Tire options - OEM Dunlop reviews are not great for Snow

Asking opinions on my tire situation. I recently picked up a '24 TRD ORP and it came with the Dunlop AT20 Grandtreks (see pic).

The ride has been smooth and fairly quite so no issues there - but nearly all dry weather driving w 2k on them. As Winter is approaching (I'm in New England), I am getting a bit hesitant to leave these on based upon all the reviews - especially from owners of other 4Runners. Apparently, these are pretty bad on snow and wet conditions. Anyone have these during the Winter in snowy regions?

I've been reading great things about the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T tires and wondered if anyone is using these (pic w specs). Same OEM size -265/70R17 and decent price. These are not E rated tires but are 44lbs/ea so prob no MPG difference from the current tires. These are severe snow service rated.

I should also mention I live on a hill, and have a fairly steep driveway.

Thoughts?

 

Theyre pretty good tires. I suggest reading more on here

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/mickey-thompson-baja-boss-at.751616/

 

I think they are ok for one season.

 

I haven't heard or read anything bad about the Baja Boss. A guy I wheel with has 'em on his Tacoma. They are a great tire. I would have put 'em on my Silverado last week, but Discount tire wouldn't mount 285's on a 7" wheel. Bought 285 Duratracs instead. The Goodyear store was more than happy to take my money.

You're a smart man getting rid of the Dunlops before it snows.

 

welcome

 

I would look at any tire that has the severe snow rating and go from there. If you can afford to run two sets of tires, a dedicated snow tire might be best.

 

Falken Wildpeaks are great in the wet (I live in Raleigh, NC where it rains a ton) and they have been great so far. I can't speak to snow yet (wish I could, it hasnb't snowed here in ages). I'm not a fan of Dunlops in general.

 

Super impressed with the Cooper Discoverer Rugged Trek's. Had AT3's on my Tacoma, but wanted something a bit more aggressive.

 

Welcome from E.Pa.
I drove my 2008, 2012 FJ Cruiser, 2015 Tacoma TRD Sport Access Cab, 2018 4Runner TRD OR & last yr my 2023 4Runner TRD PRO all W/ OEM tires in all different kinds of snow here in East Pa. Not a SINGLE issue in any weather. It all comes down to do you know how to drive the equipment you're driving. Plain & simple. Mfg are not gonna sell a vehicle in an area W/inferior tires. Think of the liability, they know what they're doing. Are there better tires for you & the conditions? Hell yes & if you want to spend the $$$ prematurely have at it. I did R&R the OEM on my last 4Runner @ 28k miles only because I wanted a more aggressive tire & next size up, NOT because of inadequate performance. You're gonna get all kinds of "answer's" advice here. Some people are over the top on OEM tires being SO inadequate. Just like mine, everyone has an opinion & just like @..Holes most of them Stink Like I always say,It's your Buy what makes YOU Happy & feel good!

 

I agree with your sentiment as it relates to 95%+ of 4wd SUV drivers..... but there is a big difference between occasional snow/ice conditions and frequent severe snow/ice conditions. The OEM tires are completely inadequate for the latter. This is not something that I've read on the internet, this is what I have experienced with 4 previous Tacomas, 4 previous Tundras, and most recently 2 4Runners. My wife is on her 4th Silverado and would tell you the same thing. We live at altitude with a 1/4 mile steep driveway off a rural road that seems to get forgotten by the town and county. I have run BFG KOs, GY Wrangler Duratracs, Cooper Disc AT3, and now Toyo OC AT3s and agree with a previous poster that any name brand AT tire with a severe snow rating will serve the purpose.

 

Thanks all the quick responses and welcome messages (I thought I had introduced myself and new ride but it was actually in a FBook group). I looked thru the Tacoma thread re: the MT tires and came away thinking those tires are indeed a solid choice. Taking a trip to Michigan for the Turkey break in Nov so prob not going to be installing them until mid Dec.
Thanks again for all the comments.

 

Ok your road is 1 thing ,But your & his Driveway's are your responsibilities to make accessible safely, & I know snow can come at anytime when you're not there to clear it to. So, yes you may need a more aggressive tire Agree%100.He was inquiring only for his steep driveway. Like I stated, YES there are way better choices for tires, but do you really need them for his circumstances was my response. P.S. All tires that came on all my previous Toyota's: FJ's 2 ea, Tacoma,1,4Runner 2ea Have never gave me any issue in any conditions I encountered, Rain, Snow. Just My experience's Be safe !!!

