Driving in snow storm in 4WD on snow tires....

roadblock · December 17, 2013

A) I love the holier-than-thou reaction any time somebody talks about going "over the speed limit" and in "bad conditions" and say "you're lucky you didn't hurt someone" etc., etc. I'm going to give benefit-of-the-doubt to the OP that he used sound judgement (and an empty road/lot) to test out the limits of the truck.

B) It's kind of ironic to judge the OP's driving decision, and then follow that up with "snow tires aren't really necessary". Um??

C) TIRES are extremely important. Obviously. I've driven a season or two with dedicated snow tires, several winters with good all seasons, and a couple of scary drives (un-planned) with less-than-adequate worn/summer tires. The difference between "good" tires and "bad" tires is night-and-day. The difference between "good" (all season) and "snow" tires is less dramatic. I do not believe snow tires are necessary, but they are beneficial.

D) To say snow tires are good on a 2WD vehicle but not a 4WD vehicle means you've completely missed the boat on the purpose/benefit of snow tires.

Just a few rambling thoughts from a Canadian lad who has driven everything from a 4WD Silverado to a RWD Camaro (on summer tires - and lived to tell about it) in the snow .

Obviously snow tires and 4x4 are going to be better than 2wd and/or all seasons. IMO the stock SRA's are not good at all in the ice and snow, but pop it in Auto 4wd and it's a major improvement. crushNchowda went one further and got snow tires to improve even more. Why would you hate on the guy for properly equipping his vehicle for bad conditions, just because you don't want to get them yourself? And who hasn't taken their truck on the back roads every now and then to play?

I agree, drop the "holier-than-thou reaction" already..

mzodarg · December 17, 2013

Obviously snow tires and 4x4 are going to be better than 2wd and/or all seasons. IMO the stock SRA's are not good at all in the ice and snow, but pop it in Auto 4wd and it's a major improvement. crushNchowda went one further and got snow tires to improve even more. Why would you hate on the guy for properly equipping his vehicle for bad conditions, just because you don't want to get them yourself? And who hasn't taken their truck on the back roads every now and then to play?

I agree, drop the "holier-than-thou reaction" already..

IMO&E, there not needed! I grew up in Colorado, we put snow tires on rear wheel drive cars and trucks, mostly studded snow tires. I works for a Firestone store for 3 years, once in a while a non Native to Colorado, would come in with a 4x4 and put on Snow tires, not often though.

crushNchowda · December 17, 2013

Lots of mixed reactions here. What I gather from this crowd is that many have no idea the difference that snow tires make, again - WATCH THAT VIDEO I POSTED.

Snow tires in the snow/cold/ice/slush vs. all seasons in the same conditions is the equivalent comparison of taking your camaro to the track on all seasons vs. drag radials - no I am not being dramatic, it is that big a difference.

And in regards to "safety" - did you miss the point where I said it was 1 am in a snowstorm? There's barely anyone on the roads. Other than when I was going 60 in a 55 (ooohhhh no the humanity! meanwhile morons on this board argued w/ me that it is OK to do 100+ in a truck on a highway in good weather....yeahh, ok) the rest of my hard driving on these snows to get a feel for them was done largely in a massive parking lot and industrial park. My father, who was a former Boston PD and MA state trooper, used to take me to similar places growing up to learn how to drive in snow and rain or in general push a car to its limits to know how it'll react if you're really in a bad situation. Maybe instead of flapping your gums and passing judgment you should try out?

Mainly - the nature of this post was not to start an argument but to point out the merits of snow tires are not at all lost on a 4WD vehicle, if anything they're magnified because so many people think 4WD = good in snow, guess what? 4WD on all seasons or fake all terrain tires or mudders SUCKS in the snow in comparison, so while others have mentioned while you may get up and go no problem, stopping, turning, cornering is compromised.

Stex · December 17, 2013

What the heck is snow? Anyway, spent a winter in upper NH with a rental. Lot of white knuckle driving at slower speeds due to the stock all seasons. Natives with winter tires moved right along in the heavy falls. If I was where we got regular snow, think up state NY, Buffalo etc..I would put winter wheels and tires on and also help save the OEM wheels from salt damage.

Here are a couple of tire rack vids on the subject: Well shoot cannot add the link??? Just go to tire rack and click on winter next to tires. Two short vids on side by side driving.

c0boy · December 17, 2013

Got snows? My Duelers with about 15K on them were not so confident inspiring during our last storm (even though they did well last winter) we also have a little one on the way so I just call them added insurance.

BringTheRain403 · December 17, 2013

Lots of mixed reactions here. What I gather from this crowd is that many have no idea the difference that snow tires make, again - WATCH THAT VIDEO I POSTED.

Snow tires in the snow/cold/ice/slush vs. all seasons in the same conditions is the equivalent comparison of taking your camaro to the track on all seasons vs. drag radials - no I am not being dramatic, it is that big a difference.

And in regards to "safety" - did you miss the point where I said it was 1 am in a snowstorm? There's barely anyone on the roads. Other than when I was going 60 in a 55 (ooohhhh no the humanity! meanwhile morons on this board argued w/ me that it is OK to do 100+ in a truck on a highway in good weather....yeahh, ok) the rest of my hard driving on these snows to get a feel for them was done largely in a massive parking lot and industrial park. My father, who was a former Boston PD and MA state trooper, used to take me to similar places growing up to learn how to drive in snow and rain or in general push a car to its limits to know how it'll react if you're really in a bad situation. Maybe instead of flapping your gums and passing judgment you should try out?

