Propickup Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/105105
BY THE NUMBERS BLIZZK W965 ULTRA GRIP ICE 0-30-0 MPH BRAKING ACCELERATION NOKIAN HAKKA GOODYEAR SR-A 0 20 40 60 nipping the Nokians by less than 6 feet in the braking and acceleration runs and only 3 seconds on lap times. Both our subjective and objective evaluations shows the Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT and Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT are a big step above the performance of the Goodyear SR-A in winter conditions. KINGS OF COLD While the Hakkapeliittas and Ultra Grip Ice WRTs were locked in frosty competition, Bridgestone's W965s powdered their treads. The W965s had far better acceleration and braking numbers than either of the competitors, and worked noticeably better on the heavy GMC Sierra Crew Cab diesel around the road course. The Blizzaks laps 10 seconds quicker than the Nokians, 7 seconds faster than the Goodyear WRT, and 23 seconds better than the SR-As. "This is the first time I've tested a W965," says Spitzner. "We use them on our school's bus and on our F-250 we use for plowing the road courses here. But, no one has ever done hot laps in the bus or the Ford. So this test was an eye-opener for me. "What amazed me the most about the W965, is the grip and acceleration," Spitzner says. "Short of flooring it and side-stepping the brake pedal to break traction, I could go at the acceleration runs absolutely full throttle, foot to the floor, and never invoke traction control. That's pretty amazing, considering the torque the Duramax diesel delivers." That performance didn't stop on the straight. Spitzner points out the Bridgestone 80 100 120 140 FEET was easier to drive on than the other two dedicated snow tires. "The transitional response to the tire is very benign," Spitzner explains of his lapping sessions. "In other words, I can transition from accelerating to braking, from acceleration to cornering, from corning to braking, from corning to acceleration super easily and it doesn't upset the tire and it doesn't upset the truck. The W965 is a confidenceinspiring tire on this pickup." Before we packed up gear and tires, ProPickup's contributing editor, Larry Walton, and I took one last turn behind the wheel on the road course doing four laps apiece with the stock tires and four on the W965s. That seat time confirmed what we'd seen all day: If your were a contractor running late for work driving over snow-packed roads, you'd definitely want dedicated snow tires at each corner. The Blizzaks would no doubt get you there on time and in one piece without raising one's stress levels. The stock M&S tires? Not happening. White knuckles all the way. Our test data clearly shows the nonprofessional driver/professional contractor would feel the performance difference between an OEM tire like the SR-A and these purpose-built snow tires in cornering, feedback, steering response, braking and acceleration – all critical aspects for the contractor who might be plowing roads or towing a trailer during the winter. Keep that in mind as you prep your pickups this season. Driving safety begins with having the right treads. propickupmag.com PROPICKUP 57