Tacoma Traction Issues Thread

No issues here. I run with studded winter tires and 4x4 when the going gets rough. I also go slow in poor conditions. The traction control really helps when the roads get greasy. I blame a lot of it on speed and improper tires for the conditions

 

Been driving in the snow since I was 15.... Experience goes a long way. No issues here

 

Had mine out last night in the snow. At times the ass end would break loose but that is expected on ice and snow with a heavy pedal. I thought it was better than any other p/u I have had.

Good tires and throttle control can get u thru the worst.

 

My truck, while not having the plastic bed probably has less weight on the rear wheels than the 2nd gens and I don't have much problem. I have to blame the drivers as well, these are pickup trucks with naturally light rears, they will handle differently than an SUV because of the weight distribution.

 

Pick-up trucks are generally light in the back end. On my old truck I used to fill the bed up with snow for added traction. I have a canopy on the Tacoma which helps alot. When things get really slick I throw in a couple of sandbags. Use the 4WD...that's what you got it for. Be careful out there!!!

 

Put 4 or 5 bags of sand/rocks what ever you want in the bed and you will have less of a problem. All pickup trucks are lighter in the back end than a regular vehicle. The composite bed has nothing to do with it. I drove for years in the snow/ice and never had an issue with any vehicle breaking loose (only happened when I wanted it to).

A light foot on take off will help as well.

 

The backend is light, but like SS said, I blame it on the drivers. Mine only breaks free when I tell it to.

 

I noticed in 4x2 the tail likes to give out. In 4x4 I have no problems. I put 3, 70lb tube sand bags in the back and that keeps it pretty straight in 4x2. I haven't really had to use the 4x4 since adding the weight, unless I need to get going from a stop in some snowy/icy conditions.

 

Only breaks loose when my tires are getting thin.....

It's a TRUCK with a light rear-end.

All 2WD (rear wheel drive) vehicles break loose in wet/snow - especially if you get on the gas too hard for conditions.

You can do one or a combination of the following:
Get used to the trucks personality - don't use the gas so hard
Air down your tires a few lbs
Put weight in the bed
Get new or better tires

 

I recently wrecked mine. The thread is located on this forum.

I should have been in 4WD when it happened. I only had vic. 300 lb in the back and my air pressure was too high for conditions.

I drove a 2x4 Ford Ranger up in OH for years with no problems during the winter. This was the first time I had my Tacoma in snow, having lived in AZ and TN for the balance of my time owning it.


Call me crazy, and it might be lack of experience with the Tacoma in snow, but that accident would not have happened had I been driving the old Ranger. The Ranger had very thin (225) tires, which may have been a factor.

 

I was driving in 10+ inches of snow yesterday and today. Used 4 wheel Hi- NO PROBLEMS. Don't know what the problem is with the stock tires. Was at my friends farm last weekend. 3 inches of snow than rain that 14 degrees. Turned the snow into a slosh- icy mess. Had to go up an old logging trail in that slop. AGAIN- NO PROBLEMS. No complaints about the truck or tires in any condidion I encountered so far.

 

Every time it snows I do the Balsa wood mod on my foot.

I switch out my lead foot for one of...you guessed it. Balsa wood.

Never had an issue since.

 

I think most are not using 4x4 when necessary... How a 4x4 truck handles snow and ice in 2wd is irrelevant...

Why is everyone so scared to put their truck in 4x4 when there is snow or ice on the road... What did you buy it for?

In 4 Hi, you have to make a bunch of tight turns on absoluteley dry pavement to cause any issues...

I live here at 9500 feet in the CO mountains and I use 4 Hi all the time... If it's snowing or slick, I use 4 Hi... No issues... These trucks handle snow and ice really well in my opinion...

PS - I usually keep ~ 200 lbs of tube sand in my bed when I know it is going to snow...

 

Honestly?

Most of the comments here have been.... "Oh, I drove through 6"+ without any problems"

I'd hate to say this, but.... Driving through the thick unplowed snow is the easy part.

The worst and most challenging part, is driving on Ice AND hard packed snow on the roadways. Knowing how SLOW you need to ge prior to approaching a turn so the wheels will actually make the turn and not go straight. Knowing how to utilize engine braking so you don't have to use the brakes unless you absolutely have to. Knowing how much room to leave behind the person in front of you and resisting the urge to go any faster. Knowing how fast NOT to go to prevent skidding, fish tailing, etc. Once you fishtail, knowing how to handle it safely without freaking out.

Most of everything mentioned above - has a lot to do with YOU as the driver - not the truck.

So, go ahead and complain about the Tacoma's in the snow if you must. Gimme the keys and I'll show you how to drive it.

 

I agree... When it snows, I travel 20 miles each way to work on State Hwy throught the mountains that is packed snow an ice... Everything you mentioned + 4 Hi + some weight in the bed = No issues in the snow...

 

Its all in the tires when it comes to winter driving. If your running the factory tires compared to a set of snow tires, you will see a big difference in traction.

And for the couple of dollars, pick up 5-6 sandbags for back there and run a few psi lower in the rear tires.

 

My Taco could have better traction in the rain, but I'm still happy with it.

 

Actually, it's all in the driver. People drive everyday in the snow on all season tires without issue. You just need to know what you are doing and don't get cocky or impatient.