How do they handle in icy and snowy weather?

This will be my first winter here in the northwest with a truck. ive always had my honda civic before this and every year get stuck in the snow or ice at some point. I have never had a 4x4, I am curious how they handle in the snow and ice. Tires that came on it seem to be pretty knobby, i have no money to buy rain tires so i will have to leave these on through the winter. In 4x4 mode do these trucks do pretty good in the snow? I would guess i dont need chains. how about ice? sorry i know this is a complete newb question, just wondering what to expect.

 

hhmm.. Idk

 

4x4 won't help you on ice .

 

just got to remeber that your truck bed has no weight unless you put sandbags in it. SO you might squeal out alot if you gun it.

 

A couple sandbags and a shovel are always a good idea . Sandbags over the axle for a bit of weight on the rear tires and in a pinch you can use the sand for some traction if you get stuck on ice .

 

And don't engage 4wd unless it's slippery or you will damage parts.

 

Yes

Good call

 

Mine handles very well, but I learned to drive in New England and upstate New York winters.

Weight in the bed is excellent advice, as is having the right tires (i.e., tires rated for winter driving). In the end, however, the biggest factors in how a vehicle handles in snow & ice is the driver.

 

hit nail on the head back it is all about the driver.

 

4x4 is good, if u want traction from ice/snow get winter tire for better traction on ice get some studs to go along

 

It doesn't take much for 4WD to get going. Negotiating turns and stopping is another issue. Never go cheap on tires or brakes.

 

The difference between a 4 wheel drive and a 2 wheel drive on ice is that with a 4 wheel drive, you have 4 tires spinning versus just 2. Trust me, in GA, all we really get in winter is ice.

 

depending on what part of oregon you are from you could still need chains. for example if you plan to go to mt hood you need chains or tires with the snow flake on the side. Cant remember what those are called right now. Probably something simple like snow tires lol. Anyway it never hurts to have a set i know Les Schwab used to sell them to you and if you didnt use them you could return them at the end of winter. Also i am pretty sure that if you get cought without chains in certain areas its a fine.

 

FYI: I was told by an Engineer buddy that you should put the weight (Salt Bages, Sand, or Kitty Litter) in the very back towards the tailgate, not just over the axle. I guess it has to do with distribution theory, like a see saw, weight over & beyond each axle... I did it in Up-state NY with my 2WD Tundra, worked good!

 

or bags of water softner salt is an option, especially if you have a water softner to throw them in when your done.

They handle well on snow and I run studded tires in the winter, so ice is no issue for me.

 

The quality of the brakes is not really an issue when it comes to ice. The tires are what really matters. Obviously you need good brakes in ANY situation, but if they are in good enough shape for summer, they are good enough for winter. Its where the rubber meets the road that the issues occur.
You are absolutely right about the turns and stops being the big problems.

 

I never add weight as it cuts down on mpg, and where I live the roads are plowed usually the same day it snows. Side streets are another situation and on occassion I have to bump it into 4hi.

 

I don't buy it that adding 200 lbs will noticeably cut into MPG .

My fuel economy was exactly the same before and after adding my 200 lb Leer cap .

 

The downfall of adding weight towards the rear of the bed, beyond the axle, is that the truck will be more likely to spin out and fish tail when turning.

Additional weight x increased moment arm (length of truck body) = increased torque (rotational force).

 

See below.

Driving with passengers adds more weight, and does not noticeably affect fuel economy.