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zogg's avatar
zogg
Explorer
Dec 17, 2013

Recommendation for tires?? Transforce HTs worthless in snow

I bought a new 2013 ram 2500 2wd. Truck performs flawlessly and the Firestone Transforce HT tires are pretty decent-quiet, smooth, good traction on dry and even wet roads.

However, we had our 1st snow of about 3-5 inches last week. It was a wet heavy snow.

I got about 15 feet out of the garage and I could not move the truck. Growing up in Buffalo, I have a pretty good idea of how to drive in snow. Nothing worked. No matter what I did the wheels just spun. Traction control and anti-spin were working, but not the tires.

I do have about 300 pounds over the rear axle for traction.

I have owned a lot of 4x2 trucks and never was so stuck, even in Buffalo. These tires are coming off asap.

I am looking at going toward a less aggressive A/T tire, like a Geolander or Firestone Destination A/T, as I dont want something that hums loud or destroy my gas mileage.

Any recommendations for all of my expert colleagues??? thanks in advance
Dave
Tow Vehicles
  • 45Ricochet's avatar
    45Ricochet
    Explorer
    Dec 17, 2013
    Well you make a good point about 2wd vs 4wd :B Don't see to many 2wd trucks running around here in winter. Now would be a great time to get a second set of wheels and put your new winter tires on them. I run 2 sets of wheels on both vehicles which are both 4wd or all wheel drive.
  • B_O__Plenty's avatar
    B_O__Plenty
    Explorer II
    Dec 17, 2013
    Why not put on a pair of good old fashioned snow tires in the back like we did in the "old days" when none of us had 4wd trucks? Take them off in the Spring and put the others back on and wait for the next season. it always worked for me. Can't see a reason to replace some tires you are otherwise satisfied with..

    B.O.
  • Itching2go's avatar
    Itching2go
    Explorer II
    Dec 17, 2013
    therink wrote:
    I agree the Transforce HT tires are worthless in snow. I had a set. Transforce also makes a AT tread tire as well. We have a set on a work truck and they do ok up here in Rochester NY.


    X2. I replaced our old Transforce HT's with AT's on our 2wd Chevy 2500 HD and was surprised as to the improvements in traction without adding a lot of 'singing' on dry freeways. Now driving a 4wd 3500 D/A and went back to HT's as the need for traction wasn't as great with the additional weight and 4wd. Drove it a lot over the past few days on un-plowed roads after getting dumped on with 8 inches of snow. Nary a slip or slide. But if 2wd, I'd definitely stick with AT's over any brand HT for winter driving, although I'm a fan of Transforce tires as they offer a great bang for the buck.
  • WyoTraveler's avatar
    WyoTraveler
    Explorer
    Dec 17, 2013
    Moving your PU out of a warm garage into 3" of snow isn't a good test on tire tread. Park it outside over night and then see if does better. Warm tires probably melted that snow into a slushy ice.
  • therink's avatar
    therink
    Explorer
    Dec 17, 2013
    I agree the Transforce HT tires are worthless in snow. I had a set. Transforce also makes a AT tread tire as well. We have a set on a work truck and they do ok up here in Rochester NY.
  • The_Texan's avatar
    The_Texan
    Explorer
    Dec 17, 2013
    I am using Hankook DynaPro ATm on our truck and it is an excellent snow tire. It is also very quiet and on the last set, I got excellent mileage and wear. When we go shopping it is 85-100 miles of snow and mountain canyon driving, so we need excellent tires.
  • Me_Again's avatar
    Me_Again
    Explorer III
    Dec 17, 2013
    I agree with Maxwell. You may find you have a freeway queen that just does not like snow. Buy a set of cable chains or park it, or maybe a LOT more weight is the bed.

    Note: This is a Hemi not a diesel in his sig line. GOT A HEMI! Chris
  • maxwell11's avatar
    maxwell11
    Explorer
    Dec 17, 2013
    I have Michelin lxt a/t or some such.
    great tires on my 2005 dodge diesel, they ride and drive fine.

    however, as I was told when I bought my dodge diesel 2x4, keep it out of the mud and snow, with that heavy motor, it is no snow dozer.

    so when it snows, I just drive the old trust jeep cj, but the dodge stays home.

    it to put so much weight in the back to negate the motor weight, truck will be like a lead weight.

    good luck
  • jmtandem's avatar
    jmtandem
    Explorer II
    Dec 17, 2013
    Any recommendations for all of my expert colleagues??? thanks in advance
    Dave


    I have had good traction with Toyos M/S tires. Quiet, wear well, good traction but they don't last more than about 35,000 miles.

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