Stovebolt.com Forums The Shop Area Driveline Model A's did well in the snow. How about our BIG trucks?

Hey guys, I believe the reason I saw a model A scooting around in the snow with no problem was the skinny tires? More weight on less area? Anyway, how do you guys do with the 6.00 and 6.50-20 bias plys? You would think they do well.. especially with some weight on the back?

I never drove my Model A in the snow, but generally pizza cutter tires are better in snow. Dual wheels, not so much.

Hmm, that sounds like a challenge. I might have to pull the one ton out and take her for a rip in the snow. I’ve only had it out twice in some good depth snow and it did much better than I anticipated for a 2wd dually! Still, I had a tow rope in the box at the time. 😉

215/85/16 radials, not bias ply.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/GZypX6vrWZNVmvvo9

Looks cool. I was also wondering if they make chains that will fit our tires? Wonder if you attach one set to both tires or one set for each tire..? [edit] if they arent commercially made.. I wonder how hard to make them!?

One for each wheel is much easier to handle.They make two and three rail chains for duals. Three rails give good traction but the downside is that like for a 11.00 X 24.5 set of duals they're really heavy. Way over 50 lbs., though I never weighed them. After you have chained up 6 axles you know you've done some work. Visit a local trucking company and talk to the mechanics about where they get chains repaired. I have cut and spliced many over the years to get what I wanted.

A lot of it depends on snow. If it is fresh a narrow tie will cut through it. If it is packed with fresh snow on top of it, you will cut down to the ice and a wide tire with a good tread design will stay on top of the fresh show. The only sure thing for ice is chains. I am 77 years old and I'm just never going to chain up an 18 wheeler again. Even when I was a young man, it was a killer job. The best chains I have found for passenger cars and light trucks is the European square link. I used to buy them in Germany, but I notice they are available here now. Our Swiss son in law wants to go to the ski slopes next month and we will be taking our Town and Country. I found some European type chains on line and ordered them. https://www.tirechainsrus.com/car-diamond-back.html

I was wondering the same about my 58 Viking 60. I have hiway tread all the way around (9R-22.5s) but, they are not siped. The truck weighs 9,000 pounds so, I really don't want ot take it out and get it stuck or hit someone! My wife has a Subaru forester so, if I need ot go somewhere in the snow, I just take her car.

Unless you're planning on hauling a max cargo load in snow, the trick would be to remove one of the dual tires on each side of the rear end. That will double the down loading of the tire footprint and keep the rear wheels from spinning as often. Lug treads or chains would help, but having too much of a footprint with very little down loading and minimum weight on an empty bed will stop most big rigs in their tracks. Use a ratchet strap to tie the removed wheel assemblies onto the middle of the bed to add a little weight over the remaining wheels.
Jerry

good ideas, Jerry. For now though, I have no need to drive mine in the snow so, I just leave it parked. 30 years ago, I would have felt the "need" to take it out in the snow though!

Thanks Jerry and all for your input! Mike I am wondering too with the firestone bias ply vintage 6.50 -20's if they will do well at all? I imagine they might with good weight? Like using the "remove one tire" method and or load weight on 'er..