Quote Originally Posted by dparm View Post
What is there to explain? You have X weight now being applied over a smaller area, meaning it is applying more force -- that helps it chew through the snow. Tire Rack, Discount Tire, etc. all agree and tell you that if you can go slightly narrower on a snow tire, you should do it. Same thing applies to a street tire; super-wide ones are more prone to hydroplaning.
I think what he was trying to say is that with the 8" tire you can get away with a 245? tire, versus a 255 on a 8.5" tire