20"wheel/tire Combo In Snow?

Irv · June 7, 2009

I know it is way early (lets hope so) but I am just wondering what everyone else does come winter time with their 20" wheel/tire combo's?

I am curious how well they work in the snow and how many replace their current combo with a winter combo?

Personally I plan to replace my combo mainly because they are chrome and the tire cetainly doesn't look near aggressive enough to handle moderate snow on the road?

I also snowmobile so getting into cottages and the like I am sure would be difficult at times with the factory set-up?

For those that do switch, did you replace with 20" wheels and 20" snow tires? What problems would be encountered going to an 18" combo other than throwing the speedo off?

robertmagni · June 7, 2009

I use the exact same combo for winter as I do in summer, but I live in Florida Sorry I could not resist!

Robert

FargoZ71 · June 7, 2009

I know it is way early (lets hope so) but I am just wondering what everyone else does come winter time with their 20" wheel/tire combo's?
I am curious how well they work in the snow and how many replace their current combo with a winter combo?

Personally I plan to replace my combo mainly because they are chrome and the tire cetainly doesn't look near aggressive enough to handle moderate snow on the road?

I also snowmobile so getting into cottages and the like I am sure would be difficult at times with the factory set-up?

For those that do switch, did you replace with 20" wheels and 20" snow tires? What problems would be encountered going to an 18" combo other than throwing the speedo off?

I just run 16inch 265's. As long as the tire size is the same curcumference, then there shouldn't be any difference in the speedo as to what size wheel you run.

alaska511 · June 7, 2009

I ran my stock LS2 20s in the snow...kick it in 4wd auto and go!

Matt_ · June 7, 2009

One of the reasons i didnt want chrome wheels is because i wanted a year around wheel/tire combo. 20's won't be a problem in the snow, its the tread pattern that's more important.

If you plan on offroading, then 18" and smaller are better so you can air down.

NavyVette · June 7, 2009

No problem in Montana - Ice or Snow. Occasionally switch into auto 4x4

Karl

killterrorists · June 7, 2009

I run 275/60/R20 Cooper Zeon LTZ year round. I have never been stuck and I have driven through 18" deep snow in 4wd without any problems.Altough if I had the money I would switch rims and tires in the winter. The winter weather and the sand, salt and de-icer that is used on the roads really takes it's toll on my polished aluminum wheels. I think a set of 18" wheels with some winter tires would be ideal if you live where there is alot of snow and ice.

jrrod2004 · June 8, 2009

20s and snow/ice usually dont mix but the drivetrain is pretty good for allowing it.

Irv · June 8, 2009

I run 275/60/R20 Cooper Zeon LTZ year round. I have never been stuck and I have driven through 18" deep snow in 4wd without any problems.Altough if I had the money I would switch rims and tires in the winter. The winter weather and the sand, salt and de-icer that is used on the roads really takes it's toll on my polished aluminum wheels. I think a set of 18" wheels with some winter tires would be ideal if you live where there is alot of snow and ice.

I think this is the route I will be taking, too much of the above mentioned S**T for my liking as well.

I hope I don't have a hard time finding some cheap steel wheels and some decent winter sneakers come this winter? I will have to keep my eyes peeled and hopefully come across a used set of Michelin LTX's or similar, great all season tire imo. Thanks for the info everyone........Irv

Bostonsfavson · June 8, 2009

I run 20" Blizzaks in the winter--they work fine. As Matt mentioned, it's the quality of the snow tire that matters, not the diameter.

DamageInc · June 8, 2009

I run 275/60/R20 Cooper Zeon LTZ year round. I have never been stuck and I have driven through 18" deep snow in 4wd without any problems.Altough if I had the money I would switch rims and tires in the winter. The winter weather and the sand, salt and de-icer that is used on the roads really takes it's toll on my polished aluminum wheels. I think a set of 18" wheels with some winter tires would be ideal if you live where there is alot of snow and ice.

I think this is the route I will be taking, too much of the above mentioned S**T for my liking as well.

I hope I don't have a hard time finding some cheap steel wheels and some decent winter sneakers come this winter? I will have to keep my eyes peeled and hopefully come across a used set of Michelin LTX's or similar, great all season tire imo. Thanks for the info everyone........Irv

That sounds like the best route for you. Check around (talk to your local dealers, check ebay too) and you might be able to find some all-season 18" "take-offs" (on aluminum wheels) that somebody replaced with aftermarket wheels. Maybe even cheaper than buying new steel ones.

Irv · June 8, 2009

I run 275/60/R20 Cooper Zeon LTZ year round. I have never been stuck and I have driven through 18" deep snow in 4wd without any problems.Altough if I had the money I would switch rims and tires in the winter. The winter weather and the sand, salt and de-icer that is used on the roads really takes it's toll on my polished aluminum wheels. I think a set of 18" wheels with some winter tires would be ideal if you live where there is alot of snow and ice.

I think this is the route I will be taking, too much of the above mentioned S**T for my liking as well.

I hope I don't have a hard time finding some cheap steel wheels and some decent winter sneakers come this winter? I will have to keep my eyes peeled and hopefully come across a used set of Michelin LTX's or similar, great all season tire imo. Thanks for the info everyone........Irv

That sounds like the best route for you. Check around (talk to your local dealers, check ebay too) and you might be able to find some all-season 18" "take-offs" (on aluminum wheels) that somebody replaced with aftermarket wheels. Maybe even cheaper than buying new steel ones.

Good thinking, I think I will start looking soon just to beat the winter rush?

When looking at replacement tires/wheels, as long as they are roughly the same height as my 20" set-up I should be fine correct?

97SierraGMC · June 8, 2009

you could move up to 285's and a leveling kit and then you could run them all year around and would be able to keep your 20's and have more tread to work with

killterrorists · June 9, 2009

I run 20" Blizzaks in the winter--they work fine. As Matt mentioned, it's the quality of the snow tire that matters, not the diameter.

The Blizzaks are an awesome winter tire. You really stick to the slick winter roads.

crepitus · June 10, 2009

Drove thru 1 snow storm with the 20" LS2 and didnt like them. I could have got new tires for them (was looking at the Zeons) but decided to save the rims from the winter elements to get a set of 17" rims. Round a set of 17"GMC takoffs and ordered a set of Nittos. Now that will be my winter setup for the next few years.