Tire width benefit?

[Pete M]

It may be obvious after all of these good explanations, but in snow, wider is definitely better than skinny. Floatation is the name of the game there. You want the biggest contact patch you can get to stay on top.

Deep snow on the trail, sure. But don't forget to also mention that for snow on pavement, narrower is better. Any form of foatation on pavement is a bad, bad thing.
Jeep on!
--Pete

ComancheClub.com

 

[Snarky]

ENGLISH, learn it; use it.




:lecture:

I try

 

[bjoehandley]

Deep snow on the trail, sure. But don't forget to also mention that for snow on pavement, narrower is better. Any form of foatation on pavement is a bad, bad thing.
Jeep on!
--Pete

I've had experience with floatation on pavement, it was the only way I got to and from work when I had my Lebaron and Shadow with 205/60/15's and 205/50-60/15's on them when the snow was bad and the roads were worse and not get hung up in the deep stuff.

 

[JohnX]

I've had experience with floatation on pavement, it was the only way I got to and from work when I had my Lebaron and Shadow with 205/60/15's and 205/50-60/15's on them when the snow was bad and the roads were worse and not get hung up in the deep stuff.

I think you missed the point....If the snow if deep enough to hit the car....wide tires help.

If it doesn't hit the car with narrow tires....then that is better.

Since we were talkin JEEPS...narrow tires are good for snow covered asphalt up to about 8 inches deep for most of us.

 

[Pete M]

I assure you, when your tires stop touching the pavement due to snow being underneath them, traction is lost and bad stuff happens. I don't think much flotation is happening with a 205mm wide tire (8 inches).
Jeep on!
--Pete

 

[mikeny59]

think of the charlatans who lie on a bed of nails; with about a bazillion nails, less weight is distributed on each nail, hence support w/o punture wounds.

now imagine someone lying on four nails, say one at each shoulder and hip. ouch.

I just know this relates to this thread - honestly - but this early in the morning, let someone else make the connection... hasta

sv

 

[Wolfpack Offroad]

I think as said above it is all about the ground pressure. There is a sweet spot for your vehicle and what terrain it sees. I run 32" swampers that are 9.5" wide and they work awesome for my environment-mostly clay and rocks.

 

[LBEXJ]

There has always been a debate over this issue ... always will be.

Traction is all about contact patch and tread design. That is why, those who wheel, air down to increase contact patch. They also choose a tread design that best suits the terrain they want the most traction on.

Anyone who thinks that "Farmers know thinner tires are better", should not speak for all Farmers. Most of the time, they are wide in order to maintain a bigger contact patch and to reduce soil compaction. Ever seen dual tires on one? Most of the time, sinking down to solid ground is not much of a traction advantage plus it ruts the ground. "Tread Lightly"? Tractor tires usually have an aggressive tread design suited for the terrain.

Bulldozers also rely on contact patch and tread design. They too take advantage of a wider track in order to acheive this.

Snow and Ice seldom squeegees out from under a tire. Again, contact patch and tread design. Rain does squeegee out from under a tire, but relies on tread design to increase the contact patch.

Tires come in a variety of width and tread designs. Pick one that best suites your needs. Choose a tread design that best suits the terrain you will mostly be on. Pay attention to how the tire is rated for the terrain you mostly see. Usually, they are rated on a poor to good scale. If gas milage is a concern, go only as wide as you need to maintain a good contact patch for traction.

Les