Prepping for snow
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Tuned
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 454
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From: College Station TX
Prepping for snow
Howdy, folks,
I have some questions for those of you who drive in snow and ice. I'm here in the mountains of northern New Mexico up from San Antonio and since we might be here for a while I am thinking about how this truck is going to do in the snow. I know from physics class, the smaller the area the tires rides on, the more friction is created so I'm good with my Comp T/A's. I am sure that I will need tire chains and some weight in the bed, but I am questioning my lack of 4wd. Since I can't talk my wife into trading for a 4wd, I need to be prepared. What experience or recommendations do you guys have for a warm weather visitor?
I have some questions for those of you who drive in snow and ice. I'm here in the mountains of northern New Mexico up from San Antonio and since we might be here for a while I am thinking about how this truck is going to do in the snow. I know from physics class, the smaller the area the tires rides on, the more friction is created so I'm good with my Comp T/A's. I am sure that I will need tire chains and some weight in the bed, but I am questioning my lack of 4wd. Since I can't talk my wife into trading for a 4wd, I need to be prepared. What experience or recommendations do you guys have for a warm weather visitor?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,129
Likes: 4
From: Brandon, MB
I never had tire chains. Probably should have. Always just put weight in the back. I had some cooper STT's with studs on the back axle. That was kinda nice. This will be my first full winter with 4wd. Never had that before.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,259
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From: Gambrills
I can't imagine driving w/o 4WD in the snow. I don't know what kind of snow you get up/over there but I would sure take Dave's suggestion about the weight and I would go a little further and carry some tire chains with you. I would hate to see you get stuck on an ice cube and can't get back home. My truck won't do chit in the snow w/o 4WD. last year I was plowing virgin snow with my bumper in the street that was about 4 feet deep. I was pulling all the others (Jeeps mostly) out of the deep snow.
Anyway, weight in the back and carry tire chains if no 4WD
Anyway, weight in the back and carry tire chains if no 4WD
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 311
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From: Santa Barbara and Ottawa
Do you have limited slip in the back?
While pinning traction is great, there is something to be said too for gnarly tread.
It's good to have chains, but you probably can only use them on public roads when they are called for by the authorities.
Anyways, you should have an emergency people kit, warm stuff mostly. Also, rug remnants, or other stuff can be stuck under your tires for instant traction. A shovel.
While pinning traction is great, there is something to be said too for gnarly tread.
It's good to have chains, but you probably can only use them on public roads when they are called for by the authorities.
Anyways, you should have an emergency people kit, warm stuff mostly. Also, rug remnants, or other stuff can be stuck under your tires for instant traction. A shovel.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Brandon, MB
I'll see if I can find some pics of the crap we have to drive through up here in the winter. I must admit, when it's colder, there's better traction than when it's just below freezing. The weight makes a huge difference. I agree, the chains are a good idea to keep in the truck just in case. A good set of tires make a big difference too. When I first got my truck it had some highway only (as far as I'm concerned) tires and wouldn't go anywhere in winter with or without extra weight. I had a 1500lb round bale in the box and it just sunk in deeper instead of moving.
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From: emporium
I'll see if I can find some pics of the crap we have to drive through up here in the winter. I must admit, when it's colder, there's better traction than when it's just below freezing. The weight makes a huge difference. I agree, the chains are a good idea to keep in the truck just in case. A good set of tires make a big difference too. When I first got my truck it had some highway only (as far as I'm concerned) tires and wouldn't go anywhere in winter with or without extra weight. I had a 1500lb round bale in the box and it just sunk in deeper instead of moving.
i just moved from the rocky's there in New Mexico its really not that bad as far as snow go's if you stay on the roads and just slow down. the only time i needed 4x4 was when i would drive out on the dirt roads. i do know some places get a lot of snow in the winter. i was up by cloudcroft and they had over 4 ft. last year. the best tire i can recomend is toyo open country a/t in the stock tire. nice and skinny. i would probly invest in a set of chains if you drive a lot of dirt roads though.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Wyoming
Having just moved this year from the mountains in Wyoming, to the deserts of Arizona, I can say from expierence of winter driving, a 4 wheel drive is fun, but not always needed. I just completed putting 4x4 on my truck for fun reasons. I wish I did have it when I was up north, but only because I was working off road and in the pastures, and a 2 wheel drive CC dually truck was not fun getting stuck.
Weight in the bed and good tires will get you through just fine. If you forsee coming up on something with some depth to it, give it some speed and keep it steady going through. Dont loose momentum! If the pic of the truck that is in your avatar the one you are worrying about, the biggest thing I can say about a LWB in the snow.. Dont expect to turn a lot! They also dont do so well busting snow drifts!
Weight in the bed and good tires will get you through just fine. If you forsee coming up on something with some depth to it, give it some speed and keep it steady going through. Dont loose momentum! If the pic of the truck that is in your avatar the one you are worrying about, the biggest thing I can say about a LWB in the snow.. Dont expect to turn a lot! They also dont do so well busting snow drifts!
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Tuned
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 454
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From: College Station TX
Thanks for the advice. I will be going onto dirt roads to get to the cabin we're staying in so I am sure we will need some chains. I just talked to one of the neighbors and she mentioned that it gets down to -20. I'm not sure my truck will even start at that temp. We are near Angel Fire and they got between 120"-200" of snow last year. Hopefully we won't be here when its real bad.
Fullcrew, I assume the just below freezing temps mean the top of the ice will melt and make it even more slippery.
Chicagodragon, I wish I could post some pics of our brutal San Antonio winters. I might have to change from shorts to jeans on Christmas day.
Fullcrew, I assume the just below freezing temps mean the top of the ice will melt and make it even more slippery.
Chicagodragon, I wish I could post some pics of our brutal San Antonio winters. I might have to change from shorts to jeans on Christmas day.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Brandon, MB
The snow get's nice and sticky (realatively speaking) when it's cold. -25 to -40. When it near freezing the snow melts from the pressure of yours tires on it. Same principle as skating. Of course this makes it similar to hydroplaning.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Gambrills
Do you have a plug/heater? If so do you have a place to plug it in? I keep mine plugged in all night (home) and all day (work). It is worth every penny to have a reliable truck that starts right up on demand in the winter (it also warms up a lot faster AND I leave the defrost "on" overnight and it keeps the windshield ice free). If you don't know where the plug is let us know and wee will walk you to it.
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Tuned
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 454
Likes: 1
From: College Station TX
Actually, I have it plugged in right now because it was about 28 degrees overnight. If I don't do that it will be a bear to start. I know I have a couple bad glowplugs that need replacing pretty soon.
I'm not sure how you guys can stand that much winter. The last time I lived anyplace cold was when I was in first grade and my Dad was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska. I didn't have to worry about the vehicles then. All I had to do was worry about finding my ice skates. If I didn't have my skates, my lunchbox doubled as a sled. Mom loved that.
I'm not sure how you guys can stand that much winter. The last time I lived anyplace cold was when I was in first grade and my Dad was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska. I didn't have to worry about the vehicles then. All I had to do was worry about finding my ice skates. If I didn't have my skates, my lunchbox doubled as a sled. Mom loved that.
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