The Best Tires for Snow Plowing

Bridgestone, Michelin, and Firestone have built some of the best winter tires for plowing snow.
Written by Bellina Gaskey
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
background
Some of the best tires for snow plowing include the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2, Michelin Latitude X-Ice XI2, and Firestone Winterforce UV. These tires feature deep treads, high load capacity, and reinforced sidewalls to power your plow truck along the road without slippage.
Plow trucks are an area’s first line of defense when it comes to fighting dangerous winter road conditions. It’s important that their drivers can work effectively and safely to clear the way for the commuters and families who depend on them.
In addition to purchasing durable snow or all-terrain tires, snowplow drivers will want to compare
car insurance quotes online
to make sure they’re getting the appropriate coverage for the lowest rate possible.
Jerry
can find you a better car insurance plan with just a few swipes and clicks. Sign-up only takes 45 seconds, and within minutes you’ll be presented with your policy and dozens of competitive quotes.
The best part? The average Jerry user saves $879 a year on car insurance.
Keep reading to learn about all of the tires that made the cut when it comes to the best tires for snow plowing.
RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Find insurance savings

What makes a good tire for snow plowing?

Generally speaking, the top-performing snow plow tires are winter tires. With special treads, or "sipes," and more flexible rubber than all-season tires, winter tires are your best bet for navigating heavy snow and ice.
However, dedicated snow tires do not perform well at temperatures above 40 degrees F, necessitating that they be removed once the winter season ends. This is why many drivers––including snow plow drivers––opt for all-terrain tires specifically equipped for snow.
Good all-terrain tires can handle ice, slush, and rough roads, making them ideal choices for drivers who want to off-road or adventure on the days they aren’t plowing.
The tires listed below are a mix of winter tires and all-terrain tires.

Best tires for plow trucks

The following tires consistently receive high praise for their handling on slippery and snowy roads. They are winter tires specifically designed for plowing prowess.

Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2

Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2
Check it out with
Bridgestone
The Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 gives plow drivers the confidence and aggressive performance they need. This tire was designed for snow plowing and exhibits great traction on ice.
With a 2679-lb towing capacity, this tire is ideally suited for SUVs and light trucks. Its flexible rubber grips snowy roads with ease thanks to microscopic bite particles. Its body blends Bridgestone’s NanoPro Tech Multicell Compound with a normal winter compound.
The biggest downsides of this option include the lack of a warranty program and the limited sizes available.
Pros
Cons
Combats hydroplaning
No LT sizes
Great traction, braking on ice
Noisy highway driving
Aggressive block edges
No treadwear warranty

Michelin Latitude X-Ice XI2

Michelin Latitude X-Ice XI2
Check it out with
Michelin
The Michelin Latitude X-Ice XI2 is a winter tire that takes advantage of the latest technology to boost handling and ensure a great driving experience for snow plows.
This tire comes in four sizes, from 17" to 20", and works for SUVs and pickups. Cross-z sipes make for good traction, even for heavy vehicles. The X-Ice XI2 can also handle up to 2205 lbs.
Michelin’s Max Touch Construction gives this tire a unique shaped grip to keep drivers from slipping due to snow, ice, or hydroplaning.
Buyers can rest easy with a six-year standard warranty/40,000-mile treadwear warranty.
Pros
Cons
Good traction on snow and ice
Performance lacking outside of winter
Resists hydroplaning
Superior handling

Best stability

The following tires excel when it comes to providing a safe and stable ride, which is crucial if your plow vehicle is the first to hit the road after a heavy snowfall.

Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac

Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac
Check it out with
Goodyear
The Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac is as durable as it is aggressive. Its reinforced upper sidewall guarantees good puncture resistance, while its self-cleaning treads repel water, mud, and gravel to keep its lifespan long.
The DuraTrac comes in a variety of sizes, but three are recommended to plow drivers: the 126P is a wide tire (good aggression), the 115S is narrow (better for slippery surfaces), and the 123Q has a heavy-duty load capacity.
As an all-terrain tire, the DuraTrac is equipped to take you through rocky and rough terrain during and after the winter season. Since it’s one of the priciest options on this list, you can rely on the DuraTrac to last you a long time.
Pros
Cons
Good performance in deep snow, slush, ice
Pricey
Variety of size and performance options
Performance lacking with heaviest trucks

General Grabber A/Tx

General Grabber A/Tx
Check it out with
General Tire
The General Grabber A/Tx is highly praised for its on-road and off-road abilities. This tire is seriously equipped for winter––it is 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake certified for severe winter conditions and studdable.
Significant features of this tire include rim protectors to maintain integrity when driving around bumps and curbs and TractiveGroove technology to enable aggressive road grip.
The Grabber A/Tx comes in 15" to 20" sizes, making it compatible with many car models. General also engineered this tire for a comfortable ride, something not very common with all-terrain tires.
Pros
Cons
Great traction on snow
Noisy highway driving
Good performance in mud, slush, rough terrain
Treadwear warranty up to 50,000 miles
RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Find insurance savings

Best versatility

The following tires shine for their ability to handle a variety of terrains and winter conditions.

