Snow Patrol

[Carlton]

I live in the Chicago area also. This was only the second real snow we had so far this winter. In the City the snow was really nothing to write home about. I would say we have not had any really difficult snow to drive through yet. All of the snow was fairly light and powder like, not heavy and dense. Maybe the suburbs got hit with a lot more snow.

At first I thought you were being sarcastic and joking. I read your follow up post and realized you were serious. What do you think is different? Was it the traction control, tire traction, weight distribution, or tires themselves?

I'm up north. We have had a few pretty good snow storms.

I have had the Milestar Patagonia on both the JK and JL. On the JK , they were very good in snow/ice. I would rate them the 2nd best tire I've had in winter behind the GY Duratrac. However, on the JL they were spinning away and not sure footed/planted. The stock KO2 performed poorly as well.

I am not sure what the cause of the issue is. The jeep just didn't want to go. Even in 4wd , with a minor upgrade on the road, the tires were spinning and struggling to get/keep going. I took the RAM out and it was sure footed/planted/no wheel spin. The JK would do the same side street upgrade in 2wd without issue.

The jeep stops well in the snow/ice. It stops better with the Milestars than the BFGs. However, it just doesn't want to get going/stay going/be sure footed.

The worst tires I've ever had on a JK in winter were the Pro Comp MT2. I would rate those close to even to the JL with the BFG or Milestar.

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[Eloib]

I have been having so much fun in Detroit at every corner. Unplowed streets, traction control off and 4H drifting

 

[viper88]

I'm up north. We have had a few pretty good snow storms.

I have had the Milestar Patagonia on both the JK and JL. On the JK , they were very good in snow/ice. I would rate them the 2nd best tire I've had in winter behind the GY Duratrac. However, on the JL they were spinning away and not sure footed/planted. The stock KO2 performed poorly as well.

I am not sure what the cause of the issue is. The jeep just didn't want to go. Even in 4wd , with a minor upgrade on the road, the tires were spinning and struggling to get/keep going. I took the RAM out and it was sure footed/planted/no wheel spin. The JK would do the same side street upgrade in 2wd without issue.

The jeep stops well in the snow/ice. It stops better with the Milestars than the BFGs. However, it just doesn't want to get going/stay going/be sure footed.

The worst tires I've ever had on a JK in winter were the Pro Comp MT2. I would rate those close to even to the JL with the BFG or Milestar.

Out of curiosity? How new are your K02s and/or Milestar Patagonia tires? Do they have any real miles on them yet? I only ask because new tires have a coating of mold-release film on them from the manufacturing process. The mold-release is like a non-stick coating that helps with removing the rubber tire from the molds. New tires will have really bad traction, especially in wet, ice, snow until the mold agent is worn off the surface of the tires.

Or did you recently go to a car wash? I go to a hand car wash and the floors are saturated with Armor All like tire dressing. My tires always spin on the way out. Even my shoes are slippery.

https://www.chemtrend.com/process/tire_molding_retreading

 

[Shots]

Well here in N.E.Ohio we're no strangers to snow. We get a lot every year. We had KO2's on my wife's Grand Cherokee and those things were amazing. I had absolutely no complaints about them in snow. I'd actually put them on par with the Duratracs I had on my Ram. As for my JL, I've got a Sahara, so no KO2's, but I did buy the optional rims/tires so the set I have are pretty good. If the KO2 adn Duratrac are a 10, I'd say my current set is probably an 8. Not bad for a stock tire.
I live on a dead end road, so if the plows do make it out my way, they never come down by my house. That said, when I got home from work last night I was met by roughly 9-10 inches of fresh powder where the road should be. I was able to drive through it in 2wd as long as I kept some momentum. Once I stopped it needed the 4wd to get going again, but you're talking about snow/ice under the tires as you're pushing into a mound of snow ahead of you. Not at all surprised by that. Anyway, all that to say that I'm very happy with the JL in the snow. It did very well.

 

[maguro]

We got about 9 inches last night. The JL was slipping and sliding, not wanting to go etc. I brought it home and took the 2019 RAM out. There was no comparison. The RAM didn't spin the tires or slip once.

Unfortunately, that's been my experience with the JL as well. When I take the exact same route back to back with my Subaru Legacy, the difference is night and day. The Subaru has no slippage or spin. Mind you, the Subaru is using a set of Michelin Ice-X's.

I've aired my KO's down to 32 which has improved the traction by quite a bit but for the time being, I'm using my Subaru as my winter beater unless the snow is deep.

 

[Hydroboy35th]

I was in Indiana yesterday at the Badlands Off Road Park. The storm hit while we were there and then we followed it all the way home to NW Ohio. The Jeep did an excellent job all the way home, had a few minor hiccups with the wiper blades freezing over but it was in 4H the whole time and had no trouble at all, tires were at 28psi.

 

[DanW]

Unfortunately, that's been my experience with the JL as well. When I take the exact same route back to back with my Subaru Legacy, the difference is night and day. The Subaru has no slippage or spin. Mind you, the Subaru is using a set of Michelin Ice-X's.

