Winter Tires for Toyota Trucks: The Ultimate Guide for Tacoma, Tundra, and 4Runner Owners

1. BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2

The BFG KO2 is a legendary all-terrain tire, highly rated for its durability, winter performance, and off-road capabilities.

  • Dry Street Driving: ★★★★☆
    The KO2 offers good handling on dry pavement for an all-terrain tire. It’s stable, though there’s a slight reduction in road comfort due to its aggressive tread pattern.

  • Wet Street Driving: ★★★★☆
    With deep treads and a silica-enhanced compound, the KO2 handles wet roads well. Its hydroplaning resistance is solid, though its traction can decrease a bit on extremely slick surfaces.

  • Snow Performance: ★★★★★
    Thanks to its 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) rating, the KO2 is exceptional on snow. The sidewalls and tread grooves are designed to bite into snow and maintain stability in icy conditions.

  • Off-Road Use: ★★★★★
    The KO2 is a top choice for off-road performance in snow, mud, gravel, and rocky conditions. Its sidewall design provides excellent puncture resistance, making it a reliable option for Toyota trucks in tough terrain.

  • Summary: The KO2 is an all-terrain tire that performs exceptionally well in winter conditions, offering a great balance of on-road and off-road capability.


2. Toyo Open Country A/T III

The Toyo Open Country A/T III is a newer all-terrain tire with a winter rating, designed to perform well both on and off-road.

  • Dry Street Driving: ★★★★☆
    The A/T III offers good handling on dry streets, with a slightly softer ride quality than some other all-terrains. Its stability is reliable on paved roads.

  • Wet Street Driving: ★★★★★
    With a new rubber compound and multi-wave sipes, the A/T III provides excellent wet grip and reduces hydroplaning, making it a great choice for wet winter driving.

  • Snow Performance: ★★★★☆
    With the 3PMSF rating, the A/T III performs well in snowy conditions. Its sipes and tread pattern help provide grip, although it’s not quite as aggressive as the KO2 in deep snow.

  • Off-Road Use: ★★★★☆
    The A/T III is capable in off-road conditions, particularly in dirt, gravel, and snow. It’s not as extreme as a dedicated mud tire, but it handles winter trails well and provides reliable traction.

  • Summary: The Toyo A/T III is an excellent all-terrain option that balances wet and dry street performance with off-road capabilities, making it well-suited for year-round use, including winter.


3. Falken Wildpeak A/T3W

The Falken Wildpeak A/T3W is an all-terrain tire with a reputation for durability and winter readiness, providing strong performance both on and off the road.

  • Dry Street Driving: ★★★★☆
    On dry streets, the A/T3W offers smooth handling and stability. Its tread is designed for comfort and low noise levels on paved roads.

  • Wet Street Driving: ★★★★☆
    This tire features deep tread grooves and sipes that enhance grip on wet surfaces, helping prevent hydroplaning. It provides confidence in rainy conditions.

  • Snow Performance: ★★★★☆
    With a 3PMSF rating, the A/T3W performs well on snow. It’s effective on both light and compacted snow, though it may not grip as well as the KO2 on thicker ice.

  • Off-Road Use: ★★★★★
    The A/T3W is robust in off-road conditions, with a tough sidewall that resists punctures. It handles snow, mud, and gravel well, making it a reliable choice for trucks that go off-road often.

  • Summary: The Wildpeak A/T3W is an outstanding all-terrain option with winter capability, suited for Toyota drivers who need a well-rounded, durable tire.


4. Toyo Open Country R/T Trail

The Toyo Open Country R/T Trail is a rugged terrain tire with a 3PMSF rating, bridging the gap between an all-terrain and a mud-terrain tire.

  • Dry Street Driving: ★★★★☆
    The R/T Trail is surprisingly stable on dry roads, given its aggressive tread pattern. However, it can be a bit noisier than other all-terrains.

  • Wet Street Driving: ★★★★☆
    It performs well on wet streets, offering good hydroplaning resistance due to its large grooves and sipes. However, it isn’t as effective as the A/T III in heavy rain.

  • Snow Performance: ★★★★☆
    With a 3PMSF rating, the R/T Trail does well in snowy conditions, but it’s not as grippy on ice as the KO2. Its durability and design provide solid performance in deep snow.

  • Off-Road Use: ★★★★★
    The R/T Trail is excellent for off-road conditions, with a durable construction and aggressive design that handles mud, snow, and rocky trails with ease.

  • Summary: For Toyota truck owners who want a versatile tire with a rugged design, the R/T Trail is a strong contender that balances off-road readiness with decent winter performance.


5. Nitto Ridge Grappler

The Nitto Ridge Grappler is a hybrid terrain tire that blends all-terrain and mud-terrain elements, giving it good winter and off-road abilities.

  • Dry Street Driving: ★★★★☆
    The Ridge Grappler provides good stability on dry roads. While it has a more aggressive tread, it’s surprisingly comfortable and quiet.

  • Wet Street Driving: ★★★★☆
    It handles wet conditions well, but it’s not as optimal for hydroplaning resistance as the A/T3W or A/T III. The grooves do help with water evacuation.

  • Snow Performance: ★★★★☆
    This tire has a 3PMSF rating, providing reliable traction in snow. However, its winter performance isn’t as optimized for icy roads as the KO2 or A/T III.

  • Off-Road Use: ★★★★★
    The Ridge Grappler is designed for off-road, handling everything from mud to rocky terrain. For Toyota truck owners who want a capable off-road tire with winter compatibility, it’s a great option.

  • Summary: The Nitto Ridge Grappler is a versatile hybrid tire with solid snow capability, ideal for those who need off-road performance with winter readiness.


Best Winter Tire for On-Road Use: Toyo Open Country A/T III

The Toyo Open Country A/T III balances dry and wet road performance with winter capabilities, making it an ideal choice for Toyota truck owners who mostly stick to paved roads. It provides a smooth, comfortable ride and excellent traction in winter conditions.

Best Winter Tire for Off-Road Use: BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2

The BFG KO2 is unbeatable for winter off-roading with its excellent snow traction and durability. It’s well-suited for Tacoma, Tundra, and 4Runner drivers who enjoy venturing off-road in all conditions.

Best Overall Winter Tire for Toyota Trucks: Falken Wildpeak A/T3W

The Falken Wildpeak A/T3W is the best all-around winter option, balancing on-road and off-road performance with strong snow handling. Its 3PMSF rating and all-terrain versatility make it an excellent choice for Toyota trucks facing diverse winter driving demands.


Conclusion

Each of these tires brings unique strengths for winter driving, whether you’re on paved streets, snowy highways, or rugged trails. For mostly on-road driving, the Toyo Open Country A/T III offers a smooth, stable ride. For rugged, off-road adventures, the BFG KO2 is a powerhouse in winter. And for those who need versatile performance, the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W is the best overall choice.