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Jun 22, 2003 | 07:06 PM

TruckBear

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Joined: Jun 2003

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Snow

Now that I've decided to buy the F150 (see my previous thread "I'm Buying My First truck...") and told my family members about it, my big brother chimed in and told me I would regret it. I live in New England, and,in winters like the one we just had where snow is everywhere, he told me the F150 handles poorly in snow. He says it's just too light in the back.

This makes no sense to me. The guy who plows the snow off my driveway drives an F150.

Anyone have any comments about this?

the truck I'm buying is a 2002 XLT 4x4 supercab longbed, with the 4.5 liter V8.

Thanks!

Jun 22, 2003 | 10:08 PM

Ultramagdan

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Joined: Feb 2000

Posts: 11,496

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From: Kansas

Snow

Tires make a big difference. With a long wheel base I would bet you'll do just fine. But the tires you run can make a world of difference in the snow.

I think your brother is jealous.

Jun 22, 2003 | 10:15 PM

aldridgec

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Joined: Mar 2002

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From: Wake Forest, NC

Snow

Remember the big snow this winter on the East Coast?

Down here in Baltimore we got around 22 inches of snow. I was able to get around in it just fine. Granted, I couldn't plow through the 22 inches (actually I didn't try because I wasn't being stupid), but where it was knocked down some I could get through fine. Wasn't anywhere I couldn't get. I had to go rescue some friends who got snowed in, and it was a country back road that had seen maybe 1 vehicle. It was a little hairy, but I made it through. This was on the (what I think) crappy Wrangler RT/S tires. I was worried about my Ford, because I'd been stuck in my Dads fullsize bronco alot, but not the F150. I got stuck one place, that was a snow bank I plowed into because there was no where to park. Had a little jeep pull me out.

Compared to a Blazer, or jeep there IS less weight on the back. This meant that I had to use 4x4 more often because the back would slip. I'm interested to see the difference the Limited Slip diff does if we get snow next winter, because I did just find with two open rears this winter.

Chris

Jun 23, 2003 | 12:41 AM

MattTheFordGuy

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Joined: Apr 2003

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From: Cambridge, Ontario, Canada

Snow

Any truck that is designed in Detroit (Over 3' total snow fall last winter.) and 25% of the production trucks are built in Oakville, Ontario, should be able to handle the winter, no problem. I have a 2WD F-150 and have had zero problems in any conditions...snow, mud, ice, I go through all of them.

Matt

Jun 23, 2003 | 05:50 AM

dgolson

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Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 13

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From: Red Deer Alberta Canada

Snow

I will have to beg to differ about F-series trucks not handling in the snow. I live in Alberta so if you want to talk about snow i can help in that department. I currently drive a 2wd 2000 F-150 short box with a 300hp 5.4. I drive on the same rubber summer or winter. The rubber i chose is 275/60R17 Goodyear GTII's. They seem to handle the winter fine. I have drove this truck for 3 winters and it has only been stuck once and that was with my girlfriend driving with my 500 pound sled in the back. It's not what you drive it's how you drive it. So if I don't have a problem with driving around in the winter with street rubber any one with a four by shouldn't have a problem. It's not what you drive it's how you drive it.

Jun 23, 2003 | 09:16 PM

1956MarkII

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Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 7,746

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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA

Snow

Your big brother must be referring to 2 wheel drive, which is just about worthless here in the North during the winter. If you've got 4WD, you've really got nothing to worry about. Yes, tires do make a difference. On/off road are best in the snow, but tend to be a little noiser. All seasons work great in just about anything WHEN THEY ARE BRAND NEW. As they get worn down to just below half-tread, then you'll need new tires, because you'll be sliding all over the place.

Jun 25, 2003 | 11:33 AM

charlesh

Senior User

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 285

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From: Maryland

Snow

I reside in the DC area and this past winter I was looking for a replacement vehicle for my old (250K) Toyota 4 X 4 truck. I spoke to some of the jocks that move the trucks around and was told that the non 4 X 4 trucks with limited slip went thru the snow just fine (except for the really deep stuff). Soooo, I guess if one decides to not buy a 4 X 4, it would be nice to buy one with limited slip and with 2 rear wheels spinning instead of 1, a decent driver should be able to get around.

Just my 2 cents...

Quote:

Originally posted by aldridgec
Remember the big snow this winter on the East Coast?

Down here in Baltimore we got around 22 inches of snow. I was able to get around in it just fine. Granted, I couldn't plow through the 22 inches

...This meant that I had to use 4x4 more often because the back would slip. I'm interested to see the difference the Limited Slip diff does if we get snow next winter, because I did just find with two open rears this winter.

Chris