itsanice150

get a good set of winter tires. Best thing you can do. All seasons are **** below 7 degrees, and anyone who tells you different is an idiot. All weather tires are much better and should only be used if winter tires are not in the budget, or you need a tire size not available in winter.


In my case im getting a set of studded all weathers as they don't make a winter tire for what I need. I really wish they did, winter tires are night and day better then any other option.

vulnox

Do you just get a set of steel wheels as well, or do you have the winter tires mounted on your stock wheels and remount the summer/all seasons later?

rival

Yeah, I've never understood those guys in 4x4's who fly by everyone on snow covered roads.

That 4x4 traction ain't gonna help you stopping 5,000 lbs on ice.

Carmmond

Funny never had a problem with any of my trucks in the last 30+ years in cold weather.... mater of fact drove my semi in the same weather hauling over 40 Ton and never had a problem with the all season tires. Must be doing something wrong I'll look into a set right awayhttps://www.f150forum.com/images/smilies/jester.gif

130428

^ just because all-seasons are OK doesnt mean winter tires are not better... Many, many people do ok with all-seasons, no question. Then you hit a patch of black ice, fishtail a couple times, and bend the front bumper on a concrete barricade... you know, stupid sh*t like that

in my FWD car, even my "performance winter" (ie. more performance than winter) were better than the A/S. In my truck, I drove up & down the "highway to hell" in the winter many times, with mud tires, and never had a problem... doesn't mean I wouldn't have been safer with proper winter tires

just got a set of Blizzaks, and still waiting for some real snow / cold...

Deadman1981

I live in Fort McMurray so I know what you're talking about.

1. Buy WINTER tires, studded if possible. The way the snow and ice packs into the streets because of the extreme cold makes traction a challenge.

2. Weight in the bed does help. Place it directly over the axle and it will help stop you from spinning and loosing traction when starting off from stops.

3. Drive as if there is an egg rolling around in the bed of your truck. What I mean is gentle maneuvers. Start and stop gradually and don't take turns to fast ( the back end will break free pretty quick if you hit a turn too fast)

4. 4H is great when travelling over icy/snow covered roads. Just remember what everyone else has said about dry pavement. Also, disengage 4x4 when parking. The extreme turning of the wheels and tight turns shouldn't be done in 4x4.

5. Be alert and ready for anything!! Last December my wife and I were travelling south on Highway 63 with one vehicle ahead of us (SUV). Out of no where my truck lost traction and started to slide back and forth (black ice). I didn't panic and hit the breaks but took my foot off the gas and quickly shifted into 4H. That with the traction control helped to straighten the truck out. About 30 seconds later the SUV in front had the same thing happen, although he could not get the vehicle straightened out. He crossed the centre line and hit another SUV head on. I had to quickly react and put my truck in the ditch to avoid being the third one in the accident. We called 911 and I attended to the injured until the ambulance arrived. Luckily no serious injuries except broken bones. Just goes to show that in a split second conditions can change!

Sorry for being long winded but hope this helps.

Velosprout

Sand Bags...yes. The back end of a pickup truck has little weight over the rear wheels unless you are loaded with cargo. This will allow the rear wheels to lose traction. If you aren't using the truck to haul cargo, four 70-pound sand bags are a good idea. If you are using a tonneau cover or topper, a cut-to-fit piece of carpeting will help keep the sandbags from freezing solid to the truck bed liner so you can remove them when needed for hauling cargo or if you need to break one open to use as a traction material. If they slide around in the truck, use 2 x 4's to make a restraint. I use sand bags in one truck and in the other use cast iron farm tractor wheel weights.


2 wheel drive on clear roads, 4 wheel automatic (if your vehicle had it) on intermittently slick roads with patches of dry, and 4 high on solidly snowed or iced roads with no patches of dry road surface. 4 Wheel low for only when stuck in snow/broken ice/mud or rescuing another vehicle with a chain or recovery strap.


As with any vehicle, snow shovel(s), recovery strap or chain, jumper cables, windshield ice melt, lighter/matches/candle, spare food, sleeping bags, space blankets, pillows, warning flares or reflectors, flashlights, jumper cables, spare gloves, and a roll of paper shop towels, tools and duct tape, plastic sheeting, are supplies that might end up being useful for yourself or others that are stranded or disabled by the weather conditions.


I wish my State would still allow studded snow tires. Due to people using them year-around and damage to the roads, they have been banned since the 1970's. They really work and save lives.

Scotsskier

Yup, proper winter tires are a huge leap above A/S. I am not personally a fan of studs, I don't like the reduction in grip on dry/wet roads in the conditions we see here. I have my snows on an extra set of wheels so I can change out when time

You will enjoy the blizzaks - dmv1 I assume? - I have had a few sets on various SUVs and they work well - but wear quick with me . Only area where I have found they fall short a bit is in really wet slush where they don't seem to clear quickly enough. I am thinking about trying the new yoko IG 51 this year

Spiky

Meh. It's about knowing how to drive. And are you talking about snow-covered or ice-covered? Not remotely the same thing.

What I don't understand is why "everyone" huddles up their cars in groups of 10 on freeways in a blizzard. Stay the F away from other cars in bad conditions.

I stop faster from 50mph on 4" of snow than the morons creeping along at 25mph in their little 'please let's cause a 10 car pileup' packs of cars. Practice. Timing. Pay attention to the damn road. Have capable tires. And I'm still in a FWD sedan.

itsanice150

I have 22" brigade rims with nitto trail grapplers for summer (studded or not, not great for winter), and I don't like the damage done to the rim from constant changing over as I found in the past. I sold my stock rims which I planned to use for winter because the offset doesn't match up with my bushwacker flares (spacers were $500 so not worth it) and bought a second set of rims with the same -24 offset for winter. Went with 20" RMR NUKES and the LT285/65R20 Exo Grappler with studs. I chose this tire over the 35x12.50R20LT as it is an inch narrower and narrower tires are much better in winter in almost all situations besides packed snow traction. I know the exo grappler are all weather tires, but as I have said they don't make 35 inch winter tires for what I need. Starting to doubt the 6 inch lift between the fuel economy gone to crap and the lack of winter tire.... but ill save that for another thread.

I will say again, if you have never tried a winter tire, I suggest you do. You will be blown away at how much better and how you have been driving around with all that added risk to yourself and your passengers all these years with other tires. My wife's family use to tell me all the time a good set of all seasons were just fine..... after driving my vehicle ONCE!!!, they switch over all their vehicles and never looked back. Its not always how good of a driver you are, a lot of times its how bad other drivers are, and the need for you to make up for their crap driving skills/ tires.

That said I am happy transport Canada has come out with the all weather tire rating. It will mean that most people will choose this tire for their next set instead of an all season since they serve the same purpose (year round/ budget savings) but have a much much better winter rating and work below 7 degrees. This will mean less accidents and safer roads as all seasons become a thing of the past.


Cheers