22 TRD Pro first time in snow.... yikes! Should I switch out the OEM wildpeaks?

100%

i almost expected to read “my old ram truck didn’t do this”

 

From the beginning I was asking about the tires... but fight your fight.

 

In a lot of ways I’m with the OP on this one. My 21 Limited TRD OR with its factory tires is the worst thing I’ve driven in the snow in decades. It didn’t come with the Wildpeaks, though I’m guessing it’s factory LTX A/T2s are even worse. My old 2500HD was much better in the snow with its factory Goodyears, and even better with its later Revo’s and Duratracs. If our Tundra was a daily driver I’d be getting a set of winter wheels/tires for it, but we already have an SUV and an AWD sedan with dedicated Blizzaks that get most of our winter mileage. Dedicated winter tires are really the way to go.

 

Use tube steak instead... then there's snack time when you arrive at your destination.

 

You sir are a genius as usual.

 

Crew cabs dont have that whack of a weight bias. My F150 was something like 54:46 on the cat scale

 

Definitely driver error more than anything. I’ve been driving my pro with the stock Falkens on snow and ice since I bought it a month ago. Not the best tires but I haven’t had any issues, haven’t slid through any lights yet.

 

Studded Nokian Hakkapellitas here, they are stellar tires.
Came over the pass tonight, it's 21 miles of snow and ice-covered gravel misery here in North Idaho.

Hadn't even realized that the truck was in 2WD until we hit the driveway. Good studded snow tires are mandatory in heavy snow/ice country.

 

The Toyo AT3. So far, so good.

 

Consider yourself lucky you do not have Bridgestones.

 

Its the tires. I have a Hybrid Limited TRD OR and the Toyota spec AT3Wa tires are absolute trash. If the road is wet they spin when accelerating while already moving. If the road is wet they won't hook up initially. If the tires are cold they won't grab the road. I have 2500 miles on them and they are not wearing good. These are some of the worst tires I have every had on any vehicle. The 2018 Limited I traded had real Falken Wildpeak AT3W tires and they were some of the best I have ever put on a full size truck. Right up there with TOYO, General, and NITTO. If I was Falken there would be no way I would put my brand on the abortions Toyota spec'ed - I wouldn't want my name no where near them.

I have a set of Toyo's I need to find time to get put on this week as we have our first weather system of the winter moving in.

 

Any mailboxes? Cuz that's a thing around here.

 

Check out Hankook, or Blizzak maybe for sizing to fit. I had to go to Hankook with my 2nd gen Tundra for that reason. Honestly, they looked like the Hakka tread pattern, and I heard they'd purchased the mold from Nokia. They handled great for 3 or 4 winters in the snow, while I used them. I used to go to the ski resort (Smuggs was closest to where I lived at the time) every weekend with them on, and never had issues.

 

The other thing that I used to do in the snow, is after the first snow storm (3" or more) - I would find an empty parking lot not plowed yet, and check out how my snow tires handled at their current wear, and to remind myself on stops/turns /take-offs and how to handle those and expect the results. Highly recommend this.

 

Op, maybe if you change the topic subject to point out you're asking about tires, you'll get less defensive responses about the truck?

 

if you cant stop in the snow/ice, its either the tires or the driver, most of the time its the driver having too much confident in extremes conditions. But I do think newer tundras fake wildpeak is also part of the problem, I'd recommend get better tires and SLOW DOWN.

 

Is the normal AT3W good in snow? yes, we have 2 vehicles on them and they have been great so far.

Is the normal AT3W better than Toyota spec AT3W in snow? from my limited experience, yes.

Also another thing you must consider is most snow tires do not come larger than 275/70r18 , if you switch to normal AT3W, might as well go up to 285/75r18 which is true 35" but with minimal weight penalty.

 

Not to mention its fun! I've done this since I was 16... but hadn't had the chance yet when I came up to the traffic light last night. I also didn't mention it was a wet snow with some freezing rain and I was going downhill into the intersection. I was not going fast, the truck just didn't have much traction at all and was sliding... what is strange is that ABS/VSC didn't seem to be doing anything. I went back out later just to get a feel for the truck and ABS/VSC seemed much more engaged when I tested it (the traction was still not what I expected though).

