How well does your truck go in the snow?

[Tuckerman]

I miss having a truck to haul around trash, brush, and furniture and stuff. So I want to get a used one but as I recall my old truck a 1994 Mazda B4000 only worked well in the snow if it was in 4W drive. Which I guess by me driving down the highway in 4H at 65+ MPH killed it. Is this a common problem or do I just need a heavier truck?

[bio-smear]

Recommended top speed for the Tundra in 4wd is 65mph I think. When it matters, I'm not going that fast anyway. That said, it does suck in 2wd on snow. 4wd is money, like Ironman Ivan Stewart.

[kidwoo]

What he said^

Milage goes to crap but I drive my tacoma in 4wd around 50-60 somewhat frequently if the roads warrant it.

[PlayHarder]

I'm with Bio-smear on the speed thing; if I'm in 4wd it means road conditions have taken driving 60-70mph out of the equation.
My 1st vehicle was a 2wd truck and I've owned trucks for most of the 20years since. With decent tires and sandbags in the box, I've never had an issue with snow.

[Toadman]

I have no probs w/ my Taco in 4WD. It's an '01 D-Cab. A little weight in the back and you're good to go. Course having decent winter tires makes all the diff. I'd never drive over 60 MPH in 4WD.

[lemon boy]

For trucks you really do want 4wd. Yes you can make a 2wd go in some surprising circumstances but in every possible way having 4wd is to your benefit.

As for speeds, a general rule of thumb is that if it is bad enough to use 4wd it is too bad to go the speed limit. That said the super diesel redneck dragster dudes routinely go more than 100 in 4wd. I'll go whatever speed I want with the hubs locked but rarely exceed (as a matter of practice not necessity) 60mph in 4wd.

[BLOOD SWEAT STEEL]

2wd Tacoma w/ 32's, 4.10's, a Truetrack, and chains = better than any 4wd I've ever owned no matter how deep the snow. I can remember driving 88 from Pine Grove to Woodfords last year in a snowstorm in the dark with at least 8" of fresh on the road and going strong at 45.

[bio-smear]

2wd Tacoma w/ 32's, 4.10's, a Truetrack, and chains = better than any 4wd I've ever owned no matter how deep the snow. I can remember driving 88 from Pine Grove to Woodfords last year in a snowstorm in the dark with at least 8" of fresh on the road and going strong at 45.

Put some chains on the front of a 4WD and you're going to the tractor pulls at the country fair, baby.

The nice thing about 4WD is that 99% of the time it means you dont have to chain up. I hate fucking with chains. The other 1% of the time, things are probably really bad. I don't run any weight in the back of mine, just a canopy.

4WD will affect fuel economy a bit in the long run (in 2-hi) as that front end is being turned all the time, but disengaged.

For a skier who likes trucks, I don't think there is any question. You rarely need it, but you're so so glad you have it when you do.

[BeanDip4All]

my 1994 Mazda B4000

heh... my first truck was a 1984 Mazda B2200 used to put a about 10 cinder blocks in the back during winter to get to and fro....

My Taco is solid in the snow at highway speeds if I keep it in 4wd. I built this box-type thing out of 2x4s which keeps cinderblocks stationed over the wheelwells, but I rarely use it... maybe for a bad storm.

[BLOOD SWEAT STEEL]

heh... my first truck was a 1984 Mazda B2200 used to put a about 10 cinder blocks in the back during winter to get to and fro....

Yeah.... Just don't slam on the brakes!

[Conundrum]

2wd Tacoma w/ 32's, 4.10's, a Truetrack, and chains = better than any 4wd I've ever owned no matter how deep the snow. I can remember driving 88 from Pine Grove to Woodfords last year in a snowstorm in the dark with at least 8" of fresh on the road and going strong at 45.

Chains are a PIA!

I have them in the back of my truck but I've never had to use them. 4x4 plus the stock lrd w/ BFG Mud Terrains.

[assgasorgrass]

My F-250 greasel is leaving a little to be desired in the snow\ice. Different rubber might do the trick. Just slowing it down and added another 210lbs to my 240lbs of sand to the back. The scary thing is when that bad boy breaks loose, with the front end weight, it breaks friggin' loose.

E-rated studded tires=$800.

