A question for all the high horsepower & Torque guys (350+hp, 650+tq).... Hope this is the right forum.
Here's the story, my 2001.5 ETC auto, 3.55 with only a EZ is a white nuckle experience to drive in the rain becuase the rears keep breaking loose when trying to accelerate. This has forced me to use 4x4 in some situations so I don't slide sideways into oncoming traffic on a curve, not to mention making expansion joints and bumps on curves to become a hassle. It also borders on being an art to beable to take off from a traffic light and accelerate with the flow of traffic(everything in CT is in a rush).

So the question is, how do you properly powered guys keep these trucks going in a straight line??? Or do you have no problems, and its just the crappy, over traveled new england roads I drive on, my tires, truck ect...?

 

I never really had any trouble in the rain or on wet roads, just had to realize that if I built boost too quick the peg leg would break loose. Snow and ice was mandatory 4x4 though.

 

I have pretty much the same truck as you and I had the same problem. Living in the Seattle area didn't help (lots of rain). Once I got rid of the stock tires, my problems were over. I went to a little more aggressive tread and went to 285's. I really have to get on it now to get sideways. The deeper lugs seem to flex a little under acceleration and braking and they really grip the road.

 

Yes that can be an issue, but it appears like yours is particularily bad. Sounds to me like you have very hard durometer tires and/or tires which have dried out. In my opinion, BF Goodrich AT radials are that way. I just put new tires on my Dodge, and there was a big diference. Hard, dry tires are absolutely terrible in the rain on a pickup.


Zino

 

The stock rubber sucks!! I changed my tires out about a week or so after buying the truck. Even stock, when the truck came on boost in a corner, she went sideways.

Better rubber was the solution!!

 

One of the levels on the EZ doesn't add fuel until 15-20psi of boost and might be better for the wet occasions. This is all the more reason to get a comp instead of a EZ though. In cab adjustability and a off switch really helps in crappy conditions. I agree with what has been said though, get a better set of tires. A aggresive AT like the BFG's will really help.

 

Ditto. Tires tend to harden over time as the natural oils in the rubber bake out under heat.

The BFG ATs are a good street tire. They actually have a fairly high durometer tread, but the design still gives good wet weather traction.

IF you want good traction in the wet, the best tire I am aware of is probably the Bridgestone Dueler AT REVO. It's a softer-riding tire that's GREAT in the wet. It's almost as good as the BFG in the snow, and not good at all in the mud.

The Bridgestone has a softer tread as it wears, so it's supposedly combats the tendency for much worse traction as the tire tread gets a little lower.

I've had good results with Toyo/Nitto tires, and I've heard that they Terra Grappler is pretty good in the wet.

justin

 

My Nitto's are like glue in rain. I've gotta try extremely hard to break them loose. Never had a problem doing that with any of my 33's. We won't talk about the stock tires(come to think of it, I don't think I had them on long enough to drive in the rain with them).

 

It can be a challenge, especially when all 4 rear tires break loose towing a 13,500 lb 5th wheel in the rain. I had it happen in 5th gear at 50 MPH coming out of a curve in the Texas Hill Country!

Judicious use of the long, skinny pedal is recommended!

Rusty

 

As Hohn already mentioned the Dueler Revos are great tires. I have had mine for right at 50k. I noticed an instant increase in traction in the wet as soon as I put them on (replacing the stockers early due to the same reasons you stated). They are nearing the end of thier life and the traction is still very good. They have been one of the better tires I have ever used. They are also very good in the snow but lack a bit in the mud area.

 

I jumped up in tire size to 315 BFG AT's. with my 3.54's and 6 spd & also an auto both pushing 800 ft/lbs and more and had No problems that i couldnt control with my right foot.

If i was on it 1/4-1/2 throttle or more i could break em loose on dry pavement or wet also on snow and ice when i lived in Montana i had no real problems it was just a matter of picking the time and then staying out of it but that was also on a 12 valve,

So the fly by wire might be a little more of a PITA.

The Dueler and the BFG are both great tires for holding traction, HP and for driving in the snow and ICE. I do favor the BFG AT on snow and ice though.

245/75 R16's i could boil those at just about any speed when i go the truck lack of contact patch

 

Like everyone has said, BF's greatly improve wet weather performance. I'm pretty used to my truck by now when it's wet, although I don't think I would let anyone else drive it in wet weather.

 

Stock Tires were poor even on my stock truck... Break em' loose easy... But with the Big O XT's in the rain... you really have to being doing something stupid to break em' loose now...

In the winter on ice... There is nothing you can do but to chain it up! I've learn to avoidcurrent conditions or slow way down and use a different gear to handle the condition.

So with a box boy that's got to be heck on a smooth road with rain!

 

My answer is...10" wheels and 305/70 Goodyear AT/S tires..at 40 psi..

Holds nearly 500 hp...you have to really stomp it to spin 'em..