Can't stop in snow

Bridgestone dmv1 winter tires + weight in back makes a massive difference on ice with my 2010 crew cab trd sport, abs seldom goes off now. Great truck in all winter conditions. Before I couldn't get up my driveway without being in 4x4.

 

I was in Lancaster County, PA over the Xmas holiday, I had no problem braking on ice/hard-packed snow on a slight downhill. Actually pretty hard braking, caught a light just at the wrong time where I didn't want to accelerate through it.

I was doing about 25-30 mph at the time, no problem at all, no sliding, no lockup, nothing. With the stock Dunlops. If you're in Central PA you know that was a bad storm, so why you're having problems in 3" - 4" of slush/snow I don't know.

 

Gotta agree with you. I'm on 35" MTR Kevlars and 2wd(so I can't engine brake safely), and I rarely feel abs kick in. I drive slow and careful and it does ok. And these tires are like hockey pucks on ice.

 

Minor point: The truck in your post is a TRD Sport, not a TRD OR so your tires are significantly less aggressive, the suspension is set up different, and you don't have all the traction control options available on a TRD OR. TRD sport has sport tires and is suspension tuned for the road. TRD OR doesn't have color matched mirrors, a hood scoop, color matched rear bumper, or 18" alloys. Throw some better tires on her and you'll have better luck in the snow.

 

Maybe the automatic trans has something to do with it, it keeps on pushing the back wheels even if ABS is trying to engage???

With the manual trans when braking on ice/snow I slam the clutch in fast and go to neutral. If I'm driving an auto trans I do the same, pop it into neutral fast when I go into a hard stop on ice/snow.

 

I noticed this yesterday when I took mine to play in the snow. Testing the brakes it took longer than I expected for it to stop due to the slipping of the abs. or maybe it was the tires(ill hope)

Here's a kinda on/off topic question. Ive noticed this twice since washing it. afterwards there is alot of slipping in the brakes. Im hoping this is just because im getting the disc and pads wet with the hose and wont be a problem in wet weather driving??

 

Sounds like it's in the linkage...

 

Okay, exactly how does one just turn off the ABS system? Would be nice to know in case ever needed.

Personally, I usually just slow down and brake gently on snow or similar. Not hard to do since that's what I did for many years before ABS.

 

It would be nice to ease into the brakes without the ABS kicking in

You can't turn off ABS without adding a bypass switch set up

 

I haven't felt the ABS kicking in while braking gently. Of course, I've only had one afternoon early last year (on a trip to Kentucky - only time driven it snow) to really test it. On the few occasions when the brakes locked up (not sure that was ABS or just slippery road), I simply let off and reapplied again. I got through it all just fine.

 

Troll Much?

 

My friend has Rugged Trails on his TRD, and after driving each other's trucks, I think the Dunlops on my SR5 are even better. Unbelievably low traction with the RT's!

I'd bet thats the problem you're having.

 

That's exactly my issue with it , you can't use the old method of braking with it , easing into it doesn't mean it won't engage

My first instinct when I feel a lock up is to let off the brake and ease back onto it , like in non ABS vehicles

 

I would say that's where your problem lies. I'd switch to a michelin ltx m/s2 (I have experience with them, very good all around pavement only tire that's very good on wet pavement and seems to handle light slush/snow well) or the Goodyear Duratrac if you want something serious.

 

Late breaking news:

Snow and Ice are slippery.

 

I have a steep, icy, gravel driveway, leading down to a steep, icy, gravel lane. I just go down in 1st gear, four wheel drive and ignore the brake...haven't slid yet. Studded snows and no weight. '11 access cab, 6 speed.

 

My '09 DC had the Rugged Trails, and they were horrible in every condition but dry pavement. My '12 DC came with the smaller Dunlops, and they were only slightly better. I just put on for snows (265/75 Winterforce) and in 2WD it is so much better than it was in 4WD with the OEM tires. In 4WD it is amazing. It was $500 that won't go towards other mods, but they will last years if I only use them in the winter.

 

The ABS only works if there is a difference in wheel speed it has been on German cars since the early 80's and air craft since the 40’s if you find the ABS too sensitive it's time to reevaluate, you’re driving habits, conditions, tires, and speed. A wheel that is sliding has no traction. ABS is designed more for steering control then getting you stopped sooner. I agree the stock tires are worthless in slick weather that's why I use snow tires in the winter real snow tires.

 

I didn't even try the Dunlops in snow. That seemed suicidal! I too put on Winterforce and would not run in snow without a snow tire on any of my rigs...All season tires are summer tires. I also put 2 or 3 logs in the back, not so much for traction, but for breaking. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but like my 95 yota p/u, I think these trucks have a valve in the rear that gives you increased rear braking power as you carry more weight. Thats why I only changed the rear brakes in my old truck once in 18 years(@17.5). The shoes still had a ton of meat on them, but the drums rusted out. I also plow with my Tacoma (just my driveway) and the tires are a must. I picked up a second set of stock wheels and switch them out myself. My lug nuts came from the factory at all different torques, if you haven't ever checked them you might consider this. some were so tight I had to get the breaker bar and pipe to free them up. some were wicked loose. The winterforce are not expensive, have soft rubber and seem to last me numerous winters. Gotta getem off early and put em on only after it gets cold and stays cold. Tires are the only thing between you and the unknown... Cheap life insurance.

 

Like, ^ this, Do it at your own "risk" and use it only when necessary.