Thunderer Trac Grip M/T

Thunderer Trac Grip M/T
Check it out with
Amazon
The Thunderer Trac Grip M/T (which stands for mud-terrain) boasts best-in-class 19-inch treads, giving it aggressive traction and confident performance in off-roading. Open and tiered tread blocks maximize surface area contact with snow and ice.
This tire is great for heavy-duty trucks and has a C-class towing capacity. Many sizes have three-ply sidewall configurations to boost the Trac Grip M/T’s puncture resistance.
Pros
Cons
Good in mud
Noisy driving
Good for heavy towing
Not a super comfortable ride
Deep treads

Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar

Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar
Check it out on
Goodyear
The Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar is a formidable tire––after all, it’s reinforced by the same material that bolsters race car tires and bulletproof vests. Two layers of Kevlar add to this tire’s puncture resistance and performance.
Open treads give this tire traction that matches its aggressive look. If you’re looking for the 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake certification, you’ll have to opt for the large LT size.
While this tire may have a shorter lifespan than some of its competitors, it is a highly acclaimed option for off-roading and on-road plowing.
Pros
Cons
Great traction
Potentially shorter lifespan
Off- and on-road versatility

Best affordability

The final tires on the list are potential options for drivers with their budgets in mind.

Firestone Winterforce 2 UV

Firestone Winterforce 2 UV
Check it out with
Firestone
As its name suggests, the Firestone Winterforce 2 UV is a winter tire, and it is better suited for pickups than heavy-duty trucks. Still, its 2679-lb towing capacity is not to be taken lightly.
The Winterforce is 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake certified and is studdable. Dense sipes in the treads allow the tire to grip the road with a greater portion of its surface. Circumferential grooves assist with shedding water and slush.
Pros
Cons
Good in packed and deep snow
Better for pickups than heavy-duty trucks
Studdable

Falken Wildpeak AT3W

Falken Wildpeak AT3W
Check it out with
Falken
The Wildpeak AT3W (which stands for "wear, winter, wet performance") is adventure-ready for all terrains. Some of the deepest treads available make this tire a reliable choice for snow plows.
Falken employs its 3D Canyon Sipe technology to boost the tire’s traction in shallow and deep snow alike.
While the Falken Wildpeak AT3W is an affordable option, its lifespan may be shorter than competitors when subjected to intense wear and tear.
Pros
Cons
Affordable
Shorter lifespan
Great performance in snow, slush, ice, and mud
Superior traction thanks to deeper treads
RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Find insurance savings

Roadside assistance

As a snow plow driver, you’re usually the one coming to the rescue before winter drivers have a chance to get stuck on the road.
Even if you drive an F-250 with heavy-duty snow chains, though, chances are that you could find yourself stuck in a snowbank or needing a fuel replacement.
Jerry
has partnered with Urgently to offer a
roadside assistance
program for only $6.99 a month. The plan includes 10 miles of towing, tire changes, refueling, and more. Exclusive membership benefits include key replacement and Uber credits for alternative transportation in the event of a towing.
"I was looking for a liability insurance plan for my truck until I can afford more coverage.
Jerry
made it simple to shop around for the best deal for me. Thank you!" ––Jake L.

FAQs

What are the best tire chains for snow plowing?

Individual opinions differ on the best tire chains for snow plowing, but here is some general advice:
  • Opt for Premium class chains, designed for heavy-duty vehicles.
  • Metal chains provide better traction than rubber chains.
  • Welded v-bars are more durable on road surfaces, but parallel cross chains can work too.
  • Two highly-rated sets of snow traction tire chains are the
    KONIG XB-16 245
    and
    Security Chain Company SZ 143
    .
Some individuals recommend studding your winter tires instead of using chains, which require frequent re-tightening.
RECOMMENDED
Haven’t shopped for insurance in the last six months? There might be hundreds $$$ in savings waiting for you.
avatar
Judith switched to Progressive
icon savingsSaved $725 annually
avatar
Alexander switched to Travelers
icon savingsSaved $834 annually
avatar
Annie switched to Nationwide
icon savingsSaved $668 annually
Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
Try Jerry

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings