Who runs "Actual" Winter Tires, ideally in a 34" to 35" size?

[Dr. T]

Thanks for the helpful input, Dr. T.

Good for you ordering the LT3's early. I've heard that early ordering is often necessary with Nokian winter tires.

Are you running the studded or studless Nokian LT3?

Nokian doesn't offer many large diameter winter tire options for heavy vehicles (see link).

Nokian LT3 Tire Range

Based on your comment on size, I'm guessing you went with one of the 18 inch LT3's, probably the 275/70 that has a diameter of 33.2 (largest 18 available), and probably studless?

Yes, Studless 275/70. Ordered in August. Went over Steven's pass and back today. No snow but some icy areas, passed three people in the ditch this morning, one over the guardrail this evening. These tires were solid, no hint of slippage and I don't drive slowly! MT tires in this would have been risky and limiting.....

 

[Dr. T]

Eh I don’t know if I agree with this as a blanket statement. For many folks, yes, but for many folks no. Different expectations and needs. It’s a big gray area, not a sharp line.

Big difference between “I can make it” vs “I can make it with confidence”.

On unmaintained roads with deep snow a M/T will work wonders with its big paddles. If I were regularly in the deep stuff, I would want something like that.

But ejecting packed snow isn’t always a good thing. On maintained roads (I.e. compact snow and ice) snow-on-snow grip is better than rubber-on-snow. Dedicated winter tires (and good 3PMS all terrains to some extent) strategically pack snow to improve grip.

My read of OP’s situation is primarily maintained roads. Maybe I’m wrong?

To be clear, I’m the guy who’s run 3PMS all terrains for the last 9 years. They can and do work. But I strongly believe dedicated winters offer a notable performance improvement for maintained road scenarios.


Speaking for myself here, not OP, but on highways and other public roads my primary concern isn’t going. It’s stopping. I have full control of when I accelerate and how quickly. I don’t always have control over when I stop or how quickly.

Would be interested if you or anyone else have experience comparing an M/T and/or 3PMS A/T tire against a dedicated winter tire when stopping on compact snow and ice with these heavy trucks.

Absolutely correct. Deep new snow on Forest Service roads is a very different situation. The dedicated snow tires let you drive with a much greater safety margin. If anyone is ever in Steamboat Springs Colorado in the winter I highly recommend the Bridgestone Winter Performance driving school. Multi day program if you can swing it. It is an absolute blast and if you think you were a good winter driver before the course..........all I can say is WOW

 

[ICT Tremor]

Did someone just recommend an MT as a winter tire? Just confirming I read that as a cogent thought from a grown adult, because it sounds like something I might imagine if I downed a handful of the wrong gummies.

Breaking trail through deep powder on a backcountry two track? Sure, at least for that segment of the population using a four ton truck as a snowmobile.

On compacted, icy roads? Lol… okay. I need more of those gummies I guess.

 

[ICT Tremor]

Bridgestone makes the Blizzak LT in the same profile as is delivered on the OEM Super Duty 20’s - 275/65/20. It is 34.5” in diameter I believe so it wouldn’t look that odd on a Tremor. Pair them with the 17-22 Black Appearance Package 20’s that can be bought as a set - center caps, TPMS and all - for roughly $1200 as a Ford Performance accessory p/n. Then you’re all set with a winter wheel/tire combo without dealing with Russian oligarch supply chains and unpronounceable Scandinavian words composed almost entirely of vowels.

 

[Dr. T]

Bridgestone makes the Blizzak LT in the same profile as is delivered on the OEM Super Duty 20’s - 275/65/20. It is 34.5” in diameter I believe so it wouldn’t look that odd on a Tremor. Pair them with the 17-22 Black Appearance Package 20’s that can be bought as a set - center caps, TPMS and all - for roughly $1200 as a Ford Performance accessory p/n. Then you’re all set with a winter wheel/tire combo without dealing with Russian oligarch supply chains and unpronounceable Scandinavian words composed almost entirely of vowels.

That was my backup plan.

 

[ccw]

Bridgestone makes the Blizzak LT in the same profile as is delivered on the OEM Super Duty 20’s - 275/65/20. It is 34.5” in diameter I believe so it wouldn’t look that odd on a Tremor. Pair them with the 17-22 Black Appearance Package 20’s that can be bought as a set - center caps, TPMS and all - for roughly $1200 as a Ford Performance accessory p/n. Then you’re all set with a winter wheel/tire combo without dealing with Russian oligarch supply chains and unpronounceable Scandinavian words composed almost entirely of vowels.

There is some irony of only being able to get a near-factory sized tire (for a Tremor), on an OEM rim by going to a larger rim/shorter sidewalls. Usually folks want smaller rims/taller sidewalls for winter.

Good callout, though!

 

[Alpoba]

Did someone just recommend an MT as a winter tire?

I was thinking exact same thing when i saw it and from a Wisconsin man. I’ve been through plenty of storms at one time up in Wisconsin and Minnesota…I’d be driving on a dedicated winter tire there, never an MT in the winter.

 

[ICT Tremor]

I was thinking exact same thing when i saw it and from a Wisconsin man. I’ve been through plenty of storms at one time up in Wisconsin and Minnesota…I’d be driving on a dedicated winter tire there, never an MT in the winter.View attachment 135667

Right?

I’m in NE MN about 70 miles south of Canuckistan here.

 

[ICT Tremor]

There is some irony of only being able to get a near-factory sized tire (for a Tremor), on an OEM rim by going to a larger rim/shorter sidewalls. Usually folks want smaller rims/taller sidewalls for winter.

Good callout, though!

Advantage of the Blizzak I’m talking about and the Nokian referred to also in this thread is 275 section width on the former and 315 on the latter. The Nokian may have a fatter sidewall, but the unnecessary additional width does it no favors as a winter tire meant to be used on pack snow and ice.

 

[Dr. T]

Advantage of the Blizzak I’m talking about and the Nokian referred to also in this thread is 275 section width on the former and 315 on the latter. The Nokian may have a fatter sidewall, but the unnecessary additional width does it no favors as a winter tire meant to be used on pack snow and ice.

I went with the Nokian 275/70 18 for that reason. Not as tall as the stock Tremor tire but I think it looks fine with the black Tremor wheels I have them mounted on. Wouldn't want to go wider than 275.

 

[ccw]

Advantage of the Blizzak I’m talking about and the Nokian referred to also in this thread is 275 section width on the former and 315 on the latter. The Nokian may have a fatter sidewall, but the unnecessary additional width does it no favors as a winter tire meant to be used on pack snow and ice.

Agreed.

And I don’t think the difference in sidewall at these sizes would matter a huge deal. Just found it ironic when compared to what folks usually seek out.

 

[PlumasTremor]

Most AT tires, even without 3peak rubber, will do OK in snow...but ice is a completely different animal. I've learned the hard way. There's no MT that can handle ice. Some AT's, like Mickey Thompson Baja Boss ATs will do OK if aired down. Otherwise you need a dedicated snow.

 

[Modman]

Would be interested if you or anyone else have experience comparing an M/T and/or 3PMS A/T tire against a dedicated winter tire when stopping on compact snow and ice with these heavy trucks.

Bridgestone did a review with their own tires on their winter driving course (mentioned above) and my recollection is that the M/Ts were the worst for stopping distance vs. A/Ts, All-Season, and winter tires. I'll see if I can dig that up - don't recall how long ago it was...

 

[super_fro_daddy]

Wednesday I had some 275 70 18 Firestone Winterforce mounted on the factory wheels and adjusted the smaller tire size in Forscan. Last winter was the first winter since '08 or '09
that I didn't run snow tires on a vehicle. While I didn't find the Duratracs to be bad, I really wanted to try a snow tire on this truck. Preferred to do the 275 65 20 but, I figured I'd try and sell the Duratracs cheaply around here and I've an excuse to get new wheels and tires in the Spring I'm going to experiment with lower pressures when we the roads get and stay covered in snow. Right now I put 40/40. Ran the Duratracs at 50/50.

I haven't driven them on snow yet, but the wife has a 25 mile each way commute to work 3 nights a week and says they're good.

17-22 Black Appearance Package 20’s that can be bought as a set - center caps, TPMS and all - for roughly $1200 as a Ford Performance accessory p/n.

Part #s on them?

 

[ICT Tremor]

View attachment 135675

View attachment 135676

Wednesday I had some 275 70 18 Firestone Winterforce mounted on the factory wheels and adjusted the smaller tire size in Forscan. Last winter was the first winter since '08 or '09
that I didn't run snow tires on a vehicle. While I didn't find the Duratracs to be bad, I really wanted to try a snow tire on this truck. Preferred to do the 275 65 20 but, I figured I'd try and sell the Duratracs cheaply around here and I've an excuse to get new wheels and tires in the Spring I'm going to experiment with lower pressures when we the roads get and stay covered in snow. Right now I put 40/40. Ran the Duratracs at 50/50.

