SR5 in the snow

Hey all,

Been enjoying this forum a ton as I just joined and had one more crucial question I wanted to ask before my delivery tomorrow.

I am coming from a Jeep Wrangler JK Sport that was a beast in the snow and wondering if I can expect the same or more from a Taco SR5?

Both are pretty much the base models of the two lines of vehicles so I think this could be an apples to apples comparison (maybe not).


Looking to hear from SR5 owners and their experiences.

Thanks y'all!

 

I had an 09 base 4x4 taco, till this year, loved it in the snow, except all the safety crap made it hard for me to drive the way I like, but way safer. Never had an issue.

 

What safety stuff?

 

With comparable tires, the Taco should be a bit better just because of the longer wheelbase (although the weight of the rear end costs it a few points).

Tires are everything.....

 

We had 8" of snow fall this past weekend and I attempted to do donuts in a parking lot with the taction control' on and i couldnt get the ass end to break loose with it on.

 

400 Lbs of sand or salt [I use salt as I can use it in the water softener in the spring] in between the bed wheel wells makes all the difference.

 

that traction control shit, and what ever else they out on it so you cant have fun.

 

You can turn all of that off.

 

Button up top by the lights my friend. Have fun afterwards. Recommend using ECT and S1/2 to prevent upshifting while sliding around. Works great!



I used to turn it all off every time I started my Tundra as the 5.7 loved to spin the tires a bit when turning out into traffic and the traction control would kill all acceleration sometimes making it more of a hazard then a help. But it's not practical in the Tacoma because for some unknown reason to me it disables your cruise control...

Never did that in my '09 Tundra, '02 Camaro (one push ASR button) or '15 Mustang (one push again). Do note that to turn it all of you have to hold the button down for about 5 seconds or so, just pushing it only turns on the auto LSD.

Anyway, yes it's all about the tires. I had an '07 Wrangler X 6 speed once upon a time and it did pretty well in the snow, almost got stuck backing out of a driveway once but never stuck - stuck. Same with my Tundra. It's all in the tires.

I have BFG KO2's on mine and am waiting to see how it does in the snow, last year I had the stock Toyo A30's on it and it was "ok" but we hardly got any snow. I will be going to CO in December however so I'd expect to run into some then.

I also had the original KO's on my Tundra and it went though quite a bit of snow with zero problems back in 2013.

 

I bought some Michelin winter tires and recently added the Toyota bed mat and have a tonneau cover on the way. With the bed mat and tonneau cover I was thinking to add two patio 20*24 blocks. I figure all of that be be about 140 pounds. Hopefully makes a difference on that light back end!

 

You're right about the tires.

I have 265/70-17 Blizzaks on my Off Road Tacoma and drove through 6-8" of snow on some steep mountain roads last week (Oh My God Road and Squaw Pass Road, if anyone is familiar with the Colorado Front Range - mostly to get used to driving the new truck in the snow) and only really needed 4WD a couple of times. The traction control and other safety stuff actually works. Now with that said, I also turned it off to see what happens...and I needed 4WD to go anywhere meaningful. It was more fun without the safety stuff engaged....but I suppose that's why its there. Other tires would likely have had a totally different result.

I'm coming from 14 years in a manual transmission 2002 Nissan Xterra, on which I also ran the blizzaks and absolutely loved in the snow.

 

i came from a stock '13 2 door wrangler sport (im now in a stock trd OR) based on the few times ive driven in about 5inches or so of snow this year with my taco. the jeep was better. i dont remember what tires were on my jeep, but it plowed through a foot plus with ease. my taco seems to be a bit more 'floaty' while going 30+ with a couple inches on the ground. im planning on throughing some weight in the bed and hopefully that helps. i dont mean to discurage you, its not a terrible difference.(i would never trade my taco back for my jeep) but my jeep was better in the snow when comparing both vehicles that are stock and not having weight in my bed). im sure with snow tires and a couple hundred pounds in the bed the tacoma would ride as good as my jeep did

 

Yes that's correct, but I tend to not think of that until after I try to take a corner sideways.

 

I just picked up my '17 OR LB. My first automatic transmission vehicle. It is really hard getting used to at first. Slowly becoming more comfortable.

 

Tires are the most important factor in the snow. Stock tires or aftermarket all-terrain tires aren't very good in the snow.

Invest in a decent set of dedicated snow tires and your truck will be completely transformed in the winter.

 

You guys that are thinking of adding extra weight to the bed.... please ensure it is tied down REAL good!! Cement blocks, patio stones, etc. can become very deadly in the event of a rollover or a crash....!! They can cause more damage and death. I agree with the weight thing if you have a lot of snow; however, BE safe..!