Can't stop in snow

It doesn't matter. In this thread alone 2nd gen trucks some claim to have terrible issues in small amounts of snow / ice. Some claim to have no issues at all even in heavy snow and ice. The only variation I see is with the drivers of these said 2nd Gens. Nothing else makes any sense at all. There isn't going to be that much variance between the ABS Units without it throwing a failure code and turning off. They are tested to very tight specifications.

 

My truck is horrible in the ice and snow when braking.
Period!
Abs sucks

 

Come visit me in Canada... Ill teach you how to drive in snow.

Hi, ho.. hi, ho... through the snow we go...
We are Canucks...
We don't get stuck...
Hi, ho..' hi,ho, hi,ho...

 

Your problem is that you have BFG Rugged Fails. Those tires are garbage.

 

Well , it does matter as to whether or not the Tacoma ABS system is more sensitive than other systems , and obviously people with varying experience , circumstances , and even snow type will have differing opinions as to the effectiveness of the Tacoma ABS system

We even have people chiming in that have never driven a Tacoma on snow

 

Yep! That would be me.

I do however know a lot about ABS sweet cheeks! And most of the "facts" that I've seen posted in here is pure BS.

 

I think you are misunderstanding me , I'm not saying you don't know how an ABS system functions , I'm saying that the Tacoma ABS system is sensitive in slippery conditions

 

Sorry, I misunderstood your intent.

I am trying to understand why the wide disparity of opinions between drivers with the same truck ABS systems in very similar conditions. The largest variable being the drivers.

Edit: I do work in the automotive business and it irritates me when I read all this crap about ABS Sux ... When those that are complaining mostly don't have a clue what or how the system works or why it does what it does.

ABS has been the largest improvement to the automotive braking system since the disc brake. It has actually been the biggest ever IMO and has saved many lives by allowing people to steer around a hazzard instead of sliding into it because all four wheels are locked up.

Nothing can make driving on ice and snow fool proof. If you want to blame the ABS for your mistakes... well I guess that is fine too.

 

Snow type is a huge factor that often is overlooked

Dry fluffy snow is so much easier to drive in than wet slush

 

The abs system sucks even with good winter tires in my truck. So it's not always the tires.

 

Breaking news.... the true source to drive perfectly safely in the snow is.... there isnt one. Just put her in 4 hi, air down your tires or get better ones, and listen to some nice relaxing music and keep on trucking CAREFULLY. None of that racing BS in the slippery stuff.

The slow turtle always wins the race, did old cartoons teach you nothing??

 

ABS is not a mandatory system , does not help on slippery conditions , so why not bypass it ?

 

Well, here's my experience. The Tacoma is the first vehicle that I have owned with ABS. I bought it in February of 2010 and ran the stock tires for the remainder of the winter and into the Spring. I had read that the ABS might be more sensitive than it should be here on this site and I thought that might be correct as it seemed more sensitive then the couple of other vehicles that I had driven with ABS.
In May of that Spring, I bought Kumho Road Venture MT KL71 tires to run for the Summer. They're rated fairly well for snow but I have driven with and without dedicated winter tires on other vehicles and I wasn't going to drive the truck in a Manitoba winter without GOOD winter tires.
In November of 2010 I bought a set of Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5's. They're a studded winter tire. My experience with them has been fantastic. My ABS barely ever comes on. My conclusion, if the ABS comes on its because you tires have lost traction. Get better tires for the conditions that you're driving in. I can justify having 2 sets of tires because of the drastic difference between our Summers and Winters, maybe you can't and you have to have tires that are more of an all-around performer. If that's the case, don't expect them to perform like a winter tire when you get that blast of Old Man Winter for a week or month....but don't blame the ABS for trying to do its job when the tires don't meet the challenges of the conditions.

 

That's your opinion.

 

time for some duratracs, abs kill switch mod, and and adjustment in driving habits. I was just in the snow over the new years weekend and with good tires, abs bypassed, and 4wd engaged, i was able to be in complete control when i wanted and was driving "safely". however when I wanted to slide around and have some fun, just put my foot into it a little more and was still in complete control

 

Might the difference be between the Vacuum assist brake model master cylinder and the electronic assisted model master cylinder.

It could be that the electronically assisted master cylinder would give you the indications as if it were an ABS issue when it really is not.

 

ie TRD Offroad vs the rest ?

 

There should be a factory ABS kill switch IMO

 

Just get a lighted SPST switch and do the Landphil method

 

I have a 2010 Trd sport and BFG all terrains. I live in the snow and drive in it every day, fresh powder, packed snow, complete iced over roads, and slush. The ABS is a little sensitive I think BUT its mainly driving habits in the snow/ice. If your sliding around corners in POWDER (more traction in powder) your probably going to fast (obviously) and especially if its icey just slow it down. As far as downshifting vs braking, I do both. More downshifting than braking, braking is my last resort, I normally shift from 3rd down to 2nd without losing traction cause I'm driving slow enough but if I slam it into L I sometimes lose traction which is worse than locking up the brakes cause the truck wants to fishtail. I test my brakes whenever the snow/driving conditions change and yeah I slide a little, of course, ITS SNOW people. I'm happy with how my truck performs in the snow and I feel very safe in it.

Edit: I've also had experience with the stock tires in the snow, my current bfg's AT's are 100x better in winter conditions. Did I forget to mention your tires have a lot to do with it? Bahaha.