Driving On Ice Snow Advice

What lift and what size tires are you running, truck looks amazing!

 

Lifelong Alaskan here.

Nothing crazy about driving in ice / snow conditions. Throw her in 4x4, leave extra stopping distance, figure on needing more time / room for traction limited accelerating, don’t run crap bald tires, and be mindful of off camber situations. Biggest thing I’ve seen in driving up here for almost 3 decades now is folks in RWD vehicles who aren’t using 4x4.

Modern 4x4 systems, traction control, and ABS make winter ice / snow driving a piece of cake. Like posted above, we do it every day for basically half the year.

 

I have the stock Bridgestones. They're not terrible in snow itself but they're bad on ice, like after the streets have been plowed so they're like a skating rink. I'm on the fence about what to get for winters (and what size). I suspect KO2s are too aggressive for me, though.

 

I thought you could only use auto LSD in 2Hi.

 

Correct, auto LSD on when not using 4Hi. Default on in 2WD. I turn off the nannies when in 4Hi on icey roads. Did the same with my Taco. I actually had my Taco at the time in Anchorage.

 

A nice primer for understanding the traction, stability and engine management modes in 2WD and 4WD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-IiaNoexpM

 

Easy. Slow down. Way down

 

Thanks! I have a bit of rake because I tow a camper. 1.5” Toytec shackles on 5100’s rear, if I were to do it again, I’d get Icon2.5 fronts but I’m around 2.3-2.4” with Bilsteins and Coachbuilder shims, 6112’s are a solid choice.

Those are 295/70R18 Ridge Grapplers on 18+ Method wheels.

 

And always remember, when in doubt, throttle out!!

Might not actually help, but will be a way better story...

And yes common sense will prevail in wintery conditions. Get out and play in it, lock up all 4 wheels sliding down a hill, see how your truck reacts, what you can do to correct it. Then when it happens, you wont freak out as much.

 

Turn off traction control once in 4WD and have FUN...(Press and hold the traction control button for 3 seconds once in 4WD to turn off). If you don't, you can't power through (or pull through) when cornering. The truck starts to do a four wheel drift when TC kicks in. You need full power to the wheels to pull through when cornering. I also use the sequential mode more when driving in the snow. Again, I like to keep power to the wheels, plus, downshifting helps slow the vehicle in addition to "light" brake use...DO NOT let ABS kick in! Your stopping distance will be longer with ABS kicking in on snow. As previously mentioned, Auto LSD is a 2WD feature only.

Good luck!!

 

@Greg Marmalard where abouts in NM?

 

It may not help the outcome, but you will get resolution much quicker

 

Eagle Nest!

Up about 8200' getting away from the heat wave! Got 3 inches of snow last night and lots of ice on my RV. I don't have to be anywhere so wont drive till it thaws for good in a couple days....

Thanks for all the info!

Greg

 

Awesome looks like you guys did get the weather. Im in Albuquerque and we just got the rain!!

 

Just stay put and enjoy the crazy weather. I was camping at 8700ft and got home with my trailer before the snow came in. We had a 60 degree temperature swing.

I bet there are a lot of people from Texas and California stuck in their Colorado campsites with their RVs. "I had no idea." "What's a scraper?" There are some that are probably trying to tow.

 

I wouldn't run in the winter without winter tires, but clearly not justified for one day. Put some weight in the back at the front of the bed, at least 300lbs. also try to stay in 2WD as 4H in a part time system (which is what i have) will plow straight in a corner in both ice and snow. Accelerate as if you have an egg under your foot and slow down 3-4 times earlier than you think you should. Also go much much slower in the curves as you could find yourself in a 4 wheel slide at which point your just along for the ride. You could drop pressure in the tires for more contact area but this is counter productive in snow. If you need 4H to get moving be especially careful in the turns. You can always punch the throttle to swing the tail around the curve (like lightning McQueen) but without practice that may get you in even more trouble.
the main thing is keep you speed down and you should be fine.

 

Lotta good advice above, but one thing got missed: PRACTICE!

Get up early and find a deserted parking lot and go play in the snow.

Start slow and easy and gradually ramp up on more aggressive throttle and braking until you can start to predict when you'll lose traction. From there it won't be long until you start figuring out how to correct a slide or a skid.

Losing control is part of the learning process, but don't be a complete jackass - make sure your playground stays deserted and look sharp for hidden gotchas - I know a guy who took his daughter to a parking lot for some winter driving lessons and HE managed to hit the only fire hydrant within 10 acres of pavement while showing off.


But if you do it with, it'll be the highlight of your trip, and you'll come away with some great new driving skills.

 

excellent point, practice... up here we get practice whether (Weather?) we want to or not so i forgot to mention. also to the fire hydrant pole point... I've seen two buddies spin into each other in a massive parking lot so I'd suggest one vehicle at a time on skid pad..... they had a fun time explaining that at home.... better yet take a skid school course... lots fun and learn from experts!

 

I spent 35+ years driving in the Northeast.
Might sound crazy... but sometimes when the pavement is glazed and slick, the grass or median is just wet... or still has grip of some kind.
Of course this is assuming there isn't a foot of snow there.

If you get in a pinch... just straddle the edge of the road with 2 of your tires off the pavement. It might mean the difference between usable traction and no traction at all.

Ultimately, as others have said... the best rule of thumb with ice is to avoid it completely.

 

How was the snow?

 

I use steel plate 130lb vertical mounted to the factory tye down rail.