Quote:
Originally Posted by Sony
Done right however with the proper tires, a heavier vehicle like a pickup truck has a higher ground pressure, which in turn means more traction in slippery conditions. With the right setup (Snow Tires, narrow tires, ABS turned off...etc) in theory a heavier vehicle could stop quicker than a lighter one in a straight line due to more traction, whereas the lighter vehicle would have a tendency to float. Think of a Zamboni in an Ice Rink, they weigh around 10,000lbs but have narrow tires to increase ground pressure on the ice, increasing traction and preventing them from skidding on the ice. They do not have studded tires since studs would damage the ice surface they want perfectly smooth. Same deal with cars that race on ice, if you look at ice racing tires they are super narrow (usually 195's to 205's) to increase ground pressure.
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Sorry, but it doesn't work that way. A heavier vehicle has more kinetic energy when moving. Therefor it requires more "work" to stop than a lighter vehicle. When tires, balance, and friction are the same (snow), the heavier vehicle can't stop or change direction as quick as the lighter vehicle. It's just not physically possible.
I know a lot of people think that heavier = pushing down more snow. But snow doesn't disappear when compressed, leaving only nice tractionable pavement under. No, it compresses and becomes slippery all the same.
You're welcome to the physics and mechanical engineering books sitting on my GF's desk
