Topic: Goodyear Fortera Tripletreads

[Leviathan]

On sale for $25/tire off but even so a quote from Fountain Tire weighs in at  $1100 for 4 P235/70R16s all taxes, levies, warranties, balancing etc included According to survey results at tirerack.com (TireTrends doesn't list tire) it is rated #2 out of 67 and scores very well in wet (Vancouver? Wet? nah), snow & ice (mountain & snowflake emblem) and of course dry conditions. By comparision, the stock ContiTracs come in at #58 out of 67 in that same survey and are really quite bad in colder/rainy conditions.

I'll probably buy these bad boys on Monday unless someone here has a better suggestion

[gotak]

When you say mountain and snowflake I hope you don't think these are actually winter tires. Cause they aren't as far as I know, not for the heavy winter conditions. It does have the snow flake and mountain thing which confuses me. Just thought you should know.

[Leviathan]

Thanks. From the tire summary:

Fortera TripleTred radials meet the industry’s severe snow service requirements and are branded with the mountain / snowflake symbol

Not as good as a real snow tire but, then again, I'm in Vancouver   The OEM ContiTracs are really bad in colder/wet conditions and were OK in the few snow days I've been out in. Oh, and after only 24,000Kms they are really noisy The TTs are supposed to be very good in the wet and at least have some colder climate tire capabilities while still being a decent dry/summer tire. Trade offs but still (hopefully) a big step up from OEM.

[blur911]

When you say mountain and snowflake I hope you don't think these are actually winter tires. Cause they aren't as far as I know, not for the heavy winter conditions. It does have the snow flake and mountain thing which confuses me. Just thought you should know.

The Fortera Tripletreds do have the ASTM mountain and snowflake symbol, this does mean they are approved winter tires.  I don't know why this confuses you.  Just thought you should know.

[gotak]

Well if you read the specification you can see they made the tire out of different compound. That's why it's call a triple tread. 3 different pattern and 3 different compounds. Which suggests that maybe it's only 1/3 as good as a real winter tire.

Response from people in real winter condition seems to say it's not really any good on snow or ice. So that's why the confusion.

[blur911]

Well if you read the specification you can see they made the tire out of different compound. That's why it's call a triple tread. 3 different pattern and 3 different compounds. Which suggests that maybe it's only 1/3 as good as a real winter tire.

Response from people in real winter condition seems to say it's not really any good on snow or ice. So that's why the confusion.

You are suggesting it's only 1/3 as good as a "real" winter tire.  The ASTM emblem says it is a real winter tire. Perhaps you should write them to tell them one got through their testing?

[Squishy]

Because the testing standards are outdated and not as strict as they should be.  Even the BFG T/A AT tires are "severe snow" rated, but any A/T tire is next to useless in ice.  So technically, they can be classed as a "winter tire", but would I run them through a Canadian winter?  No way.

I don't know much about the winter handling of the TripleTreads, but as they are marketed as an all-season, that alone means the design has compromised handling characteristics.

[UmroAyyar]

There was a recent discussion about Tripletreds and the SUV version was found to be rated as winter tyre, while the car version wasn't.

This tyre could be a case like Nokian WR tyres. Rated as winter tyre, but not as capable as a proper dedicated winter tyre.

[blur911]

Because the testing standards are outdated and not as strict as they should be. 

I don't know much about the winter handling of the TripleTreads, but as they are marketed as an all-season, that alone means the design has compromised handling characteristics.

The ASTM  winter tire testing and approval has only been around since 1999, not so outdated.  I'm certainly not saying the Fortera Tripletred is the best winter tire out there, it isn't, I'm just saying it is officially rated and approved as a winter tire.  It is also very highly rated in Tirerack testing.  YMMV

[Squishy]

Have the ASTM reference tire specs been updated since that time?  Winter tire technology has vastly improved since 1999.

[blur911]

Have the ASTM reference tire specs been updated since that time?  Winter tire technology has vastly improved since 1999.

AFAIK the ASTM standards for winter tires are now dated 2005, but I'm not sure what if anything was updated. 
On the other hand, I don't think winter tire technology has advance that greatly since 1999, just yesterday I bought a set of Goodyear Ultra-Grip Ice, they were highly rated by Consumer's Report in 1999, and are still a good tire available right now.

[Leviathan]

They went on the car today    Of course it was warm and dry so the cold/wet performance is tbd. Only have about 30Kms on them but initial impressions are that they are noticeably quieter around town, much quieter on the highway and give a firmer ride but also less slop when turning. Oh, and the Tribute now goes in a straight line without having to constantly provide steering input The old tires would have a pull to the left ranging from a little to quite a bit depending on the day or, more likely, temperature. Because it wasn't consistent I figured I'd wait and see what the new tires would be like before getting an alignment done.

Re: Snowflake & mountain symbol. No, these TT tires won't be as good in the ice/snow as a dedicated snow tire such as a Blizzak. But they did pass the tests to earn the symbol which the OEM Contis didn't. The tirerack survey results rate the TT as being "Excellent" for deep snow & ice traction and "Superior" for light snow traction so they're not likely to be too crappy when (if) the white stuff flies.

[UmroAyyar]

I believe this sort of market would increase and hopefully more competition brings down the prices on these sort of 'all weather' tyres.

[Leviathan]

Had a chance to try these out in the snow & slush today and am very happy with them. Very good on compacted snow, fresh snow, light slush & deeper slush. Intersections were starting to ice up on the trip home and stopping was no problem nor was starting out again. Well worth the money