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Prepping your Tacoma for Snow

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by EjF, Nov 16, 2014.

  1. Nov 17, 2014 at 5:12 PM
    #81
    Canufixit

    Canufixit Well-Known Member

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    People ask me "CANUFIXIT"!
    New England
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    "Access" Tonneau cover. Bed Mat. Hitch, Timbren SES
    Where my Mother was born - it snowed a lot too. Here is the Snow thermometer record
    http://www.pasty.com/snow/ 390.4 inches Winter of 78' Must be global warning...
     
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2014
  2. Nov 17, 2014 at 5:57 PM
    #82
    maineah

    maineah Well-Known Member

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    Well I get ready by putting my snow tires on some time in Dec. If it gets bad enough I just take the snow mobile. I live in the mountains my drive way is 2200' long and unless I'm home it doesn't get plowed. Unless you drive out into the pucker brush you don't need to take a ton of stuff you'll never be far enough away from any thing to get in trouble.
     
  3. Nov 17, 2014 at 6:04 PM
    #83
    maineah

    maineah Well-Known Member

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    Just saying it does do a good job of snowing in Boston or the Cape difference up in the Maine hills it snows feet and stays here till late Apr.!
     
  4. Nov 17, 2014 at 6:28 PM
    #84
    EjF

    EjF [OP] You'll never make a saint of me

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    Lot's of good replies and suggestions... but if I were to staaahhht this thread over again I'd probably just ask if you all add weight to the bed for traction (or not).

    Live n Learn on my paahht! ::rolleyes:
     
  5. Nov 17, 2014 at 7:23 PM
    #85
    steveo27

    steveo27 Ask me about my weiner

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    The same shit everyone else has.
    I wash and wax it really good. Throw a spare pair of boots, coat, gloves, and change of clothes in the back seat. I keep a shovel in the bed. And I keep a gallon of water in the back seat as well.
     
  6. Nov 17, 2014 at 10:44 PM
    #86
    muisejt

    muisejt Well-Known Member

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    winter tires and sand bags in the bed. it's -20C or colder all winter so the roads stay icy. I drive in 2wd most of the time without issue
     
  7. Nov 18, 2014 at 3:51 AM
    #87
    JustAddMud

    JustAddMud Professional Grease Monkey

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    J
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    Yes
    I personally use those cheap crates of kitty litter instead of sand. Depending on the bag type, the sand might be a block of sand ice and frozen for when you're in dire need to place it down near your tires for traction. With that said, kitty litter in a sealed plastic case is good for the weight, keeps moisture out, has a nifty scoop, is biodegradable, soaks up spilt oil, and can summon a cat army to slay your enemies. Ok maybe that last bit is wishful thinking. My two cents.

    -J
     
  8. Nov 18, 2014 at 6:20 AM
    #88
    maineah

    maineah Well-Known Member

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    It is beyond me why some one would buy a 4X4 and not use it. 2WD pickup are all most useless unless there is a half ton in the back when it's slick. Up here you have a hard time giving them away.
     
  9. Nov 18, 2014 at 6:46 AM
    #89
    Pigpen

    Pigpen My truck is never clean

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    Weight helps. A fiberglass topper should be enough for those who have one. I carry so much stuff on a daily basis that I don't need to add anything (but could easily get away without most of it)

    BUT, There is no substitute for good winter tires - and I highly recommend studded snow tires where they are legal, they've saved my bacon in icy conditions when I wasn't driving slow enough for the conditions (operator error).
     
  10. Nov 18, 2014 at 7:09 AM
    #90
    shabbs

    shabbs Well-Known Member

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    Buffalo be gettin' some snow today... wow...
     
  11. Nov 18, 2014 at 8:41 AM
    #91
    ItalynStylion

    ItalynStylion Sounds Gooooood

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    This is VERY true. 4WD is only to get you GOING....not to help you stop. Leave plenty of room between you and other motorists!
    That's actually a good point. Many sand bags are just paper and can get VERY wet. I like the scoop idea too. Plus, they are resealable! :cool:
     
  12. Nov 18, 2014 at 8:48 AM
    #92
    joshipps

    joshipps Well-Known Member

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    I used to throw a few sandbags in the bed for good measure. They add some weight and if you absolutely need to you can throw out some sand for traction. But really 4x4 is your best friend in the snow.
     
  13. Nov 18, 2014 at 8:49 AM
    #93
    prerunner 06

    prerunner 06 Well-Known Member

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    200lbs of salt put into a box without sides cut out of 2x4's and planted between the wheel well much like you described. No problems with good tires. Springtime finds the salt in my water softener.
     
  14. Nov 18, 2014 at 9:05 AM
    #94
    Mademan925

    Mademan925 Senor Taco

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    enough to go over stuff
    200 pounds of sand bags in the bed, a good ice scapper, shovel, pair of boots and gloves, chains, a good recovery shovel, tow strap, rainex the windshield, some food and water in the cab, compact sleeping bag, spare drivers side windshield wiper, a spare snow jacket, and a spare phone charger. Have a good winter.
     
  15. Nov 18, 2014 at 9:21 AM
    #95
    Smashing

    Smashing Well-Known Member

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    Just a note - make sure you don't use clay based litter. Moisture, like snow and ice, will turn it into the slipperiest mess you'll ever see.
     
  16. Nov 18, 2014 at 9:27 AM
    #96
    frizzman

    frizzman Well-Known Member

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    I used to coat the underside with used oil to protect against salt. sprayed over frame and let it spray inside the frame for a little too. Since Toyota "sprayed" my frame I haven't done anything. I have some carpet pieces, blankets, ratchet straps, Aluminum floor jack (about 30lbs), and Golf Clubs (hey, you never know) :)

    the first Gens are notoriously light in the back end unfortunately so this was my reasoning for carrying extra weight (150lb elevator iron). But recently stopped using anything.

    It's not a "must" but can help in certain situations. 80% don't need anything but the other 20% have constant snow on the ground.

    ^ I now have a set of Cooper M+S studded and realistically don't even need them as I've had Firestone Destination A/T for many years.

    I use a cap mostly but this past spring got a tonneau for summer. switched back to the cap in late October.
     
  17. Nov 18, 2014 at 10:19 AM
    #97
    shabbs

    shabbs Well-Known Member

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    200lbs of sand added today!

    [​IMG]

    Need to find my shovel. Snow's already here. Bah.
     
  18. Nov 18, 2014 at 10:41 AM
    #98
    BradyT88

    BradyT88 Well-Known Member

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    So I have often wondered why everyone says to put the weight over the axle... Why not at the back of the bed? The weight at the back of the bed will have more leverage on the rear end giving you more bang for your buck for weight on the rear tires.
     
  19. Nov 18, 2014 at 10:46 AM
    #99
    Cmurder

    Cmurder 2011 TX TRD Offroad

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    nothing cool
    I put my sandbags in the back right against the tailgate. Someone mentioned it in another snow thread and it's worked the best for me.
     
  20. Nov 18, 2014 at 10:46 AM
    #100
    Mademan925

    Mademan925 Senor Taco

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    enough to go over stuff
    The fear would be with all the wieght past the rear axle it would increase the chance of fish tailing.
     

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