Driving in snow
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
Glad I'm not the only one with that thought.
Did you double bag the softener?
Now what I need is a good (cheap) source) of softener.
More Turbo
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 677
Likes: 118
From: Ontario, Canada
Well, I think I have disagree with a few folks here, as I found the stock Michelin ATX 2 tires to be crap last winter. I was constantly putting it in 4wd whenever there was any snow (more than 2") on the ground. I put about 400lbs of sand bags in the back and found it didn't make a whole lot of difference.
This year I bought a set of 18" rims and mounted some Toyo winter tires on them. I'm sure things will be much better this winter.
This year I bought a set of 18" rims and mounted some Toyo winter tires on them. I'm sure things will be much better this winter.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,302
Likes: 1,153
From: Edmonton Alberta
Well, I think I have disagree with a few folks here, as I found the stock Michelin ATX 2 tires to be crap last winter. I was constantly putting it in 4wd whenever there was any snow (more than 2") on the ground. I put about 400lbs of sand bags in the back and found it didn't make a whole lot of difference.
This year I bought a set of 18" rims and mounted some Toyo winter tires on them. I'm sure things will be much better this winter.
This year I bought a set of 18" rims and mounted some Toyo winter tires on them. I'm sure things will be much better this winter.
Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
Sorry if I offended anyone regarding my "consensus" of the stock Michelin's. I really remember most folks being surprised at how well they did.
I apologize for speaking on other's behalf.
Leave it to a Southerner to go "foot in mouth" when discussing winter precip.
I apologize for speaking on other's behalf.
Leave it to a Southerner to go "foot in mouth" when discussing winter precip.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,302
Likes: 1,153
From: Edmonton Alberta
Definately no offence taken on my part!
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 285
Likes: 4
From: Jackson,WY
Get some Goodyear Duratrac's and don't put any weight in.
I never put anything in last year and barely ever had to even put in in 4 wheel drive. 1/2 ton i used to put some weight in (300 lb) but IMHO these 8,000 lb trucks do not need anything (at least with decent tires they don't)
Best snow pic I got.
In the second pic the truck in burried under the 10' high pile of snow I shoveled off my deck
I never put anything in last year and barely ever had to even put in in 4 wheel drive. 1/2 ton i used to put some weight in (300 lb) but IMHO these 8,000 lb trucks do not need anything (at least with decent tires they don't)
Best snow pic I got.
In the second pic the truck in burried under the 10' high pile of snow I shoveled off my deck
X2 on the Goodyear Wrangler Dura Tracs. They are awesome on the 20" rims. Barely had 4x4 on at all last winter.
I too had to take the stock Michelins off due crappy snow and ice performance. They where all over the road 2wd or 4wd did not matter.
With a good set of tires you don't need any extra weight or 4x4 hardly at all.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: nestor falls, canada
My truck was a 2 wheel drive and was my only vehicle for about 8 years. Drove it all winter which can be about 6 months up here it seems. No weight added at all, that truck is heavy enough. And if you do crash bad because of black ice, I would sooner not have 100 lb bags or blocks of heavy stuff coming through the back window at me when the truck made a sudden stop at the bottom of a ditch or something.
Only had to get towed twice, once out of an orange grove in Florida (that sand doesn't act like snow at all) and once off the wet grass with fiver hooked up also in Florida. It rained all night the night before we pulled out. Left 2 awfull deep ruts behind.
Only had to get towed twice, once out of an orange grove in Florida (that sand doesn't act like snow at all) and once off the wet grass with fiver hooked up also in Florida. It rained all night the night before we pulled out. Left 2 awfull deep ruts behind.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,637
Likes: 0
From: Roll Tide, Roll
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Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 930
Likes: 6
I have the 6.2 so I'm a little bit lighter (truck still weighs 8k) but this thing did great last winter. The traction control combined with the roll stability made it effortless to drive. The stock Mich's did great in my opinion. I'm comparing this to my 2000 which had no traction control and 37" tires so to me, this truck is a dream to drive. Just gotta get my 4wd fixed before winter hits, I keep getting "Check 4x4" anytime I engage it.
The only weight I had in the back was the foot or 2 of snow that'd pile up.
The only weight I had in the back was the foot or 2 of snow that'd pile up.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,326
Likes: 18
From: Gilbert
Some pics below of a pretty good storm we got 2 years ago:
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,812
Likes: 15
From: Central Ohio
Wow you guys relying on the weight of the truck alone has got me thinking. With the LWB it seems like my 350 has no weight over the back tires at all. Even with LS rear the thing will spin tires well under half throttle just on wet roads. In the winter I need 4x4 to get in the driveway almost every time. And my driveway is gravel and not very steep, maybe a 6 foot gain across 60-75'. I will purposely try to make it up in 2wd every time, sometimes starting out with more and more speed, and I almost always end up needing 4x4 half way into the driveway. 
However in 4x4 on the flat, the conties did ok in snow several inches deep. Just seems once a slight incline is thrown into the mix they suck, and I figure the lack of weight out over the rear is partly to blame.
