Just 2 snow tires - bad idea?

I'd really like a dedicated set of winter snow tires but I just don't have the funds right now. Would it be a bad idea to pick up 2 snow tires and a couple craigslist rims and mount them on the rear? I might be able to swing that.

Just weighing the pros and cons.

 

Decades ago that was pretty much the norm and I have done it myself, many years ago. But it's far from ideal and not recommended anymore. Simple reason (I bet you know this) is your front tires need to be able to turn and stop. If funds don't allow all four at this time, go with two on the rear axle. You sure won't be the first. Just be aware you'll need to adjust your driving (slower, smoother).

 

I should qualify myself by saying that I have lived in WI and MN my entire driving life (30 years) and have never had snow tires. I currently have a good set of Michelin LTX MS2s on my truck and 210 lbs of sand in the bed. I do know what I'm doing when it comes to driving in the snow.

I'm just always looking for that extra edge and have thought dedicated snow tires might do the trick. Just trying to decide if 2 is better than none? Probably not worth the bother at this point.

 

Snow tires are night and day difference, that being said, using them on one end versus the other just means you're limiting traction on that specific end.

Most places will suggest putting them on the front end tires because most drivers are more used to understeer than oversteer.

Why not try it? If it is awful, you're halfway to next season.

 

Assuming that this is a 4x4, using only 2 snow tires is a bad idea. Always run 4 of the same tire on a 4x4.

 

Very few people on this forum have experienced snow like you have. You can mount the snow tires in your bed and still be a better winter driver then most on here.

 

I've driven a few vehicles, and its WAY more unpredictable. The front or rear kicks out without warning. Especially on long offramps.

I'm a canadian mechanic and I haven't seen a 2 winter tire vehicle in over 10 years. Everyone runs 4 now.

 

Steering and stopping is 100x more important than going. No reason to get a truck moving that you can't control so the only place where just 2 makes sense is a FWD vehicle.

 

The better tires need to go on the rear axle. When you stop the weight transfer to the front makes the them more grippy and the back tires less grippy. If you stop hard enough the rears will lock and then you will get oversteer like crazy. Ask me how I know. (more likely the antilock brakes will kick in and just extend the stopping distance) To make up for the physics of how cars stop always put the better tires on the back.

This is only true for full time 4wd. Our trucks with their part time 4wd don't care. If it's slippery enough for 4wd any imbalance in tire size will not be noticeable. (but you should not mix tire sizes on the same axle. Front - Back - OK Left - Right not OK

OP I've never run dedicated snows on a 4wd vehicle, and I've had a few. Seems to me that if quality all season tires and 4wd aren't good enough, then you should be using chains.

 

Yeah. I'm fine with what I have. I have sand bags in the rear and good all-season tires. I just fantasize about some sweet Blizzaks about this time of year but at $200 a pop plus some rims and install fees, it just isn't worth it. If only I was made of money.

I know my limits and the limits of my truck. Heck, I had a 1977 Toyota 2WD pickup during the 1991 MN Halloween blizzard and I was out all night cruising town with my girlfriend on the bench seat next to me while digging people out. Good times.

Thanks for the advice. I'll spend my money on other things and stick with what I have.

 

You could follow these guys all winter...