Poor grip in the rain

[NAMJT]

We have a mostly-stock 2020 sport with about 15,000 miles on the stock tires. We use it mostly locally for some boat towing, some lugging stuff around, and mostly just enjoying a summer vehicle that has no doors or roof. However ... when the roads are wet the grip on the back tires is horrible. The back can kick out at 30 mph! We don't drive it much in the winter but the one time I did it was terrifying. I don't know if this is a function of the tires or of simply a light back end.

I don't care to solve for the winter usage since it only comes out enough to keep the battery happy. But I do want to solve for the wet during the warm weather.

Should we put on AT tires? Are those generally grippy on wet pavement? Our only non-paved use is dirt roads and not a ton of that. So I wonder if AT is the wrong tool to throw at the problem.

Any thoughts appreciated.

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[Stlrfan152]

Some of the stock tires wear out really quick. My stock overland tires were down to the wear bars at 34k, the truck was pretty bad in wet conditions for a while before that. I went with michelin ltx m s2. They have been much better so far and are rated for 70k miles. I think your best bet would be something similar, regular truck tires will be better on wet pavement than AT tires.

 

[OffAxis2021]

For your specific inquiry…

An A/T (all terrain) tire is the best over an R/T (hybrid A/T & M/T) and M/T (mud terrain) tire and do not let anyone tell you otherwise. There are better choices than an A/T tire (specific inquiry), but I am not overly knowledgeable on specifics pertaining to those. Also, the narrower the better. Do not get talked into 12.5” wide tires.

TrailBuilt Offroad on YouTube (& their website) has A LOT of good video information.

 

[bleda2002]

The stock road focused tires are going to be the best in the rain compared to any more off-road focused tire like an AT or an MT.

Going to an AT may lower the amount of torque going to the ground because of the increased weight and size though so it may feel more grippy but street tires are going to be your best bet.

 

[Elwood Hydro Blues]

I've had a few heavy SUVs, a Volvo XC90 and currently BMW X5 that I ran/run all season tires on. Michelin Pilot Sports-in heavy rains got to watch out-the back end will let go. In my Wranglers (JKU with A/T then JLU with M/T) on had the back end let go when I had let the tires run down to the wear bars. Haven't had my JT in the rain yet (desert dweller, just got it and we only see rains in the winter) but I expect it's manners will be similar. In snow and ice they all held on impeccably, but just like heavy rains had to slow it down.

 

[berb]

Tires aren’t the issue. It’s no weight over the rear drive tires. All trucks in 2wd can skid out from underneath them if they give too much gas on wet pavement. It’s physics. Add weight to your truck bed and it should solve your issue.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Yeah, tires tires tires. Been there, done that. I've had 3 types on my JTs over the years - tires matter. Some tires are rated a lot better for rain than others. Width and tread design.
Look at reviews, and look at those that rate tires for snow, ice, rain, dry, etc. - some will stand out as better rain tires.
My 70 3/4 ton Chevy truck wouldn't get out of its own way on wet grass - tires made a difference. I had opted for the cool, wide, showy tires and it was a mistake in the wet. Highway tires rated for rain - no problem. Think of it - the weight of the truck is mostly a constant, but the force it applies to each square inch of tire can be manipulated. Wide tires means a lot less force per square inch of contact area. Narrower tires give more force on each square inch. The same PSI applied to more, or less surface area.
And inflate the tires correctly for the tire type and WEIGHT of your truck. If it's under-inflated the center does nothing, if it's over-inflated, the outer edges do nothing for grip. The manufacturer knows.
The only time I lose control of the rear end is when I nail it on a wet road at a stop sign. Otherwise, it won't break them loose on the highway. Wet and slushy roads are not a problem since I ditched the Falken Rubicon take-offs and got Generals.
Here lately it's been drought, so if it does rain, it's oil and debris floating on the rain water - slippery stuff. In heavy rains like 5"/hour rains, there's hydroplaning to watch for - tires and tread matters big time there. Some will hydroplane at the drop of a hat, others maintain their grip.
I don't mess with weight in the back any more since I have decent tires (great winter tires, 2nd best for rain, but I opted for good in snow and ice) I only add weight to counter-weight the 300 pounds of snow plow up front. but the rest of the year, the truck bed is empty. No problems.
Besides, width is most often for show, cuts mpg and acceleration down, it's not a winner in rain. They float.

For sticks, more than one truck driver - and my boss who ran wreckers in the 70s and 80s, said if you have a manual transmission, keep it in as high a gear as possible on ice and snow and wet because the engine won't have the ability to break them loose (obviously don't lug the thing, but.....)

 

[Free2roam]

My .02 I went from bone stock tires to the Falken Wild peak (Rubicon take off) my stock tires I tried at several different air pressures. Never felt comfortable in the rain. Like roller skates on wet roads. Now I do live in snow area and where we are we do not get much but up in the Sierra's we get tons. I absolutely love the Falken Wild peak tires. They have been bullet proof in the snow and rain. Wider yes. Any hydroplaning absolutely not. When I leave work in winter usually it's pretty slushy or frozen solid. Never is it just perfect. They call it Sierra cement for a reason. I have absolutely no complaints with my 285/70/17 Falken tires 3PMS.

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