Disappointing in snow

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

My '03 doesn't stack up against my '01 when driving in snow. That is apparent now that it's a winter wonderland.



This truck when you start out on a snowy road and it spins a little there is major axle hop. If I start more gently and it spins it doesn't axle hop but the drivetrain snaps pretty hard (engine takes up slack in one direction then when tires slip they take up the slack in the other direction). Result is a very rapid clank-clank-clank-clank-clank.



Another thing I don't like is this truck is more nose heavy than my shortbed quadcab '01. I have weighed both rigs and the weight over the rears is the same but the nose weighs almost 300 lbs more, which doesn't help. When decelerating on a slight grade the tires slide, something the '01 didn't do.



Guess I'll have to add weight to the bed, the other truck got around fine without added weight.



In all fairness we never got more than maybe 1-2" snow max the whole time I had the '01 but we have 5" now. But it still shouldn't be a "hop-a-thon" pulling away from an intersection all the time.



Vaughn

 

[RankRam]

Are you pleased with the anti spin diff?

 

[DPelletier]

Vaughn,

I've never had axle hop although a few people have complained about it (lots of snow here!). The likely reason is mine is a LB dually. Do you know if your springs and mine are the same?



Dave

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Rankram, in most other situations yes, and it's kind-of a must for me since I don't have 4x4.



Pelletier do you have axle hop in 4x2 or do you always run in 4x4 in the snow?



Vaughn

 

[Grayhackle]

We have had 31-36 inches of snow since Christmas Day. Our small town is having lots of trouble keeping up with all this snow.

That being said, I haven't had to use 4 wheels yet. No wheel hop, no noticeable slipping, moving along just great. ABS braking system wotking fine also. I love the LSD, the best I have ever driven.

 

[Bertram65]

Got 31" of snow at my house several weeks ago, the truck was dismal in 2WD, although I did not have any wheel hop when spinning. My street is uphill from my driveway so for fun I tried it in 2WD to see what is would be like, I could barely make it up the slight grade, this was in packed powder with no sand or salt on the street. Put it in 4WD and the truck was awsome, very good stopping as well, the ABS did not come on once. I had a '97 GMC 4X4 before this truck and the difference in the snow is huge, must be the extra 2000 lbs this truck weighs. In 2WD with the limited slip the rear is pretty hard to keep straight in the snow. When I went to the CAT scales the truck weighed 4300 on the front axle and 2900 on the rear, I was surpised the rear was so heavy.

 

[XcumminsX]

with my 315s i had no traction. . i kicked it in 4wd and was very good.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Weight from same scale



2004 LWB---------2002 SWB

4,360---------------4,460 Front Axle

2,840---------------2,745 Rear Axle

7,200---------------7,205 Total



Both are 4x4 2500's

 

[johncameron]

My 2wd needs around 600lbs+ to be useful at all in the snow. In the last 3 weeks we've gotten 6-feet of snow!!!!!!! One dumping, the snow was coming over my headlights. With the added weight and the limited slip diff you've got to drive on the edge to make it around. MPG doesn't change much so, load her up - rides better too. By the way, I've got 235/85/16 blizzac snow tires. They are lightyears ahead of the 4-season 265's that came on the truck. Skinnier IS alot better in snow. Oo.

 

[Grayhackle]

See previous post

This is my third attempt to post a pic of truck with snow!

BFG tires might be the difference? I had already brushed the snow from the hood before I remembered to get a pic.

 

[RankRam]

Nice pic Grayhackle, I have been through Tooele a few times. I grew up in Eureka and we used to get alot of snow as well.

 

[DPelletier]

Vaughn,

I run in 2x4 most of the time in the snow, then switch to 4x4 if it gets more than a couple of inches. I'll try it in deeper snow in 2wd to see if mine gets axle hop.



Dave

 

[David Muench]

My truck has been a blast in the snow so far. No axle hop in 4wd or 2wd. No weight in the bed. I've driven faster than I probably should of (65 or so) on roads with a few inches of unplowed snow, and it felt like it was on rails in 4wd.



No axle hopping in 2wd either doing donuts in the parking lot. The 315's are great in the snow, I think BFG AT's are probably the best snow tire you can buy. They were great on my old Jeep TJ too, despite being 12. 5" wide on a pretty light Jeep.



I don't have limited slip... I wish I did.

 

[dieselpilot1969]

that's it i'm moving to utahOo.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

If I get it spinning fast it doesn't hop. Gentle takeoffs trying to minimize spinning is when it happens. I'll try it in deeper snow tonight. It didn't do anything when I was pulling a small flatbed through about 4" of snow and backing it up but I didn't spin then.



Vaughn

 

[Pirate4x4]

In 2wd my truck is useless in the snow (got about 8" since Xmas) but it most definitely does not hop. In 4wd it is awesome, even with 80psi in the tires.

 

[Casey Balvert]

My 97 2WD sucked in the snow. This one I just park in the barn in the winter. Don't even want to try.



Waiting for spring, warm sunny beaches and bikinis.



Casey

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Well I drove around quite a bit tonight and when it starts to hop a bit more throttle makes it go away. Maybe it just takes some getting used to.



Vaughn

 

[AKsmoker]

My 99 2500 was ok in the snow but nothing to brag about. We have had about three feet since December and Ive had a chance to test my 03 3500. First dually, and as long as I'm in 4x4 its better than I had hoped. Two wheel I'm all over the place. The GSA tire isn't that bad for a winter tire. Anybody find chains for the 235/80/17?

 

[Phrogger57]

tire chains

I got my tire chains at NAPA- SCC (security chain) # QG 2828 ( with the ice bars) or QG 2228 (standard chains). Haven't had to use them yet, but when you need them, it's too late ( or too expensive). -Eric