Snow tire time
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 58
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From: mchenry, il
Snow tire time
hello all,
I have a 2005 2.3 2wd and am considering getting a set of snow tires. I live on the illinois wisconsin boarder and if this drought ever ends we may get some snow.
I am looking at the tirerack with new wheels and firestone winterforce tires. they recommend the blizzacks but they are 200 more bucks and I drive like an old lady so all I need is some good traction.
any opinions or experience with snow tires. I am considering getting studded tires but they are illegal and I may get a ticket. what are the chances of them noticing the studs on the tires and what kind of fine would I get.
I drive always at or below the speed limit and do not attract much police attendtion.
I am also going to spray some undercoating under the truck. ford did a crap paint job on the under carriage of the car. not cool. Ford said to bad not a warranty problem.
thanks everyone
bob
I have a 2005 2.3 2wd and am considering getting a set of snow tires. I live on the illinois wisconsin boarder and if this drought ever ends we may get some snow.
I am looking at the tirerack with new wheels and firestone winterforce tires. they recommend the blizzacks but they are 200 more bucks and I drive like an old lady so all I need is some good traction.
any opinions or experience with snow tires. I am considering getting studded tires but they are illegal and I may get a ticket. what are the chances of them noticing the studs on the tires and what kind of fine would I get.
I drive always at or below the speed limit and do not attract much police attendtion.
I am also going to spray some undercoating under the truck. ford did a crap paint job on the under carriage of the car. not cool. Ford said to bad not a warranty problem.
thanks everyone
bob
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
I've been through many winters with 2wd Ford Rangers here in Northeast Ohio, and I would have to say I've never had the need for snow tires. Where I live we get a ton of ice and the roads are not plowed or salted as much as in the cities, but I keep 210 pounds of sand bags in the back of the truck right over the rear axel (280 when it is really bad) and that does the trick. As long as I am gentle on the brakes and don't make fast turns I'm in good shape. Unless your roads are always sheets of ice I'm not sure I would see a need for snow tires.
As for studded tires, studies have shown that while they provide better stability on thick, solid ice, in nearly all conditions they actually decrease your ability to stop because they decrease the tire contact with the roadway. I'm also not a big fan of road damage. The winter itself does enough damage to the road without the help of studded tires tearing it up. So I would just recommend sand bags first.
As for studded tires, studies have shown that while they provide better stability on thick, solid ice, in nearly all conditions they actually decrease your ability to stop because they decrease the tire contact with the roadway. I'm also not a big fan of road damage. The winter itself does enough damage to the road without the help of studded tires tearing it up. So I would just recommend sand bags first.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 520
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Don't worry about studded tires... I have a lot of experience with firestone tires and BLIZZAKS ROCK! The winterforce don't do too bad either, but also keep in mind the winterforce is already "drilled" for studs, so if you do decide to go studded you can have them put in later on.
Personally I don't feel a need for snow tires, but then again I'm a little bit further south from you (st louis), so I can understand your concern.
You shouldn't need studs unless you're driving in a sheet of ice or over 12" of snow on hilly terrain.
Good luck.
Personally I don't feel a need for snow tires, but then again I'm a little bit further south from you (st louis), so I can understand your concern.
You shouldn't need studs unless you're driving in a sheet of ice or over 12" of snow on hilly terrain.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 58
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From: mchenry, il
thanks for the reply guys
I am also considering it to save my chrome wheels from the abuse of winter.
I usually dont have far to drive so I could get away without the snows but I too would prefer not to reend someone when I could have prevented it or at least reduced the chances.
thanks again
this forum is great
bob
I am also considering it to save my chrome wheels from the abuse of winter.
I usually dont have far to drive so I could get away without the snows but I too would prefer not to reend someone when I could have prevented it or at least reduced the chances.
thanks again
this forum is great
bob
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 139
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From: northern Illinois
I just thought that I would throw my two cents in. I too live on the IL/WI border, and recomend the Blizzaks. They do indeed rock. I have driven a dodge stealth that was scary in the rain even on it's summer tires and after we put a set of blizzaks on it is now a snowmobile. It will get trough anything on the road. I also put a set on a 73 dodge dart and it was great in the snow after that. I got both sets from the tire rack and Loved the service and the fact that they are ready to bolt on when they show up on your steps. Thier cheapy steel wheels are great for saving your nice ones. Especialy around here when there is usualy more salt on the roads than snow.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 94
From: Stanton, Michigan, USA
Bob,
Go to this thread......there's some good info there on this subject.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=419071
BarnieTrk
Go to this thread......there's some good info there on this subject.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=419071
BarnieTrk
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
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The Blizzak tires are the best I've come across. Unfortunately, they aren't available in the goofball rim size I scrounged from the junkyard. I have been running Mastercraft Glacier Grips instead. (They're actually a passenger tires, but work ok as I'm not doing any heavy loading on them). With a little weight in the back, a good set of tires and staying out of the gas, you should be fine.
jman724- I'm curious where in Northeast Ohio you are from. I spent 24 years in the heart of the snowbelt there and I wouldn't dream of not using snow tires. Being the end of the line for county plowing, we usually went a week after heavy snows before the plows came. (Township trucks would at least scrape a meager amount off so THEY could get through).
jman724- I'm curious where in Northeast Ohio you are from. I spent 24 years in the heart of the snowbelt there and I wouldn't dream of not using snow tires. Being the end of the line for county plowing, we usually went a week after heavy snows before the plows came. (Township trucks would at least scrape a meager amount off so THEY could get through).
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Junior User
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I'm about half an hour southwest of cleveland. Sometimes it can get pretty bad when the temp is below 20 and the salt isn't working, then the trucks just pack all the snow and ice down and I really can't drive above 35, but fortunately I'm only a couple miles from a state route, once I hit that the roads are in decent enough shape til I get to work. For the most part the only times I really think I have no where near the traction I need are in situations when snow tires wouldn't help at all either. I used to drive an Escort though, and the Ranger is excellent in bad weather compared to that thing. I suppose if all my driving was on country roads I might consider snow tires, but I really haven't seen a need big enough to make the investment worthwhile.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 323
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i live in VA and even though it is the south we do get hit with a bilzard now and then. i have a lowerd 87 2wd 2.9. i just learn to take my time and ride in the paths beaten down by the cars ahead. after 2 feet of snow once just for safty i rolled on a set of tire chains but they are not good on direct pavement so use them when the weather calls for it good luck.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,148
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From: Seneca, SC
when I lived in PA I learned the sand trick that's been mentioned above. It's really the best route for ya. Don't go averboard on the snow tires, and pack about 250-300 pounds of sand in the bed, plus a small shovel. If for some reason you do get stuck, bust open a bag, shovel it under your wheels, and viola! intant traction.