Snow Tires on rear only, 2wd

[huntergreen]

I have zero complaints about them in the rain.

Thanks again

 

[Dusty]

My 2018 manual says not to put snow tires on just the rear because of handling concerns so I am looking for opinions for my 2wd Bighorn. I live in snow country and want to drive this truck whenever possible as its much nicer than my old Wrangler or my 2000 Cummins and don't want to buy 4 just for the winter. Any Ram drivers **** this and is it really an issue?

Yes, I install snow tires on the rear only and I have never found this to be an issue. I understand the theory behind the claim of 'handling' effects, yet the same tire store that said they would not install snow tires on just the rear of my truck, sold my daughter two tires for her car that were of different make and tread pattern than the others.

I'm suspicious that this so-called handling difference, while a possibility in the extreme condition, does not affect normal driving. During the winter time here in Western New York state, a sane person is not going to be doing excessive speeds.

Regards,
Dusty

2019 Ram 1500 Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Now at: 004448 miles.

 

[Rader]

My 2018 manual says not to put snow tires on just the rear because of handling concerns so I am looking for opinions for my 2wd Bighorn. I live in snow country and want to drive this truck whenever possible as its much nicer than my old Wrangler or my 2000 Cummins and don't want to buy 4 just for the winter. Any Ram drivers **** this and is it really an issue?

Today it is just a fact of life that ALL companies try to cover their A in every conceivable direction. My 2$. If you are an experienced driver on snow and your ride does not have a terrible over steer problem you will be fine with snow tires just on the rear. Like people have mentioned, millions of people including soccer moms and even old ladies drove 2WD autos and trucks with just snow tires in the rear with out "spinning out" or having a problem stopping. I guess they did have a few advantages over todays drivers though. The cars they drove didn't have any sort of idiot proofing that gave them a false sense of security and they didn't have the internet with it's legion of self appointed naysayers telling them that everything is impossible.

Personally I owned and drove many 2WD cars with just rear snows also of note the last 2WD truck I owned a new 1968, 2WD GMC with a 396 cu inch engine. I drove that truck over a curvy 2 lane mountain pass on a daily commute of 40 miles each way with mud/snow tire just on the rear until the truck wore out without spinning out once, or ever having a problem stopping.

 

[Marine Les]

I appreciate all the response on this subject and there are good points for and against putting snow tires on just the rear. As a kid in 1950s South Dakota nobody had 4wd and nobody put snow tires on all 4 and people did just fine with that. In really deep snow or ice the chains went on and they kept driving and did so without many issues. I think todays faster roads and awd cars that are much safer have people driving at higher speeds than back in the day and losing control at 60 mph is a lot more dangerous than at 30 mph.
I did some wet road testing yesterday (braking and hard steering) and everything seemed good. The rears stuck more and the fronts plowed a little but nothing scary. I'll test again when there is snow on the road but I'm guessing with caution and common sense and modest speeds I'll be fine. If its really bad I'll stay home or take my Wrangler.

 

[BWL]

If you just need to get around the city and there's no steep hills or you can pick alternate routes if there is I'm sure you can get by. If you're going long distances over mountain passes in icy conditions I'd be more concerned.

 

[2010 Infantry Vet]

I live in western PA, we get hammered in the winter. I have driven rear wheel drive cars with just snow tires on the rear, and front wheel drive cars with just snow tires on the front.
Then I drive a car with all 4 snow tires, and it was night and day. One thing my dad thought me young was don’t get cheap when it comes to tires.
Personally, I run nitto trail grapplers year round. That way you don’t have to worry about snow tires.

 

[Marine Les]

I live in western PA, we get hammered in the winter. I have driven rear wheel drive cars with just snow tires on the rear, and front wheel drive cars with just snow tires on the front.
Then I drive a car with all 4 snow tires, and it was night and day. One thing my dad thought me young was don’t get cheap when it comes to tires.
Personally, I run nitto trail grapplers year round. That way you don’t have to worry about snow tires.

The Grapplers are rated high but I went with Cooper ATPs (made in USA) and also rated high and they drive nice. I am sure putting snows on all 4 would be better but I want to get the use out of the stock Wranglers and since I have 2 4wd vehicles with AT tires on them I'll wait. Army or Marines? I served in the Marine infantry as an Arty FO circa Viet Nam so I know who does the real hard stuff. I'm guessing you were in the **** after 9-11. Thanks for your service.

 

[2010 Infantry Vet]

The Grapplers are rated high but I went with Cooper ATPs (made in USA) and also rated high and they drive nice. I am sure putting snows on all 4 would be better but I want to get the use out of the stock Wranglers and since I have 2 4wd vehicles with AT tires on them I'll wait. Army or Marines? I served in the Marine infantry as an Arty FO circa Viet Nam so I know who does the real hard stuff. I'm guessing you were in the **** after 9-11. Thanks for your service.

First off, thanks for your seevics. Marine Infantry are HARD CHARGERS! I had a Marine scout ****** (Damon Rufener) that was with us who was in the “Mammoth ****** challenge” and was in maxim magazine for “heroes for hotties”. We still talk every week. He’s like a best friend to me. I’m 100% PTSD and TBI.