Mainly - the nature of this post was not to start an argument but to point out the merits of snow tires are not at all lost on a 4WD vehicle, if anything they're magnified because so many people think 4WD = good in snow, guess what? 4WD on all seasons or fake all terrain tires or mudders SUCKS in the snow in comparison, so while others have mentioned while you may get up and go no problem, stopping, turning, cornering is compromised.

Just remember some people will always have something to say, and nothing to contribute...

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JCthebigTree · December 17, 2013

At the risk of complaining way too much about them, the SRA's are total junk in winter conditions.

I got around OK with them until my 4wd went out, now I'm trying to get around with 2wd. I have 6 - 60 pound sand tubes in back and I'm still not getting great traction. I cannot understand how anyone thinks they are decent tires.

I agree with CrushNChowda all around. He wasn't doing anything really dangerous, he was testing the limits of his truck - now he's confident with it. Knowing your vehicle and having confidence in it is key to safe driving in winter conditions.

4wd will keep you moving and/or keep you from getting stuck (usually). Snow tires vs. crappy tires are the difference between stopping in time or not stopping in time - as well as being able to take curves/turns are normal speeds.

watanacreek · December 17, 2013

I live in Valdez Alaska, our average yearly snowfall is between 300 and 400 inches. We usually have snow on the ground from October thru April. Most people in this area run studded snow tires in the winter. We get a lot of snow pack and glare ice on the road system and the studs are a help starting and stopping. I also put 4 to 6 bags of sand in the bed of my truck for added traction, about 350 pounds.

Last month I bought a new Sierra 1500 that came with all season tires. On most days you can get buy with the all season tires and auto four wheel drive if your used to driving in snow. It's a different story if your busting through packed snowdrifts and a foot or two of snow on the road. I don't have a set of snow tires on the new truck yet because 265/65R18 studded snow tires are hard to find up here. I for sure will be buying a set when they are available.

I think what people have to remember is not to overdrive your tires or the road conditions, no matter what your driving. You have to remember that the person in front of you might be driving a rental car with summer tires and may never have seen a snowflake on the highway before.

Cap'n Pete · December 17, 2013

Thus far, I only have ~200kms on my truck (only had it a week!), but we've had a couple days of snow. I've got the 18" wheels with SRA's. I'm still undecided on them. They're better than what was on the truck I just got rid of, but they're definitely NOT as good as the Dueler A/T's I've run before. I haven't had too much trouble (yet) running around in 2WD, although I was trying to reverse in ~4" of snow on Saturday, on a slight grade, and the rears were spinning almost instantly. I had to switch into Auto 4WD to back up further. Again, I think that even Duelers would perform better (even in 2WD). I'll probably get by this winter, but can foresee needing to do something in a year from now (when the SRA's are no longer brand new). The question then will be, upgrade to better all seasons, or buy a second set of wheels and run "snow" tires. We'll see.

crushNchowda · December 17, 2013

Thus far, I only have ~200kms on my truck (only had it a week!), but we've had a couple days of snow. I've got the 18" wheels with SRA's. I'm still undecided on them. They're better than what was on the truck I just got rid of, but they're definitely NOT as good as the Dueler A/T's I've run before. I haven't had too much trouble (yet) running around in 2WD, although I was trying to reverse in ~4" of snow on Saturday, on a slight grade, and the rears were spinning almost instantly. I had to switch into Auto 4WD to back up further. Again, I think that even Duelers would perform better (even in 2WD). I'll probably get by this winter, but can foresee needing to do something in a year from now (when the SRA's are no longer brand new). The question then will be, upgrade to better all seasons, or buy a second set of wheels and run "snow" tires. We'll see.

Forget all seasons. I treat the truck like a speciality vehicle (just like a performance car but w/ a different pupose) & if you live in an area where you get a lot of snow/various weather conditions I would recommend doing dedicated snows for the 4-5 cold months and then wearing out the crap all seasons and getting either good "all seasons" or better yet an all terrain tire. I think the Michelin LTX? Is one of the best all terrains you can get for a truck.

Truck13 · December 17, 2013

Do you change out the tires or have a second set of rims? What do you do with the TPS? I'm in Western Mass and I am with you 100%. I'm looking into options. Thanks

BringTheRain403 · December 17, 2013

You could do either. If you get the 2nd set of rims you would need another set of TPM or you light on the dash would be on all the time

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NitroCherokee · December 17, 2013

I do the same as the OP, I will push my trucks to the limits and "practice" recovery be it on a deserted road or empty parking lot, last year I took my 16 year old daughter out on the frozen lake and had her do all kinds of stuff and recover it. I feel that pushing my truck/car and knowing how it will react I am better prepared for an icey morning commute with a bunch of brake jammers that do not have a clue what their vehicle is going to do

crushNchowda · December 17, 2013

Do you change out the tires or have a second set of rims? What do you do with the TPS? I'm in Western Mass and I am with you 100%. I'm looking into options. Thanks

I got a 2nd set of rims w/ tires mounted and balanced from tire rack 275/55/20 same as my stockers. I got the rims because I don't want to mess up my 20" all terrain rims and because I was told that taking tires on and off a rim every year can eventually lead to them not holding a bead.

A little more $$$ to get into the setup, but is a quicker changeover and saves your rims. Plus, you can always sell the rims after the fact if you're trading the truck in or use them for another vehicle etc.

If you're in western MA and drive around regularly for work etc. I would 100% get the snows if you can afford it. Hey, I just came from Worcester and its slick out there! Supposed to get 6-8" out there tonight right?

BringTheRain403 · December 17, 2013

That's BS about the rim not holding the bead. I could see the tire not holding the bead over time because you're basically stretching it to get it over the rim...

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