i have cooper discover A/T3 265/70/17 on my truck. when i lived in Florida, even in wet pavement them tires would spin. now that i am in MN they spin with just tapping the gas peddle. i have some weight in the back maybe 100lbs. (yes i know i need more). all the reviews on this tire for snow is good. but i feel they are not.
now question is, do you think the shocks may have anything to do with this? they are the original with 183k, yes i know they need to be changed out anyways. i have only had the truck 9 months and have had other things pop up.
my bro in law has a 2002 durango all wheel drive, i dont know tires sizes but i can say they are a lil bit wider. almost street tires, let me tell you that truck has AMAZING traction in the snow!!! we barely spin.
been doing some research on lockers, they are a big no no for snow. i have the open differential. no i didnt lift truck to spin the wheels i looked at the sticker under the hood.
i am looking for some good suggestions on either tires, which still have great tread. or the shocks will make a huge difference?
thank you everyone

 

i don't think shocks have anything to do with traction. i think its all about weight in the back (rear wheel drive) or weight in the front (front wheel drive), and tire bite, tires not being too wide (float) and luggy/clearing treads that don't pack up with mud or snow and turn into slicks.

add about 500-700 pounds of sand or firewood and see if it helps. if the tires continue to pack with snow and not clean themselves, you may need something different.

 

time to gain some weight

 

Just so we're clear, your truck is 4wd...right...?

 

I believe Thornloe Pride has a post in tire polls for a good snow tire. I also think Redneck Ram runs the same tire (best I recall). Duratracs ??..........K.

 

Always start with the basics lol. When you mention florida, we assume that means you were in 2wd, so it kind of sounds like you were in 2wd in the snow as well. With a truck, the tires WILL spin in snow, easily, in 2wd. If you think you are in 4wd and still spinning too easily, time to check your 4wd system.

I didnt start noticing a traction improvment until i had a 700 lb four wheeler in the back. 100 lb wont do squat.

 

I think your tire is a problem. I used to run an AT tire and they sucked in slippery conditions. I now own Goodyear Duratracs and I personally love them. I live in Canada ao we see snow/ice for 6 months of the year straight and ive never owned such a good winter tire. The Duratracs are an all around tire though. There are probably better selections for just a pure winter tire. I also have around 400lbs of sand bags in my box and that helps.

You said you were looking at lockers... You are right that lockers are a big no no for a DD but if you are still looking, I recommend you look into a LSD. More specifically, a Detroit Trutrac. They are considered the best LSD on the market. Also the most expensive. I've owed both a ram with open and factory LSD and in the winter, the LSD rear does circles around the open diff in slippery conditions.

It's hard to compare a truck in 2wd to an AWD Durango. If roads are bad, use 4x4. I do.

 

I do indeed have duratracs. Ive had them for 3 year, and are getting replaced with another set in a couple weeks.

Theyre pinned for #16 studs, though I never had em studded. Theyre the best tire ive ever owned for winter driving! I plow with my truck, and have personally never been stuck. well ok there was once, but we wont talk about that....

At3s are a junk tire for snow conditions. Get something with spaced out lugs...

 

answer you are looking for is in the sig pic description. its ok i would have missed that to.
yes 4X4 she is.
as for tires, i was wondering if there just isnt enough rubber on the road to gain grib.
i also ask all this as for when my wife gets here this will be her DD. i want to be as safe as possible for her. so when i now have the time and money to do this i am taking advantage of it

 

oooooooweee those ties are expensive. average $1000 for 4. they are nice though