situations. In addition to a reputation for its durability, it is also approved for winter and summer.
Obviously, it is unthinkable to ignore the version DuraTrac if you are looking for a very aggressive tire with superior grip in mud and snow for your work truck. It is a little noisy on dry pavement, but this product is superior to many others when it comes to intense work.
The legendary American brand Cooper is now under the wing of Goodyear, which is working to improve its products. Cooper offers a range of more affordable tires for light trucks, but for winter, we recommend the Discovererwhose Stronghold AT and especially the new one Road+Trail AT. These models are presented as approved tires. We can also recommend the Snow Clawa very aggressive tire.
Bridgestone Blizzak LT and W695 and Firestone Winterforce LT
Bridgestone is bringing back the LT versions of its Blizzak (remember that SUVs and light vans can be equipped with Blizzak WS90 (appropriate). LTs are excellent winter tires for full-size pickup trucks, especially on icy pavement. Note that the W695 version is primarily intended for commercial pickup trucks.
Bridgestone also markets a second quality tire, the Firestone Winterforce. It is available in LT version or even with studs. It can be noisy depending on the road surface. It is available with studs.
Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive
Italian manufacturer Pirelli also has an interesting range of winter tires for vans, including the Scorpion WeatherActive which is intended to be an “all-season” tire approved for high-end vehicles. Otherwise, you can always rely on the ATR and the All Terrain Plusthe latter being ideal for smaller SUVs.
Continental and General Grabber
While Continental winter tires can be recommended for most light trucks and SUVs on the market, the availability of winter tires is particularly noteworthy. From Contact Winterspecifically created for delivery vans like the Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. There is even a homologated version Van Contact A/S Ultra in the catalog.
Alternatively, at General Tire, which is under the Continental umbrella, truck owners can take a look at the version Grabber Arctic LTan affordable mid-range product.
Other brands
Of course, there are several other reputable brands that produce winter tires, but not all of them are necessarily recognized, even if they are of good quality. If you look at previous versions of our guide, you will see several that are carried over.
These include the Toyo Observe GSi-6 in LT or Open Country versions including the WLT or A/T III (approved), the Yokohama Geolandar including the popular A/T G015 version or the very recent A/T XD G017 (both approved) for more robust and efficient vans in snowier northern regions.
Other brands include Hankook with its Dynapro I*cept, I*Pike RW11 and, above all, the studless RW10 Winter I*cept X, a tire created for icy roads. Add to this list Lauffen (second-quality brand of the South Korean manufacturer Hankook) with its I FIT Ice, Toyo with its approved Celsius II, Yokohama AG53 for SUVs and even the Kumho Road Venture AT52, which has been brought back to us.
In a more budget-friendly niche, GT Radial seems to satisfy several buyers with its Adventurer AT-AW (manufactured in various parts of the world, including South Carolina) while we can add other makes and models like the Falken Rubitrek AT4 Wildpeak (homologated), Nitto Grappler and the Nexen Roadian HTX2 to the list.
We haven’t tried them all, but according to dealers, many consumer reviews are positive. The Motomaster Edge we covered last year is now available for pickups as the HD for Pickups.
As for more affordable tires, we can mention the availability of the Hercules Avalanche (made by Cooper), the Sailun Rovelo, the WestLake Z-401 and Maxxis Victra SUV, the latter two of Chinese origin. We do not have enough data to judge them.
Finally, if you are wondering why imported tires (especially from Asia) are not mentioned in this article, it is because we have not had enough opportunity to test them.
Although most of the opinions are those of the author, some information comes from the manufacturers. Thanks to the people at Pneus Premier Choix in Laval (including Jonathan and Étienne) for their information.
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