It snowed 2 ft here in Yucca valley cauli-fornia. I live back in a canyon on a dirt road and no level spots anywhere.
As soon as I drive my E350 on the slightest slope ,it just spins and drifts downhill. I have new BFG a/Ts. The tread just fills up with snow . The tires compress the snow which then just acts like ice.
Its like having bald tires on ice or wet pavement.
Short of going ice studs or chains are big spaced tire lugs the only other option?
I like how quiet BFGs are and to get larger spacings (lugs) will drive me nuts.
Assuming tyhats an option.
Im guessing my best option is to get chains or change tires for winter.

FYI ..E350 weighs 9000lb,AT 4x4 ,no posi 295 BFGs

Any comments,suggestions

 

I think chains would be a good idea... But then again in 2 ft of snow, chains wont help much, unless you got some big rubbers and some lockers... Then you might get somewhere...
its probably best to stay in for awhile..

 

Actually the day I had the problem the snow was only 8-10 inches. I gave up on driving it.

 

air down the tires a bit....and slow steady foot on the skinny pedal....

 

I have plowed snow in the winter for the last 30 years and one thing I have learned is that not all snows are not alike. Some you can get good traction in and some you can't. I think your tires are ok. Your biggest problem is your weight, that's what is pulling you down the slopes. just my opinion.

 

Weight behind the rear axle will help some.

Sand bags would be the best option, and you need to secure them so they don't slide around.
Then at least if you do get stuck, you have some sand to throw under the tires for more traction.

Vans have no weight back there.

 

No weight???? This cats rig weighs 9,000 lbs. Even a few sand bags placed 10 feet behind the rear axle is not going to bring much to this party. This conversion van is fully self contained, and weighs a ton, actually almost 5 tons.
This rig has no traction devices, and while it is 4wd, it still has open diffs. When we look at how much each tire has to motivate, it is easy to see that it can become difficult.
However it can be overcome.

For this great snow that we just encountered, you will have to air down. You will also try to trick the diffs, and ride the brake. Often appying the parking brake is enough to get both reat tires to spin. Your C6 is also capable of taking off in second gear, and believe it or not, this helps. Wheel speed here is not generally a good idea, but smooth steady acceleration is. Using two feet to drive is a technique that should be considered. It allows you to drive with a very steady foot, and will permit you to use the brake to control the vehicle.
Besides, we are still in So Ca. Just give it a few days, and this strange looking white stuff will be long gone. I have been out driving with Californa drivers that have never seen this stuff, and let me tell you, you are much safer being stuck at home. Some of these fools cant drive!

 

Weight over the rear wheels will help,as will very gentle application of throttle. Im not sure what year your van is,but if its,older,got a lot of miles,and especially if its a carburetted engine,take some time to allow it to warm up well before driving. the last thing you want is a cold blooded balky engine hesitating,which typically causes you to apply more power if it seems to be bogging a little,cause then your just likely to spin tires,which isnt what you want.....BFG A/t's are pretty good snow tires,but they dont offer the traction that studded tires or chains do.......

 

studs chains it works but the best thing you can do is keep them wheels from spinning any way possible...in 4wd even on ice its ALOT harder to spin em cuz i think the t-case acts a sorta a locker at the same time meaning that both the front/rear driveshafts will spin at the same rpm (even if the 4 wheels dont individually) so if you keep the rear from spinning the front wont an you will have way better traction

on my streets right now its literally a skating rink...in 2wd it takes me about 2 city blocks to get to 20 and thats if theres no stop sign lol but in 4wd i can be at 20 in about 20 feet with no spinning at all and i got m/ts

 

Sand bags will not help....
9k pounds?
You guys do realize that your trucks weight 3-4k right?
Chains would be good, but being in so cal it will be gone shortly...
The rig being so heavy is what is really pulling you down the hill....

The chains with the x's on them for added grip would be of good help...

Spin the tires as little as possible.

 

Thank you.
Weighing down a tank is rather counter productive.

 

no, i was not aware of that.

i was always under the assumption that my 88 weighs 8700lbs, my 2000 weighs 5800lbs, and my 02 weighs 7400lbs.

i guess the scales i go to are wrong.

 

i was refering to gassers, no need for the 'tude.
You listed 2 diesel trucks, and a 350 with a plow....

 

the 2000 is a gasser.


the 78 2 wheel is 5100lbs, and the 79 is over 5500lbs. the only ford trucks i am aware of that only weigh 4000 lbs are rangers

 

Lift it and get you some super swampers. Works for me....