Hydroplaning Hancook Dynapro ATM Tires

[BHunted]

Don't take this wrong Phil, but 75 mph in the rain? You need wings my friend.... I remember being out there in '95 and nobody slows down for anything. We were coming down 17 from Flagstaff... Hit a snow storm on the way down. People were flying past me, (going over 80 mph), the same speed and direction the snow was. In other words, the snow was coming down so hard and was so windy, the highway signs were illegible...

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[AzScorpion]

Don't take this wrong Phil, but 75 mph in the rain? You need wings my friend.... I remember being out there in '95 and nobody slows down for anything. We were coming down 17 from Flagstaff... Hit a snow storm on the way down. People were flying past me, (going over 80 mph), the same speed and direction the snow was. In other words, the snow was coming down so hard and was so windy, the highway signs were illegible...

There's only 2 speeds out here...Fast and Faster! It doesn't matter how fast you're going someone's always on your tailgate wanting to go faster

I think Phil hit a cloud that just instantly let go which happens a lot out here. You can be driving and all of a sudden it goes from dry to torrential out.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

There's only 2 speeds out here...Fast and Faster! It doesn't matter how fast you're going someone's always on your tailgate wanting to go faster

I think Phil hit a cloud that just instantly let go which happens a lot out here. You can be driving and all of a sudden it goes from dry to torrential out.

Yep! Exactly what happened...Just dumped on instantly... Could not see it coming... Straight down from overhead...

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[CoastieN70]

I have a lot of heavy rain travel here in Coastal GA and I have not experienced any hydroplaning BUT I don't usually travel roads where I attain 75 or higher,
That being said I did attain speeds approaching 75 during the last hurricane evacuation in heavy rain but tires were almost brand new at the time without any hydroplaning.
Also, the beginnings of the Truman Expressway is VERY curvy and VERY wet when it rains and I have a habit of staying on the gas (rain or no rain) at 65mph just because I love watching the timid drivers fade in my mirrors...

 

[The Suar]

I had Hankook Dynapro AT-m tires on my 2018 Nissan Frontier Pro4x. They did not prefrom well in the Central FL rainy season, where I live. Driving straight they were fine. During turns, they lost grib in the rear few times and made me rather nervous.
Haven't had any issues with the Duelers my Ranger came with.

 

[Indy650]

I havent had any issues yet with my Hankooks. Drove through the worst rainstorm of my entire life a month or so ago on the throughway and I never felt safer driving in a storm. This truck makes me so comfortable I absolutely love it.
As for snow/ice I have found I can drive on roads with a base of ice/snow in 2wd if i go really light on the throttle but 4wd is much safer but that's true with most any truck in 2wd and no weight in back. Getting out my driveway if i lock the rear end i can go pretty good in 2wd but we have only had about 12 inches of snow so far. We usually get an average of 200 inches every year so I'm sure I'll get a chance to try them out.
Funny when my mom seen my truck she said what the hell are Hankooks? lol thinking they were cheap off-brand junk. I'm quite familiar with Hankook tires and always liked them. These in particular I really am enjoying.

 

[Fawnbuster]

Higher psi in the tires helps deter hydroplaning a bit. In snow, lower pressure helps. I'm not talking a bunch try 5 to 10 psi. And never use cruise on wet roads or freezing Temps, when you hit deep enough water or a patch of ice (bridge, overpass) the cruise control can cause you to lose control. You did the right thing by letting off the gas and keeping the wheel straight and let the tires drop back down through the water and regain control.

Years ago our mechanic bought the cheapest Cooper tire out there, non speed or pursuit rated, no water weep lines. Nothing but problems fleet wide. Cooper at that time did make a pursuit rated high speed tire, tread looked similar but the mechanic took the cheap route and that cost us more money. It takes very little water to hydroplane in a perfect scenario, Greasy road, a bit of water and tires with very little tread. Also happens with brand new tires deeper puddles and too much speed.

