Traction in the snow

added weight

 

I agree with the added weight to aid in take off. But I wouldn't go overboard, what helps you start won't necessarily help you stop.

 

In my neck of the woods by law all vehicles must carry chains/cables in there vehicle during winter months. During heavy snow storms highway safety and the highway patrol set-up check points and check all vehicles to either make sure they have 4x4 with snow tires or If they are not they must have the chains installed on there vehicle. If the snow gets really deep(1-2ft or more) they can change the rating to there discretion to R3 which means ALL vehicles including 4x4 must have chains installed.

I live in a mountain/tourist town so for us they are a necessity for the inexperienced tourist that Visit. I used to own a 99' pre-runner/2wd with snow tires before my current rig. If there was any type of small hill at all, unless I had momentum I was getting stuck at the bottom just spinning my wheels. 2wd with no snow chains might work if you live in a flat area but it's definitely a challenge for any type of hills unless you like to really use the skinny pedal and some slipping and sliding especially on a slick plowed Rd that has some icy conditions. Momentum and proper braking is a big factor. Also trying to not let you wheels spin on acceleration.

 

They make dedicated ice and snow tires for winter. Blizzacks are made by Firestone I think and there are others. With a 2wd that's about the best idea I can come up with. Run those in the winter and then the regular tires in the summer. It does run into some money though when you have two sets of tires and rims laying around.

 

what about snow cables?? pros-cons

 

Pro's= low profile, usually cheaper $$$, easier to install, light weight.

Con's= less durable, less traction, shorter life span.

 

Weight helps but check your air pressure, you may be over inflated. Also aggressive all terrain tires don't help on ice.

 

I grew up in Vermont, never drove a 4x4 until I bought my own. Drove countless two wheel drive cars and trucks without snow tires, studs, or chains without any problems. Accelerate slowly and give more time for breaking. If your just getting new snow on the road, like 2-4" and other cars already drove over it and its icy slippery, try using up fresh snow on the road for better traction. This ought to be like driving 001 info here. If your having trouble getting traction from a start; either there's little to no tread on the tires and your slipping; or your giving it too much gas to start off. Let up on it a little. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

 

You're right! I've lived in snow country out west for the past 15+ years. The ice based tires "do" help though from what I have read. I may get another set of rims next winter along with the tires and try it out though. It does cost a lot to get set up like that and I wonder if I want to spend the cash for two sets of tires and another set of rims.The weight of the vehicle has a whole lot to do with traction on ice and snow as does the temperature. The lower the temp. The faster you can go. The heavier you are the faster you can go. With our Taco's at around 3500 lbs for a 4WD empty there really isn't enough weight to go fast in/on the ice and snow so it's best to just slow down regardless of the tires we are wearing or whether or not we have 4WD though the 4WD does help considerably. In a big way!

 

Just a guess on this, but I believe if you turn the defrost on it will require the compressor to run and rob you of a little bit of torque. Less torque = less spin at take off????? Maybe

 

My Defroster is always on.

I really don`t think the added load of the compressor is going to make much difference.

Pretty much now I look outside see more then a dusting of snow or any ice I go back to bed

 

Snow traction is inversely proportional to the width of your tires.
You want SKINNY tires for the snow. Not any wider than 245's.

 

3500 pounds would be more accurate for a 5-lug.
4x4's run around 4100-4200 pounds.

 

This is only true if you put the weight behind the rear axle. Weight directly over the axle has no effect on how the weight is distributed to the front tires, and weight at the front of the bed technically adds a bit of weight to the front tires in addition to the rears

 

Get a locker and always have it on.

 

That is the thing there are so many different changing conditions all over the country one needs to do what works for your conditions.

The more I think about it going back to bed sounds the best.

As I told one employer long ago " If I destroy my vehicle to the point it can`t be repaired are you going to replace it ??"

There answer was " No why would I" see you when the roads are open

 

Levers and fulcrums

 

I didn't see one suggestion to press the VSC button and go into AUTO LSD?
AUTO LSD is Toyotas little gem like what GM called Posi-Traction, only it uses the brakes instead of differential clutches to slow a free spinning tire to balance the traction across to the other tire.
Just a quick push, stopped or moving to engage.

The VSC switch is the car with wavy lines:


Lights that come on after the quick press (2010 Tacoma). TRAC OFF light added in 2012.


What the switch does: TRAC (standard mode) to TRAC OFF MODE (AUTO LSD) to VSC OFF (TRAC and VSC turned off) back to TRAC:


ALSO, as been said before... take all that extra air out of those hard desert tires, too much!