How does your Truck Handle the Snow?

[rjohnson916]

Got a chance last night to test my truck out in the snow. Mixed reviews I have 285 / 70/ 17 BFGoodrich A/T KO's mounted on my truck currently. These tires are about 40% better all around than the crap 265 Rugged Trail tire the truck came with from the factory. Anyway, as soon as I got in the slushy stuff, I was amazed at how far I was able to keep moving in just 2wd. I could tell that even in just 2wd a 4% grade is easily tangible, unless you halt the truck.



I pulled over for a second to a turnout, and tried to start the truck from a dead stop. Instantly denied via the "Anti-Spin" it was like the other side didn't even think about trying. Any amount of throttle, light or aggressive, would result in the right side wheel spinning like an "open-diff". I reached for 4-High, pulled right out no problem. As soon as I got back on the icy and lightly snow covered roadway, I switched back to 2wd. I noticed obviously it was really easy to fish-tail at will, although I was provoking the truck to do so. At any rate, driving responsibly the All terrains, appeared to be providing plenty of grip.



As I got closer to the summit, I selected 4-High, as I was losing ground. 4X4 fixed that issue, and it felt like I was moving along on pavement in the rain, as opposed to snow. I then found a road that had not been plowed yet. It was kind of steep and went back into the forest. I thought I would try it out in 2wd. Got a run at it and made it up about 1/4 mile before the truck would just not go. Selected 4-High, and no problem. Although as the road ended in a bowl-like snow-packed cul-de-sac, I stopped to turn my truck around, and almost got stock in 4" of snow in 4x4. This seemed to be my only weakness with the truck, is starting out in 4"+ of snowpack, I literally had to wait for the turbo to build up and the wheels started spinning, but I wasn't going anywhere, then they bit and I got out. I hate to say this, but I've been in deeper snow, in my old Honda front-wheel drive, and got out easier. All and all it was a blast, for a big truck it did really well, I'm just looking for other options on getting traction from here. Better LSD and perhaps rubber might me the answer, but like I said, for what the BFG's have to fight a B. S. LSD they do alright.



-Ryan

 

[BHolm]

IMO, you have the right tires. I have used them extensively in LOTS of snow. The biggest problem seems to be the torque convertor, pretty annoying to have it flash so high before getting movement. Honestly though, by the sounds of it the next step for you is chains. If you want to travel back country stuff in the winter there are very few options. Chains and lockers with a ton of clearance works for a while but deep unplowed snow, on hills especially, is going to be tough in a 7500lb truck no matter what you do.

 

[MYeary]

Might want to try some weight distribution, even the big rigs wont go without some weight on there back

 

[MJawsman]

I pulled over for a second to a turnout, and tried to start the truck from a dead stop. Instantly denied via the "Anti-Spin" it was like the other side didn't even think about trying. Any amount of throttle, light or aggressive, would result in the right side wheel spinning like an "open-diff".

I have the LSD in my truck too, and what I have found is that unlike a clutch-type unit that is always engaged, this gear drive unit takes a little use of the brake to get it working. I was on an icy patch the other day and had the "one wheel wonder" going. I thought I might try something different (as there is no clutch to automatically engage) so I applied the brake, hit the gas, and walked away.



I know many people on this forum seem to hate this differential. But in my most humble opinion, it's not a bad diff. It's just different from anything we have ever had before-unless you have used a Gleason unit which operates in a similar manner.



My suggestion is rather than complain that this diff sucks (not that any of us complain ) we should try and maximize the proper way in which to use it.



Just my $. 02 and most humble opinion.

 

[Graphite 6]

Last year had the stock Michelin265's, but it was a mild winter, they did fine. This year we already have 8-10" of snow, compact ice. etc. Michelins didn't do so good.

Truck always handled well, as mentioned before weight distrubition is important in a pickup. Just put on Toyo 285 AT's siped this time. Same conditions, no slippin' sliding, or anything else. Only one day's testing, but I'm impressed. With the weight of the Cummins up front and weight in back, I'm very pleased overall with truck and tires, brakes too.

Look like I took up $. 04 worth of opinion

 

[MEREDOG]

My 01 single axle goes about anywhere in two wheel drive but the 03 dually has to be in 4 wheel to go anywhere

 

[nickleinonen]

goes in snow no problem at speeds that are way unsafe for the conditions. stopping is ok but them 315 bfg's make for pretty good ski's. . i think i will keep them under for this winter, but pretty sure next winter some 295's toyo m/t's are going to become my winters

 

[CLAYTON]

My BFG 315's have taken my through some deep snow. I haven't gotten stuck yet (knock on wood). I've had the snow up to about mid bumper with snow coming up over the hood and having the windshield wipers on full blast just to see This is my second set of BFG for winter time. I would buy them again

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Personally, I think phat tires are not a plus during most winter driving conditions. I prefer a narrower 235 or 245 tire.



IMHO and etc.

 

[MJawsman]

I've been an avid off-roader for years and was raised in the U. P. of Michigan, so I am no stranger to snow. It comes in inches or feet, it can be compact and dry or slushy and wet. In one type of snow, an all terrain (BFG KO or Michelin LTX) will work wonderfully. In other types an open tread (BFG Mud, Toyo MT, Swamper etc. ) will be the cats pajamas! One of the 4 wheel drive mags did a snow tire test last year, and I think the two top tires were the Baja Claw and the Goodyear MT-R. But the test was done in bumper deep wet snow-perfect for that type of tread design. To say what is the best is just not practical as there are too many types of snow. Maybe a set of bulldozer tracks is what we all need!

