You are probably right, if I get the Silent Armors, I may just swap tires altogether rather than get a second set. I would not be moving permanently, just for a winter season or two. These tires have a 50K mile tread-wear rating, "real winters" have no tread-life warranty (for good reason). These would keep me from getting a ticket for not switching tires in Nov-December (which is the law in Montreal).

Also, like the OP stated, there aren't many options for "real winters" in the stock size. To say that they are only "a lot better than m+s tires"... If they earned the snowflake symbol, they must meet the req of "real winters", no? I understand there are some winter tires that are certainly better than others (ie BS Blizzak, FS Winterforce LT), but I would expect these Silent Armors on a 4x4 truck work pretty well.

 

I'm debating wether to go with dedicated winters or yank the OEM Goodyears off and get better quality all-seasons. I like the tread pattern of the LTX MS2s which includes lots of siping and small tread blocks. They also get decent ratings for their winter performance, so I'm leaning that way. My last few trucks (2007 Chev Z71 crew and 2010 Avalanche) had BFG AT KO and Pirelli Scorpion ATRs which I ran in the winter, and both performed adequately.

The least expensive pkg from TR will set me back $1800 landed including tpms. $1k to trade in the GYs for the Michelins. Decisions decisions.

 

Pro Comp has a very reasonably priced black steel wheel. I would not go to a 17" rim, they just look too small. Grab a set of Goodyear Wrangler Dura Tracks in 275/65R18 and bring on the canadian winter! Tirerack has the cheapest tires I can find anywhere and with the dollar...... As far as the TPMS, have them install all of them into the spare wheel and keep it inflated, that way the sensor light doesn't drive you nuts on the dash. You just have to be smart and check your tires every now and then.

 

My stock AT's have the snowflake too. M+S stand for Mud and Snow. They're ok but nowhere near a full snow tire. It's all about compromises. I had Blizzaks on my M3 and during winter storms, I was passing SUV's stuck on snowy hills.

I think most of the stock tires that come on the F150's are M+S rated. I don't know the laws in Montreal but they do have the snow rating.

Having the snowflake symbol means it meets the minimum. Some tires work better than others. If you want a true all season tire, check out Bridgestone Revo2's. I had the original Revos on my 4runner and they were amazing in the snow. I never had to dig my truck out of the snow or had any traction problems in the snow. They were MUCH better than the stock Scorpions on my truck now and I've heard the Revo2's are even better than the originals. They're great on pavement and quiet. They will be the next set of tires on my truck when the stock tires need to be replaced.

 

I don't believe any of the stock F150 tires carry the Mtn Snowflake, including the Pirelli Scorpions.

Bridgestone Revo2 does not meet the "minimum", so they don't carry the Mountain Snowflake cert symbol.

I'm not doubting your review that they are good tires, but between about Thanksgiving and Spring Break, tickets are issued in the Montreal area if you don't have that symbol. I'm wary of the tickets up there. In my 1st hour there, I got a $155 ticket for a very simple traffic violation, and was just following traffic.

 

If you're on a budget I suggest going to canadian tire and getting the goodyear wrangler territory. All terrain tire that have the snowflake symbol. They go on sale every month and you can get the stock size for about $200 per tire, not bad.

Or I would suggest goodyear duratrac. I've heard nothing but great reviews for winter driving. I'm personally going with the duratrac myself when my truck arrives. Both tires can be used all year round.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...ngler+DuraTrac

 

A big misconception I have seen a lot during tire talk is the meaning of m+s ... It doesn't stand for mud and snow as one would think it is Multiple Surface .. a lot of people think because it has m+s it should be a great performer in both mud and snow.. Not always the case!...tire companies deffinitly should make this clearer... Personally I like the bfg all terrains for the non winter season and run studded 265/70/17 Cooper discoverer m/s they have the m+s symbol and the snowflake symbol and work incredibly in our rough east coast Canadian winters!... Hope this was helpful!

 

Here in Quebec you got to have winter tires from december 15th to march 15th. Or you can use LT tires at the same period.

 

I have run Silent Armour tires in the winters and have been very happy with the results, however there are better options and they are spelt Michelin

 

i went the duratrac route, from what i read they are amazing in deep snow and slush.