[Coyotefred]

'Looking to make the 18" wheel/tire switch on my 2020 Elite. I have OEM Ridgeline 18x8 wheels ready to install, I just need to decide on tires. Looking at my tire choices in 18", the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is at the top of my list based on its many good reviews, particularly for snow (a priority for me). The smallest size available for the AT3 4S in 18" is (I think) 265/60/18, and I want to make sure that leaves enough room around the tire to keep from clogging with snow/ice/mud during our late winter/early spring "muck" season.

The OEM Continentals I have on now (265/40/20) have plenty of room around them, and the Discoverers in 265/60/18 would be adding no width and 1.1" in height...seems like there would still be plenty of space there (at least enough to get a tool in there to clean out if necessary).

But I'd appreciate any experience anyone has with snow/ice/mud buildup and larger tire sizes like this for the Passport.

 

[REALM]

I can’t give you personal experience with the combo, but can say I was in a similar boat looking for tires, as really wanted the 265/60/18s mainly due to the excellent tire selection. Every other size has only a few options, but the 265s get you almost any tire you want. So I researched for weeks on this site, trying to get a handle on the pros and cons of the 265s people had.

What I came away with were these notes from others experiences I read, and pics they had posted:

255/60/18 Nitto Terra Grapplers, no rub any time
265/60/18 Conti Terrain Contact AT, close but no rub even at full lock
265/65/18 Discoverer AT3 JonDZ 2/ 2" lift, but cut wheel wells to prevent rub at full lock
265/60/18 Cooper AT3 looks great, not sure if rub
265/60/18 Wildpeak AT3s (slight rubbing at full lock)
265/60/18 G015, super close, but no rub at full lock
265/50/20 Nitto Grappler G2 looks great, slight rub at full lock
255/70/18 Wildpeaks AT3 (JonDZ w/ 3.5” lift with wheel wells cut to prevent rub at full lock)

**Super close tires or those with slight rubbing, looked likely to rub off-road when turning, or like they may cake in heavy ice.

I went with the 255/60/18s because I’ve had tires that rubbed at full lock before on a Tacoma, and I hated it, and for my uses I wanted to ensure I didn’t diminish the PP offroad ability from rubbing, for when I’m on the farm, camping, etc. Everyone has different needs though, so gotta pick what’s best for you. Hopefully this helps somewhat.

 

[Coyotefred]

Hey thanks for all this info! The Nitto tires are interesting to me...just haven't been able to find many reviews about them for snow.

I can’t give you personal experience with the combo, but can say I was in a similar boat looking for tires, as really wanted the 265/60/18s mainly due to the excellent tire selection. Every other size has only a few options, but the 265s get you almost any tire you want. So I researched for weeks on this site, trying to get a handle on the pros and cons of the 265s people had.

What I came away with were these notes from others experiences I read, and pics they had posted:

255/60/18 Nitto Terra Grapplers, no rub any time
265/60/18 Conti Terrain Contact AT, close but no rub even at full lock
265/65/18 Discoverer AT3 JonDZ 2/ 2" lift, but cut wheel wells to prevent rub at full lock
265/60/18 Cooper AT3 looks great, not sure if rub
265/60/18 Wildpeak AT3s (slight rubbing at full lock)
265/60/18 G015, super close, but no rub at full lock
265/50/20 Nitto Grappler G2 looks great, slight rub at full lock
255/70/18 Wildpeaks AT3 (JonDZ w/ 3.5” lift with wheel wells cut to prevent rub at full lock)

**Super close tires or those with slight rubbing, looked likely to rub off-road when turning, or like they may cake in heavy ice.

I went with the 255/60/18s because I’ve had tires that rubbed at full lock before on a Tacoma, and I hated it, and for my uses I wanted to ensure I didn’t diminish the PP offroad ability from rubbing, for when I’m on the farm, camping, etc. Everyone has different needs though, so gotta pick what’s best for you. Hopefully this helps somewhat.

 

[REALM]

Great question as I haven’t had the chance to try them in snow yet myself. Rain has been great, so fingers crossed we get some fun snow this winter.

 

[KHOUSTON]

Just got these Toyo Open Country AT 3's 255/55/18, have yet to try them out but from all of the reviews i have read they perform quite well in snow.