Off Roading Driving in the snow

[champsboss]

I took my 2007. 5 Quad cab up to the family cabin last weekend and got my first taste of driving it in the snow. It did well under normal conditions.



I took it on a less plowed road to get a feel for what it felt like under harsher conditions. (I don't have much experience with snow driving or 4WD. )



Two things felt odd.



First, doing tight manuvers (like a 3 point U-turn) caused a lot of noise coming from underneath the truck. Is this normal transaxle noise?



Second, when I would slam on the brakes at about 25 MPH the pedal would shake and shudder. Is this the ABS?



Thanks for any help.

 

[RRees]

The shake and shudder is the ABS. Weird feeling. My old truck didn't have ABS at all 4 corners. But it appears to help quite a bit.



When in 4 wheel drive and doing a turn you will encounter some "binding" depending upon the terrain. Basically in 4 wheel drive the rear tires want to go straight and the front tires in the direction you are turning, there will be some slippage when doing this. And that is what you are hopefully experiencing.



? How much snow did you drive through?

 

[HPetrat]

Champsboss,



The noise from under the truck during the tight maneuvers is normal as it usually comes from loading the axle U-joints as you turn the steering wheel to or near full lock.

To reduce the heavy loading of the shafts and U-joints, extreme steering maneuvers should be kept to a minimum, but the reality is that they are not totally unavoidable.

The trucks are designed to withstand these maneuvers but will make some noise and they may (depending on how you truck is outfitted/equipped) cause some hopping from the front end.



Most importantly: do not run in 4X4 (especially low range) on dry ashphalt and attempt hard steering maneuvers, on loose or slippery surfaces only.



You are correct with the second item regarding your ABS and braking.



HP

 

[fox]

All good advice. Your truck has PART time 4x4. Don't confuse it with Full time.

ABS is standard equipent.

It helps you to NOT stop quickly!!!!

 

[champsboss]

Thanks. I figured as much, but am a little nervous considering the amount of $$ invested in this truck.



When I was getting a feel for hard braking and such, I was on about a foot of fresh snow.



I spent the whole weekend shoveling, we got about 3 feet) so I was really happy when I was able to scramble over the snow plow burm instead of having to dig out of my parking area.

 

[Grizzly]

When in 4WD I avoid any turns if possible. I normally stop, put in 2WD , make my turn if I can and then back to 4WD.