I only have the option to run one set of tires, if you had a set designated for winter, I think id look into a set of 265s in studded. Sure they are noisey as all get out, but thats probably the only thing better then your standard rubber tire, without getting into tire chains. Haha but I do keep tire chains for emergencies, because I would really hate to have to walk to some of the tower sites I have to go to, in however many feet of snow, carrying all my test equiptment at 3am, -5, oh and uphill bothways of coarse!

 

I've heard alot of good about that tire in the snow/ice as well. I, too, would love to hear more on it's snow & ice capability.

 

I run 265/75 R 16, Cooper Discoverer M/S Studded here in NW Montana. I will also stick 300-400 lbs of sand bags in the bed over the rear axle. I have had very good luck with this set-up. Very little slipping and sliding on ice and good traction. I also run with the hubs locked just in case I need it, but last winter I dont think I needed 4X4 once.

Scott

 

I run the stock sized Goodyear Extragrip radials in northern Mn when I am there and me and the wife have had no probs in even the worst of snow. and they come in E load range.

 

My experience with winter tires is the narrower the better. I now have 265's on my SD and am considering going to 235 - 85' for winter. My concern is "Is the rim too wide for 235's"?

 

I run the Goodyear Silent Armor Wrangler Tires on both of my SDtrucks. One(my plow truck) has 265/75/16's,10 ply on it. The other one has 235/85/16's,10 ply on it. Both perform Excellent. I chose these tires after much research to find a long lasting tire I could use year round in ANY ground or weather conditions. These tires have an agressive tread for an AT tire, and are QUIET on the highway.

 

VERY GOOD QUESTION!!! normally it's the other way 'round, but maybe i'll ring up a tire shop and ask

 

I had BFG Commercial T/A Traction tires, studded. I was very impressed. I've actually written BFG a couple of times about offering them for 17" wheels (which they don't plan on).

They are load range E and come in 235/85QR16 or LT265/75R16/E. I'd have bought them for my truck if they were offered for my stock wheels. BTW, the 235 is supposed to go on a 6" - 7" wheel.

 

I've heard good things about BFGs - thanks for the input Ace! The M/T's seemed to have a good rep too... hmmmm

 

I've owned the ATs, MTs and the Commercial TA Traction tires but all on a lighter vehicle. Depending on your snow they can all work well, just for different types of snow.

 

I'm in southern Alaska (Anchorage area ) and realy don't profess mutch. But that said . I've run lots of tires on lots of rigs up here. Width of tire patch is important, narrow does offer more pounds per squar inch of contact generally speeking. But keep in mind that, a tires tread block size and the amount of space between them figure considerably tward the whole pounds per inch ratio. So you can get the same downward force aplied with a wider set if viods in the pattern of the wider set are greater than voids in the narrower.
In pretty much all snow situations I've seen, a tire has to reach something firm to push for ya.
Siping is very important. The smaller cuts in the tread blocks them selves. The more the better, and the deeper the better. Some manufacturers produce tires that around 1/2 way threw the life of a tire you reach the bottom of this sipping ? or some of the sipes are only half as deep as tread depth. I've been told the more sipes the better, more edges to catch on any thing available.
In the orig. post you mention the floating thing. My exp. says yes . I've driven a F350 crew 4/4 long bed for about 18 or so years and they do under alot of our circumstances (Ak ) float. Nice to have length of rig when it happens. Heck I do it , in safer places for fun from time to time. Its good prep for slides eh?
I will end with a bit of doknow for sure on dirrectional tread patterns. For many years I was told they where not good for up here? I had seen em in Hot rod type mags and many newer vehicles. They work ! I went to a dealer about 4 or five years ago and said price is of no concerne ( new baby on board thing ).
A set of Nokia (Hakkapellita lt 10ply) Realy rocked. They cut through 3 0r os inches of slush like it aint there. Dry snow like you mention seems pushed to outer edges by design (lrg V pattern voids ).Tread depth siping (Lots) with jagged lug edges. No studs needed ( but available). Take a look on the net. Pretty exstensive testing data. They also have a rubber that provides a great ride.

SORRY about the wind. Drive safe , but if not practice, alot away from others.

 

Typo : Nokian Tyres. Hakkapeliitta LT . Strange name, great tire. www.nokiantyres.com. . I don't sell em, just used em.

 

Just make sure they have the Snowflake on the Mountain (see my avatar) embossed on the sidewall and you are good to go!

http://www.snowtire.info/#severe_winter_traction

 

EDIT: Finnish tyres?

 

sorry for the delay, forgot about this post, this is all i have online at the time, i will get more uploaded of severe 4-wheeling with the mud terrains, the at's on the green truck is done in 2 wheel drive, the silver truck is in 4x4