Tires for all season but GOOD in Snow

[Newf Limo]

Just came back from a weekend of letting my Newfoundlands romp in the snow. Granted, we have a tendancy to go to the edge of where you really shouldn't be, then see how far beyond it we can go and still get back without being airlifted. I found that our factory Michelin LTX A/S 265 75 16 worked surprisingly well on snowy, icy, treated roads, but were no match for the back country roads that are rarely plowed and have snow ruts a foot deep. I had chains on the rear but found that the only way back up the mountain was to grab 4Lo 5th gear and fly up. Any loss of momentum would quickly slow us down to the point where we would just start hopping. 4hi was much worse. Couldn't keep the truck in the power band through all the shifting climbing ducking dodgeing weaving spinning jumping and basically having a hell of a great time. My question is this, who makes a good tire with a fairly aggressive tread for mud and snow, that won't sing like crazy on the highway at eighty mph, that have the proper load range and what is the largest size I can fit on stock rims (a little taller and wider foot print) and still have my trucks wonderful handling characteristics? And do we know when we will be able to get a crew cab? Once my third Newfy (it's a boy) grows up?The quad cab ain't gonna' do it!

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2001 ETH 6spd 4X4 SLT

• Dark Garnet Red Pearlcoat
• A. R. E. MX Topper & Walk-thru Door
• 3. 54 Anti-Slip Diff.
• Trailer & Camper pkg.
• Turbo Silencer Ring in Glove Box
• Snow Plow Prep aka Moving to Colorado Prep

Nothin' could be sweeter than "Rammin' With My Newfys!!"

 

[David_VT]

Take it from experience, if you are going to take the time to toss the chains on, put them where they will do some good...

ON THE FRONT END

Sure that might seem crazy, but our weight and traction is clearly not from the rear end. I assume that you are doing true off-road stuff with these chains.

Love to hear what you end up using for tires, my stock LTX continue to surprise me for go power.

David

 

[QRTRHRS]

RE: 4 door. Per Car-Truck news, first peek next week.
http://www.car-truck.com/chryed/buzz/b012901.htm

 

[LSMITH]

You are going to want tall NARROW tires for snow. Narrow tires also work very well in the mud if it is not too deep. Any of the more agressive all terrain tires would probably suit your needs. I have 285's and cannot make them rub. Some others are using bigger tires, but I don't have any experience with bigger tires on my truck. Look at the rated load capacity for the tires you are thinking about and compare that to what you have. Use the rated load of the factory tires as a minimum rating for load rating. You will be told that you have to have load range E, but that is not true. There are a lot of D rated tires in the bigger sizes that will carry more weight safely than the stock tires. Tight chains on the front will do wonders for where you can go and still get out.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S Everything but leather NRA Member

 

[Jumbo Jet]

One of the best tires I ever used were the Goodyear AT/S. Had them on my '97 Z71 in snow and mud for about 2 months before I traded for my RAM. They are adverstised as having 7800 gripping edges. Pulled a stuck truck out of snow when a Z71 with street tires wouldn't even budge the truck.

I wanted the tires on the RAM, but the dealer talked me into keeping the LTXs.

They are OK. Kinda found it hard going in deep powder snow though.

 

[radixr]

Newfy,

Sounds like you could use some ladder bars to control wheel hop. ! #ad

 

[TowPro]

I used to have the AT/s on my 96 Ram and 95 Dakota. They would wear out real fast, and always looked like toe wear on the front (even with the toe set to 0 deg) Goodyear replaced them (for a small price) with the GS/A's (which are not as good in the snow) But to make a long story short, I had one AT left at home, so I bought another to use as snow tires on my 98 2wd. They work great! (I just don't like how they wear on the front) keep in mind the AT's design changed around 1998, and I have the older style.

Originally posted by Jumbo Jet:
One of the best tires I ever used were the Goodyear AT/S. Had them on my '97 Z71 in snow and mud for about 2 months before I traded for my RAM. They are adverstised as having 7800 gripping edges. Pulled a stuck truck out of snow when a Z71 with street tires wouldn't even budge the truck.

I wanted the tires on the RAM, but the dealer talked me into keeping the LTXs.

They are OK. Kinda found it hard going in deep powder snow though.

