Studded Tires?

[AlaskaHunter]

We are moving to Ronan, MT for the winter.

Does a 4X4 F150 with all terrain tires need studded tires for the winter?

I ask because in Fairbanks, AK I would say no as everyone uses nonstudded tires like Blizzaks,
while in Anchorage I would say yes studded definitely due to icy roads down there.

Thanks.

 

[Gerald Martin]

I lived in Thompson Falls for 17 years with all terrain tires on my vehicles. Ronan is generally drier with less snow.

Ice is occasional during the winter, not prevelant

 

[KB_]

had zero problems with good A/T tires that are snow rated. Kenda Klever AT2's have been great for me.

 

[ThunderNocked]

We are moving to Ronan, MT for the winter.

Does a 4X4 F150 with all terrain tires need studded tires for the winter?

I ask because in Fairbanks, AK I would say no as everyone uses nonstudded tires like Blizzaks,
while in Anchorage I would say yes studded definitely due to icy roads down there.

Thanks.

that is the one nice thing about so much colder winters - it clears the roads off better!

 

[MT Bound]

me personnally, I always shake my head in wonder when I see 4x4 trucks with studded tires, makes no sense to me.....

when it gets that bad, I just throw on the chains

 

[Ben Long]

I hate black ice. Got plenty in the Flathead. So studs. Chains are for snow.

 

[Bambistew]

I've run studs and studless. Prefer the later, there is little to no difference IMO. MT doesn't get the ice like we do. Roads bare off pretty quick for the most part

 

[tjones]

I hate black ice. Got plenty in the Flathead. So studs. Chains are for snow.

This.

I have a jeep with studs. There is always black ice headed to and from hunting spots. Kinda hard to run down the highway with chains on. When the snow is deep and the pavement ends the chains go on.

Or get an old mini van. I hear they go places a 4x4 can’t.

 

[BearFoot]

I don't use studs on any of my 4 X 4's. Mud and snow tires. Year round. My single wheel, non posi rigs. some winters I'll stud up, other winters I don't. It's fun no matter what!

 

[Jason73]

If strictly highway driving I'd say good snow tires are probably sufficient. I live up a fairly primitive gravel road, about 7 miles. I personally run studded because it would be a serious pain to chain up every time I was heading home. Already have to chain up more than I like. Best of luck!

 

[Dan O]

Just remember you have to take the studded tires off in the summer so you need a set to swap out.

 

[diamond hitch]

Born in St. Ignatious, raised in Plains, graduated from Hot Springs. Occasionally there is some freezing rain in Dec- Jan. Pretty rediculous to put on studs for 6-10 shiney mornings. Slide with the rest of us or put in 4 wheel drive.

 

[AlaskaHunter]

that is the one nice thing about so much colder winters - it clears the roads off better!

Even nicer is that it is too cold to effectively use road salt. I just sold my 1993 F150 and there was no rust on the body after 28 years!

 

[AlaskaHunter]

I've run studs and studless. Prefer the later, there is little to no difference IMO. MT doesn't get the ice like we do. Roads bare off pretty quick for the most part

Last time I was in your neck of the woods (Anchorage bowl),
I noticed all the taxis were running studded tires.

 

[Deleted member 16014]

Best winter on-road tire option IMO is a top end, soft rubber, studless snow like Nokian Hakka. For Ronan I would drive gingerly and not bother, unless you will be putting on many daily miles all winter due to work/life responsibilities.

 

[ThunderNocked]

Even nicer is that it is too cold to effectively use road salt. I just sold my 1993 F150 and there was no rust on the body after 28 years!

Dang! I'd have liked to buy that truck! Glad you sold it, rigs definitely last longer up here then they did in Juneau - or any coastal plane haha!

 

[Kaitum]

We are moving to Ronan, MT for the winter.

Does a 4X4 F150 with all terrain tires need studded tires for the winter?

I ask because in Fairbanks, AK I would say no as everyone uses nonstudded tires like Blizzaks,
while in Anchorage I would say yes studded definitely due to icy roads down there.

Thanks.

I ran studded tires on my truck when I lived in Anchorage. 4 months of iced up intersections at every stop light was reason enough to have them. I kept using them when I moved to western MT, just because I already had them if for no other reason. My wife ran Blizzaks in Anchorage and western MT, I liked those better than my studded tires.

 

[Bulldog0156]

I hate black ice. Got plenty in the Flathead. So studs. Chains are for snow.

I put my truck in the ditch backwards at 55 last fall going hunting due to black ice. Glad there was no oncoming traffic or chances are I wouldn't be here. Definitely would recommend studs if you can afford two sets of rubber.