Wider Tires Worse in Snow
#1
11-11-2012, 02:35 PM
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Wider Tires Worse in Snow
Have been around for awhile and remember when L78 was a good snow tire. Now it seems the tires are ever wider and I think in the snow ever worse. Am I wrong in thinking a narrow tire will perform better in the snow due to a smaller contact area? That's assuming all other tire factors are equal.
#4
11-11-2012, 03:51 PM
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As a general rule wide tires in snow push too much snow and not so good.
They also hydroplane easer in water at speeds One thing about that is tread
design it will help but you still stuck with the large tire face to the snow like a snow shoe.
If you going to run wide in the snow put the narrow ones in the front so you
can steer with less effort. Or move to LA California where they don't get snow.
Sean
They also hydroplane easer in water at speeds One thing about that is tread
design it will help but you still stuck with the large tire face to the snow like a snow shoe.
If you going to run wide in the snow put the narrow ones in the front so you
can steer with less effort. Or move to LA California where they don't get snow.
Sean
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11-11-2012, 04:15 PM
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#7
11-11-2012, 04:20 PM
TREAD,vehicle weight, hardness and compound of tires have more to due then the width of tire.
Seen 185's hydro plain faster then 275's...................
Way, WAY more then how wide !!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Rain Master
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#8
11-11-2012, 04:30 PM
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#9
11-11-2012, 04:53 PM
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I'm not saying you're wrong, but in my experience width was the only variable that really changed and it made a big difference
#11
11-11-2012, 05:23 PM
#12
11-11-2012, 05:24 PM
#13
11-11-2012, 06:07 PM
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#14
11-11-2012, 06:20 PM
Funny how tards run studs on BARE roads here.
For years I run spec tires for what i drive on, that and SLOW down !! ROFL
I would LOVE a 35" 9.50 tire, but they don't even make a 33" 9.50 in a SNOW spec.
Plan is Snow flake rated 33" 12.50 15 on the Bronco..................
So wide is the only way on most trucks if U want height ............
For years I run spec tires for what i drive on, that and SLOW down !! ROFL
I would LOVE a 35" 9.50 tire, but they don't even make a 33" 9.50 in a SNOW spec.
Plan is Snow flake rated 33" 12.50 15 on the Bronco..................
So wide is the only way on most trucks if U want height ............
#15
11-11-2012, 09:00 PM
From Why are Narrower Tires Better for Winter Driving? - Hunter's Ramblings about Performance wheels & tire | Tire Rack
As you're shopping for winter wheels and tires, you'll likely come across the recommendation of going to a narrower tire. This is the exact opposite approach that you would take for summer traction, where wider is better. If you're likely to drive through deep snow this year, you'll want winter / snow tires and wheels in sizes that help put the laws of physics on your side.
The reason for this is that traction is achieved in winter by cutting through the ice and snow. With wider tread, you're more likely to start snow plowing or floating on top of the surface instead of pushing down and through. This floating will result in loss of traction sooner than with a thinner or narrower option. A good way to picture this is imagine a pizza cutter slicing through a pizza.
Another way to think about this is from the perspective of the contact patch. A tire's contact patch or "footprint" greatly influences its performance and is dependent on its profile. The narrower the width, the smaller the contact patch will be. This is the area that makes contact with the ground as rotation occurs. With the vehicle still weighing the same, a smaller contact patch results in more pounds per square inch. This will produce more force on the tire to help it cut into ice and snow and deliver optimum traction for the worst winter will throw at you.
As you're shopping for winter wheels and tires, you'll likely come across the recommendation of going to a narrower tire. This is the exact opposite approach that you would take for summer traction, where wider is better. If you're likely to drive through deep snow this year, you'll want winter / snow tires and wheels in sizes that help put the laws of physics on your side.
The reason for this is that traction is achieved in winter by cutting through the ice and snow. With wider tread, you're more likely to start snow plowing or floating on top of the surface instead of pushing down and through. This floating will result in loss of traction sooner than with a thinner or narrower option. A good way to picture this is imagine a pizza cutter slicing through a pizza.
Another way to think about this is from the perspective of the contact patch. A tire's contact patch or "footprint" greatly influences its performance and is dependent on its profile. The narrower the width, the smaller the contact patch will be. This is the area that makes contact with the ground as rotation occurs. With the vehicle still weighing the same, a smaller contact patch results in more pounds per square inch. This will produce more force on the tire to help it cut into ice and snow and deliver optimum traction for the worst winter will throw at you.