Help Selecting Tires!

[jwar3]

I got a great deal on a 2003 Ram last fall and I will be needing new tires before this Fall.

My issue is that my truck is 2-wheel drive and I live in Michigan and driving this past winter on all season tires, was horrible - even with 200+ lbs of sand bags in the bed.

My truck is a 2003 1500 4-door, short bed, with the 4.7 magnum. I currently have Firestone Destination LE tires (265/70/17).

I want to get a tire that is awesome in the ice and snow. Before I call for some quotes, I want to know if getting an on/off road all terrain tire would even make that much of a difference in a 2-wheel drive truck. Or should i save my money and just get another set of all seasons. I do not want to get snow tires.

Any thoughts or experience on this??

Any suggestions on tires? i'm leaning towards the BFG K/O 2

thanks in advance

 

[braindead0]

Goodyear duratrac.. Have those on our jeep wrangler, haven't even had to use 4wd in snow/ice.. they really grip.

however for lots of snow/ice I'd recommend a second set of wheels/tires with studs if you can use those there.

 

[justin13703]

If you want something that's gonna be awesome in the snow you'll have to get a set of snow tires. And unless they're studded really no tire is going to be any good on ice. Also, don't get wide tires thinking they'll help in the snow. Wider tires will drive more on top of the snow whereas skinnier tires will push through down to the pavement easier. This is why Id just get a set of winter tires, because skinny tires isn't something most people want to drive around with on their truck all year.

 

[JPT]

You can make it "better" in then snow/ice, but it will never be good. You really need 4wd. Did you get a good enough deal on it to make it worth converting to 4wd?

Here in NJ, I drive it all winter, there is NO way I could survive on snow days without the 4wd. RWD is a joke in snow/ice.

 

[braindead0]

I lived for 16 years in northeast Ohio driving a 2wd chevy s10 then a 2wd nissan frontier... never really had all that much trouble even on 4" of solid ice covering the roads. A quality M+S severe service tire will work okay. Certainly 4wd would be better, however I never found it necessary and quite frankly hardly ever put any extra weight in the rear.

 

[JPT]

I lived for 16 years in northeast Ohio driving a 2wd chevy s10 then a 2wd nissan frontier... never really had all that much trouble even on 4" of solid ice covering the roads. A quality M+S severe service tire will work okay. Certainly 4wd would be better, however I never found it necessary and quite frankly hardly ever put any extra weight in the rear.

Personally, I think the longer wheelbase makes it difficult to get going. And the weight, these things weigh quite a bit more than an s10 and a frontier.

It might be that I also have to go around people who are stuck in their cars, so I need the ability to turn quickly, which in a RWD vehicle, is just Dangerous.

EDIT: But my main point is, being "better" and being safe on highways are two different things. During snow days, if you do not have 4wd, you shouldn't be on the roads. You risk the lives of others around you, and if/when you get stuck, you inhibit the ability of 1st responders from getting to where they need to.

 

[braindead0]

Personally, I think the longer wheelbase makes it difficult to get going. And the weight, these things weigh quite a bit more than an s10 and a frontier.

It might be that I also have to go around people who are stuck in their cars, so I need the ability to turn quickly, which in a RWD vehicle, is just Dangerous.

I think the biggest factor would be how the roads are treated, I was in the Akron/Canton area and they did a pretty good job of clearing snow/ice.. Side streets were touchy and slow going at times, but most main streets during normal business hours were clear. There are too many unknown factors to make a blanket statement.

 

[JPT]

There are too many unknown factors to make a blanket statement.

Snow tires on a 2wd vehicle makes it "better", but it certainly does not make it good. There is no question about that.

 

[braindead0]

Snow tires on a 2wd vehicle makes it "better", but it certainly does not make it good. There is no question about that.

Indeed, but that's a far cry from not 4wd being necessary for survival..

 

[jwar3]

Did you get a good enough deal on it to make it worth converting to 4wd?

I paid $2k for the truck. It only had 100k miles on it and no rust. I bought it off a friend of my dad's. I'm the second owner and I would like to keep it for a while.

I never thought about converting to 4wd. I'm not even sure what that would cost. Would that be something a Chrysler shop would have to do, or could any good mechanic shop do it?

I live in the lower part of the thumb in Michigan. It's a fairly rural place, the roads in the winter are not always plowed/salted well.

