33x12.5 in snow | Ford Explorer Forums

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33x12.5 in snow

tenikiwon

Elite Explorer
Joined
December 11, 2001
Messages
1,239
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City, State
Yakima, WA
Year, Model & Trim Level
02 F250/Zuk twins
I just recently put my 33s on and we got about 4-6" of snow. Driving along lake Michigan we have a crazy cross wind which was blowing my truck all over the road. My buddy was driving his stock Alavanche and didn't say he had any problems. Is it the width of the tires that is affecting it?

What does this do in mud? I though bigger was better
 



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wide tires in general arent good for the snow because they wont sink down and bite the pavement. But ive noticed better traction with my 33s than with my 31s.
 






i have seen some snow living in Vermont and going skiing as often as I do (only 36 times this season so far). I have 33x12.5 Procomp ATs and I think they have better grip on snow pack or loose snow than my stock tires did. They are certainly easier to break loose on pack and have different characteristics than stock. However Doug is right in saying that they wont get down to the pavement as readily. As for the drifting, the tires arent going to affect that. The lift will make your vehicle catch more of the wind than stock but it is not the width of the tires doing this. I wouldnt go back to a narrower tire personally. THese tires have seen limited mud but for what I have seen they work very well for ATs. It all depends on the depth of the mud or snow. If it is deeper the larger tire is larger and will float better giving you the advantage in that case. Not so deep you the stock size tire will put more pressure/unit area which in most cases or on road and light offroad is going to give you better traction. Hope I was of some assistance
Gary
 






It also depends greatly on the tire compound, tread, and pressure. Maybe you just have tires that aren't too good in the snow due to their design.
 






The general rule of thumb is tall, narrow, aggressive tires work the best in snow. Wide tires work the best in sand/mud. This is why trucks that plow alot use something like a 235/85R16.. its a 32x9.50 and will give them good height but still plenty of bite for snow
 






If it makes a difference I got BFG AT KOs

Thanks for the reply, keep the opions coming.

Also, in regards to driving a gas-pig with a sail :)
IS there anys way to lower the ride height for street and higher for off-roading. Any special suspension type things?

What about tire spacing? I'm on stock rims now.
 






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