Tacoma snow performance

Tacoma doesn't seem to be that much fun to drive in the snow. It lost traction a few times. Is that a function of poor tires, or just my inexperience with general pick high center of gravity? My previous GMC 2500 HD in 4x4 could also easily slip in "fun" driving, our Subaru Impreza on the other hand has to be hard pressed to lose traction.

 

What tires do you have?

 

Trucks aren't as good in the icy snow as good AWD SUV's\Cars. Put some weight in the bed. What do you have for tires?

 

I also have Subaru cars including a 2014 outback...they are great in the snow because of the viscous diff,plus the low center of gravity doesn't make it feel unsafe to goose it, so wheel momentum is there too. It's also the reason you see so many tree/pole sized dents in the side of the one in the junk yard...they make you wanna play ralley boy

 

I would hardly call your 100% subjective rating of the truck's "fun" level and its slipage in "fun driving" a measure of performance in any regard.

 

on the hwy in snowy conditions the traction control has been a positive thing to have. but once the snow gets deep it hops and bucks like a drunk monkey, this is with a cap and at least an extra 100lbs of shit in the bed.

 

I run snow tires, sand bags and 4x4 when i am lookin to have some fun. Winter is my favorite time in the Taco


Edit: last winter was the first i ran my AT tires on snow and ice and my ABS gave me some negative feedback for it. I will never run other than proper winter tires again

 

I just spent the last few days driving in the DFW sleet/ice crap. I am riding on the shitty Dunlop all season tires so my expectations were low. I thought the truck did very well. I have always preferred old school 4x4 over the AWD systems in limited traction conditions.

I have had full size 3/4 ton crews in the past and the extra weight helps, plus proper tires. I just bought new wheels and will run more aggressive tires on those.

 

Really?? Just learn how it drive. Try trac off fully. 2 wheel drive on Alberta roads. Still hauls ass and if u have to throw it 4x4 that's what it's there for. Just drive to your capabilities.

 

Albertans

 

Have you ever owned a AWD car? They do get around a little better as long as the snow does not high center it. Just asking because I will jump in one of my subies over my truck in bad weather to get to work, it just feels safer.

 

Actually from Halifax but been here for way to long. 8 months of snow covered roads will either make or break ya when it comes to snow driving. Some Americans don't know what snow is let alone cold, so I can see why someone doesn't like the performance in the snow. But let's be realistic here... It's snow.... It is kinda slippy....

 

Like Albertans and corners or hills , lol

 

Tires make a world of difference, as they do in any vehicle regardless of drive train. When I had my Tacoma, the Sport tires were awful in the snow. Slid all over, pretty much always needed 4wd. When I switched to Duratracs it was like night and day. The truck was incredible in the snow with those tires. Could get around in 2wd just fine a lot of the time negating the need to use 4wd nearly as much.

 

OP, I disagree
My Taco is a blast to drive if I want have fun.
With the light rear end, if I want in 2wd, just goose it a bit and around you can go. I am practicing sliding around corners, rather than turning, too much effort

 

Fair question. I've owned a couple BMW all wheel drives. Most of my bad weather driving experience is from growing up in New England and conditions that favor trucks.

If I had my current commute in a snow belt metro area instead of DFW I'd probably prefer AWD. In an area that rarely gets snow and then can't plow the roads when it does snow, I'll choose a truck. Last Friday after our storm, cars really struggled because the unplowed snow did high center and it was very difficult to steer out of it.

 

if you got Dunlop aka"donflops" the most worthless pos tires,,, get rid of them.. get real tires.

 

X2. I love being able to switch from rear wheel to 4 wheel and back.