Rugged Trails vs. snow Have you been here?

Had our first good snow last night and my first snow with a DC 4x4 OR Taco w/BFG rugged trails - only 10,000 miles on them. I had an explorer sport trac the last 5 years and it handled much better and much different in the same conditions, so this was a good learning experience for me. Had to drive 2 hours at 35mph on highway - truck did ok. Found out real fast truck in 2wd is horrible in these conditions. By the time I got home, while turning onto my street @

 

never mind - I think it was a little long winded to post the whole thing. In a nutshell - Is it worth it, in your experience, to toss out bfg rugged trails and put better a/t's on the truck? Will it make a very noticeable difference in snow?

 

We had about a foot of snow here in KC over the weekend. A lot of blowing and a lot of drifting. My Rugged Trails have about 10,000 miles on them as well and actually I was pretty impressed with their performance. Granted I drove in 4WD about everywhere but they did great, I was zooming past traffic and had very minimal tire slippage at stop lights and what not. In two wheel drive it was just to slick to get around, and the buzzing and lights from the traction control drives me crazy, so I just stayed in 4WD.

 

heres a good answer for you......

 

Have you put any weight in the bed of the truck? I try to stay in 2wd to save on gas. I put 3 70lb bags of sand in the back, and I get around well in the snow with the Rugged Trails. However, when it calls for 4wd, I thought the Rugged trails worked very well.

 

My 08 has no trac. control and a normally open rear diff. (locking) maybe that has something to do with it? It does fine in a straight line, but turning stinks. I have never had a truck fishtail in 4wd before!

 

Slide into a pole did you? Tree? another car?

 

That would have happened to me last night, but I was lucky enough to bounce off the curb instead of taking out a fire hydrant and road sign.

 

I will try even more weight in the back - You guys up in Wisconsin see more snow than us, so I will trust your advice

 

that jewel is from a stationary f-150

 

I blame the "TRD offroad" sticker on the back. It makes me subconsciously feel as this truck is not governed by the same laws of physics that others cars are.:>

 

haha yeah that is true, its feels more like an agile tank, but i still say those "rugged fails" did me in

 

I will agree - I was driving very cautiously and still had issues with traction while turning.

 

Lol I live in Arizona and got rid of the rugged fails, they're horrible in rain I can't even imagine snow. Never looked back.

 

I ran the stock rugged trails last winter (only 5K at the time) and had no problems with them whatsoever. They did find going up or down hill while towing a trailer behind me in heavy snow. I put those same tires on my wife's 4Runner and she has no complaints about them this winter.

 

I hated the Rugged Trails on my truck... Same as others have noted: Decent traction straight line and in 4wd. Horrible in 2wd, and trying to turn a corner in snow/slush...forget about it, better come to a stop first and let the front tires find their bite.

I picked up some BFG AT's just before the big christmas storm... 100X better! The truck will actually turn a corner in snow and slushy conditions!

 

Snow tires are the way to go, Michelin X-ice!

 

Having a Sport I imagine my tires are even worse. I did pretty well in the snow though in a straight line but did have it fishtail once on a left turn from a traffic light. Also had no weight in the back either so it wasn't all that unexpected.

 

Not impressed with my 4500 mile RT's so far. Topper + a little extra bed weight and they break loose easily, and I am a very cautious winter driver. Not horrible straight line, but turning is a problem. Mine are definatly getting replaced.

 

I'll trade you guys my Dunlop GrandTreks for your Rugged Trails