Yeti Build

[Xodric]

There is a continual debate on this topic.
- Tall and skinny to get down to the soil and trudge through the snow. but your axles still drag through the snow and its easier to get high centered in the snow.
- Tall and FAT tires to float on the snow more. This is the Icelandic way and my personal preference. I'd rather climb on top of the snow and prevent dragging things in it.

If you've already sunk into the snow your wide tires are fighting against you already. The only way you're driving "on top" of the snow is if it's day old snow that's had some degree of melting and frozen again over night, even than I would be skeptical. Snow and ice nullifies positive effect of wide contact area due to low friction, and pressure plays a greater part. You should never air down tires in winter.

Usually after a snowfall, there is the harder packed snow underneath the softer fluffy snow on the top. If you drive with wide tires then the car tends to FLOAT over on top of the softer snow and never fully reaches the hard stuff near the bottom. So if you want better stopping ability you have to reach down to the harder 'PACKED' snow, that's why you need those skinnier tires. Unfortunately most people think the opposite way, that's why you see wide winter tires everywhere.

I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It gets colder here than the surface of Mars. You realize real quickly that tall and skinny is the only way to go. The OP is Canadian and can back me up on how crazy Winnipeg gets with it's winters.

Something else to consider is the OP is in Canada, not Iceland. Two very different types of winter weather as Iceland is surrounded by ocean, this plays a part in their average winter atmosphere.

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[lowmpg]

Wildtrak and swap on at least 12.5" wide tires, in my opinion.

I think the WT is already rolling on basically 12.5 wide tires (315/70s).

 

[NorthShoreBronco]

If you've already sunk into the snow your wide tires are fighting against you already. The only way you're driving "on top" of the snow is if it's day old snow that's had some degree of melting and frozen again over night, even than I would be skeptical. Snow and ice nullifies positive effect of wide contact area due to low friction, and pressure plays a greater part. You should never air down tires in winter.

Usually after a snowfall, there is the harder packed snow underneath the softer fluffy snow on the top. If you drive with wide tires then the car tends to FLOAT over on top of the softer snow and never fully reaches the hard stuff near the bottom. So if you want better stopping ability you have to reach down to the harder 'PACKED' snow, that's why you need those skinnier tires. Unfortunately most people think the opposite way, that's why you see wide winter tires everywhere.

I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It gets colder here than the surface of Mars. You realize real quickly that tall and skinny is the only way to go. The OP is Canadian and can back me up on how crazy Winnipeg gets with it's winters.

Something else to consider is the OP is in Canada, not Iceland. Two very different types of winter weather as Iceland is surrounded by ocean, this plays a part in their average winter atmosphere.

Yea I've been to Manitoba in winter. F n cold for sure.

Doesn't get as cold here in New Brunswick but we do get alot more snow.

I agree that on regular roads tall skinny tires are best in a snowstorm to cut through the snow and to be able to stop.

But in the woods where I'm going, there's going to be at least 4 feet of snow, so I think I'd rather float on it if possible.

So my question really is.... Would wide 32" tires be good enough? Or should I really be looking at 35"s?

 

[NorthShoreBronco]

I think the WT is already rolling on basically 12.5 wide tires (315/70s).

Yea I can't afford a wildtrack lol

 

[Xodric]

But in the woods where I'm going, there's going to be at least 4 feet of snow, so I think I'd rather float on it if possible.

So my question really is.... Would wide 32" tires be good enough? Or should I really be looking at 35"s?

Id agree with @ColoradoDad if you are going for that deep of snow with his Iceland view if your goal isnt road driving. 4 feet of snow sounds like treads would be a serious option. Floating on snow that deep will require a large footprint, the 38" equipped vehicle he posted would be a good start to go off of. Id have serious doubts of 33" being capable.

 

[treadlightly]

I agree that on regular roads tall skinny tires are best in a snowstorm to cut through the snow and to be able to stop.

Right, stopping will not be your biggest problem, it will be "continuing to go". City/highway driving requirements should be vigorously discarded. All the serious winter overlanders seem to run giant balloon tires at hyperlow pressure. Are you adding a compressor to reinflate?

Watching too much "Matt's Off-road Recovery" lately, but I believe he has said snow behaves like sand. Giant balloon tires, therefore.

You're taking your life into your hands with this. Getting stuck will be a serious problem. I'd discourage you from relying on a forum for your decision.

 

[Sean492]

Northwestern ON, not as cold as Winnipeg but with more snow.
Ordered a Non-Sas Badlands with LUX, MIC 2.7 L and looking to replace the 285/70/17R with 285/75/17R BFG KO2 upon delivery.
Will see how it sits and perhaps level it if the nose dives.

 

[Losy]

I don't want a Sasquatch, I want a Yeti!

So I'm no offroader, but I would like some advice for those who do runs in the snow.

Here is my intended vision and purpose for my Bronco.

I live in Canada on the east coast and we get a ton of snow. We have a camp in the woods about 1 mile in. We usually walk in or go by ATV with tracks. I want to be able to drive in all winter and pack the trail down with my Bronco.

Also there's a bunch of trails back there and I'd like to be going out in the winter.

Soooo, my build will be geared towards that.

Would 32/33"s Tires be good enough? Dont' think I need the Squatch package......


Getting a White 4 door. I want the Vinyl Seats and rubber floors. So either going Black Diamond or Badlands..... Then was going to get a winch.

What set up would be ideal for Offroading in Snow?

Appreciate the help.

Thank you

Steph

Large Winter tires 100%. The compound is made for the snow. They have 33 and 35 tire size.

 

[ROKBRNC]

It really depends on the type of snow you normally have in your area.

Out here we have the Sierras and get what’s called Sierra Cement, heavy wet thick snow that packs down when you drive on it. You want a wide, aired down tire for floatation to stay on top of it and maybe even a set of chains for additional assistance with forward momentum.

In the Midwest we had light fluffy deep (cold) snow which is where the taller skinner tire was better for being able to dig through the top snow and get down to a hard pack surface.

Once you know your conditions your decision will be easier. In either case, you will want front and rear lockers, or at least limited slip diffs, a winch, shovel, Powertank or onboard air compressor, shovel and traction boards, recovery strap and hopefully a trail buddy to assist when things don’t go well.

A mile in the winter in the snow can feel like ten miles, we buried a Jeep a few years ago on a snow run in the Sierras when we discovered that there was a spring running under some fresh snow, couldn’t see it but when we found it, the Jeep was three feet in nose down. It took two rigs, winches and eight hours of digging to finally free it.

 

[PSUTE]

It really depends on the type of snow you normally have in your area.

This X 1000. We generally get light, fluffy lake effect snow in feet hereabouts. Not to say we don't occasionally get nasty ass wet snow, but rarely. Gotta roll with what you get most of the time. Basesquatch was the right call for me...

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