Studded Snow Tires,What do You Know about em?

[mightybooboo]

Im looking at getting studded snows on the Dodge,neighbors swear by em and Ive seen his truck pull my car uphill on ice with em.....soooo......

They are legal here.

Plus I like the speed rating of 112 mph,so I can drive at 110 MPH in the snow...HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!!!

Price is right at 73 each,might get it all around 400-500 bucks for four?

What brands and cost/value have you used?

Im thinking these look like the ticket,any comments on them? Is Load range D adequate on a Diesel Truck? I wont be hauling heavy loads,just drive it around in winter as I would the car pretty much.4:10 gears so I like the tall size of 265/75/R16.

What is a reasonable price per tire to have studs added?
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http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

Winterforce Studdable Winter radials are designed to deliver outstanding value at an affordable price for the owners of domestic and imported sedans, vans and light-duty pickup trucks, as well as crossover and sport utility vehicles.....


Service Description
Load Range 2,601
265/75R16
Load Index 114 = 2640lbs (1200kg) per tire
Speed Rating “S” = 112mph (180kph) 114S SL Firestone Winterforce UV 2601lbs.
44 psi
14/32" tread depth
38 lbs.
638 revs per mile
Country of Origin "ID" = INDONESIAID

[vallyfarm]

Didn't know SoCal got that much snow and ice. I thought the canyon fires would melt any of the cold stuff. But as for the tires, I've had the best luck with a tire that has a lower milage rating. The longer the tire lasts is the harder and less grippy the rubber. No matter what tire tou get, it is the studs that are doing the work. Just rember that studs on a clear road give you a lot less traction than just rubber on the road. Braking will get scarry in a quick stop. Mike

[HermitJohn]

I think studs only maybe useful on slick pavement. I can tell you they are worthless on gravel/dirt roads. I'd try to find way to actually drive a studded car in your conditions before investing lot money. Very annoying on dry pavement.

[Harry Chickpea]

I'll relate a story to give you my opinion.

Back in the early 1970s I was still living in Vermont (I grew up there). I had to get to work from the middle of the state to Burlington. Along that stretch of the interstate is a moderate grade that goes for about 3/4 mile uphill towards Burlington. My car was a Nova, which is fairly light in the rear end. I had been convinced by someone to buy winter retreads that had crushed walnut shells in the mix.

This particular morning, there had been an ice storm and the hill was almost a pure sheet of ice. Traffic was extremely light, as most Vermonters of the time were native and knew when to drive and when to stay home. As I approached the hill, I saw there were about fifty cars and trucks stopped at odd angles on it. There were cars of all types, some of which I was surprised had not made it up the hill. From the looks of the situation, no one had made it more than about halfway, but the left lane was more or less clear.

I started hitting the grade at about 55 mph and imagined a raw egg between my foot and the accelerator pedal. The moment I felt that I was losing traction I slowed just enough to regain grip and didn't worry about completely maintaining speed. I held the steering wheel with the tips of my fingers so that I wouldn't oversteer. Not only did I thread between the cars and people on the road, but I made it completely up the hill (albeit at about 20 mph) and on into Burlington. Judging from the dusting of snow on that part of the road, I was the ONLY one who had made the grade - in a car that was far less suited than the jeeps and front wheel drive cars, and cars with studded tires. While I would love to say it was all due to skillful driving, I never could have done it without those tires. I never bothered with studded tires after that.

[Runestone]

I have a 2000 ford focus station wagon. I live in northern Ontario and drive 150 km round trip to work. In 2007, studded tires became legal. I always had snow tires but decided to go with studded snow tires for the extra traction. I live on a dirt road that the snow plow might get to sometime after I've left for work. In icy conditions, I have made it out to the highway without issue. I've driven with the studded tires and without. I wouldn't drive without them especially if you get a lot of icepacked roads the way that we do. They don't make much difference if it's just snow that you travel through but for frozen snow...you can't beat them.

