Snow tires - 2 or 4

With all of the discussion of 2 vs 4 snow tires, if they don't have the G80 locker, wouldn't they only really need 1 snow tire? :B

I think you just proved his point. The front went around the corner and the back didn't follow (although it will sooner or later). Now imagine if it was reversed, the front didn't go around the corner and the back keeps pushing straight ahead. You just hit that parked car. I always ran snows on all 4 corners, but regardless of whether I had snows on in winter or not, the best tires were always on the end that was most important to me, the front. The rear end will always follow the front, even if it takes a different route. I have plenty of miles on snow and ice, I will take front end control at the expense of rear end control any day of the week.

It's very common for the rear of a vehicle to skid out when cornering (regardless of front or rear drive), resulting in less or loss of control. A rear drive pickup that is already light in the rear is especially prone to this phenomenon. Obviously front steering control is important, but it's been proven out that you need to keep the rear planted when trying to maneuver in icy conditions. And in slippery, icy conditions, it could be argued that the front has no more braking ability than the rear. In fact I know that by using 4 wheel drive and feathering the gas, I can often "pull" the vehicle out of a slide when braking is useless.

Seeing as the fronts do most of the stopping and all the directional control, what do you want most; the ability to stop and maintain control or the ability to go fast? Or buy 4 and have it all.

You just move to snow country?
Put on 2 if you just want better traction to "go".
Put on 2 more if you want better traction to turn and stop.

What's more important? Acceleration or braking/steering? Seems like more grip on the rear tires of a pickup means you'll get into trouble quicker.

theoldwizard1 wrote:
BUYER BEWARE ! Regular SNOW TIRES are NOT the best solution ! You want WINTER TIRES !!

While most of the brand recommendations in this thread are for winter tires, there are stores that will sell you snow tires. Winter tires use softer rubber so they stop and handle better on hard packed snow and ice. Winter tires will have this symbol on the side wall

This can be a good thing, or a bad thing. re the soft rubber. IF a person wants a traction tire year around. the soft rubber snowflake tire is not the best. As the soft rubber wears really fast in the hotter months.

IF one wants a winter ONLY tire. IE will put on in December, remove around March....then these types of specialty tires are very good to excellent options! depending upon the area you are in. I've seen some brands with two tread types. One that is better for midwest dry hard compact snow. Others for here in the west coast mountains, where wet slushy to compact is a better tread option. In Bridgestones case, I'll take a winter dueller over a blizzack due to the more open tread, but same rubber content. Much better option for the wet snow we have here in the western part of Washington into the cascade range.

At the end of the day, choose the poison that will work best for your type of useage.

Marty

BUYER BEWARE ! Regular SNOW TIRES are NOT the best solution ! You want WINTER TIRES !!

While most of the brand recommendations in this thread are for winter tires, there are stores that will sell you snow tires. Winter tires use softer rubber so they stop and handle better on hard packed snow and ice. Winter tires will have this symbol on the side wall

BillyW wrote:
The tire shops recommend that if you're doing just 2, put them on the back, regardless of drive axle.

Yes, that's certainly the philosophy of the self-proclaimed experts at Discount Tire. Good luck with that on a front drive car in the winter.

But, we are talking about a 2WD truck here. Sorry to be off topic. I just needed to vent about Discount Tire.

Depends on how and where the 2wd truck is to be used.

I keep AT's on my 2wd Dodge/Cummins with the anti-spin crappy diff...however when when heavy snow falls or I have a need to get the truck in my or someones muddy pasture (moving cattle) I keep a pair of mud terrains for that purpose.
I also have 6+ miles of county roads to get to a state hiway. The county sometimes are several days before plowing the roads open after a major snow storm.
I wouldn't put a mud tire on the front of my 2wd trucks as a good all terrain will get better traction overall.
Now on my 3500 DRW chevy crew cab 4x4 454 gazz guzzler and the wifes 1500 4x4 I keep a fairly aggressive all terrain on them.