Lessons from Ice Fishing Today

Even if you can't run studded tires where you live, a set of true winter tires will make a big difference. They will have a better tread pattern and compound and are optimized for winter conditions. Mount them on some OEM type steel wheels (they aren't very expensive) and just swap them out in the fall and change back to the other wheels/tires in the spring. Most "All season" tires are a compromise that don't do anything well, although there are exceptions. Remember that you don't want to skimp and just buy two tires, the front ones steer and do most of the braking. You'll also get more life out of your summer tires as they aren't on the vehicle year round.

Personally I'd take RWD over FWD if I only have the choice of two wheels driving, but that's me....and yes, I've driven both in the winter. You do need some weight in the back in the winter, especially in a truck.
 
Watchful said:
That's a lot of them. Fords, too, not just Chevys. Remember that the pickup is designed to haul loads: that puts weight on the rear wheels. The more you pile into the bed, the more traction you get. That's ideal for a pickup.

But a pickup is not by design an outdoors vehicle like a Jeep, as you note!

Actually, even with a car, I wonder about car designers. I love opening a car door and watching all the snow and ice on the roof just dump itself right onto the driver's seat. Does anyone think about this stuff when designing the vehicle?
Click to expand...

Sadly I've tried just loading down the rear heavily in the winter, but the traction difference is negligible. There is no salvation for my truck. Hence my dreams of a CJ7, or even a wrangler, as my next vehicle.

It really is amazing what sorts of design flaws pop up that just make you wonder what they were doing behind those drawing boards though...
 
Nice fishing shots K'; I've been skunked there ice fishing too! Now whenever I go fishing someplace new I buy the local laminated maps of the water body. It's much easier to find good locations to auger your holes over. Nice thick ice too!
 
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