Anyone else have a 2WD in an area that gets snow?

I respectfully disagree. It's simply too easy to spin the tires when you have so much power. In the F-150, I can spin the tires on damp pavement if I try to take of a little quicker than normal. In my 5 lug, I would seriously have to rev high and drop the clutch to even come close to spinning the tires. Having an automatic tranny gives you even less control of the power delivery, which is huge when driving in snow. Additionally, larger trucks have more mass, and therefore require more braking force, and take longer to stop.

 

Here in TN we don't get nearly as much as folks up north, so we're not as prepared (not as many plows) when we do get snow. It usually ends up being a layer of ice under a few inches of snow. This past winter we had more snows than usual. While being stuck in a traffic jam during one snow last winter, it became really obvious that how I let the clutch out had a huge bearing on if my tires spun. If I let the clutch out just right I could get the truck rolling forward without giving any throttle. Then add the throttle in gently to gain some speed if needed. BTW, I don't have any traction control either.

 

x2. Coming from a guy who had a lifted F250 before my baby tacoma. But other reasons than just spinning easily

 

I bought my truck with these tires on it 235/75/15. My house is on an unmaintained (for the most part) road with a little more than a slight grade to it, maybe 25-35? not sure. But, as long as I had the bed half full of snow or better, it went everywhere I needed it to go.

 

You have a good point with the lack of power and agree it's easier to get going with less power in slippery conditions but I prefer the heavier vehicle in the snow. You're correct, they do take longer to stop but I've always felt like they handle better because you've got more weight trying to push the tires down to the pavement rather than floating on top of the snow or slush. Although stopping distance is increased, the ability to steer yourself out of a situation is more important to me. I suppose it comes down to driving preferences and what you're comfortable with. There are pros and cons to each. I couldn't agree more with your comment on the automatic in the snow though! I definitely miss having a stick shift when winter comes around.

 

Glad we could come to an agreement.

BTW, my F-150 is still better in the snow than my 5 lug because it has 4 wheel drive.

 

Simple trick is narrower winter tires to get a higher ground pressure to weigh down on snow.I considered 235 width instead of the stock 245 width.
My 7000lb chevy i had , had the same 245/75r16 tire size as my reg cab does , though in a load range D. I'll never effectivly get that kind of weight onto the tires from the tacoma in any normal size that would fit it.....195/75r16 would look ridiculous.
I'm not cutting through fresh snow on back roads lately though, I cross country ski them so no matter here.

 

If you're driving through hard packed snow deep enough to get your truck hung up with a 2wd, you're asking for trouble. I don't care what kind of tires you have narrow or fat, you're not going to get far... If you have a 2wd truck, your best bet is to try to get the tires to solid ground (pavement beneath the snow). The light truck with wide tires works better when the front tires have power to them, otherwise they just plow because they have the weight of the engine on top of them.

 

Ok, glad it worked out for you but I still wouldn't recommend it trying to float on top of the snow in a 2wd truck where if you were to sink, you'd be hung up regardless of whether the truck is heavy or light. Based on your logic, you shouldn't put weight in the bed of the truck either right?

 

In other words you drove like p...y making everybody else suffer behind you because you have 2wd.
Thats what I hate about winter in New England... a-h...s with 2wd going 3 MPH just to make it
I used to like winter, and snow storms and drive home from work in the middle of blizzard. Now with so many 2wd on the road what used to be fun drive is now a nightmare.

 

Disagree!! Maybe not everyone can afford or simply don't see the need for 4x4. I don't care if you drive an 8x8 drive like an asshole and I'll see you in the ditch! Happens every winter mostly to the Macho driver types.

 

Yeah like last winter, one storm 20+ cars (all 2wd) between Danbury and Waterbury on I-84.
Wait until state lays off 4000 employees this year, next winter its going to be interesting with shortage of plow trucks.

 

^This

 

I did not suggest for op to get 4x4

All I am saying is not to be 2wd macho ah..le in winter. There are alternatives to 4x4

1. Stay home
2. Take public transportation
3. Use snow chains
4. Use studded tires

Plenty of people choose not to do any of above and screw up everybody else.

 

Ok! Point taken. I should have been more detailed in my post; I don't require a 4x4 because I never drive my truck off-road, and will never plow with this truck. You are correct dhk, I should have prefaced my post with something like: "it depends on what you use your truck for".

 

Are you advising motorists to drive faster than conditions will allow? Sounds like it, or else you'll call them bad names!

 

Its not the 2wd, its the lack of proper tires or chains.

With all awd and 4wd cars going skiing, the roads end up with "passholes" trying to prove their vehicle is better somehow, jeep vs suburu vs pickup , and ......wow a clear path for me, 5 idiots now in the ditch or snow bank.Best yet is when they crash and close the road, no lift lines for me too. I like to use 4wd to keep out of trouble , not get into it.

 

X2

 

Yeah idk why everyone keeps saying all the cars in ditches are 4wd??? Where I live most the cars in ditches are 2wd cars like camrys and civics, etc. Some of the vehicles in ditches are 4wd trucks and suvs but the majority of them are 2wd cars.

 

Could be that it changes in areas. going skiing your less likely to see 2wd. In portland you see a lot of suburus and awd, they (seem) to think they bought their way through ice or snow and cant figure out why they're stuck on top of snow ,or sliding down a icy hill. I wont spare a few Tacoma owners who thought the awd was stupid and went by thinking 4wd would save them, they went in ditches too.