Tire question when plowing

[Stresst]

So whats the ideal tire size for plowing snow? Wide or narrow? My father has a 2001 Silverado and needs some suggestions for what tire size (20" rims). Any suggestions?

 

[SunlitComet]

Well wide is always more tread but i would find the ideal based on what the tires will see aft of the plow and the grade of road. Example if the plow does not do the whole width of vehicle then choose a tire based on what the un-plowed area is like. If it is be asphalt with snow then a bridgestone blizzak. If it does cover width of vehicle then choose a tire based on gravel/dirt type with snow A/T with good wet traction like bridgestone dueler revo2 or use a blizzak for asphalt roads. You get the idea just look at tire surveys at tire rack for different traction tests.

 

[Stresst]

There is that whole chevy ford thing when asking is wide or narrow better for the snow......IMO I feel wider is better but most say narrower is better for the snow. Wide allegedly better when its really deep, narrow for the regular stuff hence "pizza cutters" used by the army on the jeeps. Any suggestions?

---------- Post added at 09:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:57 PM ----------

BTW this whole thing came up when my father went to have something done on his plow when the guy told him (an acquaintance of his) asked him why he bought 275/60/20 Blizzaks, so after spending some some big bucks on tires he is second guessing himself....

 

[domin8]

The real question should be, doed your dad know how to drive his truck? Tires will only get you so far. It's the driver that ultimately matters. I grew up in Utah and spent over 25 years there (and can't wait to go back). I realized that a tire will only get you so far, but a good driver will get you further. Now, there are, of course, limitations to this. I'm not advocating something like using a drag slick to handle snow. That would be suicide. However, your dad doesn't need the top of line tire of he knows how to handle his truck.
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[Stresst]

The real question should be, doed your dad know how to drive his truck? Tires will only get you so far. It's the driver that ultimately matters. I grew up in Utah and spent over 25 years there (and can't wait to go back). I realized that a tire will only get you so far, but a good driver will get you further. Now, there are, of course, limitations to this. I'm not advocating something like using a drag slick to handle snow. That would be suicide. However, your dad doesn't need the top of line tire of he knows how to handle his truck.
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Yeah he can drive he is the one who taught me! Not sure why no one else in the family can drive but we can! LOL. I totally agree with need to know how to drive, I love seeing A-holes with full size suv's stuck in a parking spot once the plow goes by but I am able to get out of the spot in 2wd sometimes! But back to the original question wide or narrow??

 

[SunlitComet]

His frends might be concernerd about rolling resistance or quick build up of snow between tire and body in tight spaces creating traction problems because you can't throw the snow out quick enough. I still see it as available traction of tire surface contact patch. if you were a really heavy truck with say weighing 4 tons stock then by all means break out the pizza cutters. If much lighter i would use widers so as to try to float over what I can not break thru. There is a terrific site on plowing that has forums like here and might be better suited to ask the question. http://www.plowsite.com/

 

[Ben]

I wouldnt say wide or narrow. I would say ice stubs or no stubs lol.

 

[vtx1800sba]

Having grown up on the south shore of Lake Superior (ala snow country) I can tell you dozens of stories of driving on ice and snow. No matter what weight vehicle you drive, skinny tires work better in ice and snow. You might say that wider tires have a larger contact patch therefore better traction. Nope. They do not bite in like skinny tires (more weight per square inch in that contact patch). Any person that has done any amount of snow plowing or winter driving will attest. And the more biting edges in your tires will improve traction on ice albeit snow. Just put a set of Firestone Winterforce tires on my daughter's Buick. Supposed to wear better than the Blizzaks. I might put a set on my 2dr tahoe this winter.

 

[992dr]

I agree with vtx. A narrow tire will bite and get better traction compared to a wider one.
I used my factory wheels/tires during the winter months and would not have any issues, especially since I'm out before the plows.

 

[domin8]

I also agree with vtx. Only way I'd prefer a wide tire is in lots of fresh powder in order to create traction and float on top of as much snow as I could. But, since the OPs dad is plowing I'd go with the skinnier tire since he'll more than likely end up driving on packed snow.

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