Thread: Winter tires for just one trip? - Bob Is The Oil Guy

Thanks for the replies everyone! I will check out cable chains. I did not know they were made for that. I don't expect to drive on the chains, the idea was more in case of emergency. It can't be pleasant to drive on! At this point, we only have a route-no itinerary. I planned it this way so we wouldn't have to try and meet any special deadline. I don't want to have to push it too much, so maybe that is the best route....

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.

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...

Originally Posted By: 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...

H*ll, sorry I assumed you were a 2WD Taco. Put on the new tires and go, no worries.

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

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...

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.

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.)...

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...