Snow tires would they help?

[pennwalk]

I drive a 2wd T-100 which is pitiful in snow or ice or even mud. Last year I put Michlin x-ice snow tires on the Honda Accord that my daughters drive. I had never driven it in snow until last week. I was amazed. That car drives like it is velcroed to the road. I ran down to Maryland on packed snow and some unplowed roads. I never slipped, slid or failed to stop. After I got back I wondered if I was running a little too fast. That car sure gave me confidence. So I am wondering if it would be worth it to get some snows for the truck?

Chris

 

[ace10]

Of course it would improve traction (on both ends) in your truck.

Find steelies on Ebay. They should still be plentiful for your pattern. Then go out and buy a set of Nokians. Great tire that won't burn up on warm, dry days. And they last just about forever.

I've also run Pirelli Scorpion Snows and they sucked, big time.

At this point in the season, the snow tire pickings might be a bit slim.

 

[Dutch445]

I had a 2001 Tundra 2wd that I ran snow tires on
in winter, with a little weight in the back, and never
had a problem getting around here up in NY.
I felt very confident on hard surfaces, and
always did better with a few hundred pounds
in the bed.

I have since graduated to 4wd, and can see
the difference with weight over the rear wheels.

 

[art]

To compare a front wheel drive car with snows on it is not a good comparison.

To add snow tires and 500 or more lbs will make you feel you have a tank.

You don't want to make it to heavy in the rear! I have more fun driving in the winter and being able to let the rear slide out a bit makes it more enjoyable to see snow.

 

[jcmseven]

Another option I have been happy with is the Michelin AT2 tire. It has 90% of the snow and ice traction of their snow tire and rides and wears better and is a more multiseason radial. It has sawtooth edges and a good tread compound for snow but is not a one-trice pony. The true snow tire from them at least is slightly better, but it comes at some other costs that most of us, even those folks from high snow areas, would have to think twice before considering. I live in the New England of the south, so despite my locale I have some insight here and have run these tires back to back on two different vehicles.

John M

 

[Diamondpilot]

My co-pilot put them on his wife's caddy after they had to drive it though the yard a few times to get into the drive. He swears by them but they were not cheap by the time you get the tires and new wheels.

Chris

 

[Gizmo2]

Nothing for nothing but I run snow tires on my truck year round, I think I always have, current truck is a 2006 4x4 Tundra. Ran snow tires on our Highlander year round also. NIGHT AND DAY DIFFERENCE!

 

[Dutch445]

You don't want to make it to heavy in the rear! I have more fun driving in the winter and being able to let the rear slide out a bit makes it more enjoyable to see snow.

Not so much anymore Art,
this truck i have now just beeps and
buzzes and brakes and kills the throttle
when i try to goose it and slide the
butt end around. **** Nannies

 

[bp fick]

I almost ALWAYS invest in a set of winter tires for my pickups. With them, they are somewhat drivable, without them, almost impossible up here.

On a couple of occasions, I take the stock steel wheels the truck comes with and then shop ebay or Craigs for alloys. I got an alloy set for my present Ranger for $100. The seller was a Ford worker. I did NOT ask.

I have a set of winter tires/wheels and a summer set. It really costs no more money, of course, because you spread the miles out on two sets.

 

[75H2]

I run studded snow tires on both vehicles, all 4 tires. My wife's Explorer (4x4) & my car which is AWD. Tires are the difference. Try it one year and you'll never go back. I've run Firestone Winterforce tires for the past decade. They are about the least expensive I could find and I've never been dissapointed.

Last point. When we were first married we both had SUV's she got around better in the show with winter tires than mine did without while in 4wd. I've never looked back since

 

[om21braz]

I run studded snow tires on both vehicles, all 4 tires.

+1 A friend of mine runs a Toyota access-cab 2wd in places 4wd would not go. Unscraped snowy mountain roads, etc. - just those tires and couple hundred pounds of weight in the bed.

