Got stuck in my driveway - 4WD question

Hi all,

So I thought I was pretty invincible in my 09 DC TRD Offroad until I got stuck in my driveway two nights ago with the snowstorm Colorado had. I was stuck in maybe 10 inches of new snow with 6 in of old stuff underneath that. I tried 4LO and then locking the diff and no dice.

The front passenger side tire was in deeper and less accessible so I dug out the remaining three tires to which point they were on the gravel underneath. Locker on, still no dice. I am watching the back tire as I am doing this and its doing a jerky movement where it spins stops, spins. I didn't have anyone there to spot for me, but I am was thinking the front passenger tire was spinning pretty freely and the rest of the tires weren't getting enough torque.

So finally I dig out the front pass. wheel to the gravel and I was out. The way the truck feels when wheels are slipping feels so weird with the clicking and I feel like the traction control isn't very smart. I didn't even think the traction control should be working when the rear diff is locked, but I am relatively new to this.

I finally get out, back out my driveway and I am having trouble getting back up. The night before, my neighbor came up my driveway in his Avalanche no problem. It was the same amount of snow.

Maybe its because I have the stock tires, and didn't get snows? But I am wondering about my drivetrain and the traction control because I whenever its in 2WD and one wheel is on ice or sand, it spins freely. Still it has some forward motion but it seems like traction control these days should do better than that.

Any thoughts/advice?

Thanks,
Matt

 

Im sure you can turn all the traction control off. But I am soooo happy my 05 does not have that stuff.

 

Yeah I have no Idea I have had mine in snow deeper than my tires in CO and been able to at least back it back out with locking my Diff.

 

maybe you should trade your truck in for an avalanche

 

Locking the diff doesn't make a whole lot of difference in the snow. Try hitting A-TRAC next time it might help. The biggest issue I think is the Rugged Fail tires, they pretty much suck in snow. Also I think trucks like the Avalanche may do better in snow just because they're heavier and can get a little more traction. Mud and dirt though shouldn't made a diff I would think...

You do of course know the ultimate solution to this problem right??

 

I was thinking the same thing!!!! LOL I mean damn, our trucks are nice, but nothing is invincable! Maybe it was just operator error!

 

with an 09 you should have TRAC in 2wd and ATRAC in 4wd (I have a sport so someone chime in if I'm a little off).Between the two your wheels shoulndt "spin freely" as they are very good in aiding traction. Especially ATRAC. There are a lot of threads on the two, and at times can be a bit confusing but they're worth the read.

 

beat me to it!

 

ATRAC was on, but I hear you on the tires.

 

Traction control was probably on. Bought a new Chevy pickup a few years ago and one morning I couldn't get out of my parking spot due to the ice. I felt like a dumb a@@ sitting there not moving. Once I remembered to turn off tracking control, I was out.

 

Sometimes you'll get stuck in the same conditions with snow tires. Just like driving through mud, momentum is key!

 

Yeah I was gonna say also turn off the traction control. Try again and you should be able to power out.

On regular stuff like slick roads traction control is fine. When stuck up to your axles, it's not so good.

 

Here you go:


Couldn't resist

 

I agree w/ ColdZero. Sometimes a heavier vehicle has its advantage....but are not as fun in my opinion.

 

I was driving my wifes AWD Pilot in heavy rain. My outlaws were in front of us in an Expedition. We arrived at the destination. I asked my outlaws how the drive was and they stated no problem. I was all over the place. There was alot of extra weight in the Expedition........just saying.

 

Sounds like you just got your frame/suspension sitting up on the snow.
And with the snow supporting the majority of the truck, your going no-where.
I know this living in buffalo, where once this happens you have to dig out underneath your veh.
Also if running stock tires in that much snow, you deserve to get stuck to teach you a lesson.
I bought my truck new in may and by aug replaced the stock with Goodyear Duratracs. I havent been stuck at all this year with all of our snow.
the only thing limiting stock toyotas are the stock tires, everything else is great.

 

i'd put money on the tires being your biggest issue. rugged trails are crap...mine were gone with 4500 miles on them...i could powerslide all day in 4 high in snow with those things. tires make a HUGE difference...don't ever believe differently

 

Yea. . . this is why I have studded MTs. . . sadly no snow here

 

tires!