I've aired my KO's down to 32 which has improved the traction by quite a bit but for the time being, I'm using my Subaru as my winter beater unless the snow is deep.

There isn't an all terrain tire on the planet that can compete with a dedicated snow tire on ice or snow, so that really isn't apples to apples. In addition, an awd system such as in the Subaru can transfer power to the individual axle with the most traction. In snow/ice situations on road, that can be a big advantage over locked 4wd.

 

[XJrider]

...Headlights and taillights. This thing is a drift-busting beast! I can't say enough about the KO2s in the snow! Btw, a great app is Scanner Radio. It is for Android, but I'm not sure about Apple. You can listen to scanners, both local and from around the world, on Android Auto through Uconnect. I could hear all kinds of things, including that the driver of the snow plow was fine and that they were sending help. Anyway, it is a great app.

Tell this to the chucks advocating the purchase of snow tires...

 

[DanW]

Tell this to the chucks advocating the purchase of snow tires...

Well, all I know is that I've driven many a tire in snow in my 50 years on the planet and the KO2 was probably the best I've driven, short of dedicated snow tires. At least they were in the types of snow/ice I've driven, which range from wet heavy to light icy drifting cold. Snow does vary, though, so maybe their experiences were in snow where it doesn't do so well.

 

[Shots]

.....In addition, an awd system such as in the Subaru can transfer power to the individual axle with the most traction. ....

Aaaaand Sahara for the win. Gotta love Selec-Trac.

I went out this morning to try to get some photos. I couldn't really find anything too good, but this is probably the best shot I got to contribute to the theme of the thread. FWIW, the storm passed, and now we're getting bands of lake effect snow, so the opportunity for some good snow pictures hasn't passed yet.

 

[viper88]

Unfortunately, that's been my experience with the JL as well. When I take the exact same route back to back with my Subaru Legacy, the difference is night and day. The Subaru has no slippage or spin. Mind you, the Subaru is using a set of Michelin Ice-X's.

I've aired my KO's down to 32 which has improved the traction by quite a bit but for the time being, I'm using my Subaru as my winter beater unless the snow is deep.

I am not surprised by your experience, A dedicated winter tire like the Michelin Ice-X is always going to be better on ice and snow compared to a A/T. Subaru has a great all-wheel drive system. Add dedicated winter tires and it is a snowmobile only limited by clearance. Clearance and weight is something the JL is superior in for sure. Anyone who owns a Jl and wants the ultimate winter traction should use dedicated winter tires. I know I am not telling you anything you don't already know. You live up North in Canada so I know you have winter experience. lol.

 

[DanW]

Aaaaand Sahara for the win. Gotta love Selec-Trac.

I went out this morning to try to get some photos. I couldn't really find anything too good, but this is probably the best shot I got to contribute to the theme of the thread. FWIW, the storm passed, and now we're getting bands of lake effect snow, so the opportunity for some good snow pictures hasn't passed yet.

Yep, in snow and on ice, I'd give Sahara with Selectrac a clear advantage. Those conditions are its forte. The fact it can lock and have that advantage, too, is gravy.

 

[SteadyC]

There isn't an all terrain tire on the planet that can compete with a dedicated snow tire on ice or snow, so that really isn't apples to apples. In addition, an awd system such as in the Subaru can transfer power to the individual axle with the most traction. In snow/ice situations on road, that can be a big advantage over locked 4wd.

Yup, exactly. When we got the Jeep, I explained to my wife, this isn't like the Infiniti, or the BMW, or the Subaru, or the CRV that all had all wheel drive. This is a standard old school 4 wheel drive, like the pickup trucks I owned in the 90's. You can't compare the two. South suburb of Denver, we have 10 inches on the ground, Jeep did great in the snow, went out in it, 4 wheel drive and no slippage, I'm running Nitto trail grippers.

I also agree with what you said, how much different can one 4X4 be from another 4X4? Maybe limited slip in one, and not the other? I can't image how a JK could be any different. 4X4, it's either on or off. The difference can only be in the conditions. Or one was Selec Trac, or one had limited slip.

 

[DanW]

Yup, exactly. When we got the Jeep, I explained to my wife, this isn't like the Infiniti, or the BMW, or the Subaru, or the CRV that all had all wheel drive. This is a standard old school 4 wheel drive, like the pickup trucks I owned in the 90's. You can't compare the two. South suburb of Denver, we have 10 inches on the ground, Jeep did great in the snow, went out in it, 4 wheel drive and no slippage, I'm running Nitto trail grippers.

I also agree with what you said, how much different can one 4X4 be different from another 4X4? Maybe limited slip in one, and not the other? I can't image who a JK could be any different. 4X4, it's either on or off. The difference can only be in the conditions. Or one was Selec Trac, or one had limited slip.

The place The Jeep will excel is when you land in a ditch or have deep, deep snow. I'll take the JL any day over any awd car or SUV in those situations. Everything has its strengths and weaknesses. Try rock crawling in a Subaru! Lol! (I'm sure someone's done it.)

 

[Shots]

LOL, no doubt.

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