I throw 10-12 40# salt bags in the back of my F150 each winter and that helps alot. My 350 is open in the back so the salt is out. Snow doesnt work to well I park in the underground level at work and its usually above freezing there and it melts. Two things high on my list right now are tonneau and new tires... I'm eye-balling the Duratracs with interest
However in 4x4 on the flat, the conties did ok in snow several inches deep. Just seems once a slight incline is thrown into the mix they suck, and I figure the lack of weight out over the rear is partly to blame.
I throw 10-12 40# salt bags in the back of my F150 each winter and that helps alot. My 350 is open in the back so the salt is out. Snow doesnt work to well I park in the underground level at work and its usually above freezing there and it melts. Two things high on my list right now are tonneau and new tires... I'm eye-balling the Duratracs with interest
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 285
Likes: 4
From: Jackson,WY
Wow you guys relying on the weight of the truck alone has got me thinking. With the LWB it seems like my 350 has no weight over the back tires at all. Even with LS rear the thing will spin tires well under half throttle just on wet roads. In the winter I need 4x4 to get in the driveway almost every time. And my driveway is gravel and not very steep, maybe a 6 foot gain across 60-75'. I will purposely try to make it up in 2wd every time, sometimes starting out with more and more speed, and I almost always end up needing 4x4 half way into the driveway.
However in 4x4 on the flat, the conties did ok in snow several inches deep. Just seems once a slight incline is thrown into the mix they suck, and I figure the lack of weight out over the rear is partly to blame.
I throw 10-12 40# salt bags in the back of my F150 each winter and that helps alot. My 350 is open in the back so the salt is out. Snow doesnt work to well I park in the underground level at work and its usually above freezing there and it melts. Two things high on my list right now are tonneau and new tires... I'm eye-balling the Duratracs with interest
However in 4x4 on the flat, the conties did ok in snow several inches deep. Just seems once a slight incline is thrown into the mix they suck, and I figure the lack of weight out over the rear is partly to blame.
I throw 10-12 40# salt bags in the back of my F150 each winter and that helps alot. My 350 is open in the back so the salt is out. Snow doesnt work to well I park in the underground level at work and its usually above freezing there and it melts. Two things high on my list right now are tonneau and new tires... I'm eye-balling the Duratracs with interest
I ran the Duratracs last winter and they worked awesome in the snow and on the ice. Planning on putting on another set here in the next month or so, the ones I put on last year are almost wore out.
I do live in Jackson, Wy at the foot of the Rocky Mountians. Or snow is usually dry.
But I drive up a 1/2 dirt road that is around a 7% grade all winter and with the Wrangler Duratracs I did that deive in 2wd 99% of the winter.
A good set of tires is worth every penny spent to help insure I don't have a wreck.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,812
Likes: 15
From: Central Ohio
Yeah I probably forgot to say stock conticraps. I know thats a good chunk of my poor performance.
I've pretty much decided on the Duratracs, but dont have that kind of money right now, especially since I want some nicer and bigger rims than the stock grey steelies. So I'll probably suffer through another winter with the conis.
Wish the duratracs were available in a couple more larger than stock sizes. 275/70/18 is still a good size bigger than mine, but stockers come about that big now anyhow. Looks like next jump is 325/65/18 which is way to fat for what I want I think. I'd rather have a little taller but not as wide. Wish they made something like the 255/85's in a 17 or 18" rim (or maybe a little wider than 255).
I kind of like the size of the 275/65/20 (34" tall but only 11" wide) but dont like the big rim look and the price is higher on new rims and tires in the 20" range. Hmm maybe 20 inchers in black wouldnt be so 'blingy'.
I've pretty much decided on the Duratracs, but dont have that kind of money right now, especially since I want some nicer and bigger rims than the stock grey steelies. So I'll probably suffer through another winter with the conis.
Wish the duratracs were available in a couple more larger than stock sizes. 275/70/18 is still a good size bigger than mine, but stockers come about that big now anyhow. Looks like next jump is 325/65/18 which is way to fat for what I want I think. I'd rather have a little taller but not as wide. Wish they made something like the 255/85's in a 17 or 18" rim (or maybe a little wider than 255).
I kind of like the size of the 275/65/20 (34" tall but only 11" wide) but dont like the big rim look and the price is higher on new rims and tires in the 20" range. Hmm maybe 20 inchers in black wouldnt be so 'blingy'.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 305
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
I just put a set of Cooper Discoverer M+S on my other truck and they are pretty impressive in the snow. We just got dumped on a couple of days ago and had no problems at all even backing my trailer in through 15" of wet, heavy snow, it didn't even spin. I don't expect to get 60K miles out of them, not the kind of tire they are, but they sure give good grip on the snow. It's still too warm for much ice so I'll give another report on that after some miles of ice driving.
mine before 24 inches of snow in 24 hrs. stock tires were ok for me. im a bfg guy but may try the Dura Tracs this year. anyone like the Dura Tracs more the bfg at?