Tire Size and Winter: Should I be concerned?

I searched, but this is a rather specific topic, so I'm sorry if I missed a thread that covers this.

I think I just might be convinced to get 285/75/16 when the time comes. However, I was wondering if anyone noticed any appreciable difference when going to such a large tire in the snow/ice. Of course, the primary concern is the width.

With my '94 Ranger (4" Suspension/2" Body), I had 33x12.5 BFG T/As on 15x10 rims. Though I never really noticed much of a difference, everyone asked whether I slid around on the Ice. I always told them "Not that I'd noticed", but it's probably a valid point.

So there's my question: Am I going to encounter a NOTICEABLY increased likelihood of drifting on the snow/ice? I do realize that those tires were wider and having a 10" rim compared to the 8" I will likely get. However, I'm still wondering what those that have gone before have experienced.

Thanks in advance.

 

You shouldn't, I'm from Far north Alberta, Canada. So I drive 7-8 months worth of winter driving every year. Wider tires = better contact patch on the ground, meaning you'll have more traction. I think whoever told you that big tires slid where those talking about big mud and rock tires, they have a harder rubber. You need a softer rubber in order to grab the Ice and snow easier.

Thats my experience, gone through about 8 full sets of tires. (I lay alot of rubber)*

Side note: X-runners are dropped 1.5" inches in suspension, whats the biggest size winter tire I can get for that?

*In a closed course in mexico

 

Depends on your snow. Out here in CO where the snow is really dry and fluffy. you just cut right through, and I prefer a tire with a smaller contact patch (more pounds per square inch of pressure). So I run 265s. Last year I took out a 2009 Tacoma with 285s and it definitely didn't do as well in our conditions because it couldn't get a good bite. On icy snow - aka Sierra Cement, or what they see up in NE, it may be a whole different story.

 

I use a narrow tire 245s in the winter. I actually went to a studded tire because the back end kicked out a lot in the short bed & we tow a lot in the mountains.
In deep snow a wider tire will plow/push/float where a narrower tire will cut through. If you do not see deep snow I would not see a problem. Not sure about ice, as said, a softer compound tire or studs is best in my experience.

 

narrower is better for snow. Thats why they used snowshoes, bigger area so you didnt sink in. You want to sink down to the pavement in a vehicle