 

[Cattletrkr]

Although they may not look like much for snow, Mich XDE/MS are awesome. Can't figure out why they work so good, they ain't that aggressive, they suck in mud. But on snow and ice they rock. Problem... 19. 5" or larger :-laf :-laf

 

[jwduke]

I get around really good in the snow (11. 5" in the last week!), but as others have said, some sand bags in the back would really help.

 

[Diesel Dan]

Hello guys,

This is my first time in snow in quite a while and i can conclude that my toyo MT's are really sweet. I went out to do some errands this eveningand @ 14 degrees, these toyo's are great. no problem with 60 mph in snow/ice covered streets. great grip. keep in mind that my toyo's are at 50% gone. I can only imagine what they would be like @ 100 %. I went ahead and had them sipped before the snow and ice came but i wanted the max traction i could get. My lsd works fine and when i shift into 4WD all is sweet.



Best regards



DD

 

[CLAYTON]

For those that use sand bags how much weight are you putting in the back of your truck and do you put the weight right over the axel?

 

[AGrubbs]

Rabbit hoppin..

Quote. .



I stopped to turn my truck around, and almost got stock in 4" of snow in 4x4. This seemed to be my only weakness with the truck, is starting out in 4"+ of snowpack, I literally had to wait for the turbo to build up and the wheels started spinning, but I wasn't going anywhere, then they bit and I got out. I hate to say this, but I've been in deeper snow, in my old Honda front-wheel drive, and got out easier.



UnQuote. .



I think you might have mistaken what was going on there. . If you were in 4x4 and turning tight, you will put the driveline under lots of tension if no wheels are slipping. This takes a lot more torque to move under those conditons, and, if you have good traction, will make the truck feel like it is 'bunny hoppin' as one of the wheels finaly breaks traction and slips a bit.

This will repeat again and again in a sharp turn in 4x4.



In only 4 inches of snow, you probably shouldn't even need it in 4x4 on level ground. . unless you are running with summer tires. .





AG

 

[doppx006]

lol you guys are gonna laugh... WIth my truck I have the factory michelins and I am 2wd but I put 20 of those 70 lb sand bags over the axle so about 1400lbs That works great!!!!!!!! Truck sits level. Now on ice of course nothing does good but on snow I can go like a bad out of hell!!! I go to school in DUluth Mn and if yuo guys have never been there it is like San francisco but with snow, I have never not been able to make it up the hills in the morning although I have been worried a few times. Well that is what ya gotta do when ya have 2wd in Northern Minnesota.

 

[MacHaggis]

There's something to be said for weight in the rear. I'll cite two extreme experiences.



I travel frequently from the Cleveland area to the Hudson Valley, which takes me around the eastern end of Erie and the western end of NY 17. Two things over the several years doing this have caused me to turn back or park it.



17, running east/west can be bad for drifting, especiall but not always on the lee side, and on one trip the Ram (open rear) couldn't stay down (even in the ruts) in the 6-8" of mealy stuff that had built up pretty quickly (the plows were everywhere -- it was just a snortripper and COLD, and the plows and salt just weren't gonna keep up with it). No gear at any speed in 4H would keep the rear from breaking loose on moderate grades, uphill or down. I got off at the next exit and got behind a plow going my way and went back home.



Another incident on I-90 below Erie, PA, with black ice turned me back. I saw brake lights at the top of a rise ahead, so I backed down. At the top of the rise, things went to pot very quickly. Mist on the windshield but no more spray from the tires of passing vehicles. Once at the top of the rise, the view below was chaos. Five vehicles off in the middle, one upside down. Three off on the right, one up on it's side in the ditch. Pedestrians all over the place, including the travel lanes, so as to be able to step back and fully appreciate the full view of the chaos. :--)

Not a good time for applying brakes. I let the Cummins back down to to just above lugging range and did a REAL careful downshift (add fuel to make turns match velocity). I got away with that, but the downgrade took hold. The back end started to drift, but the Cummins weighed enough on the front end to enable me to steer, so I was able to steer back in front of myself and keep my bumpers moving in their proper order. Went through three cycles of that in the quarter-mile I had to work with, but had to steer MUCH closer to the pedestrians and their vehicles than was comfortable. The road turned wet again just past that and I got off.



My conclusion from both experiences, both in 4H, is that the weight of the Cummins on the front enabled me to keep control and that additional weight in the rear could only have helped get me home or off the road safely. But how much??? I'll never challenge ice. I'll get off as quickly as I can. I've since added a B&W turnover to the Ram, though, and will be interested to see if its weight is enough to make a difference in the deep snow.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

If you guys are putting weight in the back of your trucks PLEASE do something to make sure they don't become missiles in a wreck. One of our older members (willyslover) had sand bags in the back of his truck and had a wreck and they came crashing through the back of his cab and hit him - did significant bodily damage. He spent a lot of time in the hospital and in the end I believe it forced his early retirement. Unrestrained objects (especially 50 lb ones) can be deadly in a crash.

 

[doppx006]

SOLD!!!!! Thanks Steve! I remember the safety thing but I forgot about it!! I am definitely going to figure a better system out. One that has always been in my head is get a slab of scrap steel that is flat and weighs about 1500,lbs and put tabs on the bottom so it can be locked into my 5ver hitch brackets, and then just put a hoop so a forklift or crane could lift it out. THanks again!!!

 

[MCrossley]

Actually Steve I saw his truck after the crash, the tree that finally stopped him off the cliff did most if his damage, but you are correct the bags made it into the cab and hit the back of the seats but any higher he would have probably been killed.