A semi aggressive set of 4 tires will go good in the snow on a 2 wheel drive in the snow, and putting a lot of sand bags in the bed. A lot of guys use to put studded snow tires just on the rear, and drive fine.
My best advice is when they wear out, get a good semi aggressive set of 4 tires and run them year round.
As for the military, I was army infantry, signed up the day after 9/11. Spent 2years straight in Afghanistan. Got attached to 20th group special forces when I was 6 months in. We were embedded with 300 afghan army troops, and trained them and dan missions with them. I was riding in the back of the afghan army’s truck, and Taliban shot two RPGs at it. It had no armor on it, so I jumped out at 40mph. Face hit a rock when I landed on the ground, and I was paralyzed from the waist down. I crawled 80ft to a safe spot, and we fought for 4 hrs. Then finally got close air support. After 3 days I hid my feeling back in my legs. I had 2 back surgery’s so far, and I’m ok now. Here is a pic when I got back to our house after the fight, and a pic now after plastic surgery. I am proud to say I served our great country.

 

[2010 Infantry Vet]

Took this pic today. Plastic surgery is amazing.

 

[LouieBlues]

Lol ! I learned how to drive in the winter on skyline drive.

I much prefer the Skyline Drive and BR Parkway on 2 wheels..., in September after the kids go back to skool and the Winabagos go home.

 

[bfill_rebel]

First off, thanks for your seevics. Marine Infantry are HARD CHARGERS! I had a Marine scout ****** (Damon Rufener) that was with us who was in the “Mammoth ****** challenge” and was in maxim magazine for “heroes for hotties”. We still talk every week. He’s like a best friend to me. I’m 100% PTSD and TBI.

A semi aggressive set of 4 tires will go good in the snow on a 2 wheel drive in the snow, and putting a lot of sand bags in the bed. A lot of guys use to put studded snow tires just on the rear, and drive fine.
My best advice is when they wear out, get a good semi aggressive set of 4 tires and run them year round.
As for the military, I was army infantry, signed up the day after 9/11. Spent 2years straight in Afghanistan. Got attached to 20th group special forces when I was 6 months in. We were embedded with 300 afghan army troops, and trained them and dan missions with them. I was riding in the back of the afghan army’s truck, and Taliban shot two RPGs at it. It had no armor on it, so I jumped out at 40mph. Face hit a rock when I landed on the ground, and I was paralyzed from the waist down. I crawled 80ft to a safe spot, and we fought for 4 hrs. Then finally got close air support. After 3 days I hid my feeling back in my legs. I had 2 back surgery’s so far, and I’m ok now. Here is a pic when I got back to our house after the fight, and a pic now after plastic surgery. I am proud to say I served our great country.

View attachment 143851

**** man. That’s intense. As someone who works in the medical field and deals with Neurological emergencies I thank you for your service and am glad you regained feeling. Hopefully not too many more back surgeries in your future.


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[LouieBlues]

First off, thanks for your seevics. Marine Infantry are HARD CHARGERS! I had a Marine scout ****** (Damon Rufener) t

You should start playing the lottery with that luck.
Thank's for your service, looks like the VA is taking good care of ya.

 

[2010 Infantry Vet]

**** man. That’s intense. As someone who works in the medical field and deals with Neurological emergencies I thank you for your service and am glad you regained feeling. Hopefully not too many more back surgeries in your future.

Thanks. My traumatic brain injurh affects my memory. But at least when i meet a girl and ask her her name, and when iys time to leave, ask her her name again...I now have an excuse. Lol
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[Immortaldaul]

First of all Thank you for your service. Second well damn they took good care of you.

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[Marine Les]

Thought I would give an update on my Cooper ATPs. I have been driving on snow packed/icy roads for the last week and so far no problems. 2WD 275/60-20'' with an ARE shell on the bed and have very little spin as long as I moderate my launch. The stock Wranglers up front are doing OK at steering and braking as I am testing both when no traffic around. I am happy with the ABS that does a really good job of controlled stops on very slick roads. A more aggressive tire would be better in the deep snow but I wanted a quiet ride and handling that was more in line with the stock front SR-As and I also have a set of chains arriving Tues. that will settle most issues. Very happy with 3k on the ATPs.

 

[Marine Les]

Took this pic today. Plastic surgery is amazing.

View attachment 143853

This picture is a definite improvement over the first one. I had lots of amazingly close calls that still give me goose bumps thinking about them. Gives a person special appreciation just being alive don't it?

 

[Craw]

Falken Wilspeak AT3Ws, love them to death. I get snow and ice in Idaho and I have no fear with these bad boys

 

[Marine Les]

Falken Wilspeak AT3Ws, love them to death. I get snow and ice in Idaho and I have no fear with these bad boys

Your Falken was one of the tires on my radar but no dealer in town had one to look at and I wanted a tire made in the USA and not sure where the Falken is made.

 

[hdvespa]

I've owned 2wd trucks since 1983 in SW PA. I've only ran snow tires in the rear. Limited slip in the rear helps alot