Tacoma in Snow

That's totally untrue

 

2007 4WD access cab, 4 cylinder. Our truck still has the Dunlop Grandtreks that were on it when we got it. Through two Colorado winters so far, and no real complaints. The truck could use better tires, but with judicious driving, there's not been a problem.

Drive carefully when it's nasty out (and even when it's not) and the choice of equipment becomes less important.

BTW, I grew up in Leadville, CO (10,000 feet above sea level) and learned to drive in the snowy climate there.

 

That is incorrect.

 

Here ya go. I was exploring a forests ervice road, basically wondering if it was open enough to take my KTM on - they answer a couple months back was...umm...no...LOL

Lots fo snow and ice, though. Tacoma was totally stock down to the tires. It's excellent in the snow! The ABS kicks in when needed, but when it activated while I was on ice, I moved to the deeper snow and it stopped bother me. I could still activate it, mind you, just that the snow provided more traction, so less need for ABS.

I did catch air once, unintentially. Snow was frozen solid and silly me, I didn't realize and thought it would just give way...nope...launch pad...

That said, MIND YOUR DRIVING. None of these traction aids is a substitute for making safe choices when driving.

http://youtu.be/_qJxlpPcfv0

 

I had 2003 reg cab 4x4 and never had a problem in any type of snow storm. I drove it far in the worst weather when I had to commute 55 miles each way to work. Issues cropped up in 2009 when the frame rotted. I had it in for an oil change and Toyota wouldn't let me drive it home because the frame was gone. The body had no rust at all. They gave me a rental and 2 months later I got my truck back with a new frame compliments of Toyota. The total bill to Toyota was $13,434.00 plus the rental. The truck was only worth about 10k. I now have a 2013 4x4 reg cab and no longer commute. Hopefully the frame will last longer.

 

Have snow tires> you're fucking golden as long as you don't totally suck.

 

It's true with my truck, gentle braking the ABS doesn't kick in. Your truck and others might be different. Of course I pop the clutch in on snow and ice as soon as I hit the brakes. A truck with an auto trans maybe there's some difference. The motor/trans keeps pushing the truck forward so that has a negative impact on braking? When I drive an auto trans I pop it into neutral as fast as I can when trying to brake on snow/ice, because the vehicle keeps trying to push forward when I'm trying to slow down.

 

The only time I've ever had ABS kick on while on snow is at very low speed , with light braking pressure

 

That's pretty weird, I wonder again if it has anything to do with the auto trans, the way the system interacts. Every autotrans I've driven just keeps pushing and pushing even when I want the vehicle to stop.

 

I drive a 6 speed like you and have had issues with the ABS hypersensitivity. I am a very conservative driver. The problem always occurs at very slow speeds and on slippery winter surfaces.

 

Our trucks are great in the snow. The stock dunlops were ok for onewinter but I replaced mine after 16,000 with some beefy AT tires. I agree with Oz T on keeping tires near stock size and driving cautiously.

 

Just curious, do you push the clutch in at the same time you hit the brake pedal? I'm asking because I haven't had any problem with hypersensitivity, the ABS on my truck rarely engages at all, I have to really stomp on the pedal to engage it. But I have noticed the ABS is quicker to engage if I'm in gear while braking.

 

I never brake without pushing in the clutch

 

My ABS kicked in once since I've owned the truck. It was on a sheet of ice and did what they were suppose to do. Stopped me from sliding into an intersection. I too have a 6 speed and never had any issue with stopping when needed.

 

ABS increases stopping distances especially on snow and ice , it's not designed to stop you in shorter distance

 

I was already close to being stopped, the sheet of ice was about 5 feet from the stopsign. So maybe going less than 5 mph.

 

I drive mine in Calgary year round, it snows in bloody August here for fun, and I only use Nokiian Rotiivas. They are amazing snow and ice!

The stock tires are a crap IMO

 

I didn't have any issues with my Bridgestone H/Ts in the snow...but snow is not much of an issue here in Hawaii

 

Its the stock tires that cause the premature ABS engagement in this truck. The tires are designed to be offroad tires while also being highway street tires that get good MPG, with wet and snow roadgrip as the tradeoff. The treads fill up with snow which does not come out and turn the tires into skis. Ditch them immediately as soon as you buy (unless you have a TX pro or baja) and there won't be any problems in the snow with reasonable driving.

 

Mine aren't stock tires