Hi Folks,

A very disturbing incident yesterday back from the hospital with my darling little wifelet post heart nuclear stress test. We hit a wall of water coming into Green Valley...not unexpected as we are used to these winter rains but new experience in the Ranger... Freeway speed of 75mph. I lifted off but felt that the vehicle was on top of the water with sever hydroplaning kept foot off the gas until about 55 mph. Felt the tires again grab the wet pavement. I am really concerned about this poor wet weather performance. I felt it was just like my race car at speed when the car was dancing on the pavement. Loved that feeling at 160mph on the race track, but not on the freeway...

Anyone else notice this???

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

Hi Folks,

A very disturbing incident yesterday back from the hospital with my darling little wifelet post heart nuclear stress test. We hit a wall of water coming into Green Valley...not unexpected as we are used to these winter rains but new experience in the Ranger... Freeway speed of 75mph. I lifted off but felt that the vehicle was on top of the water with sever hydroplaning kept foot off the gas until about 55 mph. Felt the tires again grab the wet pavement. I am really concerned about this poor wet weather performance. I felt it was just like my race car at speed when the car was dancing on the pavement. Loved that feeling at 160mph on the race track, but not on the freeway...

Anyone else notice this???

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[RangerCoby]

It's been raining a lot lately here in South Central TN, but I haven't noticed any issues. I've been 90 mph in this rain with no issues. It has been some strong storms here. This truck leaves me feeling so confident I didn't even think about hydroplaning.

However, I've yet to run into a situation like you described with a sudden rain wall. I wonder if the previously dry road led to slicker conditions when becoming instantly wet. I've heard roads are always slicker the first 30 mins of rain. Something about the oil on the roads or what not.

When I need more tires I won't be replacing with the Hankooks but I think they are a decent tire overall.

 

[Ranger8729]

No issues so far.
I was in the huge storm system that blew across the east coast driving from NC down SC, and didn't have any wet weather issues. I did slow it down to 65 and watched for the waterbars/standing water areas. I'm probably not going to keep the Hankooks when they wear down but they don't make me nervous in foul weather; Probably going with the Cooper AT3s as they have been good in the Jeep community before i traded the Jeep on the Ranger.

 

[hawk43]

how many tires could handle alot of water at 75mph?

I'm thinking the same thing....

 

[Racket]

I had Hankooks on a Mitsubishi and hated them. Noisy, less than desireble all-weather performance. Went to Yokahamas and was much happier.

Another time went with a set of Khumos - maybe they were a budget line, but swapped to Yokos on that car too, an improvement.

Yokohama isn't my usual go-to, but they were better than the other budget tires in spite of being a bit of a premium purchase.

 

[caprtaineddie]

We have Hankooks on our Explorer as well as the Ranger. We're at 14K now and the tires are looking more worn than I would expect. They might may it to 20K miles.

 

[Deleted member 1634]

We have Hankooks on our Explorer as well as the Ranger. We're at 14K now and the tires are looking more worn than I would expect. They might may it to 20K miles.

Interesting. Must be something wrong then. I'm sitting at 19k miles (just turned over yesterday in fact), and my Hankooks are looking almost brand new. Hardly any wear on them at all. Got me thinking I could make it to 100k miles with them, especially when I get a dedicated set of snows for the winter.

 

[THLONE]

Since it never rains in AZ most people forget how to drive in it. Body shops love rain. Frost on the bridge can also create a sudden thrill. It is the wild west you know.

 

[t4thfavor]

No issues in MI, I've been on 3-4" of slush (which is just as bad if not worse than water) and not hydroplaned. I suspect any wide tire would have performed similarly at 75Mph.

Next time (be driving slower and) don't lift off, click into 4x4 and once shifted accelerate slightly. In a FWD vehicle you never lift off or brake when hydroplaning. You gently accelerate to "dig" through the water and then steer through the puddle. 4x4 would at least let you control the direction of the vehicle until you regained braking ability.

I think under 75MPH circumstances you are lucky you didn't meet the wall.

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