Hey, I have a F350 psd superduty, 4x4, and back in the day I had a chevy 2500 gas, 4x4, posi-trac, and we had a 25" snow and I got stuck every where I went, the truck ended on top of the snow and it just sat there, with the PSD and 9900 lbs, how much weight do I need to put in the back to run thru the snow without getting stuck, all you guys with the deep snows should have enough experience to advise a midwester on how to get thru the deep stuff.
thanks, in advance

 

With 4L and decent tires, I have driven through 30 inches without a lot of trouble. A few hundred ponds in the back will not hurt, but you probably won't need it. Once I got out to compacted roads I shifted to 4H.

The dangerous part is everyone else trying to drive. Just remember they all want to destroy your truck (they are jealous) and keep it slow.

 

Up in northwest Colorado 10 days ago, spent 4 days driving in the snow. Where the other two trucks had to chain up to get out one night, my 2000 F250 CC Powerstroke didn't need to. Of course the two elk I had in the back helped.
Back at home east of Denver when the big storm hit. I work out of my house but my wife works at the Bass Pro store and had to go to work. They let her go early but she got stuck in her minivan near I-70 and E470. Drove the 15 miles, pulled her out in less than 5 miutes, headed back home and now state patrol had closed I-70 and won't let us go home. Told them our 16 year old daughter was home alone and the said "other people have family home alone, some with heart conditions but I don't care, you are not going through." Took the van back to Bass Pro to leave for now and tried to leave that new shopping area but traffic went nowhere. Spent 2 hours not moving until the opposite lane cleared out enough to jump the island and go the wrong way down the road. Found a broken down car and a stuck semi blocking the road and no one working on moving them. Made it back to Arvada to mother-in-law's house with no headlights, snow got in the hole at the top and blew both bulbs. After snow stopped and with new headlights, headed home again after picking up wife's van but highway still closed. I send the wife back to her mom's and head for the back roads home. Eventually went up through the airport property and took 56th out east. Had to pull 3 people out who also tried it with inferior trucks. Finally made it home later that night. Wife got stuck getting into mom's driveway and when my sons went to help, the blew one of the front tires. Oh well, needed tires soon anyway. I head back into town to get her tires fixed, dropped van off at tire dealer, driving back and my son notices one of my tires are low. Somehow, I cut a sidewall and they have to order a new tire.
THEN, I finally get the wife home after 3 nights gone and 15 minutes later my son calls to say 'Grandma's acting funny" Call ambulance for mother in law as blood sugar is over 400 and she is in DKA. The let her go home christmas eve morning and all seems good. Later that night about three in the morning she is up turning the TV on and off and talking to herself so it's back to the hospital. Finally got back Christmas morning about 7am and the rest of christmas is good.
Looking out the window now and it's starting all over again.

 

Hey, I found the thread. Thanks, Keith!

With 30" or so you should be good, but much more seems to get under the frame and cause problems with a stock lift and tires. I went through that much, maybe 3ft in some parts, with no probs. We already have 10" more tonight and I'm more worried about the ice drifts under the new snow. Hit a few today and I'm lucky my tires are still round.

phish, didn't pull anyone out but spent my time helping neighbors clearing their driveways and getting them on the street. Where did you find them all, I-25? Also, you use chains or what? I had fun this afternoon ramming around the area. Didn't see too many Dog's or Chevy's out there! I have a dark red CC (Toreador Red or some crap. I call it Burgundy) with a 5th hitch on the bed. See you around.

 

I was in a short sleeve shirt and my upland game vest hunting pheasant yesturday now here in Southern Wisconsin. No snow and everything is really wet. I wish I had snow.

 

Twasn't me. But I bet he was having fun! And who was getting in the way of who? But truly not a safe practice...

 

Just a word of caution on busting through snowdrifts with the front of a superduty!
The air intake will ice up/ fill with fluffy snow and shut you down in a heartbeat.
Just a word of caution.

Rich

 

Yeah, we were on vacation in CO a couple days ago - took the SD. Went down Highway 24 West going from Limon to Springs. Just bought my 33" BFG A/T 2 days before (got rid of the stock 31.5" Continentals at 11k miles). About 10 miles away from Limon CO, we noticed cars/SUVs in the ditch. Did not appear to be slick - but it was dark. So I slowed down to around 30 mph. Went down a steep hill and then started up a steep hill when all of a sudden the rear-end started spinning out and sliding to the passenger side - uh oh, we are on black ice. So I let off the gas and engaged the ESOF 4x4. Then slowly pressed on the gas. Went up the hill - no problem.

I always hear people say that a 4x4 does not help on ice, I dont know what those people are talking about. I can understand when it comes to stopping. I never had any problems stopping. We made it to Springs without any problems, thanks to my 4x4 SD.

By the way, on this trip using cruise control 90% of the time I averaged 13 mpg Highway.

 

They either have never owned a 4 wheel drive vehicle, owned one and didn't know how to drive in slick conditions or had a 4x4 with passenger car tires (that one always makes me wonder).

You see at least one idiot every time it snows, with a new 4x4 truck or SUV stuck in the ditch.

 

Chili, no chains for me, just common sense. So far this storm dosn't seem as bad. Havn't had to pull anyone out yet. Mostly I was helping people on the side streets get out. I didn't venture towards I25. I drive an Oxford White F250 (see gallery). See you around.

 

I always hear people say that a 4x4 does not help on ice, I dont know what those people are talking about. I can understand when it comes to stopping. I never had any problems stopping. We made it to Springs without any problems, thanks to my 4x4 SD.

Ya, I drove a Zamboni for years and they're 4x4. Guess they don't know what they're doin'!!

 

I'd like to re-iterate Forty Ford's comment on the air intake as being a little recognized but potentially serious problem.


A few months ago in a local car forum there was a discussion of how the air intake on quite a few of the modern small cars is really only about 9 -12" off the road, and so when unsuspecting drivers went through RAIN PUDDLES they would suck water into the intake and totally destroy their motors.

Of course the air intake for the SD's is a lot higher, but probably not high enough for a 3' snow drift...... So while snow is nowhere as dense as water, Forty's point is an excellent caution for us all... Thanks, Dude!

 

Hey thanks for the stories, now I know when shick hits the fan in Indiana, I will be well prepared.again thanks guys

 

Where at? I'm presently living in Evansville.

 

Just drove in from New Mexico last night to home here in CO. Tough drive. This morning my truck won't start. I forgot to plug it in last night. I have had it plugged in for 5 hours now and tried spraying starter fluid in the air filter. Nothing. The "wait to start " light comes on, it cranks (for now) but won't start. I need to get 'er started to get to the store. Any ideas???