Janky
Full Access Members
I know there have been many posts about tires, but I have to relay this. Last year, I made it to the mountains many times with the factory Hankooks. As you all have found, they are horrible in snow and ice, but I never got stuck. Well, today was the day. Stevens pass got a good dumping today. The highway had a bunch of stop and go. Right at the pass, the road banks right at the first entrance to the ski area parking. I witnessed 4 cars going sideways just trying to move slowly. Fortunately, I was able to inch over to the high shoulder and get in a few inches of fresh, before finding a window and going for it. I took a picture from our first chairlift and you can see what looks like a capable 4x4, stuck sideways into the bank.
Thankfully, I got a mostly flat spot in the upper parking lot. However when I pulled in, the tires just spun. I tried to back up and go forward again to pack down a little section, but it was hopeless and the car on one side was a little close, so I just parked it. Upon returning, the closer vehicle was gone but when we went to get out, the wheels just spun. 4L, locking diff, mud/snow setting - none of it made a difference. I wonder if my attempts when first parking actually sealed my fate by freezing a nice little wheel hole.
Dug and dug and got it to move about 6 inches... into the next hole. Then I gave up and pulled out the chains. Before I got them on, the neighbor on the other side showed up and pulled us out. Nice little Jeep, thank you!
When we finally got our beast out, I just had to take a picture. The 'holes' I was stuck in were embarrassingly small! The factory Expy is just pathetic in the snow. The tires are crap and that stupid transmission is impossible to shift back and forth between R and D to rock out of a bind. Don't get me wrong, I love the truck, just hate getting stuck.
I'd love to hear tire recommendations. My use is lots of city/highway and 10-15 trips to the snow a year. Currently eyeing the Falken Wildpeak and Conti TerrainContact. I love the 22's but after today's mishap, I'm one step closer to changing to 20", which would open up many more choices.
Thankfully, I got a mostly flat spot in the upper parking lot. However when I pulled in, the tires just spun. I tried to back up and go forward again to pack down a little section, but it was hopeless and the car on one side was a little close, so I just parked it. Upon returning, the closer vehicle was gone but when we went to get out, the wheels just spun. 4L, locking diff, mud/snow setting - none of it made a difference. I wonder if my attempts when first parking actually sealed my fate by freezing a nice little wheel hole.
Dug and dug and got it to move about 6 inches... into the next hole. Then I gave up and pulled out the chains. Before I got them on, the neighbor on the other side showed up and pulled us out. Nice little Jeep, thank you!
When we finally got our beast out, I just had to take a picture. The 'holes' I was stuck in were embarrassingly small! The factory Expy is just pathetic in the snow. The tires are crap and that stupid transmission is impossible to shift back and forth between R and D to rock out of a bind. Don't get me wrong, I love the truck, just hate getting stuck.
I'd love to hear tire recommendations. My use is lots of city/highway and 10-15 trips to the snow a year. Currently eyeing the Falken Wildpeak and Conti TerrainContact. I love the 22's but after today's mishap, I'm one step closer to changing to 20", which would open up many more choices.
Attachments
Last edited: