Snow Traction Ideas

Bought my first Tacoma in September of this year, and love it so far. I had a 4Runner before as well as a bunch of crappy cars so this tacoma will be my longterm baby. Bought her with 75,000 miles on her and a topper. It also came with some American Racing rims, which I actually like. I added a custom sleeping platform in the back that lets me put skis underneath and sleep on top. Anyways here are a couple pictures. I don't have enough cash for new tires, so I'm wondering about getting my current tires studded. Hopefully then in the spring ill have some tax return monies for new tires. Has anyone gotten there tires studded? Also I was driving in our first real snow storm and slid out going 55, it was a bit scary. So I added a 150pound trailer weight to my bed. Any ideas on where to position it in the bed? Thanks alot, this site is awesome.

 

I use studded tires and normally there is no way to stud tires once they are driven on. You would have to buy new tires that are pinned for studs and have them studded before driving on them.

 

Get chains and put the weight as far back as possible. Also you can use sand and ice melt for weight and if you get stuck.

 

Ive had two friends with Subarus get the tires they had been driving on studded. So I think it's possible, and cheaper than buying new tires.

 

hey man. i live in bozeman too. i have a 2006 silver tacoma that is locked, lifted and armored all the way around and i run copper discoverys M/S with studs in the winter. I commute to big sky 5 days a week in the winter to work and ski and my truck does great. I think the tire has to have the holes for them to be able to be studded. usually costs around 15 bucks per tire. Keep you eye out on craigslist you can probably pick up a set pretty cheep.

 

x2 for the weight over the axle

 

Yup ^^^^^

 

Some tips for you:

1. Weight over the rear axle is helpful. I like sand bags, about 150lbs seems perfect in my extra-cab with cap. Really makes a difference.

2. Check out tire siping. It is cheap and helps somewhat. And does not effect drivability year round.

3. You can get ANY tire studded, even used ones. No problem. But then you have to get unstuded tires (and probably another set of rims too) for the summer season.

4. Chains are a good option. Go for low profile Type S chains made from alloy. You'll be limited to 40mph or lower speeds.

 

Studs help on the ice , not really any in the snow (thats more the tread and compound),....unless the snow has been packed down hard.
Speed of 40 mph on chains , u may have had a typo , the max speed on chains is 20 mph if i recall. Faster and the centrifugal force (spelled right??) and balancing get real rough or break the chains. Also consider a lower tire psi , nothing drastic , perhaps 2-4 lower.

 

Lots of good advice, I appreciate it. My 150 pound trailer weight works well, and I definitely agree that over the axle is best. Chains are an option, but being limited to 40 mph doesn't do much for me. In 4 wheel the truck is a beast, but my concern is 50+ driving. So I was hoping to some studded tires would allow me to go 50+ in 2 wheel. Would be possible(and cheaper) to only buy studded tires for the rear? Its snowing out so I dont want to run out to the truck with a flashlight but my tires have some good treads, maybe a bit less than Geolander AT's(on my old 4runner) so with if I did get those studded would that be a good setup? Thanks for the advice

 

Also I don't agree that studs don't help on snow. Here in Montana a good portion of winter driving is on packed snow(our city has an strange plow ideology). Ive had a subaru with studs and compared to other friends subis without studs the difference is definitely noticeable. I have to admit an AWD Subaru with studs has its advantages, but it doesn't beat a Tacoma

 

Why do you need to drive that fast on snow...that's how accidents happen. Alot of the trucks and suv's around here make that mistake and are usually the ones flipped over on the side of the road.

 

I'm not sure where the land of lava is, but here 50mph is an every day event. I drive 45 miles a 3+ days a week to Big Sky, on the road the speed limit is 65 (HWY 191) with slednecks with F550's going 70 and passing. Being able to go at least 55 mph is a bit safer.

 

And its snowing about half the time

 

hahaha. he is not kidding in the slighest

 

With a rear wheel drive vehicle, you really only need studs in the rear though studs all around might make you feel safer. However, as others mentioned, given the dry snow you have up there, studs won't really help on snowpack much at all. Their benefit is on hardpack and ice. As for driving in 4hi, you should be able to do 50+ ... that is as long as the road is snow packed (i.e. not dry pavement). Then again people doing 50+ on snowpack need to slow the hell down! LOL.

 

I couldn't disagree with you more on only studding the rear wheels... what's more important, acceleration or being able to steer and stop?

 

Oregon requires purchasing 4 studded tires , cant buy just 2 . This is mostly based on the non studded tire on a 2wd sliding. Ususally a front whl drive would buy 2 only to have the rear whip around on them causing an accident , steering loss on a rear wd too.
Check out "severe weather" rated tires....a mountain symbol with a snow flake in it , most states consider them equal to studded(studded tire alternative) , easier on the roads too, i love em , most manufacturers have 2-4 models available.