Fall is here, winter is coming

My fellow Tundra enthusiast,

I live up in the land of 10,000 lakes. As we get closer to winter, I want to be ready for it.

This is my first time owning a pickup and I’ve always heard that pickup trucks are not heavy enough because of the bed, and you need to put some sand or heavy stuff back there.

Are those things needed these days?

For those of you who have dealt with snow, what are some of the things you do to stay safe, with and without the whole family?

 

Last year was my first year with a truck, or rear wheel drive, in winter. I've always had front wheel drive or all wheel drive and have always run snow tires. I don't keep anything in the bed and I feel the truck did great. Only a couple times during heavy snow did I put it in 4HI and when I did it was rock solid, other than that I was fine in 2WD.

 

Toss a couple bags of sand back there. You could use it for other things too

 

If you're coming from an all-wheel-drive SUV, then I would put a little weight in the rear (2 90lb bags of sac-crete wrapped in some trash bags should suffice). If you're coming to a truck from a FWD/2WD then just drive the truck like you did the FWD. slow, long stops & starts. keep your distance. Use 4Hi as needed (try to avoid turns on dry pavement when in 4Hi). You can engage/disengage 4Hi from 2Hi all the way up to 60mph per the owners manual, but I wouldn't recommend doing that. I try to keep it below 40mph to engage. If you find yourself in an a hairy driving situation in the snow you probably shouldn't be running at 60mph anyway.

3peak mountain snowflake rated all terrain tires are great if you want to have great snow performance in addition to the benefits of an all-terrain in both looks and performance. Or a set of dedicated winter tires is also not a bad choice. Take off steelies can be found for cheap to mount the winters on if you choose this route.

 

Like others have said, couple sandbags certainly don't hurt and you can always pull them out and dump them under a tire for a little extra traction if stuck. Decent tires make all the difference. I really only find myself in 4HI if the weather turns bad while I'm driving. Decently plowed roads or hard pack way up north and I'm usually still in 2WD. Also, have you considered having someone fluid film the underside of your truck/frame? Makes a world of a difference when the salt goes down.

 

To piggy back on what TundraMidwesterner said: if you live in a salt state, treat your truck to regularly undercarriage washes once the salt starts hitting the road. It's a cheaper solution than what you'll have to deal with if you let that salt stay on.

(I had an '08 in PA .... )

 

I was planning to do it myself but where are you at and who do you recommend?

 

I'm at the edge of northern IL. I'm guessing you are farther north. Fluid film has an installer locator on their site but many more people do the installs since you have to pay to be listed as an installer. The guy that did mine pulled the plugs on the frame rails, dropped my skid plates, did various parts under the hood, fenders, doors, tailgate etc.

https://www.fluid-film.com/undercoating-locator/

 

Use 4wd if it’s treacherous, dont speed/drive like a dick when its slippery, woolwax your undercarriage, and make sure theres still meat left on your tires. A side note, I keep a couple space blankets, small shovel, yum-yum bars, and water in the truck during winter just incase.

 

Snow tires or snow rated tires, use 4hi when needed, drive according to the conditions, give space to slow down and stop.

Treat your undercarriage. I use Corrosion free DIY.

Keep some tractions boards and a shovel handy. I also have a bag with recovery straps etc, but haven't had to use them.

Always have gloves/mitts somewhere, for yourself or helping someone else out if they are stuck.

Keep your portable battery booster charged. I use a NoCo (GB50). If you don't a portable booster, buy one.

Don't let your fuel tank go under half full.

 

Lots of good advice here.

 

Bought a set of steel wagon wheels that were beat up for $50 on Facebook marketplace… cleaned them up and rattle canned them, put some Cooper snow tires. Between those and a couple 70lb sandbags over the rear axle, I’ve only needed the 4wd once in 3 years.

Oh, I fluid filmed it and touch it up every year.

But yea, tons of good advice here.

 

It's really not a big deal, if you have 4wd and good tires

 

Tires are the only thing touching the ground... don't skimp on them and you'll be just fine!

 

Whole different story here in Fl.

 

Good a/t tires or snow tires, tundras are surprisingly decent in snow compare to others.

