Anyone running steers on the drive position?

Seems like a really bad idea to me

 

Does not seem cost effective to run steers on the drives. Are we talking trailer tires?

 

Bob, I've run XZE's on the drive before. Way better than a drive tread on ice or hard pack, not so good in deep, loose stuff. Loose snow on the highway was no real problem, but I had to be careful where I parked in the snow, as they won't dig themselves out of hole like a lug can. It was actually much less of a problem than I expected. Just make sure they are well siped, as that is where their traction advantage is on the hard slippery stuff. But I was amazed at how a rib-style tread could generate so much traction, especially as they were ready to be replaced by spring.

They do have a shallower tread when new, but seemed to last almost as long as the regular drive tires. (On a carhauler 255/70 R22.5's don't last a real long time anyways, too high duty cycle on them skinny tires.) Fuel mileage was marginally better.

And yes, I'd do it again

 

When I was a driver I ran XZA's on the drives very successfully.
These were 1100R20 tube type.

 

I run drive tires all around on the tractor. I have had no traction issues to speak of. When I need new tires in a drive position I usually put the new ones on the steer and move the current steer tires back. I get really long life on tires this way. The only traction issues that I faced was when parking. The warm tires melt the snow and you "drop" in and can be difficult to get out when parked in deep snow or on ice. When that is going to be an issue try to let the tires cool on the fuel island before you park or stay a few feet out of your spot until they cool a bit then back on in. I have also worked for a company that used all steers ran west coast and never had any issues either. Be smart and watch the weather. I try real hard to park during a bad snowstorm or ice. Use some common sense and you should be fine. Also if you buy regroovable tires you can get another 50 or 60k miles when you put them on the drives. I have 4 tires on the drives that have 200k on them right now. If I regroove them could expect another 50 to 60k out of them

 

I'm not going to search ICBC for you but a quick search found this.

http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2009-2013/2010TRAN0112-001473.htm

 

Trailer tires will NOT work in a drive position very long. The tread is not designed for torque like in a drive application. I have known alot of guys running siped steers in a drive position and had minimal problems. I just bought a set of Toyo M657's w/ a RR of 106 and 28/32nd's for $3900 out the door. I do some offroad so a steer will not work in my application.