Best snow tires? (Anchorage: buying, live, prices) - Alaska (AK) - City-Data Forum

Classic Satch · 08-13-2008, 01:26 AM

I'm looking for input here. I"ve been told by several people that the best are the studded Nokian Hakkapelitta 5's. I priced them out for my 2007 Honda CR-V AWD and I'm looking at over $1000 for a set.

I have no problem spending that sort of money because I have a beautiful 18-month old daughter to think of. However, I'm just looking for opinions because a grand isn't a insignificant amount of money, especially given the short lifespan of a snow tire.

Rance · 08-13-2008, 04:24 AM

Well if you have another set of rims you could probably get 2 or 3 winters out of them easy. I get that with any brand of studded snow tire.

Classic Satch · 08-13-2008, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rance

Well if you have another set of rims you could probably get 2 or 3 winters out of them easy. I get that with any brand of studded snow tire.

Nah, I'm not buying a 2nd set of rims for my fathermobile. I'll probably get a nice set of all-seasons for the "summer" but I just want to make sure of these Nokians before I drop a nice chunk of change on them.

warptman · 08-13-2008, 07:38 AM

Goto Muffler City on 5th Avenue in Anchorage and see what they have there. They're usually the best place to get tires. I've heard good reviews on the BFGoodrich A/T's with studs. I have Toyo Open Country A/T's on my Ranger in Anchorage, I have yet to buy studs.

Moose Whisperer · 08-13-2008, 10:45 AM

Well, here’s my 2 cents:

I would reconsider the extra rims. I got a full set of four studded Mastercraft tires and steel wheels for my Pathfinder from Johnson’s for less than $1000 - closer to $875 if I remember. An extra set of steel wheels has two BIG advantages. One, you can easily swap them out yourself saving the hassle of going to the shop and greatly extending the life of both sets of tires. Two, I assume you currently have a nice set of aluminum wheels on your vehicle. Slide hard enough into a curb in cold weather and a cast aluminum wheel will crack making it unusable, where a steel wheel will give or bend slightly but still be drivable. Also, much easier to replace a $40 steel wheel than a $400 aluminum.

Marty Van Diest · 08-13-2008, 11:40 AM

The best tires are not that important. Just get a decent set of studded tires. I go to Diversified tire and get Cooper tires. I do agree with the second set of steel rims for winter.

It's more the type of driving that you do than the type of tires you have. Some people get by on all season radials but I wouldn't recommend that, I like to have studded tires all year around. I get two years out of them and then change them...but I do a lot of driving.

warptman · 08-13-2008, 11:43 AM

Marty is the cause of the ruts on that highway....

Solidwood · 08-13-2008, 02:03 PM

Best advice I can offer is a good set of tires and keep the air pressure equal in all of them. Most uncontrolled spins are caused by a low tire.

Highway tread, off-road- your choice just keep'em equal and you'll keep the dirty side down.

DannyL · 08-13-2008, 02:13 PM

Nokian is a good brand. I'm getting 4 new ones in 2 weeks (they have to get here first...lol)

Classic Satch · 08-13-2008, 02:56 PM

I appreciate all the input. I've heard good things about Johnson's but when I went down there, they quoted me $820 for a set of Maxxus all season radials. I've never even heard of Maxxus and then I found Goodyear's Fortera Tripletreds at Tirerack.com for $780-delivered, and they are pretty much the highest rated tire out there. Johnson's pricing seemed a bit high for an off-brand tire.

Johnson's is also the place that quoted me over $1k for those Nokians. However, that's right in line with prices I've seen elsewhere. I'll have to look into the spare wheels. I suppose they would make things easier.