Lee Wells

Needing advice from the experts; to winter tire or NOT to winter tire.

In March last year I finally bought a brand new 2010 XLT Super Cab 5.4 V8. Loved the truck until Jan 2011 when CT got pounded with snow storms, after which I thought it was going to send me to an early grave even with 800 lbs of sand stacked beyond the rear axle.

What seemed like a $5K saving at the time of puchase, turned out to be a costly mistake, when you need 4x4, you REALLY DO; NEED IT!

As winter approaches again (we just had 6-8" the past weekend) I am considering a couple of options.
1. Buy a new set of snow tires on spare rims (currently using stock rims which come with the XLT chrome package), Blizzak DM-V1 seem to be the preference out there on this forum; what rims should I get or just stick with the stock ones for winter too?
2. Trading in for a used or new 4x4 upgrade, if you were doing this which model would you choose? I was frustrated enough last year to think about the Raptor but 99% of the time I don't need something like that just the same XLT in 4x4.

I would be interested to hear if you think it is worth getting the snow tires even if I am going to switch to a 4x4 early next year.

Thanks
Lee

kk_kalina

if ur going to switch to 4x4 anyways do it now and get a 2011 with all the incentives u cant go wrong although regardless ur gonna want winter tires so i would buy a 4x4 now and get winter tires i personaly recommend an fx4 but thats biased since thats what i have a 2011 ecoboost fx4 and love it everyday

RES4CUE

You found out the hard way what I try and explain, better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

I don't know if tires are going to help, maybe with steering a little but getting going probably not. Also you posted that the weight was beyond the axle, you should place it over the axle.

Right now dealers are unloading 2011 because 12's are arriving. It would be costly but you could trade. I am a little surprised that there were 2wd in your area for sale. lol My dealer here in Va has on 4wd, you have to order 2wd. lol

RES4CUE

You don't need winter tires, I grew up in the pacific northwest and lived in NOVA for years and have never needed a snow tire once especially with a 4wd. Have been to all the major mountains back home without winter tires.

If you do buy 4wd, just let those tires run down then buy a nicer AT and get all year out of them.

lddrew

buying a 4x2 truck was one of the stupidest things i've done. i swear that open diff is the dumbest thing I've ever seen. LSD did not EVER work

RES4CUE

My LS works great, wonder why yours didn't?

Sure, it is a few grand more but spread that over the loan and it is not all that bad. It will be worth it when you need it.

Also, now if you lived in a place where it may snow once a year then a 2wd is not a bad idea.

lddrew

it was retarded I swear. one tire would sit there spinning, the other one would just stay there planted. nothing I could do to make it engage, f-ing retarded

BobLobLaw

If you can get a 4x4 do it. Even with snow tires a rwd vehicle will get stuck in severe conditions. If you stop on a hill good luck trying to get moving. But I would personally give the snow tires a go and see how it works out. If you don't like it upgrade to a 4x4. But just because you have a 4x4 does not mean you don't need proper tires. You still need a good set of tires that can handle snow and ice. 4x4 gets you going but stopping and turning will be no different than your rwd.

RobJok

Get the 4x4. Then if you feel you need snows get them. My guess is all seasons will be just fine. That is al I ever run.

Lee Wells

Sounds very familiar, I could polish rocks in winter conditions in the RWD.