Snow tires, not too impressed

2091 Views 16 Replies 14 Participants Last post by WhistlerWzrd, Jan 19, 2010

2WD_NISMO

Discussion Starter · Jan 18, 2010

Finally broke down and bought some snow tires this year, General Altimax Artics. Never had a problem with traction with the stockers and never been stuck even though I am 2 WD and live in Maine. Honestly, I don't see much of a difference with the snows.
What snows have you guys been running with good luck?

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

Irongrave

· #2 · Jan 18, 2010

have you dropped the PSI in your tires when its snowing, i tend to drop at least 5 psi out of my tires when its snowing

domoMKIV

· #3 · Jan 18, 2010

2WD_NISMO said:
Never had a problem with traction with the stockers and never been stuck even though I am 2 WD and live in Maine.

Why did you buy them then?

2WD_NISMO

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 18, 2010

Irongrave said:
have you dropped the PSI in your tires when its snowing, i tend to drop at least 5 psi out of my tires when its snowing

no that only applies to sand where u want to 'float' on top of the sand and not sink into it

in snowy conditions you want to 'dig' through the snow onto a tractionable surface (pavement)

Zedbra

· #5 · Jan 18, 2010

the stopping distance is key to measuring snow tires

jpac811

· #6 · Jan 18, 2010

snow tires are made of different rubber compounds that retain there maleability and grip at lower temperatures unlike regular tires. Thats what gets them the better traction for stop and go.

Markcuda

· #7 · Jan 18, 2010

the stopping distance is key to measuring snow tires

You got to be frickin' kidding me?:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

Triple S

· #8 · Jan 18, 2010

I'm surprised you are not seeing a big difference, the tread patterns looks fairly good, especially all of the sips, the really small slits, these are the things that really help on ice.

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mustard23

· #9 · Jan 18, 2010

2WD_NISMO said:
no that only applies to sand where u want to 'float' on top of the sand and not sink into it

in snowy conditions you want to 'dig' through the snow onto a tractionable surface (pavement)

hmm not what I have heard.. I always been told it the bigger suffice area helps out in snow and Ice, chances are you don't have dry pavement under snow it wet pavement and ice.

colin123

· #10 · Jan 18, 2010

i think the problem is he wasn't driving in the type of environment that these tires do best in. he said he never had a problem with his stock tires and that really says something cause those long trails suck. snow flake rated tires really shine when temps get down in the teens and lower because of their ability to maintain flex and not become blocks of ice like normal tires, and in environments of lots of ice those little slits really help with traction and it sounds like the op isn't in an environment like that. he pretty much bought tires that he didn't need like if someone drives down a gravel road everyday so they buy a set of mud terrains hoping for something better, its just pointless

Triple S

· #11 · Jan 18, 2010

2WD_NISMO said:
in snowy conditions you want to 'dig' through the snow onto a tractionable surface (pavement)

I'm from the land of lake effect snow, this time of year you can go to bed with 2-inches on the ground and wake up in the morning with 2-feet. The cutting through the snow to get down to something solid is exactly what you want the snow tires to do, NISMO here is right, riding up on the snow will in the end not get you the kind of traction you need, underinflated tires in the snow is a bad idea.

In all honesty, there seems to be one great truth in snow traction, and that is nothing more than getting gravity to work for you, good ole weight. The Titan at nearly 5,000 pounds even on crap tires was a beast, it would go anywhere, anytime. With the Frontier and the dramatic drop in weight, I have to work harder and think more about what I'm doing, and yes, of course, with the Frontier I have gone back to these...

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maclufrontier

· #12 · Jan 18, 2010

IMO, the benefit of snow tires is that the tread remains soft and flexible in the coldest of winters, which translates to fairly consistent traction throughout the range of temperatures winter dishes out. Also, the many sipes on winter tires increases the surface area to "grab" ice better. They are well worth the investment.

2WD_NISMO

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jan 18, 2010

colin123 said:
i think the problem is he wasn't driving in the type of environment that these tires do best in. he said he never had a problem with his stock tires and that really says something cause those long trails suck.

That sounds about right. Our winters here are not as severe anymore in terms of temps and snowfall. Plus the road cleaning methods are far more effective than before.

earlr

· #14 · Jan 18, 2010

So, the BFG Long Trails are still the stock tire on the '05 trucks too (I have an '03)? It so, and you were doing ok with those tires and 2WD then it's no wonder you didn't notice any difference. I find the BFGs to be horrible on even a wet road, much less snow or ice. I have a set of Kumho M/Ts I bought for off-roading that I also keep on the truck throughout the winter months, and they absolutely rock in the snow. When we just had that big snow here in VA a few weeks back I was out in it several times, most of the time in 2WD, and never had a bit of trouble.

Mr.X

· #15 · Jan 18, 2010

i'm running the same Atlimax Arctic tires studded. They have made a world of difference in BC over the rugged trails. But I drive on a lot of snow covered and snow packed roads through the mountain passes and routes to the ski hills.

bobblehead

· #16 · Jan 19, 2010

Markcuda said:
You got to be frickin' kidding me?:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

Are you joking as well? Snow tires are supposed to help you stop faster than non-winter tires according to all the reading I've been doing.

WhistlerWzrd

· #17 · Jan 19, 2010

I just bought a set of Arctic Claws, they are way better than the BFG's in cold temps, and yes, you can stop faster, not stopping is what ruins your day.
WW

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