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et2's avatar
et2
Explorer
Nov 27, 2013

Siping MH tires for wet traction

I remember a thread not too long ago where someone commented about siping MH tires for traction in wet and snowy conditions. I had tires puton my car the other day and inquired with Discount Tire.

Their answer was it wasn't recommended for heavy vehicles ( motorhomes) as you lose some stability on dry roads. The tires tend to float around. Has anyone actually done this and how was it afterwards?

Thanks!
  • I am a supporter of running siped tires. I have had siped tires on all three of our motorhomes. In the winter it aids in traction and in the summer it aids in keeping the tires cool.

    Another thing to keep in mind is that the smaller the block the less chance of developing an irregular wear pattern due to the smaller heal to toe transition.

    For Discount Tire to say it isn't advisable on large vehicles that is complete BS or they just don't want to be bothered with it.

    Mike.
  • artguys wrote:
    My apologies...there are of course equipment and services available...I thought the OP was intending to do it himself.


    That's why I asked General Tire - as I wouldn't have a clue. I'm not sure what was confusing? And General Tire I knew does it.
  • My apologies...there are of course equipment and services available...I thought the OP was intending to do it himself.
  • artguys wrote:
    You can groove tires but you can't sipe. Firstly the good folks at Discount Tire mean well but don't have the knowledge base to respond to that type of inquiry. There is simply no tooling available to sipe a tire. However buy any Michelin designated M&S and you'll have a tread design that is siped all the way to the undertread.

    Apparently you haven't worked around tires much.
  • You can groove tires but you can't sipe. Firstly the good folks at Discount Tire mean well but don't have the knowledge base to respond to that type of inquiry. There is simply no tooling available to sipe a tire. However buy any Michelin designated M&S and you'll have a tread design that is siped all the way to the undertread.
  • When I lived in Northwestern Montana, I used to see siped tires on logging trucks. Siping seemed to work for them.
    I won't do it on my motorhome, because if the roads are that bad I just ain't going anywhere!
  • We left ours stock and agree with Discount Tire thoughts. Now I would consider it on ATV, tractor and that class of tire as well as cars and pick ups if I lived where one drove on ice/packed snow a few months each winter. I just try to wait for a melt where we live. :)