Stuck in deep snow... recipe?

Wondered that too. My guess is size reference.


Best way to get out is to never go in it you crazy fools. That picture makes me want to put on a jacket. It was 30* here last week, and I didn't leave the house for fear of death.

I suggest getting exhaust flames, then backing your way out.

 

Yes , I know all about using 4LO to decend snow covered slopes

 

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I "bottomed out" in the snow in Quebec in a Subaru wagon once ... and it was in the corner of the company parking lot too ... how embarrassing ....

Was a newbie to "deep snow driving" ... ... got a "pull out" and never did that again ...
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Kind of had the same problem you just did.

It snowed about 8 inches last night and I decided to "road test" the 4WD system on a snow covered trail in NW NJ. My 16 year old son was with me.

No problems driving up to the lake and 99% of the way back. However,
we got stuck about 50 ft or so from the transition to dry (and plowed) pavement.

It wasn't really all that dramatic, I just lost all traction in 4HI and started sliding sideways off the trail. Immediately stopped before making the situation worse and got out to assess the situation.

Shifted into 4LO .. tires spinning. Tried locking the rear diff
... still spinning. Tried ATRAC .. hideous noises .. tires spinning.

No shovel..no chains. Finally got out by hand digging snow out from the front of the rear wheels and using a bath towel (yeah a bath towel) for traction.

Here's what I learned (we were only stuck for about 20 min):

(1) The stock tires on my TRD OR ride nice on pavement but the treads quickly load up with packed snow and provide poor traction when that happens.

(2) I understand how Atrac is supposed to work but all it seemed to do is make tons of noise and heat up the brakes.

(3) I am old enough (and this isn't my first 4WD rodeo) to know that I should have chains and a shovel with me. Took care of that 30min after getting home. Never again.

Here's what my 16 year old son learned

(1) Probably a good idea to be prepared for the unexpected.

(2) When a problem like this happens (and if there's no medical emergency)
don't get excited and just take a few minutes to think your way out of trouble.

 

To melt the snow hahah

 

Its not my shovel. That's from google and most likely from a backpacking forum. So my guess is size reference as stated. I have a similar shove but it doesnt pack that small.

Lol! That would be quite the wait.

 

I have been a Jeeper for many years and ran snow a lot!
Sorry, I hate digging out the shovel....I carry one, but don't use it much.
In your case, you screwed up at the beginning. You should always AIR DOWN BEFORE snow wheeling. Then easy on the skinny pedal.
Low gears and lockers are best for snow.
I love the winch. I have been offroading/jeeping for 30 years and I have never had a winch "jam".. I have seen guys burn up winches, snap cables, and fry battery cables, but with tlc and proper maintenance! A winch is cheap insurance..
Also, good tires!


Good Luck

D

 

A lot of areas I go a winch would prove useless. Id have to buy or make one of those rather pricey pull-pal winch anchors.

 

ATRAC as I understand it is pretty great, but can't help you if NONE of your tires have traction because you high-centred in snow. Its like saying the AC in the truck sucks when you're riding around with the windows open. Traction ramps are a quick and easy way to give your tires something to bite into but they're pretty expensive.

 

Sorry, totally disagree. A lot of Eastern Washington/ Oregon/ Cali and Idaho is just like the pic you are posting.
I see many places in your pic to attach a winch. A lot of times it doesn't take much to pull yourself out.

 

Ramps would be very handy at times!

 

I am guessing you are talking about my signature. I wouldn't winch off a tree that's been burnt crisp from a fire . Also, those areas are generally closed off for snow mobiles in the winter. Ill get stuck come spring trying to get to the rivers in the lower/prairie land of wyoming. Unless you think some sagebrush is going to help pull me out. Not saying a winch isn't useful. I want one and will get one some day but the majority of the times I get stuck, I am out of range of a reasonable anchor to winch from.

 

A winch is a great tool for snow recovery. After that these are my favorite to things to aid in getting out of snow.

Maxtrax


Chains


Not everyone has the money to buy a winch, or chains or maxtrax. But everyone can take a shovel. A shovel can almost always get you out even it it takes a while.

 

^The maxtraxs have been a huge help for me. Mine are starting to show a lot of wear and tear though. Nubs broke, the bottom spikes for gripping are smashed, and some areas have just wore from tire spin (I try to limit it, but it happens.)

 

I need to get a set of maxtrax one of these days. But as stated above, bring a shovel and don't make the situation worse. I haven't been stuck too many times in snow but a shovel will almost always get you out.

 

Wheelspin is what will destroy the traction boards. As you say, sometimes it's hard to not have a little wheelspin but avoid it if at all possible. Wheelspin is not needed for the traction boards to work.

 

Generally its when I take them out for other vehicles. I forget to tell them not to spin the tires and never fails that they try and gun it.

 

According to the manual on my '15 TRD, the A-Trac only works in 4LO. Can you verify that it also works in 4H? I am going to be on some unplowed back roads next week in Colorado, and am researching the best modes for 4WD. I know that using the rear locker is a dangerous in snow, unless you get stuck.

 

Air pressure.
I'll drop to 5 psi with open diffs and drive right on by you all locked up with chains.

I don't know why people are so scared to air down.

 

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I used to "bottom out" in the my Subaru wagon in Canada ... a hand hoe and a concrete rake worked really well ... had no winch.