Reading the other responses, I think I either get some snow/studded tires or sell the truck...

 

[legend02]

4wd only helps you get going and from getting stuck... stopping if your in a truck your at a detriment to a car

 

[Teeka]

Goodyear duratrac.. Have those on our jeep wrangler, haven't even had to use 4wd in snow/ice.. they really grip.

however for lots of snow/ice I'd recommend a second set of wheels/tires with studs if you can use those there.

I run these on my jeep as well. With out studs and 2 wheel made it up the back alley hill when it was a sheet off ice.

They squawk a little in the summer.


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[braindead0]

I run these on my jeep as well. With out studs and 2 wheel made it up the back alley hill when it was a sheet off ice.

They squawk a little in the summer.


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I haven't noticed any odd noises, they make some on the highway but nothing annoying.. First time I got on snow/ice with the duratracs I was pretty amazed....

OP was looking for tire options, I think duratracs would be a good choice for improved ice/snow handling.

 

[JPT]

I paid $2k for the truck. It only had 100k miles on it and no rust. I bought it off a friend of my dad's. I'm the second owner and I would like to keep it for a while.

I never thought about converting to 4wd. I'm not even sure what that would cost. Would that be something a Chrysler shop would have to do, or could any good mechanic shop do it?

I live in the lower part of the thumb in Michigan. It's a fairly rural place, the roads in the winter are not always plowed/salted well.

Reading the other responses, I think I either get some snow/studded tires or sell the truck...

You might be better off putting chains on during heavy snow, and using winter tires.

It would be expensive to convert, especially if you do not do the work yourself.

For 2k, I would keep it, and figure something out for those heavy snow days.

 

[JPT]

4wd only helps you get going and from getting stuck... stopping if your in a truck your at a detriment to a car

And turning...

 

[justin13703]

4wd only helps you get going and from getting stuck... stopping if your in a truck your at a detriment to a car

This is what most people don't realize and why almost every single accident I see in the winter is caused by someone in a 4wd truck that apparently thinks 4wd helps them turn and brake in the snow...

On another note, 4wd is definitely nice to have. You may not NEED it much, but that one time you do you will be glad you have it

 

[WulfGang]

Toyo Open Country ATII Extremes

Almost took the fun out of the snow for me this winter.

I found they were really good in the snow.

Regarding the wide vs' slim tire, consider this;

Say.. 4" of snow, you WILL dig till you hit pavement with both tires.
Now, once you do, which tire has a greater surface area for traction? Ah.. the wider tire.

I have heard the saying before about the narrow tire and it doesn't sit well with me to dig myself in. If I'm getting traction on top I don't need to dig in.

In 4" of snow it's not an issue. 2'+ of snow? I'm not wanting to dig down and bury my truck in that lol.

These tires are pricey but well worth it. I originally picked them up for their tow rating (excellent, btw for towing!). We got hit pretty hard with a lot of snow&ice this year in PA and I made it to and from work every time.

When these are gone I won't even be considering a different tire unless this are no longer available.

 

[Csanders1992]

Like you said with either tire you'll probably dig down, but a wider tire is also going to have to push more snow. Go get buried in a mud hole and you'll see what I mean. Narrow tires are better for getting through deep snow


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[HeavyD]

I want to get a tire that is awesome in the ice and snow. Before I call for some quotes, I want to know if getting an on/off road all terrain tire would even make that much of a difference in a 2-wheel drive truck. Or should i save my money and just get another set of all seasons. I do not want to get snow tires.

Any thoughts or experience on this??

Any suggestions on tires? i'm leaning towards the BFG K/O 2

thanks in advance

I have a 2004 ram 1500 QCSB (quad cab short box)
& I have the BFG k/o's all terrain - they sucketh the big one in snow & are useless on ice - im changing mine to all seasons.

But if you want a set for winter buy proper winter tires.
& don't use winter tires in the summer - just wear out fast.

I bought used all season tires (made for mostly on road use) & will be better that all terrain (made for mostly off road use).

 

[braindead0]

Say.. 4" of snow, you WILL dig till you hit pavement with both tires.

Not necessarily true. Often under the snow is a layer of ice, and your tires/vehicle weight is going to compact the snow as well. I believe wide vs. narrow tires depends on the specific conditions.