I don't have a transit yet, but from what I gather from other people, it may make sense to have 2 sets of tires for the transit...winter/summer....I bet it would probably be the case if they ever come out with a AWD version too.




My E350 is ok, but I tend to drive slow on the curves if I am empty...

 

If you spend time in the snow regularly, buy snow tires. Period.


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FYP

If you spend time in the snow at all, buy snow tires. Period.

These Hancooks suck in the snow, period. The slightest grade with a small amount of snow/slush and you aren't moving. Not to mention the traction control is just too aggressive in this situation and renders you motionless until you turn off T/C, well as much as you can turn it off.

These Hancooks are equivalent to the two season version I had on my Charger, but I bought them for that reason and don't drive it in cold weather.

 

Snow tires make a huge difference. And there are some you can leave on year round. Eg BFG All Terrain KO2 (decent), Cooper Discoverer A/TW (my choice), or Nokian Rotiiva AT Plus (also good).

 

No one tire can do everything. In Quebec, Canada, snow tires are mandatory by law over the winter months. Drivers will be ticketed if they don't comply. People take them off ASAP after winter because the softer, stickier compound wears down rapidly if used in summer. Most people in the snow belt would not even consider using all-season or summer tires in the winter.

 

I'll probably suffer through the rest of this winter with the hancooks. Up until today we really haven't had much snow here in lower Michigan. I will not have these tires on next winter. I'll either up the size or get some good snow tires. Anyone have a thought about upping the size vs a good snow tire?
Tom

 

I'll either up the size or get some good snow tires.

It's not either, or. If you want better snow traction, get dedicated snow tires. Bigger, as in wider, tires do not make for better snow traction. There are different requirements for snow tires than for dry pavement or mud tires. It may be counterintuitive, but mostly, snow tires tend to be a tad narrower. I think this allows for better penetration into the snow, where the traction is, and less flotation, where there is minimum traction.

 

The MINUTE I swapped out the Hancooks, there was a HUUUGE difference. Went with the Arctic Claw(BigO) E Rated, $475


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I'm thinking a equal load rated 235-75-16 as opposed to staying with the stock size. They just look small on the transit 250. Med roof lwb.

 

My vote would be for a dedicated (Mountain Snowflake symbol) winter tire, and a larger diameter tire at the same time. I prefer a tire with a slightly narrower tread and larger diameter. Up here in the north, we call those so-called all season tires, "no season, or no reason tires.)
Get a good winter tire - there really is a difference!

 

Yep- that is why everyone says dualies generally suck in the snow. Haven't found out yet but I will.

 

Take a close look. Yup you guessed right. I'm stuck lol....
I wish I would have looked into this nightmare situation that is the transit tire size before purchasing.
Finding ones that fit & have the same weight capacity is darn near impossible.

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That was me 2 days ago.... Never had such a disappointing experience with tires in my life. These stock Hankook's just plain suck!!

Got stuck twice, and lucky I had a shovel on board, had to shovel right down to the asphalt so the tire could gain traction.

Wow, just wow... shame on you Ford.

Didn't the old E's use to come with Michelin LTX M/S standard? A far better choice.

 

I switched over too the continental Vanco four season, didn't help much. So I built some boxes around the wheel wells and added six 70lb sand bags over each wheel. Totaling 840lbs total in the back. Huge difference...not perfect...but a huge difference and I don't get stuck. And I only lost about 3/4 of an inch of floor space. Though this works, I'll be getting better tired of a different size for next winter.

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^I WISH this was the answer to the "getting stuck" problem^

I've got thousands of pounds over each tire...no help at all for me!

Good for you, though!

 

Anyone find a decent tire chain?

 

Question for you guys getting stuck. Limited slip differentials on your vans? Dusters photo below looks like the type of BS my open diff'd Sprinter used to give me. The ol' one tire fire.

LSD is the ticket. A set of snow or all terrain tires are key too.

 

3.73 Limited slip Axle X7L $325.00

Yes.

 

Has anyone tried the nokian winter tires with the Chrystal's mixed into the rubber which apparently helps to dig down to the pavement sorta like tire studs?

 

In the for what it is worth department: I used to run Hakapalita's on our cars and the traction is down right unbelievable. If you couldn't drive the speed limit then it was WAY too bad to be out - they were that good. I also put them on a Sprinter and had belt slip issues.....I stopped using them because *I* thought the quality control had been lost. I'd like to hope I am wrong.