I haven't driven them on snow yet, but the wife has a 25 mile each way commute to work 3 nights a week and says they're good.


Part #s on them?

2005-2022 SUPER DUTY 20" X 8" PREMIUM BLACK PAINTED ALUMINUM WHEEL PACKAGE

2005-2022 SUPER DUTY 20" X 8" PREMIUM BLACK PAINTED ALUMINUM WHEEL PACKAGE|Ford Performance Parts

performanceparts.ford.com

MSRP is higher, but places like Jegs and Summit sell the set for roughly $1200.

 

[Modman]

I'm going to experiment with lower pressures when we the roads get and stay covered in snow. Right now I put 40/40

Curious to see what your results are... What is the recommended pressure from Firestone? Unless you are in deep, loose snow I've never understood the lower pressure theory for Winter.

 

[Wapitispokes]

Eh I don’t know if I agree with this as a blanket statement. For many folks, yes, but for many folks no. Different expectations and needs. It’s a big gray area, not a sharp line.

Big difference between “I can make it” vs “I can make it with confidence”.

On unmaintained roads with deep snow a M/T will work wonders with its big paddles. If I were regularly in the deep stuff, I would want something like that.

But ejecting packed snow isn’t always a good thing. On maintained roads (I.e. compact snow and ice) snow-on-snow grip is better than rubber-on-snow. Dedicated winter tires (and good 3PMS all terrains to some extent) strategically pack snow to improve grip.

My read of OP’s situation is primarily maintained roads. Maybe I’m wrong?

To be clear, I’m the guy who’s run 3PMS all terrains for the last 9 years. They can and do work. But I strongly believe dedicated winters offer a notable performance improvement for maintained road scenarios.


Speaking for myself here, not OP, but on highways and other public roads my primary concern isn’t going. It’s stopping. I have full control of when I accelerate and how quickly. I don’t always have control over when I stop or how quickly.

Would be interested if you or anyone else have experience comparing an M/T and/or 3PMS A/T tire against a dedicated winter tire when stopping on compact snow and ice with these heavy trucks.

Yes, CCW - my main concern is with maintained roads (for the SD Tremor) and safety which = stopping and sliding on corners. Your sentiment matches mine. Also, I subscribe to the WSDOT I-90 reports and it is shocking how often the freeway is closed due to accidents...(all year) but especially when weather kicks in. I'm talking multiple lanes or closed freeway several times per week between North Bend and Ellensburg...

I appreciate everyone's point of view and experience or I wouldn't post here. Thank you for responding, RS90. I get what you are saying and those points are not lost on me. Maybe a heavy truck with regular tires does better on icy maintained roads than a lighter vehicle does? I will definitely add at least 500 lbs of sand to the back of the truck right away.

 

[Wapitispokes]

Yes, Studless 275/70. Ordered in August. Went over Steven's pass and back today. No snow but some icy areas, passed three people in the ditch this morning, one over the guardrail this evening. These tires were solid, no hint of slippage and I don't drive slowly! MT tires in this would have been risky and limiting.....

Thank you. I suspect most people in WA are not aware of how many wrecks we get on our trans - Cascade routes (mostly I-90 and U.S 2 / Stevens Pass in the winter). If they were aware they would (hopefully) be more cautious.

 

[DDD]

In Eastern WA they put salt down now because people today just can’t learn how to drive in winter. Or they use studs which, for some reason, are still legal here. Blizzak’s or similar tires of a softer compound are IMHO best for winter driving. But you’ll burn the tread off in no time on dry pavement. I don’t even know if it’s possible to find them for an F350. I’ve been running with my OEM Duratracs since my 22 arrived. They’re not the best but I get by. In my youth, in Montana, we put on sawdust snow tires on the rear tires FFor the season at $20 per ( no FWD and few 4WD in those days) and the highest department would sand intersections and curves. The assumption was people were smart enough to learn how to slow down, be aware and alert, and use their brain to assess the situation.

 

[Modman]

In my youth, in Montana, we put on sawdust snow tires on the rear tires

Had to look that one up. Pretty cool... I read walnut shells were also used for the same purpose.