Today, we’re talking all things tires. Snow tires, to be specific. Because if there’s one sure thing in this world, it’s that tires can make or break your ride. This is especially true if you use your truck as a plow truck. Cutting through the snow can be tricky, so you need the right set of tires on your rig to keep your plow game strong – even through the thickest blizzards. Let’s dig into the specifics to find the right set of winter snow tires.
The Winter Tire Breakdown
What’s so special about winter tires, anyway? Are they really that different from all-season tires? Winter tires (a.k.a. snow tires) are designed to better handle the snow during the cold season. Compared to all-season tires, they are designed to cut through the snow and maximize traction in icy conditions.
There are a few different ways they’re different from all-season tires. They’re made with a different type of material that keeps them from becoming too rigid in the frosty winter months. In colder temps, all-season tires stiffen and become less pliable. This increased stiffness can reduce traction in wet, snowy, and icy road conditions.
Winter tires are also engineered to perfection when it comes to tread depth and tread patterns. The tread depth on snow tires is typically deeper and often features patterns made to channel slush and snow away from the tread. If you take a closer look at your snow tires, you’ll probably also spot an increased number of sipes, or tiny, little slits in the tire edge to get more of a bite on wet and icy pavement.
Long story short – not all tires are created equal, and you should keep this in mind when you’re picking out a new set of tires for your plow truck.
Find Your Perfect Set
Having trouble narrowing down the options? We get it – the insane amount of choices can be overwhelming. Here’s our breakdown of the top-performing snow tires for your plow truck.
- Michelin LTX Winter – This is one of the highest-rated winter tires out there. If you’re plowing with a medium or heavy-duty truck, this is our go-to pick. With a 40,000-mile warranty, you’ll get more mileage out of these babies than most other tires. However, all that extra traction isn’t free. This option is one of the more expensive ones available. We think the high quality is totally worth it, though.
Firestone Winterforce CV – Looking for a more economical option for your medium or heavy-duty plow truck? Then the Firestone Winterforce CV can do just the trick. It boasts some of the best traction and overall performance in snowy, icy, and slushy road conditions. Plus, it earns bonus points for being extremely durable – which is a good thing, considering this set doesn’t come with a treadwear warranty from the manufacturer.
- Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 – This is our top pick for light-duty plow trucks. While it’s technically a winter tire, this one doesn’t just perform in winter conditions – it does well in dry conditions, too. When it comes to performance, it ranks among the highest in its class with excellent traction in not just snow but also ice. The one downside? No warranty on this one, either.
- General Grabber AT2 – Looking for a more beefy, rugged all-terrain (AT) tire? Give the General Grabber AT2 a shot. While it doesn’t come with a warranty, it’s incredibly durable, so you’ll be able to use it for multiple seasons. And if you’re really getting into the deep stuff, you can even add studs to this one to give yourself just a little bit more bite.
At the end of the day, tires can make or break your plow truck. If you can’t get enough traction, you’re not really going to be able to push that pesky snowdrift out of the way. Whether you’re slipping on ice or snow, it can be frustrating. Do yourself a favor and invest in a quality set of snow tires. We can promise you that you’ll be glad that you did. If you have any questions about getting your truck ready for winter with a Magnum Truck Rack, contact us today!
