Driving in snow

So... sideways? Thats a lot of snow, I jealous.

 

When in Chicago thats the first thing I did every year is drive to a parking lot at first snow and screw around for an hour or 2

really gives you an idea of what the truck will do

 

We had a 'snow storm' on Sunday (the Canadian guy would have called it a blistering summer day) so I'm trying to learn.

So what's best on ice? 4hi or 2wd? can I use 4hi around corners? Reading here, I thought turning the wheel in 4wd was a no-no.


Came up to a stop sign on a downhill and couldn't brake. Little car in front of me, big ass ditch on the right. Pulled a Steve McQueen and slid between the car and ditch like I was a pro. Hope that's the last time I ever do that.

No matter how good our trucks are, you can't help the other drivers. Had an Accord rear end me yesterday at about 2mph (he didn't know the McQueen move). No damage to me or him, even though he smacked directly into my stinger.


So yes, my hint of the day: If you have the towing package, get a stinger and put it in. If someone gets the notion to rear end you, they will hit that first.

 

stinger?

 

this is what I drove in the snow today




the forklift did some pretty sweet power slides

 

You can also call it a tow hitch... we always call them stingers because of what they do to your leg when you walk into it as you come around the backside of the truck.

 

No doubt! Hurts like hell!

 

...yet I still never learn to watch out for the blasted thing.

 

I'm just speaking of experience. Not to mention it sucks when your truck downshifts and jumps in RPMs while you slow down, and now you have more torque running to the back tires in the middle of a curve. 280ft/lbs of torque versus 140ft/lbs of torque is quick a difference when it comes to the amount of friction your tire needs before it starts slipping.

You could be entirely correct. I just find it to be not be the case with me.

 

Had to drive 12 hours in a wicked winter storm this week, snowing and wind chills in the minus 45 range, the Taco handled it great. Blew nice hot air even without a winter front. I use 4hi as a last resort on the highways, if you get stuck in 2wd you can pop it in 4 and have a chance to get out but you get stuck in 4wd, you are shovelling....

 

yup, I have done it a few times, its a pain I remember now whenever I go to lower my tailgate and instinctly move my legs away from that shin crusher!!

 

Now that looks like fun!!!!!

 

4WD helps on the highway. If you happen to experience a slippery patch or you plow into a heavy drift while driving in 2WD and you find yourself with a slightly over-exuberant right foot, the rear will step out on you. This is inconvenient when in traffic. *understatement alert*

Now, in 4WD, there is much less chance of breaking traction at the rear end - less torque at the rear wheels and the fronts are pulling you along. The phenomenon of differing speeds for tires inside vs tires outside the turn causing binding or loss of traction is negligible while on the highway or rural roads.

If you are at city or parking lot speeds, and the ground is not covered in ice and/or snow, you should be in 2WD.

 

If snow is new to you , the best advice is to clear your windows completely and drive slowly, if your out on public roads, if your in a parking lot(see above) have at it.
Just remember it does take a lot more time to stop in the white stuff.
Jeff, 06,V6, 4x4, SR5, 6spd

 

And that's why I got 4wd. Nothing like being in 4wd, going around a corner at a stop sign, feel the rear end kick out, yank the wheel into the slide, tap the gas, and feeling the front wheels pulling it straight.

I also have a kill switch for my ABS as that kicks in waaaaaaay to soon on snow (or ice or sand or gravel or....).