Impressed in the Snow
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 337
Likes: 39
From: Shenandoah valley, Va
Impressed in the Snow
Todays weather has given me a chance to really appreciate the performance of these trucks in the yucky stuff. We had an early light snow that began to melt away followed by much colder air and a heavier snow. (snow on top on frozen slush.) Although not deep, it was slicker than cat manure. On my drive home from work my 2018 F250 drove as if it was on dry pavement. Wifes Suburu got stuck halfway up our steep drive, after I got her up top I drove the truck up that slick drive easy as pie. This is a significant improvement over my previous F250. The Cooper Discoverer AT3s did not disappoint at all.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,362
Likes: 4,396
From: SW VA
Yeah, we had about 3-4" of the stuff on the roads. I used 4WD in a couple spots, but 2WD everywhere else. I wasn't sure what to expect since my '24 only has 120 miles on it, with 80psi still in the rear tires. Stock Bridgestone something or another...they did very well.
I almost drove my car, but figured I'd test the truck out in probably the only snow we will get this year....
I almost drove my car, but figured I'd test the truck out in probably the only snow we will get this year....
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 3
Likes: 2
Good experience here so far, 300 miles on our F250 with stock Bridgestone Dueler AT tires. Only about an inch or two of snow, but zero degrees, so the the roads are very slick. I expected the back end to be sliding all over the place like our F150 used to in these conditions. But I have not had to engage the 4WD yet. The truck feels so much more "planted" than the F150, maybe it's a combination of decent tires and the extra weight.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,677
Likes: 379
Todays weather has given me a chance to really appreciate the performance of these trucks in the yucky stuff. We had an early light snow that began to melt away followed by much colder air and a heavier snow. (snow on top on frozen slush.) Although not deep, it was slicker than cat manure. On my drive home from work my 2018 F250 drove as if it was on dry pavement. Wifes Suburu got stuck halfway up our steep drive, after I got her up top I drove the truck up that slick drive easy as pie. This is a significant improvement over my previous F250. The Cooper Discoverer AT3s did not disappoint at all.
Tire selection and size for the particular truck and ground conditions is likely the big difference from your previous F250 as well.
Official Ford Pro Rep
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 1,352
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Todays weather has given me a chance to really appreciate the performance of these trucks in the yucky stuff. We had an early light snow that began to melt away followed by much colder air and a heavier snow. (snow on top on frozen slush.) Although not deep, it was slicker than cat manure. On my drive home from work my 2018 F250 drove as if it was on dry pavement. Wifes Suburu got stuck halfway up our steep drive, after I got her up top I drove the truck up that slick drive easy as pie. This is a significant improvement over my previous F250. The Cooper Discoverer AT3s did not disappoint at all.
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Cargo Master
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,414
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From: Central KY
I came from a LONG line of "1/2 ton" trucks, both full and mid sized. Compared to those, the F-250 diesel is horrible in snow/mud/loose gravel. There's just way too much weight on the front axle, throws the overall distribution way off. Secondly there's so much torque coming from the engine. Third Ford in their wisdom (lack thereof) decided to use an open rear differential instead of a limited slip or better yet auto-locker like GM. So you put those three things together and what you get is a truck that will spin the rear tires constantly. If I look at this truck the wrong way it will spin.
Having said that, if you put these trucks in 4-high they will go pretty well. Then you're getting that heavy front end to help pull. Makes a HUGE difference. So far I've had no trouble going where I need to go in this storm.
A Detroit/Eaton TrueTrac rear differential is definitely on the to-do list.
Having said that, if you put these trucks in 4-high they will go pretty well. Then you're getting that heavy front end to help pull. Makes a HUGE difference. So far I've had no trouble going where I need to go in this storm.
A Detroit/Eaton TrueTrac rear differential is definitely on the to-do list.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 1,673
From: NW Wyoming USA
My only bad experience is that the front axle hops violently in certain situations.
Got my wife a GM 4x4 instead because it’s easier and less complicated for her to use with the automatic locking rear axle and the automatic setting on the transfer case (switches automatically as needed between 2 and 4 wheel drive) both of which Ford does not offer.
Got my wife a GM 4x4 instead because it’s easier and less complicated for her to use with the automatic locking rear axle and the automatic setting on the transfer case (switches automatically as needed between 2 and 4 wheel drive) both of which Ford does not offer.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,905
Likes: 187
I came from a LONG line of "1/2 ton" trucks, both full and mid sized. Compared to those, the F-250 diesel is horrible in snow/mud/loose gravel. There's just way too much weight on the front axle, throws the overall distribution way off. Secondly there's so much torque coming from the engine. Third Ford in their wisdom (lack thereof) decided to use an open rear differential instead of a limited slip or better yet auto-locker like GM. So you put those three things together and what you get is a truck that will spin the rear tires constantly. If I look at this truck the wrong way it will spin.
Having said that, if you put these trucks in 4-high they will go pretty well. Then you're getting that heavy front end to help pull. Makes a HUGE difference. So far I've had no trouble going where I need to go in this storm.
A Detroit/Eaton TrueTrac rear differential is definitely on the to-do list.
Having said that, if you put these trucks in 4-high they will go pretty well. Then you're getting that heavy front end to help pull. Makes a HUGE difference. So far I've had no trouble going where I need to go in this storm.
A Detroit/Eaton TrueTrac rear differential is definitely on the to-do list.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,679
From: Stephensville WI
-10F this morning. Snow isn't a problem, but 2 problems did come up.
First, the truck started very slowly. I should have purchased new batteries last fall.
Low fuel pressure warning and CEL. Reduced power. Turned around and limped back home. "Winterized" fuel I filled up the tank with last week wasn't winterized enough.
I'll head out for some Diesel 911 and new batteries once the thermometer climbs above 0F, I guess.
First, the truck started very slowly. I should have purchased new batteries last fall.
Low fuel pressure warning and CEL. Reduced power. Turned around and limped back home. "Winterized" fuel I filled up the tank with last week wasn't winterized enough.
I'll head out for some Diesel 911 and new batteries once the thermometer climbs above 0F, I guess.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,905
Likes: 187
-10F this morning. Snow isn't a problem, but 2 problems did come up.
First, the truck started very slowly. I should have purchased new batteries last fall.
Low fuel pressure warning and CEL. Reduced power. Turned around and limped back home. "Winterized" fuel I filled up the tank with last week wasn't winterized enough.
I'll head out for some Diesel 911 and new batteries once the thermometer climbs above 0F, I guess.
First, the truck started very slowly. I should have purchased new batteries last fall.
Low fuel pressure warning and CEL. Reduced power. Turned around and limped back home. "Winterized" fuel I filled up the tank with last week wasn't winterized enough.
I'll head out for some Diesel 911 and new batteries once the thermometer climbs above 0F, I guess.
10 here in Texas yesterday and is started right up without a CEL
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,679
Likes: 983
From: Walpole, MA
It truly is.... the mastercrap tires I have on my truck now are the by far and away the worst tire I have ever had on a truck. The rain and snow traction is beyond horrible, transfer case and front diff will get a workout today. Nice to see the mid-atlantic FINALLY got some snow today.