Re: Farm Pick-Up 1/2 Ton Snow Tires

Posted by jdemaris on January 02, 2015 at 08:20:54 from (70.194.10.115):

In Reply to: Farm Pick-Up 1/2 Ton Snow Tires posted by FBH44 on January 02, 2015 at 05:10:58:

I lived on mountain top road that was usually ice and snow covered all winter. I'd never consider owning any 2WD for winter use because I'd never get home. That being said, I've experimented a lot when in 2WD and different tire types.

Tire chains of course beat anything else -but they are illegal in many places and not-so-good for fast driving. Here in Michigan - tire chains are basically illegal anywhere on a public highway except during emergencies.

Studded tires work fairly well on ice, offer no gain on snow, and give terrible traction on wet, unfrozen roads. They are also illegal in some areas.

Hands-down - the best tires I've ever had for ice and snow and drivability are the soft-compound tires sold as "studless." Firestone was one of the first to sell them in the 70s as "Snowbiters." Now many companies sell them. Truly amazing and often beat studs on shear ice. Firestone now sells a version of the old Snowbiters" as Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1.

By the way. Smaller thinner tires are always better then wider tires.

Also - when it comes to limited-slip rears? I hate them. In the conditions I drive in they are often death-traps.

With a standard "open" differential - power is applied to both rear wheels equally if traction is equal. If one tire loses traction - most of the power goes to the other with the least traction. This lets the tire with the best traction not spin and act as sort of a "anchor"
to keep you on the road. On a farm tractor - all you need to do is hit the brake pedal for the slipping wheel and force the other to get power. Cars with electronic "traction control" do the same. Hitting the rear parking brake can also force both tires to go when needed.

Now with a limited slip, things go like this. When one wheel spins (with the least traction) - power is transmitted to the other tire that has more traction. If that starts to spin - no tires have good traction in the rear and this effect can throw you off the road sideways. I had a K5 Blazer, a GMC S15 Jimmy, and an IH Scout with "posi" rears and all were almost what I'd call dangerous when climbing a well crowned icy hill. Once the posi kicked in the rear would slide sideways and send me off the road.

Replies:

• Re: Farm Pick-Up 1/2 Ton Snow Tires pete 23 11:04:48 01/02/15 (0)

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