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• 98 ISB,QC,5spd,2wd,3:54lsd. Stock with BD brake and Gauges!
• 2000 Terry 305G 5th wheel

 

[Racechaser]

Newf, I also have the LTX A/S's on my '01 and drive it in snow ALOT to snowmobile in Quebec and Vermont. I think a tire w/more sidewall bite and not as wide would be better in these conditions. This summer I plan on getting some steel wheels for winter and getting a narrower, more aggressive tire to run in the winter months. I too want something that will muffle that great sound from under the hood #ad
. Let us know what you've found!

 

[Racechaser]

Correction to above post, should have read something that WILL NOT muffle that great sound from under the hood #ad
Sorry for any misleading confusion!

 

[David_VT]

I saw some nice tall Coopers in California last week. Gave the Ram that tall early 70's ford look and filled our massive wheel wells. I am trying to locate them out here and hope to buy a set if the weight range looks good.

As to ladder bars, I have a set and they make a world of difference in the snow! A WORLD of difference!

 

[boonsur]

I love my BFG A/T 295's. They fit (look) real good on stock rims and have a fairly aggressive tread. The extra width may "float" a little, but it sounds like that's what you're looking for. You don't want to "cut" into the deeper stuff, as a narrower tire might do. The tread is also excellent on packed snow/ice. Noise is not noticable at all.

I also used to have a Newfoundland. He was a mix (Huskey) - looked completely Newf, but had bright, crystal-blue eyes. Great for taking to the beach - He was so unique, all the girls had to stop! Too much hair though, had to get rid of him when the kids learned to crawl (now trying to re-claim our house).

 

[rootmanslim]

I lived 58 years in Western NY (now in Wyoming, had to escape Hillary!) and have tried everything in snow. There are NO tires that do it all. Chains are best, always carry a set for backup. But for winter you want 4 narrow, tall STUDDED snow tires. Yeah I know tires & wheels will set you back $600 but it beats the heck out of rolling off a mountain.
In NY they salted so you could get away with "all season"(HA) tires most of the time. In WY they plow (occassionally) and where I live
(North West WY 7100 feet up) RAM 4x4 diesels are 80% of the trucks and trucks are 95% of the vehicles! Dogs are great but thanks the Lord for Geno's denim seat covers! Larry

[This message has been edited by rootmanslim (edited 02-02-2001). ]

 

[Sean Flanagan]

I have a set of BFG 285/75/16's that are worth every penny. They don't "sing" and they have great snow traction. Oh yeah, I have 68k miles on them and still have a little tread left. The only problem is they are load range D, not E but if you look at the weight rating(in pounds) on them they aren't far from the E's. Load range D is usually more than adequate.

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98. 5 2500 QC LB 4x4 5spd, white. BFG 285x75x16
Cummins 24v w/ TST PowerMAX w/EGT and Boost gauges on A-Pillar. VanAaken CPC. K&N In the factory air box. Stock Injectors, Stock Exhaust (Geno's Muffler Eliminator). Re-routed breather stink tube, 2WD-low kit, SnugTop, JJ Stainless Running boards, Tow Hooks, Bushwacker Street Flares, and a Cup Smoothie.
83,000 miles (1/10/01)

 

[Newf Limo]

I knew I could depend on you guys for help! #ad
It looks like I need to find some 285's and stay away from the big wide tires. That is fine by me, I have lost enough paint on my rocker panels as it is. I wish they had a Les Schwab tire co. here in LA. They always took good care of me real well back home (Lewiston Idaho). I have been very dedicated to GoodYear for the past 10 years, but since the local dealer tried to rip me off on an A/C recharge a few years ago (after my third set of tires) I quit buying from Bad Year and sold my stock. Now to decide between Michelin, BFG, and Coopers. Ah, the dilemas of owning these great beasts. Maybe I will team up our Newfys and have them just pull me out! #ad

 

[AKDrifter]

From the land of deep snow, tall skinny tires are the way to go! Powder snow is more forgiving than driving in mashed potatoes. There is no tire that does all year conditions well. 235/85's dig down to what will actually give you traction; the more PSI the better! The Cooper's are a great tire, but the only way to deal with real snow conditions is to have another set and do the swap instead of ending up in BFI with a costly tow and back in the same compromising position the next time you enter snowville.

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2001 2500 4x4 HO 6 speed, 4. 10 LSD loaded enough.

