GT Radial IcePros

[Sting-Gray Neutral Pres.]

Does anyone have experience with the GT Radial IcePro SUV 3 or the IcePro LT3 snow tires? My stock Falken Wildpeaks are getting up there in miles and on the first snowfall this year I'm noticing the traction isn't what it used to be. A bit budget constrained this year, and I noticed that the IcePro SUV 3 got high marks for it's considerably lower price point by Consumer Reports. It's available in a 265/70/17 with a sufficient max weight for the Gladiator. Other option is the Load Range E IcePro LT3 in 245/75/17 for a bit more money. I can't find real world feedback beyond CR on this latest generation anywhere, or anything at all on the LT3, so I thought I'd query the forum.

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[Sting-Gray Neutral Pres.]

Okay so I ended up buying the GT Radial IcePro SUV3 and would like to share what I believe is valuable information with other folks looking for snow tires. For starters, searching for snow tires in this truck is tough because the stock tire sizes basically lead you straight to Load Range E snow tires, which are really not a good fit for a mid size truck and are costly. The "secret" tire size to search for is 265/70 R17. This is a very common size on SUVs and I think other mid-size trucks, and most of the MANY available tires in this size are built with approximately the weight of a gladiator in mind. Case in point: the GT Radial IcePro SUV3 has the same load index (and max psi) as the stock Bridgestone Dueler tires that come on the Sport trim. This tire size has a diameter just slightly larger than the stock Duelers on the sport (31.61" vs 31.46""). Width obviously sits in between the Gladiator's skinniest stock tire (245mm on the Sport) and widest stock tire (285mm on the Rubicon and Mojave). There are many other snow tire options in this size beside the one I chose.

So initial review is that they handle great, are a smooth ride but not squishy at 36 psi (I have a diesel, may be different for lighter gassers), are almost inaudible, turn well, and have great grip in wet conditions. I just did a 500 mile drive on them to come to that conclusion. Unfortunately the one thing I can't review is the most important one: snow and ice traction. El Nino is really rearing its ugly head here in the PNW now and all I've hit so far is an inconsequential skim of slush. I'll update here once I have put some miles on the frozen stuff.

And now for the real kicker: I paid just $146/tire, for a total of $730 with all taxes, fees, and installation @Discount Tire . No studs on mine, mounted on stock Sport wheels plasti-dipped black.

Picture time!
(please not for visual reference my front is lifted 0.5")

 

[Discount Tire]

Okay so I ended up buying the GT Radial IcePro SUV3 and would like to share what I believe is valuable information with other folks looking for snow tires. For starters, searching for snow tires in this truck is tough because the stock tire sizes basically lead you straight to Load Range E snow tires, which are really not a good fit for a mid size truck and are costly. The "secret" tire size to search for is 265/70 R17. This is a very common size on SUVs and I think other mid-size trucks, and most of the MANY available tires in this size are built with approximately the weight of a gladiator in mind. Case in point: the GT Radial IcePro SUV3 has the same load index (and max psi) as the stock Bridgestone Dueler tires that come on the Sport trim. This tire size has a diameter just slightly larger than the stock Duelers on the sport (31.61" vs 31.46""). Width obviously sits in between the Gladiator's skinniest stock tire (245mm on the Sport) and widest stock tire (285mm on the Rubicon and Mojave). There are many other snow tire options in this size beside the one I chose.

So initial review is that they handle great, are a smooth ride but not squishy at 36 psi (I have a diesel, may be different for lighter gassers), are almost inaudible, turn well, and have great grip in wet conditions. I just did a 500 mile drive on them to come to that conclusion. Unfortunately the one thing I can't review is the most important one: snow and ice traction. El Nino is really rearing its ugly head here in the PNW now and all I've hit so far is an inconsequential skim of slush. I'll update here once I have put some miles on the frozen stuff.

And now for the real kicker: I paid just $146/tire, for a total of $730 with all taxes, fees, and installation @Discount Tire . No studs on mine, mounted on stock Sport wheels plasti-dipped black.

Picture time!
(please not for visual reference my front is lifted 0.5")

Thank you for the opportunity to earn your business! Thank you for the info as well. Looks like a great cost savings option!

 

[Sting-Gray Neutral Pres.]

I've had a chance now to drive these through just about every kind of winter condition. Overall verdict: a bit better than brand new Wildpeak A/Ts in all conditions, but not a top tier snow tire. Of course much better than worn A/Ts.
Deep dry snow: great
Packed snow: great
Slush: okay (I think they need more voids for this, it's a tight pattern)
black ice: fine
glare ice: disappointing
fuel economy: phenomenal for a snow tire
noise: very quiet

The glare ice is the one that surprised me the most, as most modern top-tier snow tires are about as good as studs on ice when new. Heck "ice" is even in the tire name! I think the glare ice traction is about matched to brand new Wildpeaks, but I'm going off memory which is scientifically dubious. I would recommend adding the optional studs if ice traction is more important than the resulting noise when on dry pavement. Unclear whether Consumer Reports had studs or not when they reviewed.

Still happy with my purchase overall and the great price point of these, I think adding studs for nasty ice is the big takeaway. Hope this was helpful to folks out there researching the tire market!

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