Sawdust snows, better than stud tires.

[coffeeman]

I remember, "back in the day", a recap tire company sold recap snows with saw dust molded into the recap. I believe these were better than stud tires. As a sidelite to stud tire thread, does anyone remember.. Of course many probably don't even know what a recap is.

I live on a hill for 37 years. Drive lane long. At one time when I didn't have 4 wheel drive, I could put a set of chains on at bottom of lane in 5 minutes. Only need chains in heavy snow conditions or ice covered lane. Otherwise, saw dust tires were good. My 77 Grand Prix would climb the lane like an antelope.

I think I like 4 wheel drive and radials better than the old stuff!!


It's only 5 days till Christmas eve. Merry Christmas to all.

Coffeeman

 

[Jstpssng]

I remember, "back in the day", a recap tire company sold recap snows with saw dust molded into the recap. I believe these were better than stud tires. As a sidelite to stud tire thread, does anyone remember.. Of course many probably don't even know what a recap is.

I live on a hill for 37 years. Drive lane long. At one time when I didn't have 4 wheel drive, I could put a set of chains on at bottom of lane in 5 minutes. Only need chains in heavy snow conditions or ice covered lane. Otherwise, saw dust tires were good. My 77 Grand Prix would climb the lane like an antelope.

I think I like 4 wheel drive and radials better than the old stuff!!


It's only 5 days till Christmas eve. Merry Christmas to all.

Coffeeman

I know what recaps are, but never heard of putting sawdust in them. Must have been a local thing?

Yep, tire chains go on pretty easy; lay them out, drive on, hook them up, drive 5 feet & tighren to the same link as all the other times you put them on.

I,m with you though; it's much nicer to just hit that 4WD lever and keep going. (Chains on all 4- nah, I'll unload the snowsled.)

 

[Alden Plowen]

I remember "back in the day" when I used to buy recaps that were embeded with ground up walnut shells.

No joke. They sold for $7.95 each installed.

Alden

 

[harvey]

Firestone Polar Grips. They also came new that way. But that was before siping and long before studs.

 

[beenthere]

Firestone Polar Grips. They also came new that way. But that was before siping and long before studs.

What is "siping" ??

I'd not heard of sawdust before. Don't expect it was very good or it would have lasted a bit longer as a snow tire.

 

[harvey]

Siping is cuts across the tread about 3/32 apart allthe way around the tire you'll see it more in the artic areas as a after market. New modern tires have considerable cuts built into the tread.

 

[themichelob]

We had the "walnut shell" recaps up here in the Inland Northwest as recent as 1994 that I know of. Many tire shops up here still do siping. Cities and counties in this area don't do a great job of snow removal, so we need all the help we can get. Many use studded tires for a little extra traction. Regards, Mike

 

[not2old]

Both sawdust and walnut shells were very good for snow tires but didn't last very long. The biggest drawback was they were only available as recaps and they weren't the same quality as the recaps highways trucks use today. I'm happy with my 4x4 and all terrain tires I use today, but there is no substitute for being young and fearless.

 

[bdeboer]

You can still buy the walnut recaps from these guys.
Look at the description for Kedge grip.

31-10.50R15-WARDEN-A-T - Retread Tires from TreadWright, Inc.

 

[coffeeman]

WOW..

I forgot the price of recaps, 7,95 was about it. I remember a guy who was an Amoco dealer. He was able to lease building with garage for repairs. (Remember that concept?) Anyway, he came from a less rich county. He was a Texaco dealer there. He moves to a gas station closer to the city. I never forget his comment about business back home; down near West Virginia. Back home a new set of tires is two new recaps for the front of car. Down here in the city, some one asks for set of new tires, they actually want 4 brand new tires. He was amazed. I guess many things are relative to where you're at in life

Cheers.....Coffeeman

.

I remember "back in the day" when I used to buy recaps that were embeded with ground up walnut shells.

No joke. They sold for $7.95 each installed.

Alden