Tacoma Off Road Mountains Winter/Snow Recommendations

Hey Guys,

Going up to Colorado, got new tires in my 2020 off road 4v4 (the default ones). Question is, is this good enough for the resorts/winter roads up there or do you guys suggest chains or anything else? Thanks!

 

The stock Goodyears are pretty good on winter roads for an all-season M+S tire. Chains as a backup plan is always a good idea. A couple hundred pounds of something in the bed helps too.

 

What Stocklocker said. First day I had my Taco I drove over Mt Hood in a snowstorm and the Goodyear’s preformed very well. One point where nobody was around I stomped the brakes and she stopped on a dime, then I floored her and away she went. I’d buy them again.

 

If you're going to take any fire roads it might behoove you to carry a small snow shovel along. Otherwise, if you plan to stay on pavement, you'll be fine as is. As previously said, chains in case it happens to get really nasty out. And for that matter, perhaps a blanket or two & a little food & water wouldn't hurt.

https://www.sportsmans.com/camping-...s/lifeline-adjustable-utility-shovel/p/p72691

 

I will echo the above advice, especially the shovel and blankets, but would add a bucket of non-clumping kitty litter for traction and/or a snatch strap with a couple soft shackles for recovery, if worst comes to worst.

Edited for spelling

 

Not to hijack the thread but ive experienced pretty bad wheel hop or leafspring wrap on the rear axle in deep snow. Is there any thing that can be done to reduce this or is it just the nature of the beast?

Also ive been very happy with winter driving performance of the factory goodyear tires.

 

In addition to the above, I carry a case of bottled water and a case of MRE's in the winter - back country or highway.



Because you never know....

 

@DuckNorris if you live where you have winter weather from Nov-April, do yourself, family, friends, and other drivers on the road and get a set of four dedicated winter tires. Yes, expensive upfront, but you are more prepared than a lot of the drivers on the roads.

Read up on Colorado Traction Laws and watch ctrip.org for road conditions, snow plow updates, and weather stations on a lot of our roads.

 

this website is indispensable for winter tripping around CO. real time updates and live cams over most of the passes. can't ask for more.

 

Yep!

I do ask the people I care about to run dedicated winter tires.

 

Thank you all for your replies and such! Gives me more confidence to take this trip up there, bought this truck for nature trips and snowboarding!

Side Note...in topic if mountains. Anyone ever fit snowboarding in the backseats? I am planning to bring the down and cover them with something to protect them. Just curious.. otherwise just stick them in back of truck and move them inside house overnight haha

 

Put it in and see if it fits. If it does, strap it with the seat belts, covering the edges with old towels. This will keep it flying around if something bad happens.

 

Thank you! Also...4v4 is on lo or hi in mountains( i see 2 options)? I am new to this truck so still yet to use the 4v4 haha

 

More or less roughly:
4h don't use on dry pavement or over 55mph. Once you are sliding, 4wd doesn't matter.
4l is for off roading steep technical stuff, getting unstuck, etc. Much lower hearing not intended for driving on pavement.

Your owners manual will tell you a lot.

 

In my experience, the axle wrap got worse after installing tires with better winter traction than the stock Goodyear. :/

 

Dedicated winter snow tires are the only way to go if you're driving a lot in winter conditions.

If you're just going to hit snow you should be fine with your stock setup. If you have any reason to believe you'll be driving on steep, icy grades then get chains.

The stock setup is good in snow but nothing is good on ice unless you have winters.

 

Done a few snow wheeling trips.

Carry an air compressor (doesn't need to be uber ARB stuff, but if you can afford it, do it) so that you can air down if things are getting too deep and squirrely. I did circles around a jeep grand Cherokee with chains on all tires in my stockies when aired down to around 15psi.

Carry a shovel, blankets, headlamp, food, water, and depending on how rugged you plan to get, maybe some extra fuel.

Also maybe pack things like extra socks, shoes, and snow gators too.

Edit: Almost forgot, pack a bubba rope, or tow rope and snatch straps too. A trailer hitch recovery point is also useful.