Driving on Ice

Spent last week in Truckee, CA during a snow storm. 31 inches of snow....glad I had a 4WD Suburban that we had rented for extended family.

I learned a few things and had good success while others were spun out and even in deteriorating conditions we were able to go where we needed to safely.

I realize the Sierra's in 31 inches of snow is different than what we deal with in Alabama but this got me thinking. I didn't have my 4WD 2nd Gen until this year so my experience in dealing with ice over the last few years has been in my AWD Subaru Outback. Handy but I've not ventured onto an icy road with it unless I had to.

True 4WD and Low 1 was crucial in getting traction out in California last week. What about here in the SE when it comes to ice? Are aggressive tires, 4wd and low gear adequate for gaining traction on an icy road like we are likely to encounter here? THANKS!

 

Winter tires have sipping that will give you a little better traction on ice. But no one runs them here for that 1 day every 10 years that you need them .

Just saying when the road is iced over it’s better to drive on the grass than the road

 

Yes, I meant to mention that the 2020 Suburban had winter rated Michelin's as well. I'm not a fan of anything GM but it certainly got us through last week.

 

Nothing really helps that much in ice. In Iceland everybody runs studded tires. If you don’t have to don’t go out. Else drive slower in the right lane.

 

When you drive in the snow, just imagine you are driving grandma to church. You have 2 gallons of sweet tea and a casserole in the back, and grandma is in the passenger seat with a bowl of gravy in her lap. She's wearing her best Sunday dress. Itll keep you out of trouble.

 

Nothing works good on ice. You may be able to get going, but you can't steer and you can't stop.

 

Opinion alert.
I believe traction is rated in this order.
Tires
Winter tires
Studded winter tires
Cables
Chains

What you choose is up to you and the skill you have for driving.
I like to keep 300 lbs of bagged gravel in the bed. At the front of the bed to add weight to the wheels.

 

Faced 40 miles of ice in Wyoming last week. Stopping and steering sucked and I had aggressive tires. I finally pulled over and waited for the slow plows to go down the i80. In from Hawaii, never drove in snow or ice. Once I seen semi trucks sliding all over in front to me I said fuck it and jumped in the back with my dog and waited it out.

 

Now that's funny.....exactly how I was driving! But, it sure paid off.

Had a Prius in front of me with cables on the front.....3 people in the rear pushing it up the hill!

 

That is what chains were made for.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tire-chains.368/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ains-or-studs-in-or-on-their-tires-mp.626753/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tire-chains.456328/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/snow-chains-on-larger-tire-clearance.257618/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tire-chains-on-rear-tires.196576/

 

Thanks, yes... saw these threads already but wanted some ‘local ’ experience instead of just snow. Ice is our biggest threat here in AL

 

That is what surprises me about the Tacoma. You cannot put cables or chains on the front.
My T100 has enough clearance for either cables or chains.

 

my Tacoma on the snow