At 11:07 AM 10/23/97 -0400, Bruce Aaron Hefner wrote:
[...]
>> Speaking of traction: I don't know much about traction on sand, but
>> I think you're right, wider is better. (To "float" on the surface.) But,
>> with snow, narrow is better. You want to sink through the snow and down
>> to the underlying solid layer.
>>
>Correct me if I'm wrong, but you are assuming there is a solid layer
>beneath the snow, if there is 2 or 3 feet of snow on the ground (Which
>does happen occasionally) and you try to sink the tire to the solid layer
>beneath the snow (3 feet down) you're going to be sitting on your axles
>aren't you, and it doesn't seem like you'd get any traction. I didn't
>personally drive in it but when we had a blizzard (2-3 feet of snow)here
>in GA 5 years ago I remember the vehicle that did the best was my brothers
>truck with the big huge mud grips on it (31 or 32 - 10.50) that he had let
>about 10 lbs of air out of so he could float above the snow, I remember
>even hearing the news stations telling everyone don't leave your
>house, but if you had to get out to deflate your tires to about 15-20 psi
>and to be sure to remember to inflate them after snow was gone.
>
>Bruce
>
Hmmm, I dunno. Maybe it depends on the type of snow? I've always been
told narrow is better for snow. I suppose if you had a couple feet of
hard packed stuff, then you wouldn't want to sink in that, but if you had
a couple feet of fluff & slush, you probably want to get down to the ground.
I suspect that might be the case, since roads generally don't have that
kind of volume on them, unless its right after a serious snowstorm (in which
case it would be fluffy or slush). If that's true, then maybe I should
revise my statement to be "narrow is better for snow on the roads".
Anyone know for sure what the deal is?
-Jon-
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I do not speak for the SUNY College at Fredonia; any opinions are my own.
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