It’s a snow machine

[SD39U]

We had about 16” of snow here in outside KC where I live, and after driving in it and the subsequent days during all the cleanup I can honestly say that this truck is a beast In the snow. The extra weight of the battery and the fact that it’s mostly centered on the frame results in some amazing traction. I was bucking some pretty high drifts and was able to just roll through and over them.

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[Scorpio3d]

I was really happy with mine today. In Ft Worth Texas. Truck handled the roads really well.

I think y’all got a bit more than we did on the Dallas side!

 

[Jesse-Infotainment]

I think y’all got a bit more than we did on the Dallas side!

My office is north (Alliance Area) of my home. It started getting really bad there. So I left, Got past the 287 mix master and it was completely different story. Amazing how much 20 miles makes.

 

[21st Century Truck]

During this latest snowfall (wet snow, clumping fast last night, several inches) I have to again admit how impressed I am with our Lightning trucks. Shod with the middling-quality Hankook OEM tires and there I was, doing donuts in Chantilly VA business parks last night while picking someone up

The 50% / 50% weight distribution between the axles, the all-wheel drive and the very well implemented computerized power management indeed make the Lightning a SNOW BEAST

KUDOS to Ford!

 

[NW Ontario Ford Lightning]

No stranger to snow and ice up here, but the lightning is brand new for me, loving it even on the factory tires, it is very impressive in snow and on ice no doubt about it.
But going over this thread, I was expecting to see some advice from others with a few Lightning-winters under ya belt - what is the recommendation for winter tires on a Lightning?

ie - I am used to having two sets of tires on rims for Winter and summer use - we are permitted to use studded tires in winter here.
If I keep the factory set for the summer what would everyone that has been running a few winters recommend for next winter for a dedicated winter tire set?

 

[VTbuckeye]

No stranger to snow and ice up here, but the lightning is brand new for me, loving it even on the factory tires, it is very impressive in snow and on ice no doubt about it.
But going over this thread, I was expecting to see some advice from others with a few Lightning-winters under ya belt - what is the recommendation for winter tires on a Lightning?

ie - I am used to having two sets of tires on rims for Winter and summer use - we are permitted to use studded tires in winter here.
If I keep the factory set for the summer what would everyone that has been running a few winters recommend for next winter for a dedicated winter tire set?

I'm very happy with my continental vikingcontact 7 tires on 18 inch wheels (275 65 18). They are very quiet with much better traction compared to the factory all seasons. On previous vehicles I have had blizzak dmv1, general altimax Arctic, hakkapellita r2 SUV, hakkapellita r3 suv, Yokohama??? on the bolt. These tires are every bit as good as any of the others.

 

[21st Century Truck]

No stranger to snow and ice up here, but the lightning is brand new for me, loving it even on the factory tires, it is very impressive in snow and on ice no doubt about it.
But going over this thread, I was expecting to see some advice from others with a few Lightning-winters under ya belt - what is the recommendation for winter tires on a Lightning?

ie - I am used to having two sets of tires on rims for Winter and summer use - we are permitted to use studded tires in winter here.
If I keep the factory set for the summer what would everyone that has been running a few winters recommend for next winter for a dedicated winter tire set?

On my now-gone Mach E Mustang I had great success with Vredestein Wintrac Pros. However, last I checked Vredestein doesn't make them in sizes that will fit the Lightning

 

[NW Ontario Ford Lightning]

I have had good success with Bridgestone Blizzaks on our SUV, but the Lightning is pretty heavy and I wonder how the soft compound of the Blizzaks would be for wear. We are allowed studded tires for winter months, makes me consider the General Grabber Arctic with studs...wonder what other members think.

 

[Entropy]

…what is the recommendation for winter tires on a Lightning?

275/60R-20 NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA R5 SUV XL tires’ performance on the Lightning has been excellent this winter. It’s my first winter with the Lightning but I had plenty of winters with 3/4-ton pickups and snow tires including Blizzaks and Hakkas. My experience with Hakkas on the Lightning this far has been in a number of snow types In VT and NH: hard-packed unpaved steep mountain roads, deep medium weight snow, 1-2” on roads before the plow got there, slush and rain. I have not yet tested it on a frozen lake, but so far this truck and tire combination is amazing.

The R5s are unstudded; you would need to go with 10s for studs.

 

[ZheWiz]

I love studded tires for best traction, my wife never used to drive in the snow until I put studded Hakkas on her Jeep, now she’ll drive anywhere any time. It’s a tank on snow or ice.