I know folks seem to think I'm just a yahoo who was acting like an idiot and driving too fast for the conditions... But the traction really did not even come close living up to what I've experienced with even normal all season tires on other vehicles. It actually reminded me of a time years ago I got caught in a minor storm with true summer performance tires on a sedan. I had my 3 kids in the truck and was not out trying to push the limits in a new vehicle that I'm not used to. I was being cautious and was shocked that the truck just kept sliding regardless of my inputs.

I've experienced the difference good winter tires can make, and the lack of traction felt like inappropriate tires rather than a result of the heavy vehicle or my inability to drive.

I updated the title just to be more directed at the tires as suggested.

 

"...since I was 16..." Yup, that's when I started LOL - along with a few donuts, and other fun stuff in the snow. At the time, it was my father's '67 F100 w/351 under the hood, with 3 on the tree. and only 2wd with tires that weren't great in the snow, with a very light rear end.

 

My dad actually took me to a parking lot when I had my permit and told me to have fun... then my buddies and I used to play the game of pulling the e-brake from the passenger seat when going around turns in the snow. Kept the driver on his toes, that game worked better with the fwd stick shifts though. Smart high school kid decisions!

My dad also had the habit of moving bald tires to the back and new tires on the front drive wheels... always made for great fishtailing. Part of why I always believed in good winter tires at all 4 corners.

This is also only the second automatic transmission I've ever owned (other than my wife's van)... I suppose I could use more of the fake manual mode when in the snow.

 

OP, have you considered getting your tires siped? May be a cheaper alternative to replacement.

FTR my 37" Wildpeak AT3W have been stellar in the snow.

Best of luck finding a solution.

 

No actually, never done that. I'll check that out as an option.

 

It's too early to say they are junk in my opinion but they certainly have their limitations. They aren't snow tires and shouldn't be treated as such. Slow down, add weight to the back, anticipate red lights far in advance of when you normally would, and consider proper winter tires. Toyota probably should have renamed their custom version of the wildpeaks to avoid overconfidence but I'm not sure enough data is out there to call these tires junk.

Edit: I'd look at the Toyo AT3 if you want to upgrade. I've also been happy with KO2s on my SR5.

 

I took the car like tires off my Platinum in the first week and put some Cooper Rugged Treks on. I went with 275/60/20 and they are 4 ply with the three peak winter snow rating. They are not real heavy and ride very well. I can't speak of deep snow yet but they are very impressive in the rain and light snow we got so far. They got great ratings and look amazing.

$319+ Cooper Discoverer Rugged Trek Tires

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...3!537118804928!!!u!293946777986!&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

Those Cooper Rugged Treks look like a mean tire... Looks like 275/70 is the biggest size for the 18" rims. The AT3 & KO2s seem popular.

 

not too bad at 47 lbs at the 33.5" size, stock is 38 lbs at 32.5"

 

Threshold obviously set at 30 or so. Be sure to snap a nipple or two while you're at it.

 

I'm in the same position as you, OP.

I literally just ordered the regular Falken Wilpeak AT3Ws, but sized up a bit (to the 285/75R18 as @Downytide suggested earlier). I'm in Canada and have had the truck on winter roads for most of the 4,100kms I've got on it. Tire seller says they'll be here in 3-5 business days and then there's getting them installed, but I figure I should have an opinion on Toyota OE Wildpeaks versus regulars quite soon. I know @Kusala put on regular Wildpeaks but IIRC they switched them before taking delivery so may not have experience on the OEMs.

 

I'd love to hear some apples to apples comparisons! Not sure if I'm can handle waiting though. Either going to go with 285/75R18 real wildpeaks (seem like the clearance would be better than the 295/70R18, but the speedo would be even more off) or get a dedicated winter (275/70R18 blizzaks or the nokians if I can find those).