AT Trail continues to come with really high marks. We’ve had a few good icy events (this was really just driving on terrible tires) and I’ve been able to do more testing. Here just went around, honestly being in a big 4x4 is a lot more comfortable, you just don’t feel as vulnerable as driving around in a nice car, but it’s just handling everything with zero drama. Haven’t taken it out in anything more than 4-5”, but the real temptation is to drive faster than you should, because it’s fun.
My daughter has been driving same conditions in her Forrester on the AT Trail, I ask her how it did, she says “like a boss” and then talks about the various roads closed because people have slid off and the detours she took to get home. I’m pretty satisfied at this point, but we’ve only had “typically bad” conditions so testing will continue.
I bought a 2008 Sequoia as we have realized the Ascent doesn’t replace a big 4x4 for hauling lots of people, gear and dogs. It came with half worn Nitto Ridge Grapplers, that tire is NOT recommended. It’s survivable, and I went out and did some sliding around, but it’s not something I would drive four season.
The Big Tree now has Patagonia MTs, that tire is just fun, I’ve been leaving it in 2WD (RWD) to see what it will still climb. Answer: steep grades that are snowpacked. Don’t know if I’ll run it again on this truck, it’s a bit different than on the Land Cruiser, and I may decide on more refinement because the rig is pretty refined (relative to what I drive), but they are a great winter tire so all good for now. 2nd gen Sequoias run 35” tires pretty easily. A proper 8 seater tank. Love this truck.
Used vehicle prices are stupid. But, I finally realized that this may never really change, and waiting wasn’t going to make it any better, just buying later with higher miles. Tire prices are also stupid. You can easily pay $400 a tire for 35x12.5/20 tires, and Patagonia’s are a lot cheaper than that for a great tire.