 

The tubes of sand they sell everywhere up here work good , fit between wheel well and tail gate. as mentioned by many snow tires will help immensely. 4WD will help you go but not stop, drive like me (old guy)

 

I keep a couple bags of kitty litter just in case I get stuck but 4wd should be all you need.

 

Sounds like Minnesota won’t allow use of studs that’s interesting. Stud-less tires like Blizzaks work well, used a set of 255/70r18 on my prior Tundra for 5 years/20k miles and 4runner. They do really well even decent on ice. The usual complaint for stud-less tires is they wear quicker than you’d expect, which is true. People practically give steel Tundra rims away for free so getting a set is easy. Snow tires are generally overkill for most situations but offer a level of insurance and control that is hard to let go of once you experience it. Just got some Nokian LT3 studded 315/70r17 I’m excited to try out.

 

Honestly, I’ve never really added weight. If the beds not covered and you get significant snow fall, there’s your weight

the big thing people forget with trucks, while they get going better in the snow, they will stop WORSE than a car due to the weight

 

Yep. Lows in the low 30's and a breeze if we're lucky lol. I can't remember the last time Tampa was in the teens...it's been a few years.....damn global warming lol.

 

Never needed 4WD when I lived in PA, DE, NJ even when I went snowboarding. Just threw some extra weight in the bed and go. When the first snow fall happens go out and play in an empty parking lot. Get to know your new truck and how she handles the Snow & Ice.

 

I second Tundra14platinum. Every first snow fall with any real accumulation I go out and find a safe space to accelerate hard and brake hard and do a couple hard turns at low speeds, learn how the truck will react in the snow and at what intensity it starts to be a problem or break loose. I'm not saying go and do donuts in the neighborhood cul-de-sac but an open empty parking lot with no poles and a few minutes can make all the difference in knowing how a new vehicle is going to react or re learning every winter . Just don't make it a ... crash course...

 

I agree, knowing your truck, even if you drive it everyday, in the different weather is important, as you may not remember that it was skidding 8 months back (unless you are where it snows 10 out of 12)

 

Yep, I do this with every vehicle the first winter with it. I remember the first time I had my wife do it she thought I was weird, she had fun and said she felt more comfortable knowing the limits after lol

 

Welcome!! Also from MN.

Good advice above with some additional weight in the back. I have resorted to the Water softener bags from Costco, as I need them anyways.
Rear wheel drive for most of the time will be be fine if you take it easy, only issue I run across is the traction control is a bit touchy.
Keeps going off when trying to accelerate from a stop at the traffic lights, so i briefly turn it off to get moving.
Or switch to 4x4 to avoid angering the people behind me when they miss their light.

Tires with good thread are ok, but dedicated winter tires are way better if you can afford them and have space for storage.
I should have 1 season left on my tires and will use those rims for winter tires in the future.

However nowadays I have all my ice fishing gear in the back so close to 200 lbs of weight there.

 

Got a set of 4 steelie yota rims, and Goodyear ultra grips and I am set as a jet !

 

I’ve lived in NH my whole life and drive to northern Quebec as often as possible all winter to ride. 3 peak rated all terrains or dedicated winter tires, oil undercoating and a fresh coat of wax and send it.

 

all excellent advice above - M2C - really a lot is just "common sense" - you're not on dry pavement so adjust driving for low traction environment - take your time. Too, the one thing about a RWD/4x4 truck is be easy on the pedal on turns (especially from a stop). After one season you'll be a pro. I drove a 2wd '01 tundra in eastern Idaho and never had a problem once I had proper tires and some weight in the back. IMO if you have good tires and some weight, you'll only need 4x4 if your off road or need to get out of a bind. I run with 2 tubes year around on my current truck and throw in 2 more in the winter - it feels better with 4-5 tubes (personally).

Anywhoo - my list:

• tires, tires, tires (3peak ATs good, snow specific better, studded - situational (arguably best)) - any of these are better than HTs
• sand tubes (both for weight and if needed if you get in a bind)
  
• long stops, slow starts, don't race
• probably biggest thing is just knowing that unless you have metal inserted into your tires, all tires suck on ice (especially wet ice) - snow is your friend with 3 peak/snow tires (like driving on slightly slicker sand).
• Keep gloves, blanket, flares, water in the truck, hand warmers (don't fill the water jug full incase it freezes) - general winter driving

have fun in the winter playground!