 

When I got my 17 taco, I drove from southern Maine to north of Bangor (about 3 hours) in a snow storm to pick up a cat and back. Got home told my wife this thing is like a tank, I can just imagine if I had snow tires, I might have driven more aggressive. One year later, drove back from Bangor area in a light snow storm, and told my wife the tires got to go, they are dangerous.

Saved my OEM tires on the runner for more long highway trips.

 

If you thought a Taco was a tank, you should 've driven an FJ!!! Had 2 & would still be owning them IF Toyota still Produced them!!!! Had 2 08 & 2012 & am on my 2nd 4Runner. The 4Runner is Awesome & more luxurious then FJ, But for me the FJ was the best!!!

 

I always wanted one, I could not afford them at the time. Just this past year, I saw a used one at local dealer, but it was gone before I could check it out.

 

Yes, unfortunately my driveway is my responsibility. It was fun when I was a kid but for the last decade or so I just dread it.

 

Sweet !! Where do you reside??Oh Man I so envy you!!
I have a 2024 Polaris Sportsman 570EFI EPS (I love riding vs destroying 4Runner) for Plowing. Have New mount plate need to install, gonna use same Plow/Mid Tube from my 2011 Previous Polaris 500Sportsman.

 

Wheb I got my 2022 TSE, i dumped the Dudlops when they had 1000 miles on them and went with Falken Wildpeak AT3 in SL. Ive used them on my 2007 and 2011 and have nothing but great experiences with them. They are also my all-year tire. Ive also cut through 10+” of snow with ease.

you also cant go wrong with MT Baja Boss

 

If you want a tire similar to Grandtrek weight (40 lbs) And operating road tire pressure 32-34 psi cold with stock shocks & springs-I would stick to SL or XL rated All Terrain tires. Grandtreks are All Season.so you are getting better traction in all categories. Your take-off Grandtrek have some value to offset your new tire costs.
My Pirelli Scorpion AT plus are 3 peak snow rated, smooth & quiet. Weigh 42 lbs (in stock size). Walmart has advertised at $160 plus fees.

 

If anyone wants my Dudlops, i’ll sell them (4) for $400 if your near Chester Springs, Pa

 

too bad they dont come in SL or C load 285/70/17

 

The GrandTreks are crap.

The good: they're excellent for highway driving. Very quiet and confortable. Great for dry conditions.

The BAD: they hydroplane BAD and are potentially dangerous. Idk why Toyota thought they were a good idea as OEM.

Anyways, I spend a lot of time in upstate NY so a lot of snow and honestly I don't think snow tires are worth it. So I went with Falken WildPeaks A/T4W. They're an excellent compromise, I absolutely love them.

Also, let's be real, the past 2-3 winters have been mild and based on how warm it still is, I doubt the whole northeast will get much snow. Snow tires are not worth it unless you live in the White Mountains. I think snow might be a thing of the past in this area tbh...

 

Don’t run those stock tires in the snow. They will suck. Get a separate set of wheels and snow tires for the winter. Then you can run the stock tires in the summer until they are worn out.

 

You’ve got to be joking. Those dunlops will be absolute garbage in the snow. Manufacturers put on the cheapest tires they can get away with.

 

Nope had ZERO issues driving the the snow.

 

This is so subjective, I’ve driven in snow all my life, many years with bad tires, some years bald. You learn how to drive in snow or ice (which is far worse) and good tires become an improvement not a requirement.

my wife had a VW gulf with brand new tires and she couldn’t keep the car straight until we added weight to the rear. She wasn’t experienced with snow driving, and I would take the car and do donuts and other fun sliding with it.

 

adding rear weight to a fwd car. Isnt that counter intuitive?

 

I ran my brand new Dunlops when I bought CPO 4R last winter. They were fine in the light snow/slush we got. Great all summer on the highway.

I just ditched them though for the Baja Boss AT XL, as I know we are likely to get a bad winter here at any time and Id rather have a more capable tire.

For the NE area, Id honestly get a set of dedicated winter tires and run those for the crappy winter months.

 

If you live and drive a lot in real snow, get set of ORP wheels on FB marketplace and a set of dedicated snow tire. Blizzaks are one of the better snow tires.

 

Were you driving like 5 mph?