Rule on tire width and traction:
MUD- wider tires are better. You want to "float" over the mud. Large lugs that clear well, need wheel speed to spin the tire and clean out lugs to get a freah bite into the mud to "paddle" you along. You don't want to "dig down" into the mud.
Snow- narrow is better. You want the tire to "cut" through the snow to get down to where there is something to get traction on- dirt-rocks- etc. You want to dig down through the snow.
Diesels can make just as good off road vehicle as a gas. Yes, the extra weight is something to contend with, but off roading comes down to some pretty basic things. Tires- a big part of it and ground clearance. For more advanced off roading you can get into disconnect sway bars, lockers, and such. However, for the typical hunters off road situation a lot of it is going to come down to the rubber.
I have seen several Dodge Cummins set up pretty nice for off road.
Hemi
Edit to add: A good set of tire chains goes a long way in either mud or snow!
Last edited by Hemi; 02/02/10.