BUT they are loud! I wouldn’t want to ruin my quiet Lightning by putting it on studded snows. I tried it for the two years on my Model Y. Too loud. So it’s a bit of a trade off. I’ll likely go with the Hakka R5s when I put snows on my Lightning next year. Studs are awesome for ultimate traction, but you have to be willing to put up with the noise all the time on bare pavement.

 

[NW Ontario Ford Lightning]

I love studded tires for best traction, my wife never used to drive in the snow until I put studded Hakkas on her Jeep, now she’ll drive anywhere any time. It’s a tank on snow or ice.

BUT they are loud! I wouldn’t want to ruin my quiet Lightning by putting it on studded snows. I tried it for the two years on my Model Y. Too loud. So it’s a bit of a trade off. I’ll likely go with the Hakka R5s when I put snows on my Lightning next year. Studs are awesome for ultimate traction, but you have to be willing to put up with the noise all the time on bare pavement.

Good point, since one of the nice features of the new Truck is the super quiet ride. That said, staying on the road and having some traction are high priorities for winter - which in my area is half of the year...besides, how loud can it be compared to all the noisy dino-burners driving beside and behind me...have to think about it.

 

[ZheWiz]

Good point, since one of the nice features of the new Truck is the super quiet ride. That said, staying on the road and having some traction are high priorities for winter - which in my area is half of the year...besides, how loud can it be compared to all the noisy dino-burners driving beside and behind me...have to think about it.

Fair points, which is why my wife is willing to make the sacrifice. Keep in mind that today’s studless snows are nothing to sneeze at. They’re just as good in snow, not quite as good on ice/hard packed snow, MUCH better on dry/wet roads where studs reduce traction. You have to weigh how often you drive in each condition and make a decision.

I would suggest riding with someone who has studs if you can. Definitely easily heard even over an engine.

At least you’re wise enough to know snows are required. I’m amazed at how many people here in central NY still use all seasons. You really can’t go wrong with whichever snow tire you choose.

 

[NW Ontario Ford Lightning]

Fair points, which is why my wife is willing to make the sacrifice. Keep in mind that today’s studless snows are nothing to sneeze at. They’re just as good in snow, not quite as good on ice/hard packed snow, MUCH better on dry/wet roads where studs reduce traction. You have to weigh how often you drive in each condition and make a decision.

I would suggest riding with someone who has studs if you can. Definitely easily heard even over an engine.

At least you’re wise enough to know snows are required. I’m amazed at how many people here in central NY still use all seasons. You really can’t go wrong with whichever snow tire you choose.

We have other vechicles, and we have two sets of tires (on rims) for each one. We typically only put studs on one car, and Blizzaks on the other, but this is a new (pricy) truck and want to plan for next winter now, since I can usually get a deal on winter tires just as the season ends (who buys a full set of winter tires in April ?? - people that want to save money do !!)
All that said, we have many years of experience with lots of winter tire options and studded tires, and we know the noise (pop-corn popping sounds) as you drive on these. It would be nice if the studs could retract when not needed, and protrude when there is black ice on the roads, but that is not the case - or not in 2025 at the least.
The Lightning seems very solid on the road even with the factory tires, so I may do like you say and go with a lug-like winter tire with lots of sips instead of studs, and trust the sure-footed feel we already experience on the factory tires will be even better on those dedicated winter tires.

Thanks for the discussion - I think you have reasoned me into a good solution.

 

[ZheWiz]

We have other vechicles, and we have two sets of tires (on rims) for each one. We typically only put studs on one car, and Blizzaks on the other, but this is a new (pricy) truck and want to plan for next winter now, since I can usually get a deal on winter tires just as the season ends (who buys a full set of winter tires in April ?? - people that want to save money do !!)
All that said, we have many years of experience with lots of winter tire options and studded tires, and we know the noise (pop-corn popping sounds) as you drive on these. It would be nice if the studs could retract when not needed, and protrude when there is black ice on the roads, but that is not the case - or not in 2025 at the least.
The Lightning seems very solid on the road even with the factory tires, so I may do like you say and go with a lug-like winter tire with lots of sips instead of studs, and trust the sure-footed feel we already experience on the factory tires will be even better on those dedicated winter tires.

Thanks for the discussion - I think you have reasoned me into a good solution.

You’re welcome!

Sounds like you have experience with both. So you already know the trade-offs. I briefly considered studs for the Lightning, but like you, I noticed how good the truck is on factory tires. That changed my mind…decided studs won’t be necessary, and if I ever “have to” hunt (yes, it’s necessary LOL) in extreme conditions, I have access to the Jeep.

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