As has been observed, can you get them in a size that will work/fit and can you get them with a high enough weight rating? Then are you prepared to pay that much for snow tires?

 

I will never use a studded tire again, after my last set on my Acura MDX slid over, into the car next to me because it was on a slight incline! I think it's best to let the treads do what they're designed to do...
Also, I'm going to keep the snow tires on the original wheels, and get some nice aftermarket rims with an oversized tire to swap out, and not have to worry about remounting or rebalancing. Much easier, and less time consuming in the long run. Now, if someone will PLEASE come out with a 2- or 3" lift kit that would be awesome!!!


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I have no idea how much they are. I just saw an advertisement about them.

 

Went with 4 Firestone Winter Force 225/75-16's tires mounted on a set of spare factory Alloy Wheels. They have a E Rating which is enough for my T-250 Van.

Our worst snow storm this Winter was a Super Heavy Wet 9'' onslaught and the tires performed admirably once I turned off the Traction Control. My Van is equipped with LS and Front & Rear traction was great. Even forcing it on a snow covered corner it went exactly where i wanted it to. I also had no problem going thru about 12-15" inches of snow to get on our driveway after the plow had gone by.

I highly recommend getting Snow Tires if you live anywhere that it snows on a regular basis.

Van Safe,
VA

 

Yes,we may have been hit with the same storm yesterday. I am in Michigan and had 13" of wet snow. I could not make it up a hill in our subdivision that my e350 never had a problem with. Frustrating! I don't know why Ford decided to use such small tires.

 

I do have the 3.31 limited slip. Not sure what the e350 has.

 

Actually fit

These aren't the easiest to track down.


Nokian does make the WRC line of tires. The plain 3 is listed as all season, the R3 is listed as a winter tire and they appear to have the identical tread pattern.


There is also a Cargo which on the Nokian website says is studded.


The good news is that they actually come in 235/65/16 and a load rating of 121!


I found a bit of information and some pricing at: Tires By Web. The C3 listed at $196.00 per tire and the R3 listed at $195.00


I found another website that had at the very least decent reviews, some of the reviews were quite glowing.


If this were December I would buy. I will wait this out a bit and see if anything develops before next year.


One big plus of these is if you can find a dealer that has them you shouldn't have to argue with them that they meet factory specs.


Again MY experience with Nokian (Hakkapalita) tires is absurd amounts of traction in the snow, to the point that back in the day when you mail ordered them out of Minnesota he wouldn't sell you just two tires. It was four or forget it - and that was a good policy.


Good luck!

 

I really wish I could get some videos or testimonials of the transit limited slip with winter tires in snow, on hills in snow, in a bit of a hole in snow. I live in Vermont and am going to replace my cab chassis 4x4 and the sprinter 4x4 is not an option. Im not interested in diesel emission issues. It's down to transit (4x4 conversion if it's quick, I know its not) or Ram Promaster (which makes me sad). They both have good points, but I want excellent traction and not to get stuck everywhere I go all winter. Thoughts?

 

Well, I have driven vans for 35 years, all rear wheel drive. I carry quite a bit of weight. I have never had traction issues until now. I really don't think it's the transit design but mostly the Hancock tires on it. They just don't bite in the snow. The other issue is tire size. The 65 series is wider. The tire wants to float. Next year I will go with a 235/75/16 with a similar weight rating. This will give a skinny tire with greater circumference thus more tire to grip. The key is skinny tires.

 

One more thought, the transit vs the econoline should have better front to back weight differential meaning less weight in the front since they have V6 vs V8 engine in the econoline.

 

Cara3321

Like you I have driven every rear wheel drive van from E250's to sprinters, even 2wd toyota pickups 250 miles a day on a sale route for years. I have always hated rear wheel drive vans, but sadly it's because my first boss didn't believe in winter tires, so it was rough. On the highway no problems unless we had to stop on a hill then sometimes we would be stuck. The 4x4 duramax cab chassis I have now works fine in the snow (maybe a little heavy 11k lbs, hard to slow down) and I would love to keep it but as most know working out of a van that you can stand up in is unmatched. I would love to know if anyone lives in a snowy climate with proper winter tires and limited slip.