 

[Gizmo2]

I run studded snow tires on both vehicles, all 4 tires. My wife's Explorer (4x4) & my car which is AWD. Tires are the difference. Try it one year and you'll never go back. I've run Firestone Winterforce tires for the past decade. They are about the least expensive I could find and I've never been dissapointed.

Last point. When we were first married we both had SUV's she got around better in the show with winter tires than mine did without while in 4wd. I've never looked back since

The Winterforce is what we had on our Highander, I think it is a great tire, especially for the price. Also running 4 of them studded on our Mustang this year.

 

[firefighter jim]

General Altimax Arctic.................made by Continental in Germany. Identical to Gislavid Nordfrost 3 (also owned by Continental)...............Unbelieveable difference over all season...........stick like glue............buy them..............................

 

[Diamondpilot]

General Altimax Arctic.................made by Continental in Germany. Identical to Gislavid Nordfrost 3 (also owned by Continental)...............Unbelieveable difference over all season...........stick like glue............buy them..............................

You could not give me anything made by Continental. My brand new $50,000 2006 F-350 4x4 came with them. Were shot in 24,000 miles. Got stuck 3 times the first winter. First 2 times got pulled out by my neighbors 06 F-150 with BFG's and the third time got pulled out by a Chevy. That was the final straw and put a set of Toyo's on it. World of difference.

Chris

 

[75H2]

I'm a bit OCD when it comes to tires. Cost is the deciding factor. But, there are normally several choices within the same price point. I really like to read the feedback of those who've purchased a particular tire. The Tire Rack site is tops in my book.

 

[firefighter jim]

You could not give me anything made by Continental. My brand new $50,000 2006 F-350 4x4 came with them. Were shot in 24,000 miles. Got stuck 3 times the first winter. First 2 times got pulled out by my neighbors 06 F-150 with BFG's and the third time got pulled out by a Chevy. That was the final straw and put a set of Toyo's on it. World of difference.

Chris

I believe the OP was talking about winter tires. Typically when one buys winter tires they are more concerned with safety on snow and ice rather than mileage. In the tire world, one size doesn't fit all. A true winter tire performs incredibly better than a standard, all season type tire just don't expect to get 80,000 miles out of them and complain when they don't. Read the reviews on the above mentioned tire. I put a set on my wife's CR-V this winter. Huge difference......................

 

[Diamondpilot]

I believe the OP was talking about winter tires. Typically when one buys winter tires they are more concerned with safety on snow and ice rather than mileage. In the tire world, one size doesn't fit all. A true winter tire performs incredibly better than a standard, all season type tire just don't expect to get 80,000 miles out of them and complain when they don't. Read the reviews on the above mentioned tire. I put a set on my wife's CR-V this winter. Huge difference......................

I understand that. I still would not buy anything Continental after my experience with my one and only set. I got 30% better traction and wear out of other tires at the same price point.

Chris

 

[Will_C]

If you can manage the cost, there is nothing better than dedicated snow tires for winter use. I have mounted tires for both my car and my truck (even with 4wd.) As others have posted, it is an investment to buy wheels and tires at first, but shopping for take-offs or using e-bay can reduce the price of the wheels. Snow tires will last for a suprisingly long time IF only used in the winter.

Will

 

[JIGBUILDER]

I use ATs on all of my 2wd and 4x4 trucks. I also wouldn't own a truck without a factory limited slip of some type.
I also buy a couple of factory steel wheels ands mount BFG Mud Terrains for working in the pasture or muddy work site or the 13" to 30" of snow we had last monday.
The BFG Mudders on the rear of the wifes 1500 4x4 with about 400 lbs sitting in the bed on the rear axles. I was able to bust out my 1/4 mile long driveway. AT's would have never made it.

After the deep snow and mud is gone I'll put the AT's back on the trucks rear as they work best on ice/snow pack/wet or dry pavement. I have a garage with a couple of floor jacks/aircompressor/impact wrench so it doesn't take but 4-5 min to change the tires.

 

[Gizmo2]

I also wouldn't own a truck without a factory limited slip of some type.

X2 here!:thumbsup: