I'm still looking for one but was curious as to how some of you like or dislike how the truck performs in the snow.

Does the 4x4 system work well or is it just so so?


Do certain models perform better, like for instance, does a 4x4SC w/6.5ft perform better than a CC w/8ft bed. Does the limited slip rear help alot?

Thanks again

 

I think the overall weight of this truck (at least 7000lbs) really has alot to do with the abilility of this truck in the snow. I feel it does very well. My configuration is supercab short bed. I feel for reliability reason having manual hubs is the only way to go as far as a 4X4 set up. No vacuum line to leave you stranded. Limited slip is a advantage. Unfortunately Fords LS is not that good. It needs alot of torque to lock it up. Usually the slippery nature of snow is not enough to lock it up.

The only bad thing about this truck is in deep snow....the axel wrap is unbelievable. The damn thing feels like it want to shake itself apart.

The profile tires you run will greatly affect the snow performance. I run a wider tire for looks so it suffers a bunch in deep snow. It kinda want to wander at times as it strugles to find its way in deep snow.

 

My 04 CC does well in the snow. The 4WD performs as it should. I think the correct tires are important also. I use Pirelli Scorpion ATR(I think those are the correct letters). My total truck weight is almost 8000 lbs, I think this helps also.

 

Its funny you ask. I currently live in the Seattle area and if you watch the weather, you would see its dumping the white stuff in the western Cascades heavy. My better half bought my two boys new sleds, so we decided to use them at Mt. Baker. My 2004 SC short bed has performed flawlessly in snow before and today was no different. In fact, as we were heading up the moutain I passed a 5ton GMC tow truck on the side of the road and I noticed he was stuck. I ask if he needed a tug. My wife didn't think I could pull him out and neither did the two guys that where with the driver. My Little Red Mule didn't only ****** them out of the mess, it did it with a Dodge 1500 4X4 on his back. Did I mention I only have a 5.4L engine? The weight of the F250/F350 does help them out a lot. Due to my small engine, my truck weights only 6800lbs. It sits on 315/75R16 Mud Terrain Tires which are semi aggreasive. I have limited slip which I believe helps out also. I never had a problem with my automatic locking hubs either. Check out my picture on this site. Thanks for letting me brag.

rstahl

 

The heavier and longer wheel base your pickup the better for handling on roads. This doesnt quite apply out in the hills. My F350 CC long box is great on slick and nasty roads. I really love the low end torque of the diesel. This allows the tranny not to need to shift out of OD very often, therefore not upsetting the traction on icy roads.

 

Tires make a huge difference. Once you get good tires the truck will do fine in most snow/ice conditions. The main issue is stopping. There's a lot of weight (especially with a diesel), so you need to always drive carefully and keep the weight factor in mind.

 

I dont care what the diesel guys say, the little 5.4L V8 gas with 4x4 LOW (which is approx 2.75:1 ratio) still gets the job done with power to spare.

My friend has an '05 F-250 SD super-cab long-bed 5.4L 4x4 automatic with ESOF. He was up on the pavement with a long tow strap going down into the ditch to pull an older Chevy 3500 diesel dually super-cab long-bed 4x2 out of the deep mud. He hooked on and put it into 4x4 LOW. He had enough power to slowly pull the Chevy out while smoking his front and rear tires. He said that he was not getting on it all the way, which I could tell because the engine was not reving high. If he was already smoking the tires, then what good would the extra torque from a diesel really do for ya?

Anyways, back to the origional question. Just remember that not all 4x4s are created equal. I have been in 4x4s that do not handle the ice/snow well at all. Just because the front & rear axles get power, it does not mean that it will stop or corner well. With that said, my friend and I think these trucks work awesome on the snow/ice. The limited-slip rear helps too, if you got that option. We have BF Goodrich All Terrain tires that I believe makes a big difference. The anti-lock braking system (ABS) works well when trying to stop on ice. I am very pleased with how these trucks handle on slick surfaces.

 

i enjoy driving in the snow, and believe me we get plenty here in NW Montana, i think my truck handles quite well, in fact better then my old 1992 F150 302 V8 ext cab short box.
i think weight has something to do with it but i do have the LS differential. 4x4 is flawless very handy to just flip it in when going up my fathers steep driveway and dont have to get out to do it. then flip it out at the top. i've heard that the 6.0's are worse cus of more weight in front. anyway just my $0.02

 

My truck (regular cab) does great in 4x4, but goes no where in the snow in 2wd.

 

in 4wd my truck handles awesome in snow and icy conditions........in 2wd....it's probably the worst one I've ever driven....including trucks that are strictly 2wd with street tires. No problems whatsoever if it's locked in 4wd!

 

I can't say I agree with with the wheel base opinon in the snow, as I have found my super cab long bed is fairly squirly in snow and on slippery conditions. If I didn't have 4x4 I wouldnt go much of anywhere in MI winter time. If I had to make a recommendation, for snow get a short bed. I needed the long bed, but with 400lbs of sand over the rear axle it does all right.

With 4 wheel engaged and my 305/70's the good ol SD FX4 is unstoppable when the snow starts a fallin mother nature might as well be waving me my own personal checkered flag

 

When I am in 2X4, the truck is a pain to drive in snow. Once the 4X4 is turned on, it is a dream.

 

makes me wonder the whole F250 or F350 thing i have going on in my head, i want an F350 for towing and hauling but i think an F250 would be better because i also am going to be doing some snow driving when i visit the inlaws in WI but also serious mudding down here in TX and also pulling people out of the mud, makes my head hurt sometimes

 

Personally, it depends on how often you'll be towing. Granted I would say get the 350 becasue of the additional potential, but my 3/4 ton has never done me wrong for my applications. I have well exceeded its limits at times... and could probably use a 350, but really, I'd go with whatever you can get a better deal on. ONLY actual must is 4 wheel drive if you see the snow. Other than that, its all whatever you feel fits you better. I opted for a F250 Lariat FX4 over a F350 XL and am VERY glad I took comfort over raw utility. But that's just me, who actually needs heated leather captains chairs when its 10 degrees out and you are driving 200 miles in a blizzard no faster than 25mph?

 

as far as long wheel base goes, I make that statement based on my personal experience. if you question go see how well a cj5 handles snow and ice. Of all the outfits I have had my current pickup is one of the better on ice/snow. with the longer wb you simply have a little more room for error, it doesn't swap ends very fast! just my opinion .