Preparing my truck for snow?

[Lefty]

This is the first time I have owned a truck and will be driving it to work no matter the weather. I plan to get a set of steel wheels and dedicated snow tires.

I finally broke down last year and bought snow tires for my car after saying I don't need them for years. I found out what all the fuss was about! I'll never go another winter without snow tires.

I'm just wondering if most run snow tires on their 4x4 Rangers and what else I should be doing to prepare? Sand bags in the back? Do you guys run in 4 Hi, when I the roads are snowy or only if it starts to get hairy?

Any advice is welcome. Truck noob here.

I live in Minnesota. Snow tires are the way to go, but I had pretty good luck with Cooper all terrain tires. You could throw 100-200 lbs in back, but you will be just fine without

 

[Blmpkn]

I dont plan on getting it sidways on purpose. Id kinda like the greasy side to stay down

 

[pentode]

View attachment 116638

I want to have a beer with that guy.

 

[JJMaine]

What a legend haha

I cant even tell you the last time I called out of work and never for snow. Pretty lucky here that most times I leave for work they have already at least skipped a snow plow down the road once so its usually not too terrible.

Snow tires are on the list for sure. I’ll probably get some cheaper ones (maybe not the cheapest) and those should still be better in the snow than expensive regular tires. Any decent steel rims I should get? Looks like the Rough Country rims are only about $60 each.

 

[JJMaine]

Youre definitely losing mainer points for asking such questions

Seriously though, snows are all you need if you're 4x4. Snows & 200lb in the bed if you're 2wd.





This though... good on you.

Every year that goes by there's less and less people willing to show up to their obligations just because of some.. ironically.. 'snowflakes'.

One of the lackeys I know who calls out if there's an inch of snow on the road.. will get pissed if they can't get a coffee at dunks.. because the people at dunks also called out due to an inch of snow on the road

Consider a rust preventative! Fluid film or alike

My truck came from Arizona though, so I’m asking for it.

100% Woolwax black incoming in a few weeks!

 

[JJMaine]

Can anyone recommend a good tire size for 16x8 rims? I'm trying to decide what snow tires to order with the steel wheels. Or I could go with the 15x8 wheels but would like to get tires at least close to the size I have now (265/70-16 Cooper At-3). Any help is appreciated thanks!

I can get 265/70-16 snow tires, would those fit on 16x8" wheels? I only ask because I've looked at charts and they say you can only go up to a 245 on 8" wide wheels but from what I can gather, my trucks stock wheels are 16x7 and I have 265's on them? Not exactly sure since they came on the truck when I bought it.

 

[scotts90ranger]

My '90 is running 35x12.50's on 15x8's, 12.50 is around a 315, so I'd imagine it's ok, my '98 Explorer has 255 70 15's on stock wheels so they're probably 7-7.5" wheels...

 

[Blmpkn]

If your looking for all the advantage you can get in the snow.. go with the skinniest tire that'll fit.

I have 225s on an 8" wheel and they fit fine.

 

[sgtsandman]

I agree with the skinniest tire. The tire and vehicle have to work less to push through the snow, is more likely to get down to pavement, and creates more pressure per square inch due to the decreased tread area.

 

[superj]

you just have to remember, driving in snow is the opposite of driving in sand.

being on the beach, we want wide tires. i have always read that when in snow, you want thin tires for the reason listed above

 

[sgtsandman]

you just have to remember, driving in snow is the opposite of driving in sand.

being on the beach, we want wide tires. i have always read that when in snow, you want thin tires for the reason listed above

It depends. Depending on the depth of snow and where you a driving, there does come a point where you want to be on top of the snow instead of cutting through it. Typically with on road driving cutting is more desirable than floating.

 

[superj]

that stuff goes into the memory for if i ever have to drive in snow

 

[racsan]

Ive got a front drive for this winter for the first time in years, always before I ran dedicated winter tires and about 200# in the back of a 2wd ranger.
I drive about 11 miles to work & consider snowy roads a “challenge accepted “, but those that live in the small town I work at who could nearly walk to work will call off if it snows. The wifes escape is a awd V6 that absolutely eats snow for lunch, im sure my fwd 4-cyl will work out, still need to transfer some winter tires to extra rims, just in case.

 

[bhgl]

I got my 2WD Ranger in the middle of winter last year, and for the most part had no issues, granted it was a mild winter, but even on the worst days I didn't have trouble with traction.

Specific things, most of which everyone else said:
-Winter tires all around, I went with Blizzaks, unstudded since most of the time I'm driving on paved roads that may have some coverage, but not always.
-Keep a spare tire installed, even if it may not fit with your current wheel and tire setup, you'll get about 40-50 lbs of weight low down that will help with rear traction.
-keep fuel topped up, a full load of fuel weighs almost 110 lbs in just gasoline, more if you have a ranger with a larger tank.
-a bed topper will add anywhere between 150-300 lbs to the rear, keep your truck free of snow, e.t.c
-do your regular service ahead of time!

Some things I always do before the big snowfall comes:
-RainX/glass treat my windshields all around inside and out, fog and moisture is super annoying and can be dangerous.
-clean up/defog headlights
-after sub-zero temps come, I always double check my tire pressures, often I'll need to add a couple of psi to get them into spec.

 

[gaz]

Fiberglass canopy, 400 lbs (200 lbs bagged sand, 200 lbs bagged water softener salt), All Terrains. I have only needed to use 4 wheel drive on pavement in blizzard like conditions...non-stop super giant snow, roads complete ice and driving through about a foot of fresh pack on them.

For a normal jaunt up the mountain for family snowboarding/skiing, I engage the 4 wheel drive once above the snow line, for good measure, same set up.