Tundra vs Pilot in Snow

Going through the canyon tomorrow for a family cabin get together where there will most likely be 4-5” plus of snow and the snow may continue through tonight (not sure how much will accumulate).

I know this is a Tundra forum, but in all seriousness, would you take your 4x4 Tundra or a 2011 Honda Pilot AWD for the 25 minute drive through the canyon?

 

True 4x4 > on demand AWD always...but tires play a huge role, if you've got snow tires on the Pilot it's gonna do better than your Tundra on street tires.

 

Probably the one w/ more clearance (which is probably the Tundra) AFTER putting a bunch of weight in the back of the Tundra. Agree w/ the tires comment, I'd take a shovel and something for traction for if/when I got stuck, ie. MAXTRAX.

 

I have a 16 pilot as well as the 14 Tundra. I have tires with the three peak mountain symbol on both. I wouldn’t hesitate with either on those depths as long as it’s somewhat of a maintained path. As others have stated above, take a shovel and what vehicle you have more aggressive tires (chains)

 

That was my concern with the weight in the back since the Pilot is more weighted throughout over the Tundra. True, can’t forget the shovel. Thanks!

 

Glad to know you have both vehicles to compare. I know my Tundra has the peak and more aggressive tire; I’m pretty sure my Pilot has the peak as well (I’ll have to check). Just didn’t know if an empty bed would be a negative over a weight distributed Pilot, even though the Tundra is heavier. And the Pilot has less mileage and better mpg, but I care more for safety and performance for this trip.

 

My Tundra has a more aggressive tire on it and the peak symbol but I’ll have to check the Pilot (not an aggressive tread I know). But sounds like if the tires were both aggressive, you’d take the Tundra due to its true 4x4 system.

 

When in the snow, the pilot performs better in my opinion due to the weight and distribution of. Are the roads you are going down maintained at all?

 

This is an over generalization, but 4x4 is an "on demand AWD system". Im not familiar with Hondas AWD, but an AWD system, even if part time, that switches to AWD during any slip would be better than having a 4x4 that wasnt currently in 4WD. Like when the ground is a mix of dry and slick and you're concerned about stressing the transfer case. Caveat though is if its slick enough the 4x4 in 4WD would be better than a part time AWD that was driving in 2WD. Kind of just have to decide what you think the situation will be, but based off the 4-5" of snow comment I think the Tundra would be better. Youd have better ground clearance and with that much snow it could be left in 4WD. Just get some sand bags for the rear axle.

 

Yes, my wife’s grandpa plows the road from the highway to the cabin. From the highway to his road it’s more paved and easier to drive through. But there’s a stretch from the paved road to them cabin that’s gravel and was told that a family member had to engage 4x4 to get through it (but he did admit that his tires were about as bald as him).

Our previous ‘06 Pilot we got stuck up their in front of the cabin and had to dig ourselves out but my bro in-law who had an AWD van with thinner tires had no problem at all (I think we got our front wheel into a small dip in the snow that caused the issue of being stuck). But one year we were able to pull my friends sedan Mazda from the highway to the cabin with now issues since their car couldn’t make it.

 

The 06 pilot was a first gen. The 4wd sucked on those. Put wayyyy too much to the rear. You could easily do donuts in that with the 4wd engaged. As my buddy put it “this thing is a death trap on snow, but it is fun as fuck”. The Honda 4wd has come a long way since then. If it is plowed, I wouldn’t hesitate to take the pilot.

 

The wife has a '13 Rav4 and it does well in the snow but the Tundra does better. Weight and ground clearance along with tires makes the difference. Our house is at the top of hill. Our driveway is about 3/4 of a mile and once we get about 6 to 8 inches the Rav4 starts to struggle. The Tundra will plow through a foot plus of freshly fallen snow. The Rav4 has studded snows while my Tundra has BFG TKO2s. AWD is nice because you don't need to react but they have a limited slip function to allow the vehicle to turn on pavement.

 

Does it struggle because of the clearance isn’t as high or the drive system? But with studded snow that’s interesting that it doesn’t perform over the Tundra.

My kids just asked me what car we’re taking without them knowing I was debating. I asked which one they want to go in and they said the Tundra because it’s more comfortable

 

What kind of snow you talking? There's a huge difference between 5" of powder and 5" of wet mashed potato snow.

Either way both should be fine assuming good tires.

 

The ground clearance hurts the Rav4 but the AWD system isn't as good as true 4wd. The Rav4 allows the driver to turn it into a simulated 4wd by engaging an electronic clutch that sends half the power to the rear wheels but it only works up to 25 mph. If your tires start to spin it's easy to go over 25. The best AWD system I have owned was a Subaru. There was other issues that would keep me from buying another though. With true 4wd once it's locked in the front and rear axle are locked together. Add a limited slip (not the electronic one) and the Tundra will run circles around the Pilot. Not saying the Pilot is bad but the vehicles were built for different purposes.

 

Deep snow: Tundra with more agressive tires and better clearance.

hard pack/ice: pilot because better weight distribution and AWD stability.

 

need pictures of said Tundra in the snow

 

Sorry. All other arguments negated. Kids love the tundra.

 

Ended up taking the Tundra due to the kids preference. Had to put it in 4H at some points on road and the whole time through the stretch to the cabin. Snow wasn’t too high so I think my Pilot would have done the job (my bro in law has an ‘05 Pilot and got there with no problems it seemed). But it was a good thing I had the Tundra because at the base of the hill right before the road to the cabin their was family and their little ones waiting there because they couldn’t make it up with their vehicles. So just loaded the bed with everyone and off we went. There was probably 10 trucks at the cabin but I happened to make it during the time they needed a lift in.

The best part? The shock on their faces when I rolled down the back window

Thank you everyone for all the help!