Winter prep recommendations for Midwest driving?

Minnesota owner here - definitely go with dedicated winter tires if you can swing it. I run Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2s from November through March and they're incredible in snow. Night and day difference from all-terrains.

For undercarriage protection, consider getting some kind of coating done before the salt hits. The road treatments here are brutal on frames.

I'm in Michigan and went the KO2 route instead of dedicated winters. They're pretty solid in most conditions we get, though nothing beats true winter tires on ice. The advantage is not having to swap twice a year.

For recovery gear, I always carry:

• Tow strap and shackles
• Small folding shovel
• Bag of sand or kitty litter
• Emergency kit with blankets/water

Also recommend getting some WeatherTech floor mats - the salt and slush will destroy your interior otherwise.

Wisconsin checking in! One thing I learned the hard way - get your truck undercoated ASAP if you haven't already. The salt here will eat through everything. I use Fluid Film every fall.

Also consider upgrading to Bilstein 5100s if you're still on stock suspension. Better control in slippery conditions and you can level the front end a bit. Makes a real difference when plowing through deeper snow.