Merry Christmas to me :( (NOT)

9:10 AM Christmas Eve I hit a patch of ice on a bridge doing about 30 MPH slid left and hit the curb then shot across and hit guardrail with right side just beyond concrete at end of bridge. Thank God no injuries, no air bag. Once my wife and teenage son realize I'm OK they start high fiving each other chanting "we didn't wreck it this time!" Our poor minivan that they drive has met a few parking garages, poles and 2 deer while they were driving.


So the truck is getting a two week vacation in WV to have a little work done. The body shop is saying 3 wheels, front and rear bumpers, a few assorted parts under the front bumper, inner fender, right front control arm, wheel bearing, headlight, tail light, etc, etc,


Chuck

 

Truck held up nice at least, and you seem to be okay which is the important thing.

 

I think the tube steps kept me from doing more damage to the right side.

 

Glad no one was hurt!

 

Really glad no one was hurt. My advice, replace the "Rugged Fail" tires. From what I've witnessed up here, they suck on ice. IMHO FWIW.

 

very glad noone was hurt!! nows the perfect time to get new wheels too!

 

Did you not engage 4x4 in the slick icy conditions you were driving on?

 

the truck actually held up pretty good. glad you're ok, and hopefully a speedy recovery for your truck

 

no, Merry Christmas! you're getting armor!

 

Sorry but having 4 wheel engaged or not would have done nothin to prevent this from happening.

 

Ouch, that sucks. At least nobody got hurt. I do agree though that the rugged trails are second only to the Dunlop AT20's in suckage for winter driving. I've had all different brands and models of tires over the years and I swear these are two of the worst.

 

Oh man, that sucks. Sorry about your ride.

 

I've never personally had an issue with Rugged Trail tires. I have heard the criticism before but I've had them on several vehicles with no issues. I had just come down one of the more treacherous hills in the area, snow covered, in two wheel drive without a problem. This road and the bridge appeared clear and almost dry.... I would not have engaged 4x4 on dry road anyway. It was simply black ice.... A couple weeks prior I took my 200 lb toolbox out of the bed. I have to wonder if the additional weight in the back would have made a difference. In the mean time I'm rockin a new Town & Country Minivan as my rental. We will see how it does in the snow predicted for NoVA tomorrow.


Chuck

 

Something a lot of Texans don't understand. 4x4 helps you go, not stop!

 

You may have thought the rugged trails to be fine BUT if you compair them to duratracs there is a world of difference.

 

Glad you, your son, your wife and everyone around was okay. The truck is fixable/replaceable.

I'm one of those that always sees "the glass half full" so, I'd use it as an excuse for a new truck.

 

I also receivd a x-mas present this year on x-mas eve due to ice. was going down a hill in second gear also in 4wd.. truck slid nd couldnt get the control back! went down into a ditch from water runoof(about 3 feet deep) frame was sitting on the road

Overall damge was to the front bumper, fender is bent, headlight nd grill tabs broken as well....( $2,200 )

 

@Crusher 2: Glad you made it out all right. These kind of "sideswipe" collisions can get expensive due the number of body panels affected.

Disagree. 4WD makes a huge difference in preventing the rear end from sliding out.

 

@Ice newbs.

I live in Alberta, we get some of the worst winters possible. We are all very used to terrible driving conditions. It is normal for there to be ice and snow NON STOP on the highways. After driving in Alberta winters for several years, I can safely say 4x4 helps stability, accelerating, and braking, BIG TIME! Taking corners in 2wd at even a remotely high speed your ass end will kick out. In 4wd it hugs the road even going faster. Almost all of the weight are on those front tires, I feel much safer on ice having 4x4 engaged.