wheel spin wet roads.

[Newsa]

On several occasions I notice when trying to go uphill unloaded in wet roads, I get alot of rear wheel spin. And today, the rear actually started hopping. I think after these firestone highway tires wear out, I'm going with something with better wet traction. Should I go to an all terain? Or is there a better E rated highway tire for these trucks? I have 4x4 and once to get up a wet parking garage ramp, I needed 4x4. I'm glad the dealer didn't have 4x4 when I bought the truck because my wife was dead set against the extra 2 inch height she has to climb to get in the truck. I like to minimize my use of 4x4 because even on wet pavement, the steering wheel shimmy alot when needing to turn. Guessing the front wheels get good traction under that heavy cummins even on wet pavement where the rear don't

 

[Bob4x4]

I had my big ats siped a set ago.it made a very noticeable improvement

 

[SnoKing]

Careful about siping tires on a heavy rig, as it can cause handing issues. Michelin M/S2 should help. Snoking

 

[garrettg84]

I'd suggest taking a look at tire pressure. When I have my tires aired up to almost 80psi to handle a heavy load and then I don't have one in the bed, my tires end up with nearly no traction in wet weather. Under 65psi I generally have no problems, wet or dry (and unloaded...). With how tires deform, you could be taking the pressure too far the other direction too. When you aren't loaded to the right weight with the right pressure, the tires deform in such a way that can reduce traction, wear strangely, and have all other kinds of strange happenings.

 

[Bob4x4]

Careful about siping tires on a heavy rig, as it can cause handing issues. Michelin M/S2 should help. Snoking

When siping is done correctly it only helps...............

 

[SnoKing]

When siping is done correctly it only helps...............

It can decrease mileage also!!! If it is so good why do the tire manufacturer not offer it. Seems it is the Big O's, Les Schwab's and other non manufacturer stores that push siping! Snoking

 

[Cummins12V98]

Careful about siping tires on a heavy rig, as it can cause handing issues. Michelin M/S2 should help. Snoking

Mine really grab!

 

[jacknife]

Many big rigs run siped. Michelen and Bridgestone both make a siped road tire. They work great on ice and wet pavement.

 

[Bob4x4]

It can decrease mileage also!!! If it is so good why do the tire manufacturer not offer it. Seems it is the Big O's, Les Schwab's and other non manufacturer stores that push siping! Snoking

look at the all weather tires-siped from the factory

 

[SnoKing]

look at the all weather tires-siped from the factory

Yep, the Michelin M&S2 has lots of factory siping, yet still produces long tread life. Les Schwab siped tires of a friends GM D/A truck and had to remove them because of handling issues. Then they siped tires for his DW Prius and had to replace them because mileage went in the toilet. Just saying! I would stick to what tire engineers think is best, not someone that was flipping burger the week before Les Schwab hired him.

SNOKING

 

[kthaxton]

I've had tires siped many times with the only result being better winter traction (wet too I suppose, but that was never an issue).

 

[jkalchik]

Yep, the Michelin M&S2 has lots of factory siping, yet still produces long tread life. Les Schwab siped tires of a friends GM D/A truck and had to remove them because of handling issues. Then they siped tires for his DW Prius and had to replace them because mileage went in the toilet. Just saying! I would stick to what tire engineers think is best, not someone that was flipping burger the week before Les Schwab hired him.

SNOKING

<scratches head> Given that, I think that I'd be looking closer at how the tires were siped, that sounds distinctly counter to my experience. FTM, I wouldn't consider additional siping on highway tires. I'd expect siping to be used to slightly repurpose a tire for another use. Highway tires already have a bunch of biting edges, I would expect some faster tread wear from siping.

When I was still using my Heep as a daily driver, I did have the 33x12.50 Goodyear MT/Rs siped (rock crawling on the side, I hate mud,) and that made a big different on paved roads in any sort of slick conditions. MPG didn't appear to change much if at all. These were only siped on the center tread blocks (about a third of the width) and maybe half of the tread depth. I have talked to other folks with dual use rigs who've had off-road tires siped with good results.

 

[AH64ID]

I used to be a big believer in siping but you will not ever find additional siping on my pickup again. It worked great in non-towing and low torque applications.

All siping did for me was increase wear and trash the tires for my use. If you don't tow or see lots of gravel then it may be a good thing, but torque and gravel do NOT like siping.

Even with LRG tires I have never had a issue with tire spin. I always contributed it to the design of the 3rd gen rear suspension, but I wonder if part of it is the tuning as well. With UDC I run a softer bottom end to my throttle pedal.

I also am constantly adjusting air pressure for the load, overinflated tires lose traction.

 

[TCDiesel]

When the Rules Allow sniping in Truck competition We Sipe, otherwise you are going Home early. I do agree sniping will cause accelerated Wear on pavement. The More biting Edges you have the More tractions PERIOD, the downside,the wear.

 

[SnoKing]

the downside,the wear.

And tread squirm! SNOKING

 

[DEM123]

I'd suggest taking a look at tire pressure. When I have my tires aired up to almost 80psi to handle a heavy load and then I don't have one in the bed, my tires end up with nearly no traction in wet weather. Under 65psi I generally have no problems, wet or dry (and unloaded...). With how tires deform, you could be taking the pressure too far the other direction too. When you aren't loaded to the right weight with the right pressure, the tires deform in such a way that can reduce traction, wear strangely, and have all other kinds of strange happenings.

Excellent advice!

 

[BK]

On several occasions I notice when trying to go uphill unloaded in wet roads, I get alot of rear wheel spin. And today, the rear actually started hopping. I think after these firestone highway tires wear out, I'm going with something with better wet traction. Should I go to an all terain? Or is there a better E rated highway tire for these trucks? I have 4x4 and once to get up a wet parking garage ramp, I needed 4x4. I'm glad the dealer didn't have 4x4 when I bought the truck because my wife was dead set against the extra 2 inch height she has to climb to get in the truck. I like to minimize my use of 4x4 because even on wet pavement, the steering wheel shimmy alot when needing to turn. Guessing the front wheels get good traction under that heavy cummins even on wet pavement where the rear don't

is this when towing ?

if not :
I agree about the pressure for 1,
but for 2, with my 99 4x4 quadcab 8ft bed and stock michelin tires, even on dry road with an empty bed, and watching the pressure, I had certain on ramps that if I hit the go peddle to much trying to merge, I lost traction on the rear wheels.

After getting a fiber glass cap on the bed (and some tools in the bed) and stepping up to 33x12's, that stopped happening.


If it is when towing, and your using a weight distribution hitch, maybe too tight ? go down a link or two , put some more weight on the tongue.

I've had the same exact issue with the metal ramp on the ferry. I'd undo the chains before loading into the ferry.

 

[LHarper]

I have a paved driveway that I should rent to tire manufacturers for tire testing. It is long, steep and a sharp turn half-way up to the top. I have put many coats of sealant to help preserve the surface. All makes for a fun ride during Oregon winters. Especially on early frozen mornings. Always had Michelin tires and they wore like steel. Only problem I had with them was traction. I switched to Toyo AT2s and could not believe the difference in traction. I also did the extra sipping, which I think is good if you do not drive in much gravel. Doubt they will get the mileage as the Michelin's, but the traction is worth the difference to me.