Hercules Avalanche RT Review
Last year I was in the market for a new set of winter tires. I
kind of have a thing for tires, I love researching tires. The technology that
goes into designing tires is amazing to me. How they come up with the tread pattern and
the special rubber compound for winter yet still make them comfortable to drive
on is incredible. Anyhow, after researching for awhile I decided to pick up a
set of Hercules Avalanche RT tires.
I had a set of Hercules old winter tires, the Avalanche Xtreme. I loved those. The Hercules Avalanche RT is the new model that replaces the Avalanche Xtreme. They are said to have better traction and stopping than the old model. So, I thought, why not give them a try.
The first thing I want to talk about is the price. I picked
these up for about $50 bucks a tire cheaper than more well known brands. They
are very affordable, as far as winter tires are concerned. However, I should
note I did not get this set studded. I had the last set of Avalanche Xtreme’s
studded. They were wonderful. So why didn’t I get these studded? Well, I moved.
When I had the last set I lived in the city. The road’s I drove on where always
covered in hard pack snow and ice. I think the city cleared the streets like
once a winter. It’s bad. Still is bad.
Now
that I drive on the highway 95% of the time, I decided to forego the studs. I
thought I don’t really need studs now that I’m driving on bare asphalt most of
the time. The things will just get wore off and I’d never get any real use out
of them. I don’t know if I’m right or not, but that’s what I did. So my set of Hercules
Avalanche RT tires are not studded. Saved a bit of money on that. Anyhow, onto the driving.
Avalanche RT Deep Snow and Slush Traction
These tires are fantastic in deep snow. They really grab in
the deep stuff. I have these on a Caravan and I can drive through bumper deep
snow with no issue. I don’t recommend doing that, but sometimes you have to do
what you have to do right. Just don’t get yourself high centered! Fantastic
deep snow tires.
Hard Pack Snow
As I mentioned earlier, I did not get these studded. On hard
pack the Avalanche RT do pretty well, but they could really use the studs. They
are by no means bad; however you will spin a bit starting and slide a bit
stopping. Steering is still great, I have never been sliding taking a corner.
Just have to be a little careful coming up to stop signs. This may be due to having
30,000km on them at this point. When they were brand new I do not remember
having this issue.
Ice
This is where the studs would have been gold. This winter
has been a strange one. We have been getting a lot of warm temperatures. Right
now my driveway is basically a skating rink. Trying to maneuver around my driveway
from a stop is awful hard right now. These just spin and spin. Very hard to get
moving. I really wish I had gotten these studded. On the other hand, on the
highway. They are great. The little bits of ice you find yourself dealing with
on the highway is no issue for these tires. Always have good traction and in
control.
Dry Pavement
On the clear dry highway these are basically the same as any
AT tire you’ve had. They make more noise than an all season. Its not unbearable
or anything. Big tread makes big noise. What can you do. Good traction. Not
like a dedicated highway tire or anything. But really, what can one expect. It’s
a dedicated winter tire.
Wet Pavement
Pretty much the same as any AT tire. They work well. I’ve
never been hydroplaning, but we don’t get a lot of rain here in the winter. The
little bit of wet we get from salt melting the snow is no issue.
Hercules Avalanche RT Conclusion
So, what do I think? Well, I like them. I will be getting
another set when these wear out. They still have a lot of life left in them
even after 30,000km. However, I WILL be getting the next set studded. Hercules
designed the Avalanche RT with studs in mind for a reason. I now know that
reason. With studs these tires will be unstoppable. Fantastic value and will look great on the car I bought online.
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