Just installed my winter tires ... Look at the difference!

[King]

Here's the 20" Diamaris compared to the 18" Pirelli Scorpions. The truck is so much smoother and easy to turn, it almost feels like a minivan after taking off those 20's.

Of course the handling isn't nearly that great and they look rather puny but hey we've already had light snow this week and I don't want to take any chances...

[djbock]

Did the same thing as we had a light snow last week as well. It's amazing the difference in size!! Took the 20's in already for a balance that way they are ready to go next spring.

[Xrs]

I've always use my 22 even when it snows although it ruins the lip but i polish it when spring comes, should i change? i mean i feel no diff than using my 19

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by Xrs

I've always use my 22 even when it snows although it ruins the lip but i polish it when spring comes, should i change? i mean i feel no diff than using my 19

It depends on where you live and snow conditions there. You will notice big difference in driving on snow if you have dedicated snow tires as compared to performace tires for summer. You don't want to take chances sliding with 22s on snow.

[Aimster]

I have 18 with regular michellin (spl?) tires.

Should I get snow tires? I just want to get out of my house which is 1/4 mile long private driveway. Sometimes it snows 4-8 inches.

,

How much did those snow tires run you?

[dkl]

Originally Posted by King

Here's the 20" Diamaris compared to the 18" Pirelli Scorpions. The truck is so much smoother and easy to turn, it almost feels like a minivan after taking off those 20's.

Of course the handling isn't nearly that great and they look rather puny but hey we've already had light snow this week and I don't want to take any chances...

The 18" look somewhat deformed? One edge looked smaller than the other...or is that just the camera lense playing tricks on the eye? The 20", on the other hand, looks fine

[X5Flyboy]

narrow tires grip snow better and increase traction (wgt/sq in) - where you want the tire to grab more snow for traction (deep grooves) and push down thru the water to bare pavement to minimize hydroplaning - mine are on 18" rims - safety before vanity

[JCL]

Originally Posted by burkleymh

narrow tires grip snow better and increase traction (wgt/sq in) - where you want the tire to grab more snow for traction (deep grooves) and push down thru the water to bare pavement to minimize hydroplaning - mine are on 18" rims - safety before vanity

That used to be more true than it is today. Older generations of snow tires relied primarily on the tread blocks on the edge (shoulder) for all of their traction. More recent designs use modern rubber compounds and much more sophisticated tread patterns to grip over the whole width of the tire. That is why we are seeing performance snow tires in these sizes.

You can't push down any more with a wide tire or a narrow tire. The narrow tire does have a shorter path for water to get squeezed out, reducing hydroplaning' as you say. However, since the truck weighs the same (lb) and the tire pressure is for all intents equal (lb/sq in) you will have the same contact area (sq in) whether you have a wide tire or a narrow one. All that will change is the shape of the contact patch, not the size of it (disregarding the effects of the sidewall stiffness).

[Don Coffey]

Originally Posted by JCL

That used to be more true than it is today. Older generations of snow tires relied primarily on the tread blocks on the edge (shoulder) for all of their traction. More recent designs use modern rubber compounds and much more sophisticated tread patterns to grip over the whole width of the tire. That is why we are seeing performance snow tires in these sizes.

You can't push down any more with a wide tire or a narrow tire. The narrow tire does have a shorter path for water to get squeezed out, reducing hydroplaning' as you say. However, since the truck weighs the same (lb) and the tire pressure is for all intents equal (lb/sq in) you will have the same contact area (sq in) whether you have a wide tire or a narrow one. All that will change is the shape of the contact patch, not the size of it (disregarding the effects of the sidewall stiffness).

This can't be right. The whole idea of a wider wheel is to increase the size of the contact patch therefore increasing traction, whether it be cornering, braking or accelerating, the wide wheel will always out perform the narrower wheel. Except in very wet/snowy conditions were the increased width can work against you.

Don

[steelgray]

Yes, it must be a reson why rally drivers use narrower tires on snow than on tarmak.