Factors influencing hydroplaning include:
Contact footprint shape - the 275's are wide but read on...
Speed - faster is more likely to hydroplane.
Inflation pressure - higher is better but stay in a reasonable range (<40
psi); changes shape and contact pressure
Tread depth - resistance to hydroplaning goes down quickly with wear.
Tread pattern - this gets complicated but more "see through" (open, straight,
longitudinal grooves) and more void space is generally better.
Some of these things are easier to do than others. If you have good tread
remaining, try a higher pressure, else - the other things are either new
tires or don't drive in the rain.
Good luck,
EEHodges@aol.com
Emory Hodges
48 Chevy 3/4 ton "Rack" (with narrow tires and never driven in the rain!)
In a message dated 2/15/2001 8:30:31 AM Eastern Standard Time,
sculver@iwl.net writes:
> Hello friends and fellow truckers-
>
> I have a question regarding tires. The '58 has really cool looking mags
> with short fat tires. They look good, and keep the truck close to the
> ground, but for driving in the rain, they suck! Hit standing water at 50 or
> 60 miles an hour, and you're in for a hydroplane ride till you reach the
> other side. The tires are size P275/60 R15 107S.
>
> Is this a factor of this size tire? I know that my '50, which is on bigger,
> narrower tires, handles just fine in the rain. Any suggestions, besides not
> driving in the rain? Anyone in the Houston area have some standard size
> wheels/tires they might want to swap?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Smokey Culver, League City, Texas
> '50 3600 5-window (mine)
> '58 Apache (hers)
> See 'em at: http://sites.netscape.net/ChrlsCul/homepage
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