That’s because you’re running the wrong tire.
That’s because you’re running the wrong tire.
That’s because you’re running the wrong tire.
That’s because you’re running the wrong tire.
That’s because you’re running the wrong tire.
That’s because you’re running the wrong tire… and trying to do more with them than they are designed to do.
Radial All-Terrain (A/T) tires are not Off-Road tires; they are street tires with a little extra tread in case there’s some snow on the road or you need to drive across wet grass. Bias Ply Traction-Lug tires get all their traction from the side lugs, the center tread does virtually nothing (except on pavement). The lugs are self cleaning… as the tire comes in contact with ground any mud/snow in them is forced out the side so the lugs are always and constantly pulling against new earth/snow. (There are some Traction-Lug radials, but they don’t work the same because of the radial sidewall “bulge”).
Radial All-Terrain (A/T) tires ride up on top of “stuff” and the treads load up, that’s why you have trouble backing up, why you spin the wheels, and why you use momentum to compensate for lack of traction. “Momentum” is not your friend running Bias Ply Traction-Lug tires, they are narrow and have stiff sidewalls, they do not ride up on top of “stuff”… they cut in and pull. Spinning the wheels is the one thing you absolutely do not want to do running Bias Ply Traction-Lug tires… they’ll dig a hole to China faster than you can blink. A slow and easy slip will sometimes be the ticket… but if you put your foot-in-it, you’ll be buried to your door handles in two seconds.
I stopped running Radial All-Terrain (A/T) tires and switched to Bias Ply Traction-Lug for 8-9 months of the year because of all the things you are saying!. Since then, the only time I’ve had a “tow rope hooked to me” is when I’m pulling some else out!
So every time you gotten stuck, its been because of radial tires?
I don't doubt the traction lugs are better than AT tires, two different uses.
Will a radial tire, same size, same tread pattern, same inflation pressure on the same vehicle, be significantly handicapped against a bias ply tire?
I could be wrong. I have NOT ran a bias ply tire, but most of the times I've been stuck its because a bad decision on my part.
Other times because of pride.... :msp_tongue:
I would say that I might try some bias plys on the Ranger next time, but I don't know that the frame will outlast the AT's that's on it now...
Will say momentum is also key for hill climbing. Even just a slip can be disastrous.
Speaking of, how about rock climbing? Would the softness of a radial be better than stiffness of a bias ply?
As for the backing in the snow, I have backed downhill in the snow and never slipped a tire. The tires would NOT stay in the tracks I had made going up the hill, they dug themselves out of the ruts and into the deep stuff.
That wasn't a factor of the tire, but of the weight distribution of the pickup.
Same thing can happen going forward too. I was out a couple weekends ago in some snow and following along in the tracks that others had made. Unfortunately, they had been made with full size pickups and were wider than the Ranger. I was all over the freaking road, even though the pavement was showing through the tracks, just couldn't stay in them.
Was fun indeed, but it was in a remote area, and I didn't want to get stuck, so I found a place where the sun had melted the snow enough for me to turn around. In my younger years, I wouldn't have done that. Made a good decision that time and avoided getting stuck.
As said, I would run bias ply tires if it is a significant improvement over the same radial tire. But is it really THAT much different?
The AT's above do a pretty good job for what they are. Seem to be a good alternative to a full on mud tire. They ride pretty well on the hardtop and do well off-road and in the snow. They aren't mud tires though, and as with any tire, do have their limitations.
The best things one can have when off-roading or in snow isn't tires, but chains, and a strong winch....
A chainsaw can help too with a well placed log in a mudhole, or for building a big fire for your night stay in the woods..
I will say it is pouring the snow as I type.... I like snow.