[AsheanMT]

my 85 yota pickup does great. I do 65 mph in 4 wheel all the time. In montana the roads get REALLY bad and there are hardly any plow trucks out compared to say colorado, or utah. I couldn't get out and play in this state if not for my 4x4. We used to live in a log cabin up a 4 mile creek drainage that did't have a road and with chains on all four tires we would drive up that damn thing everyday through the winter with snow up past the headlights!!

[lemon boy]

assgrass- what year/config/4wd?

If you don't have good rubber then that'll fix ~90% of your problem w/o even going to a studded configuration. I change out tires WAY before the wearbar b/c snow traction starts to suffer heavily as the blocks wear down. But yeah, once you've lost control of an 8,000# vehicle...things get scary, fast.

[fez]

But yeah, once you've lost control of an 8,000# vehicle...things get scary, fast.

usually even scarier for the driver of a 3000# car in front of you though.

[assgasorgrass]

LB:

I have a '99 Ext Cab long box, locking hubs. Truck is stock. Tires are a Big-0 brand 265-75-16s and are siped. Tires will ready to replace in the spring. I was hoping to get through the winter, but I just can't see it after a couple of recent episodes, near misses.

[lemon boy]

that's likely the source of your problem then. If they're nearing the end of their service life the siping is already gone as well.

Also, IMVHO for snow country service 235/85/16s are better than the 265/75/16s (same height, just narrower). I also happen to think that the pizza cutter look is better but I know I'm in the minority.

[funkendrenchman]

I'll go whatever speed I want with the hubs locked but rarely exceed (as a matter of practice not necessity) 60mph in 4wd.

I was reading a couple of places that driving normally (higher speeds) with the hubs locked really isn't a problem as long as it isn't in 4-wheel. I routinely drive over 70 with the hubs locked in between sketchy sections of road where 4-wheel is required. It would be a hudge PIA to get out and lock/unlock the hubs all of the time. Now when I know there won't be any snow on the road for long distances I will unlock the hubs.

As for how it goes in snow. With LTX M/S tires and 4-wheel I never have a problem driving my 94 Toyota. In 2 wheel, with sandbags, it can be kind of sketchy sometimes.

[assgasorgrass]

Yeah, I was thinking of going to a narrower tire.

My buddy just put that same 235/85/16 config on his '92 1-ton idi. The kicker is that he got them at Wally World for $400. They do kinda look funny on a 4-door long bed, but at that price for an E-rated tire can't be beat.

You think those would work on my '99?

[MakersTeleMark]

My truck ('89 F250 reg cab with cabinets and topper) goes alright in 4wd, but it doesn't stop very well. I can get it to under steer pretty easily as well. It is useless in 2wd. I'm running 10 ply 235 85 r16 bfg at ko's and have a full set of 4 of these for when it all goes to hell.

[lemon boy]

funken- yeah that's exactly how I do it, should be golden.

ass- if you're running 265/75/16s then the 235/85/16 will indeed work just fine they're the same height (198 & 199mm sidewall heights) just narrower. No recalibration necessary either. I'm running General Grabber AT^2s from tirerack for 101/per.

makers- yeah I got the nostop blues too Mine has ford's retarded early rear ABS too which when it senses lockup dumps pressure to the rears instead of pulsing (lame) but if I keep it in gear (especially while in 4wd) can get er stopped down pretty fast though obviously nothing like a car with abs.

[danadog]

06 f 150 4x4 with goodyear triple something tires does great in the snow these past storms were no problems for it.
One thing that no has mentioned is, knowing how to drive in the snow
I was breaking trail with a boarder in tow thru 3 feet in the hood all day 2 weeks ago.
I do carry chains just in case but most of the time I leave it in 2 wheel drive.

[StinkyD]

... That said the super diesel redneck dragster dudes routinely go more than 100 in 4wd...

I haven't seen one of those guys rolled over in a ditch since this morning!

Wife's Cherokee + Blizzaks = no problem on back roads with 2' of fresh on them. Real 4wd + real snow tires is the ultimate. AWD + snow tires good for pretty much anything on regular roads. I'd rather have 2wd and good snow tires than 4wd and all-seasons.

[Tuckerman]

I will go 4x4 the question is I quess what size. Will a bigger truck do better in the snow?

[Shen]

95 Nissan Pathfinder SE ...best 4wd I have owned...(still have it)
31" Michelin LTX M/S...goes everywhere...deep snow and cranks along the beach as well.....I have pulled many a 'bigger beast' out from the incoming tides with this little sucker.