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I have a 2006 ford ranger 2x4 with regular tires. relatively new tires. Is my truck ok to go in the snow this winter? Not heavy snow but maybe Lake Tahoe? Are my tires not adequate enough for snow? Thanks
Look at the sidewall for the designation M+S. If you see that, they will give you pretty good traction in snow, even if they are about half worn. Significantly better than regular tires that don't have M+S, but no match for proper snow-tires.
All-season tires are OK so long as the tread, which starts out new generally at 10/32 inch, is still about 5/32 inch or deeper. Once they go past that they don't work very well in snow.
A pickup with an empty bed and no 4WD is not the best snow day ride.
Some cable chains on the rear tires can really help traction a lot, not that hard to mount/dismount on a pickup.
4 real snows on some dedicated wheels is the best setup - bolt on yourself when you are going to Tahoe.
Something else not mentioned is if the OP's truck is stickshift or auto, and his skill level. A skilled driver can feel wheel slip better with a manual, at least I can.
Part of skill is the discretion to stay within the capabilities of your truck and your tires.
Worth noting that 4WD gives you more "go" and a bit more stability so long as you stay on the gas, but it does not turn much better and has no advantage in braking compared to 2WD. This explains the 4WD trucks I see stuck and turned turtle right after the first snow here, I don't know if it's the same guys or new clowns, but every year when the snow flies the 4X4's crash.
That said the guys who are crashing their 4X4s are the ones that are not very skilled.
Something else not mentioned is if the OP's truck is stickshift or auto, and his skill level. A skilled driver can feel wheel slip better with a manual, at least I can.
Part of skill is the discretion to stay within the capabilities of your truck and your tires.
Worth noting that 4WD gives you more "go" and a bit more stability so long as you stay on the gas, but it does not turn much better and has no advantage in braking compared to 2WD. This explains the 4WD trucks I see stuck and turned turtle right after the first snow here, I don't know if it's the same guys or new clowns, but every year when the snow flies the 4X4's crash.
That said the guys who are crashing their 4X4s are the ones that are not very skilled.
Also some people think snow tires and/or 4WD gives them traction and control on ice. It doesn't.
2WD trucks often have only one wheel driving at a time. My old '87 Ranger and my '95 F150 both work like this. 2WD doesn't necessarily mean that 2 Wheels are Driving at the same time.
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