Your perfect snow build?

Who is going to try and drive their truck through 20 ft of snow

 

Op said 4 banger correct. So weight an sinking is not as significant an issue.

The wider tire argument works for sand. It also works for snow when the snow consistency is similar to sand... What kind of snow had the consistency of sand? It's thicker, heavy and likely been set up for a couple days. It's also not usually found in significant quantities in road.

As far as width on ice... Physics class!!! Same weight creates same friction regardless of width. Why changes is pressure per unit of area... More pressure on studs creates more traction do in theory a thinner tire would be better as it will put more pressure on the stud.

Another factor is rolling resistance. Maybe not too noticeable in dry pavement. But that 4 banger is going to complain trying to push wide tires through 6 inches of heavy snow... I notice that even with the 6 cyl.

Another consideration to rolling resistance is driving in 2wd... Wider front tires create more of a plow effect which stops/slows the truck.

A good end analysis. It's easier to hydro plane with wider tires. Snow and ice are water... Same logic applies. If your goal isn't to scoot across the top. Probably dont want the wide tires.

 

I thought he wanted "best snow build" and Arctic trucks are the "best snow build"
Until I see one of those guys using tall and skinny tires I will continue using same approach to selecting my tires.
And if OP wants "best snow build" I am gonna say look what pros are doing and follow the same path.

You can't get more perfect then this

 

If you want the best snow build, you want a snow cat, hands down. I was under the impression that the OP wanted the best snow build that was still going to be a suitable year round daily driver. The Arctic Truck build, while they are impressive, are HUGE money and highly impracticle unless you live in an area without roads. The Arctic truck is also a slow moving vehicle. At higher speeds and only a little snow on the road, or slush, it will be HORRIBLE. It will hydroplane all over the place because those tires are so wide, you'll never get traction.

Once again, read what I wrote about the two schools of thought between the tall and skinny tires vs. fat tires. It all depends on what type of terrain you're driving over. You also provided your own example, look at an ice racer or any big rig. They have skinny tires. If there is something solid to dig down to, skinny tires will be better. Otherwise, you'd better go wide enough to float. Tires in the middle won't do either one well and will be mediocre all around.

 

bump this...

 

The Blizzak is a good winter tire as some have suggested, but also to consider is the Nokian Hakka LT if your going for a dedicated winter. As far as best snow build, that question can be argued, lift, ARB air locker all around regear, tall & wide or skinny, how much $$$ in the pot etc.

 

Uh , ya , if you are intending on driving on top of 30 feet of powder

 

Well DUH! I mean everyone knows they don't plow the roads up here. That's how we keep our taxes low! Once it's over 5 feet on the roads you're encouraged to use public transit to help weigh the buses down so they can blaze a trail for the few dogsleds left out there. Welp, back to the igloo for me guys!

 

You been holding out on us OZ or is it just Muth mirrors?

 

Can't tell

 

Cram the widest KM2s you can on your truck and you'll get free mirror heat. Only a matter of time until they get firmly inserted into someones radiator.

 

Well fine then... we've still got Sienna mirrors and Rob's extended, heated mirrors with LED turn signals so

 

I like it!

 

If I got KM2's they would be 255/80/17

 

Apparently your truck would then be useless in anything more than 1/2" of snow... Your truck would spin off the road at the very threat of snow, hurdling off a cliff in a fireball with you hopelessly trying to control the vehicle. Get some 305's, they will save your life.

 

TW member anethema has siped 255/85/16 KM2's and he lives in the interior of BC , lots of winter snow

 

Sarcasm... must be a language barrier

I actually want to go to 255/70R17 or 245/75R17 for my next set. I like my winter tires like I like my women, tall and skinny

 

I got it , was just stating it for the flotation types

and why not 255/75/17 ?

 

These things are good until you have to park it in the snow overnight and the small wheels completely freeze up. The Germans learned it the hard way with their overlapping tank wheels in Russia.

 

* bogies