Deep snow travel

[Birdowin]

Does lowering tire pressure in deep snow help with traction and if so how low?

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[Audiotek]

Intentionally lowering tire pressure to drive in snow can result in a fatality.

To increase traction in snow use studded winter tires and go at posted snow driving speed limits.

 

[COdogman]

I've never lowered my air pressure more than just what naturally happens in the cold, but I think the safest plan is to keep your pressure at or near the manufacturer's recommendation. You might increase the contact patch, but cause other problems..

 

[2kwik4u]

How deep? Whats underneath it?

People in places like Iceland, Antartica, and Greenland that deal with "fragile" snow will run giant tires with tiny pressures. If you're talking about anything in the US, I doubt that's your case.

I personally have driven in snow as deep as 36in, and was still running the stock Pirelli AT's at ~48psi or so. Traction wasn't really an issue. The weight of the truck makes it more of a "snow pusher" than a "snow rider" if that makes sense. My profile picture is the truck in ~24in of snow in Buffalo last December. Truck did just fine aside from the snow accumulation on the headlights. Put it in "snow" mode, raised to highest setting on the suspension and drove home. Go slow and be aware of others around you that might not have the same level of control or capability.

I can't imagine but a few very specific instances where you'll be dealing with anything more than that, and I would rely on local knowledge to guide that decision at that point.

 

[Thedude]

Intentionally lowering tire pressure to drive in snow can result in a fatality.

To increase traction in snow use studded winter tires and go at posted snow driving speed limits.

On road yes, but let’s hope the OP meant deep snow off-road? Lowering tire pressure can help keep a vehicle from sinking as much as (larger contact patch, lower ground pressure) but with as heavy as the Rivian is I doubt it would make a difference.

 

[antimatter]

No, snow is generally not as dense as sand, so lowering your tire pressures won't prevent you from sinking in. A really light vehicle can go over snow - the original VW Beetle could actually go over a snow bank; we had one when I was growing up in South Dakota and the bug could actually slide over large snow banks in a pinch, but it wasn't a trick you'd want to rely on.

For deep snow momentum is the key to success. Don't stop unless you absolutely have to. Snow tires help, and I'm told that studded tires can be nice to have (illegal here in MN unless you're a postal carrier), but in my years of driving everything including a RWD-only Isuzu Hombre, you don't stop for love nor money. Also, throw a snow shovel and couple of roofing shingles (the poor man's traction board) in the gear tunnel. Best advice would be to stay home until the plows arrive, but if you have to go out - Don't Stop!

 

[Yossarian]

Does lowering tire pressure in deep snow help with traction and if so how low?

Even though I live in PA, I spend a fair amount of time each winter in snow country. Lowering your the pressure won't help, but a good set of 3PMSF tires will, and will help even more with braking on snow & ice.

 

[Birdowin]

Thanks for all of your advice the consensus seems to keep tires at full pressure. I do have 3peak rated tires so feel pretty confident.

 

[André]

3peak rated tires may be good enough for deep snow as they have good traction but will be dangerous on ice as the compound will get as hard as an hockey puck in cold temperatures. Proper winter snow tires are absolutely a must if you drive in real winter conditions. Also helping is to reduce regen to the lowest setting so the truck doesn’t skid by blocking the wheels on ice and snow.

 

[Thedude]

3peak rated tires may be good enough for deep snow as they have good traction but will be dangerous on ice as the compound will get as hard as an hockey puck in cold temperatures. Proper winter snow tires are absolutely a must if you drive in real winter conditions. Also helping is to reduce regen to the lowest setting so the truck doesn’t skid by blocking the wheels on ice and snow.

I wouldn’t go that far. They aren’t as good as dedicated snow tires but they aren’t exceptionally dangerous. I’ve spent years driving 3PMSF tires on ice in temps down to -60°F and they’ve been ok. Not as good as Blizzaks or studded tires but not dangerous either.

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