Steep Downhill in Snow/Ice - Advice

As others said studded snow tires, 4x4, and selecting a low gear will all help.

Imo the 'easiest' and cheapest solution would be a big drum of sand/gravel. Apply heavily to the hill as needed.

Also consider the surroundings. If you've got a nice snow bank on either side of the road to catch you and no trees, then maybe its not such a big deal. If no snow bank and/or lots of trees to crash into, that could turn out poorly

 

Studded winter tires. /thread

 

I live in the Cascade Mtns, "driveway" is 17% grade with two 90° turns. Snow over ice is common. 4WD means four wheels spinning instead of two. Studded snow tires, wear out quickly and help in snow, smaller help on ice. Chains are best bet. Sometimes I only need them to get to and from the paved county road. I hate tire chains. Then there's black ice, all bets are off.

 

Normally the edge of the road next to the ditch (and in town next to the curb or sidewalk and in the centerline) has uncompacted snow. If you can keep two tires on the uncompacted stuff its much easier to maintain traction and stop.

 

OP could you post some pictures of the road and the curve etc. I think it would help us to make appropriate suggestions. Also how far is it from top to bottom?

 

OP if you lose traction going down hill drop it to a lower gear and stay mostly off the brakes. Braking (especially downhill) uses mostly front brakes. If you are braking and the front are locking up you have zero steering. If your rear tires are dragging but your front tires aren’t locked up, at lest you can steer. When you’re pointed where you want to point, start feathering the brakes again.

best advice is great winter tires, LOTS of weight in the rear, and start the hill slow and low. Chains if conditions warrant it, are always faster and more convenient than dealing with the aftermath of a crash.

 

Dead slow in 4 lo, locked diff if you have it, locked in lowest possible gear if your transmission allows. Stay off the brakes. Ideally you’ll be off all the pedals. Plus traction tires or chains if needed.

 

chains. studded tires maybe. also kitty litter. works on ice for traction. as does ash from say a wood stove. Good luck and keep the rubber down!

 

Ima Get Me Some Old Bald Summer Tires Shift Into High Gear N Slam The Brakes In 4HI

 

Studded tires. I had an 800 foot driveway that was steep and had one off camber turn. On 2 separate occasions, in different vehicles, in low range no throttle, I managed to do 180°'s and slide down backwards. Not fun. When possible I tried to keep one side of the truck in the snowy edges. It was still dicey at times.... Cinders and sand help. Salt is not recommended....

 

When the tires begin to slide.......you're screwed.

Consider parking at the bottom and walking.


4Lo, 4Hi, 2wd, studs, chains.........all good suggestions, but may not be practical.

Chains would need to be removed/installed each time. You can't run chains on clear paved roads.
Studs are not allowed in many states. Sure you could swap tires each time, just like the chains.
4Lo, 4Hi, 2wd.....when the tire slides = no traction = no control.

You could spread dirt or sand. Only problem is keeping the pile from freezing into a solid lump.

You could consider occasionally spreading crushed limestone. Not as likely to freeze into a solid lump.

 

I wonder which chains are best for the Tacoma
and if studded tires are worth it

it'd be cool to at least keep some good fitting chains stored in the truck if they're ever needed
or to show proof if an area requires having them legally
at least good fitting ones that don't fling off and bash the fender well

for example Colorado
bi-polar weather. It might snow a day or two. Then not for 2 weeks. So you'd be tearing up streets and making noise with studs. Which is legal.
And spending $800 on a second set of tires for a snowy Monday then listening to them make noise on dry road when right after for 2 weeks it's not snow...

people seem to prefer snow-rated A/T's for that reason, like Duratracs

 

Snowflake rated all terrains are not winter tires. It takes next to nothing to qualify for that symbol. A dedicated winter snow/ice tire is an amazing thing for traction in winter. They’re far safer in winter. For highway driving in winter I’d take a camry with blizzaks over a 4wd Tacoma with duratracs.

Running a set of dedicated winter tires (unstudded blizzaks for instance) on a set of $400 take-off factory wheels will cost you about 1400 bucks the first year. They will last for several seasons and will extend the life of your all seasons. It’s a pretty insignificant expense if you plan on keeping your truck for several years and drive on snow and ice in winter. For a couple hundred bucks a year I can make myself and my family much safer on the roads. It’s a no brainer.

I may have gotten off track here. Sorry. My point is that studless winter tires are amazing and I think they outperform studded all terrains all day every day. You can run them on their own set of wheels in winter, and many problems are immediately solved.

 

This^^ . As I said in my first post here once you start sliding on ice down hill you are up shit creek. Ain’t nothing going to save you other than luck. Your best option is to park at or near the bottom and walk. If too far consider getting a snowmobile to go up and down the hill.

 

The last part of my driveway is very steep with a turn at the end.

My method is put it in 4x4 then roll down in neutral controlling speed by braking. Being in 4x4 is essential as it keeps everything rolling, locking up only the front or rear wheels in a case like this and you're done.

2WD is particularly bad in a situation like this while in gear because sometimes traction is so low that any braking can lock the fronts but you have engine power keeping the rears turning.

I also have an ABS disable button and use it during this situation.

 

Uh.... What?

you put it in 4wd, then in neutral, and only use brakes?? What is it you think 4wd is doing if you’re in neutral?

 

It's been my experience that doing this is a recipe for disaster. Low range, 1st gear and foot off the brake. Let engine compression be your brakes....

There are situations that no matter what you do, you're gonna be screwed. Assess the conditions. If significantly sketchy, then turn back inside, have another cup of coffee, and call your employer and tell them you won't be in today....

 

^^^ I absolutely agree with the above. I'm also convinced that there are folks that have driven on Blizzaks (or something similar) and those that have not. Those that have not have no idea how much better a true studless Ice & Snow tire really is. I ran all sorts of snow tires on my cars for years. I was even running 4 snow tires back when people told me I'd "ruin my front end" by running shows in front. (My reply was always, "They're round aren't they?") Until I ran Blizzaks, I thought they were all marketing hype. They're not. I currently run four Blizzak DM-V2's on my Tacoma and will never run anything else.

 

Reread the post, actually stated why in there.

I agree and I've tried that here and it does work. Part of my reason is due to this prevents me making another shift into 4HI to go the rest of the way. It's a section that's maybe 30 yards or so. It hasn't ever been a concern and I've never had any problems but if I lose it on one side I go into my grandmothers yard and the other into a field, no fences or anything either way here. I shouldn't have said anything originally or provided a better explanation. Sorry for any confusion.