[plowjockey]

Years ago, I ran them on the rear only(RWD) and they did great job, but it's the snow tires themselves that make the most difference in winter driving.

Rember to add extra weight to the vehicle for added traction.

[randy11acres]

Agree with plow jockey. I have 2 wd shortbed pickup and run studded snow tires with 700 lbs of sand in the bed. What the studs are for is ice on the roads.

[Ed Norman]

I pay $12 extra per tire to get them siped. That really increases the grab when braking, also helps on ice and packed snow. I'm sold on siping.

[LisaInN.Idaho]

I've gone without studs but onece I had them I won;t go without them. We live on a gravel road and once it's covered with snow and ice, it stays that way for the winter. The studs make a huge difference.

[mightybooboo]

Yes,I live at 5000 feet,we get snow.Lots,and this winter is already coming on like gang busters.

My road is steep and its an ice rink,the studded tires are really nice up here for that ice.I think those tires Im looking at are already siped,at least something I looked at was.Heard good things about siping too.

Yup,going to fill back of truck with some sandbags,weight is good,and sand on ice works real well too,turns that ice into sandpapaper......win win on that situation.

Can you all recommend brands you like,and costs?

[fixer1958]

My next truck will be a Dodge diesel.
I'm kind of hoping mine will explode or catch fire unexpectedly and hurry up the process.

What I have is a 2WD Chevy and just load the bed with firewood or snow, whichever is handiest. Wet snow is heavy and I don't have to unload it. Park it on a hill when it thaws.

If I can't get out of the driveway, I stay home, 1/2 mile uphill.
If I shovel enough in the bed to where I can barely see behind me, I'm usually good.
If it's all ice, screw the firewood, I stay home.
Blacktop, ice and other drivers don't mix.

[mightybooboo]

Originally Posted by HermitJohn

I think studs only maybe useful on slick pavement. I can tell you they are worthless on gravel/dirt roads. I'd try to find way to actually drive a studded car in your conditions before investing lot money. Very annoying on dry pavement.

Yup,the studded will be on the 4X4 truck for the season and pretty much only driven in icy conditions,and of course when the snow is out,ie,when 4wd is indicated.Neighbors have the studs,as I said he towed me home with his studs up the ice,no slips at all,it was impressive.

The car will be used when roads are clear.

[mightybooboo]

Originally Posted by fixer1958

My next truck will be a Dodge diesel.


If I can't get out of the driveway, I stay home, 1/2 mile uphill.

If it's all ice, screw the firewood, I stay home.
Blacktop, ice and other drivers don't mix.

Yup,love the Dodge CTD 4x4,what a great truck.Bud has one,and talked me into it,didnt take much convincing after riding in his.Mikes (neighbor) hemi 4x4 is nice too,just not a diesel.

Dont have luxury of staying home,I have to go to work for THEIR sake,not mine,I could happily stay home but not an option.

[foxtrapper]

When driving across frozen lakes and the like, studded tires are great. On hard glare ice, studs give traction like nothing else.

When driving on snow, hardpack, refrozen slush, etc., it's all in the tread. Not studs, but tread. And some the rubber compound itself. Studs don't help. Don't hurt either, but they don't help.

When driving on slush and light snow, it's all the tread again. Studs can hurt traction here, as the steel pins skitter and keep the rubber up off the surface and prevent the tread from digging in.

So you've got to evaluate where you're driving. If you live in Greenland on a glacer, studs are probably a real good idea. If you live in Colorado, they aren't going to do you nearly as much good.

[Beeman]

$73 for 265/75/16 tires is less then what any good tire for that truck would cost, especially a tire rated LT for a light truck. I don't think I'd waste my money.
Notice the reviews are for a Kia Sorrento and a Honda Pilot, not a real truck.

[alleyyooper]

I really find it laughable when a truck has a 680 pound motor over the front wheels of a 4x4 and ya need to spend a bunch of money for studded snow tires. put them on in the fall some time and take them off in the spring some time.

