4WD in alaska

I live in South East Alaska and the tow i live in is built on the side of a mountain so almost everything is up hill. I tried using 2 wheel drive (I have 100 lbs of sand in the bed of my truck) to get up the hill to my house and i was sliding all over. When I'm in 4wd my truck has no problem getting around town and up the hill to my house. The roads get plowed here but not very well and they don't use salt they just sand them, so there's some ice under the fresh snow but not much. Stock tires don't help the situation either.

 

what he said. but i have M/T's studded

 

I wasn't putting any words in your mouth or whatever, and I wasn't doubting your knowledge or experience, I was simply trying to understand the huge amount of stuff written on the link and I've no doubt you and the author know infinitely more than I do. But I still think the Tac is a good bit more than simply a good little two wheel drive truck . However, I wouldn't drive it at 130 KMPH for 250 KMs in 4x4. We get a lot of blizzard conditions here, with partial bare pavement, then deep snow drifts interspersing, and I think that if you have the time to choose and unchoose 4x4, well and good, but I'll continue to put it into 4x4 as soon as I meet this stuff, and only drop out when road conditions improve.4x4 I believe can reduce your chances of skidding on the highway when you suddenly meet these snow drifts and chopped up snow conditions. When you have to share the road with big rigs in these conditions, 4x4 can be a little bit of insurance.

 

I'm sure you can get around great with those tires pretty much unstoppable

 

I see where you are going. I don't believe I suggested completely not using 4x4 on the road. I think if the road conditions call for it, then by all means, use it. I was just trying to say don't use it on high traction surfaces especially if you feel the jerkiness because it's binding up. I think we are on the same page now

and btw, I'm sure you have infinite more knowledge than me when it comes to driving in the snow. We don't get much down here. lol.

 

Florida, you lucky bugger. I could sure get used to living there! My TRD Off Road would be used to tow our trailer to beaches to fish and my Miata would be top down 24/7. Happy New Year.

 

haha. I think we are experience the grass is greener. I'm bored of FL, mostly the heat and humidity in the summer, and you are probably tired of the cold up there Happy new year to you to

 

Everything is stock on my Tacoma and the only time I use the 4wd is when at a stop to get moving. I do use the ATRAC and it works awesome. It would be nice for Toyota to have an auto 4wd function.

 

charles, were you at the alaska mod day? finally got your taco, right on if that was you.....I go in and out of 4wd at stops light also. i have been doing that with all my vehicle and never had any problems either.

 

I was the one doing the BHLM. How did your ultimate lift work out for ya?

 

came out great, i had some issues but they were fixed. problem was my fault, i adjusted the coilovers too high, but all is fixed. i had them at 4" lol.

 

Hey guys sorry for dippin out on this thread. I've had an extremely bad week and the worst christmas ever. My mother had a bad cist surgically removed that was pre cancerous and is still in the hospital. She has been doing very well lately and I just pray that she will be out in time for her birthday on New years.

Thank you for all the very informative posts. Alaska is a very unique place when it comes to weather. It definitely helps seeing advice from fellow alaskans.

EDIT:

Btw, to help clear up a bit of stuff...I'm still using the rugged fails . I don't have enough money just yet to get better A/T tires so I'm stuck with trying to figure out how to get across town with these. It sucks. They're only good when there's loose snow and that is an often rare road condition in alaska.

I wish I could've stayed longer for mod day and get some stuff done but I had to work =\. What places do you recommend for good tires bob?

 

No worries Justin, heck it's your thread anyways, it will be here when you get back,,lol.

Hope your mom is doing better and wish her a Happy Birthday from TW.

 

Thanks bro, she's doing much better and is finally home to be able to celebrate her b-day in a little more comfort.

 

If you are going straight, and are hitting patches, I wouldn't worry, as all your wheels are moving at the same speed. It is taking the turns on dry pavement that you need to worry about binding.

But, as much as you are using 4x4, I would do what others have suggested, throw some weight in the back (snow works well because it melts, so you don't need to take it out) and just stick to 2wd... the traction control works great.