Re: Snow and Ice....
I run up and down the Parks Highway between the Denali area and Anchorage or Fairbanks quite a bit. I just came back from Anchorage last night, still running my summer Michelin LTX AT2 tires because I am having a Sterling 10.5 rear axle built up and was hoping save some time by swapping the axle and winter tires at the same time. To make a long story longer, the Michelins are not appropriate winter tires. In fact, I'm heading back to Anchorage tomorrow and will be taking one of our other vehicles due to predicted snow and my lack of winter tires on the E-350.
I am currently running Hankook studded winter tires (when I finally get them on the van), which replaced Nokian Hakkapeliitaa LT2 tires. I got a good deal on the Hankooks, but won't buy them again. The Nokians are that much better, in my opinion. Both are better than the Michelins on ice, and far better on snow.
I used to be a fan of studless tires, but in my part of the state, we get a lot of ice storms. As a result, I've transitioned to studded tires. My wife insists on them.
As for stability control, I don't let my 16 year old daughter drive the van in snow yet by herself. There is no comparison between my van and a modern car with stability control. It is an exercise in smooth lines in curves and extremely gentle inputs.
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2003 E-350 EB
7.3L
Quadvan 4x4
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