 

[Alaskdave]

I mounted a 4 pc set of General Grabbers and they perform well and are not noisy. Take a look at them before you make a final choice.
Dave

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96 2500 4x4 5sp 3. 5 gears TST#6 16 cm2 K&N Geno's Combo Gage Pac Brake Aux tank 15K 5er hitch
HF/VHF/UHF mobile KG7HD

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

My Ram does well in snow with 255-85-16 Cooper Discoverer LT tires. They are tall and relatively narrow for their nominal size.

 

[Old Nordby]

If you don't buy studded, due to wanting to use them all year long, definately SIPE them. Discount tire does it, other shops do this as well.

It would seem they'd wear out quicker, but what they do is shed heat better than a non-siped tire. Heat is what wears down most tires under normal use. They may actually last longer as a result.

Spinning a siped tire, either off-road or on asphalt with these torque monsters, will shred them fast. Just rolling them, and driving them agressively, results in a long lasting tire. Get a warranty on them when you sipe them, then if you are worried about longevity you are covered.

Siped tires will aide off-road traction quite a bit, but a lot of off-road driving will shred them.

I'm running siped pathfinder ATR's on the front, and Desert Dog studded on the back of a 2wd. Those siped front tires stop and turn on ice and snow pack much better than the non-siped pair I have.

my opinion!
jon.

 

[JJW_ND]

I will second the Siping! I have said it several times here, you can take a mild tread tire and have great snow/ice traction with siping.

I run Toyo M55's http://www.toyo.com/tires/tire_lines/lt_truck/m55.html

They have a slight wine at highway speeds considering how aggressive the tread is. Have to turn off radio to here it.

I have them siped half way (depth cut) when new (if it is fall). If spring or summer, wait until fall to sipe. I then resipe the next fall it any rubber still left. I have less then 5/32 left (centers all flat) and can still start out in 2wd on a snow covered hill.

M55's are a great snow tire in themselves. I run the 235/85R size. I got 60K out of the first set and have 55K on this second set. Nearly 2x the miles as compared to Goodyear At factory, and Dunlop At I ran first.

jjw
ND

 

[Deezal Man]

Since I have Alcoa's with Bridgestone's Duellers for the summer, I mounted Goodyear Workhorses on the factory rims for winter.
I decided on them from the comments of a few of my friends who absolutely "SWORE" by them. And when I went to have em put on. . ALL the dump/pick-ups for the township were getting..... none other than the Workhorses installed for plowing snow.

Obviously I haven't tried every tire, so I don't know if they are the best... but so far, they really are the best snow tire I've ever used. If your impressed with the likes of BFG A/T's... . you'll be amazed with these tires.

They carry a hefty (D) weight rating and are VERY durable. Like any tire of this nature, wear is not its biggest feature... . But so far I'm rather impressed that they are holding up as well as they are. I have close to 10K on them, with only a hint of wear.

I did manage to get stuck once... and I can't blame the tires. The snow was so deep, the transfer case was barely showing. I guess the skid plate was lifting the truck... . yet the tires kept trying to dig their way to the bottom. Until things starting hopping around and I pulled my foot out of the pedel.

I couldn't get over how they kept pulling even when the axles were buried. .

Down sides:
1. They DO hum a little. The slight hum is very liveable IMO and far from what I am used too when dealing with this type of tire. But its no all season. .
2. 265 is as big as they come.
3. Like any block tread tire, they require frequent rotation to keep the "tire cupping" monster at bay.

I WILL DEFINITELY BUY THEM AGAIN.

Would I run them year round?... probably not. We seldom get bizzard storms here in E. PA... So I don't think I could justify running a M/S tire year round for a few times in the winter months. .

I also second the chains in the front concept. Being familiar with 4wd farm tractors. The front spins about 2% faster than the rear... to ensure they are always pulling. If the front is pushed by the rears... the diff gears will eventually chew itself to bits.

While it may seem insignificant, The chains do increase your rolling diameter by a little, thus altering your ratio.

Maybe I'm splitting hairs here, but I wouldn't discount it either.

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98. 5' 24v 2500 Auto/3. 54 4x4 SB QC 285-75-16's on Alcoa's. Everything but leather. PIAA 1200's, AMSOIL dual filter relocation system, Smittybuilt Stainless Steel Nerfs, Rhino Liner(Junk), K&N air filter(For Sale)15 year AMSOIL dealer. Time permitting, Soon to include Ultra-lite Pyro,0-50lbs boost, Trans temp in the pillar. Rancho 9000's with in cab adjustment.