They were baned here in Michigan since the late 60's or early 70's cause they tore up the roads. The people here from about mid state on have snow most of the year. With the buget cuts here most roads do not get salted, sanded or plowed till the snow storm is over. Some just stay home if the roads are really bad which is sleet ice on them. If they are really gung ho to get out they spent the money for tire chains and know how to install them. For less than $100.00 per pair they go about anywhere they want.

My third Dodge with a Cummins, It is also a laughable truck. 325 HP 600FPT and it can only pull a 373 rear gear. My 90 was about 145 HP and pulled a 354 and I was always looking for another gear with it.




Al

[mightybooboo]

My road,from home,is steep ICE for weeks at a time.I really dont feel like chaining up,driving 5 miles out of snow,taking off dirty wet chains....driving to work,working 12.5 hours,driving home,putting on dirty wet chains in the dark in snowstorms to drive up the ice slope,rinse and repeat every fri,sat and sunday.

The studs therefore are what is used here.

What I want to know is what are GOOD studded tires,what have you used,how to drive with them,warnings/mistakes to avoid with them,and good pricing.

Telling me to stay home??? Fine,I'll tell my patients to stay home and die too. I dont have that luxury.I HAVE to drive off this mountain,period.We have a spring that drains right down our road.We have sub freezing temps.4-5 foot snow drifts happen here,we have serious weather.The road is STEEP,its chains or studs.The studs work,they work well.So do chains,but back to I dont wish to play the chain game when the studs are workhorses here,and I'm doing 15 hour days with drive time 3 in a row.

Studs effective.Seen em in action,neighbors use em,I intend to also.Ive also seen my other neighbor with his 4 wheel drive ford diesel slide all over trying to get up road with his chains on front,its embarrassing to watch his struggle and fishtailing as my 1959 VW truck does better with chains than he does.....while the studded neighbors move both their trucks and AWD cars with NO problem as if on dry pavement.And arent out in the snow storms jerking around the chains,and just driving through chain control with the wave a hand wave,not in the slush and sleet in a traffic jam putting on chains.

I appreciate the dry road comments,I now know to be a lot more careful in that situation,thank you.Those comments are VERY helpful,the comments on the tires themselves,appreciated....stay home or use chains isnt.I already know that.And the road condition I have to drive,ICE.

[Sawmill Jim]

I think the winter force tires are good .I got a S10 4x4 with 235 x15 aggressive tires on it used the four wheel drive once last year in our ice storm it is light and short goes great .

[mightybooboo]

Click to enlarge pics

Here is my driveway,note black road,that will be an ice rink for weeks at a time




You cant get a feel for the slope but,those 2 trees bottom right will catch a couple vehicles yearly from going right into Mikes house,either they cant make the turn going down,or they get stuck in the intersection and slide off the road.This is looking out from front of Jetta.





This pic gives a pretty good idea of the slope....From front of car its goes right down at an angle like the road does going up into the turn on the left





See that arrow? Thats the other street out,even worse.You better have 4 wheels chained or you wont be stopping at the bottom.Also gives you an idea of coming out the drive,you go straight done an ice chute.You want to try putting chains on a truck on that driveway???? I dont,hence why once we chain in the winter that VW stays chained,when road is clear out comes the Jetta.

Now it will be the Dodge parked there,studded,for the season,in weather the Dodge will be driven,rest of season it will sit,and again Jetta will be employed.




This is cleanup after 3rd snowfall....Note Mikes trusty Dodge 4x4 truck with the studs,NO problem coming up or down from the main road.It also gets driven in weather,sits when road clears and then they drive the Buried Scion.After season those tires and rims go back in the garage until next winter.




BTW our fall here has come in hard already.we all expect a serious winter this year.

[mightybooboo]

Originally Posted by Sawmill Jim

I think the winter force tires are good .I got a S10 4x4 with 235 x15 aggressive tires on it used the four wheel drive once last year in our ice storm it is light and short goes great .

Thanks Jim,Ive read a lot of pretty good reviews on em too,glad to hear you like em too.We had a 2wd S-10.great truck it was!