20" Inch Time to think about winter tires

[Mathme]

Rather than go the 275/65 series 20, have you thought about the 275/60 series? This will lower the truck by an inch but the 60 series tires are likely a lot cheaper. I also believe Rivian says no chains on the 65 series, but chains are OK on the 60 series. Of course, if you need chains on a set of dedicated winter tires, should you really be out driving about that day?

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[CGriding]

I've got 34k miles on my original Scorpions - love the look (on darks), don't really care about efficiency, and of course don't like the noise. 100% on paved roads except for our second home in Cle Elum where gravel is common and - in particular - we have a winding gravel driveway that has a steep section that also has a sideways slope and THAT gave me some trouble last January. When I come to a stop and tried to get going again my R1S just slid sideways. Fortunately all my neighbors have heavy equipment so a phone call and 15 minutes and I was recovered (had to leave my car lower down on the driveway than I would have preferred).

So I had been thinking of getting a set of socks for the tires for just this use case (and potentially over Snoqualmie Pass) but wanted to ask - how much difference would these dedicated snow tires make?

One thing to consider how often you are out in the conditions that you will need to put on socks. Might be a pain if you are constantly putting them on and off. On the other hand if you are mainly somewhere that is 60F and above you’ll wear out the snow tires.

 

[Carscott]

I have the Nokian r5 on R20 and love them. Tried to match the outside diameter to my 21” summers.

They are amazing in the Canadian winters a must for confidence

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Aren’t both gold standards for winter tires? Don’t think you can go wrong with either. My personal preference would be the Nokian (when I lived outside of CA). The Finns know ice/snow.

 

[KeithPleas]

So I asked something up the thread and didn't really get a response - what do you get with winter tires? I can easily see the costs - my question is more like...can you get up steeper driveways? Over mountain passes that haven't been plowed as recently? Do winter tires do anything to help offset R1s tendency to go downhill when traversing a driveway that slopes to the side?

 

[2kwik4u]

Rather than go the 275/65 series 20, have you thought about the 275/60 series? This will lower the truck by an inch but the 60 series tires are likely a lot cheaper.

Only a 1/2in drop in Ride height. 1.1 drop in Tire height.

275/65/20 is 34.1in tall
275/60/20 is 33in tall.

That's 1.1in of Diameter, or 0.5in of Radius. Radius (distance from center of wheel to ground) sets ride height.

 

[ksurfier]

So I asked something up the thread and didn't really get a response - what do you get with winter tires? I can easily see the costs - my question is more like...can you get up steeper driveways? Over mountain passes that haven't been plowed as recently? Do winter tires do anything to help offset R1s tendency to go downhill when traversing a driveway that slopes to the side?

You get specially designed tires with tread that is optimized for snow/ice driving. A good all weather tire will work in most cases, but for those that live ~3 months of the year above 7,000 feet, they typically want the safety and enhanced capability of a true winter tire.

you could probably ask 20 people what they prefer and half will say winter tires and the other half will say All weather and carry chains/cables or socks…

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