Good in Snow?

Hi Everyone,

My Taco is a month old and I love it. That said, I was thinking of the upcoming winter and snow covered roads. In the past, I have always driven SUV'S (AWD) that did well in almost any winter conditions.

I assume the Taco (in 4WD) would handle most driving conditions in my area-Southwestern PA. Is this correct? The stock tires look to be a Dunlop all season tread design- not aggressive at all. I was thinking of swapping them out for more of a winter tire. Finally, any changes in driving style while driving in winter condition?

Sorry for the noob questions - this is my first truck and I appreciate the advice.

Pitt

 

Well I've survived 11 yrs with my 03 here in Chicago and it seems like each years snow gets worse. With the exception of the stopping the truck has been flawless in snow and ice getting me through the 2nd worse snow season Chicago has ever seen.

I've never been anywhere near close to stuck. My advise is to put the truck into 4HI anytime it's snowing and only take it out if you find yourself driving on dry pavement.

As for tires. I personally wouldn't recommend winter tires. I know some people swear by them but I see them as a waste of money on a truck. Get yourself a decent pair of AT tires. The Dueler AT REVO and Firestone Destination AT are both great tires that ride smooth and quite and you'll get 50K+ miles out of them.

The only other things you might consider is doint the Gray Wire Mod to allow you to lock the rear diff anytime you like assumuing you have a rear locker and possiably pulling the ABS fuse on to disable ABS. I'm not the first to say it and this will not surprise anyone. The ABS on these trucks SUCK. If one tire begins to slip the system completely unlocks and trys again so leave tons of room between you and the car in front of you.

 

Few threads on this topic, just search them out but.....tires, tires, tires!

 

Very capable in the snow the stock tires will get you there but are lacking in all other respects. The truck will go where an over sized SUV won't and there is no car out there that can compare. We get any thing from ice to 3' of snow all winter long. I need to get where I am going so I use real snow tires (the ones with the little picture of a mountain on them) My drive way climbs 100' in 900' I have no problem with a foot of new snow.

 

The stock dunlops suck in snow

 

welcome.. I am from sullivan county area not far from PA line. lives in the moutains. I have to travel down the mts to work so 4x4 is a must and turn on until you hit bare road.. never speed above 45 mph. it will get you there in one peice. The stock tires ( dunlops ) is so-so the folks in this fourm called them " dunflops" for a reason. they are not the best but it will do subpar. I would use them until enough cash to replace them with better AT tires like Coopers or Duelers or Michlaghins. You dont need overly adgessvie AT unlike some who do alot of off roading.
this my 2 cent here.

 

New Taco DCSB here too. Is it advisable to put weight over the rear wheels?

 

yes

 

For me, Blizzaks, slower speed and 4wd - it is fine on snow and ice

 

If you swap out the dunlops for a better tire you can likely forego the winters. If you went for a goodyear wrangler authority, or silent armour, or duratrac, all have the snowflake symbol and will be a much better tire year-round. I have heard that my summer tire, the michelin ltx ms2 is also very good in snow and ice. Replacing the dunlops with a good all season or all terrain will improve the safety and ride of your truck year round.

The traction control system in these trucks is killer. You won't even need 4wd most of the time because it prevents wheel spin-out and provides the right amount of power to the wheels to maintain traction and keep you moving without spinning out.

Weight in the back is great. Good tires are even better because they will help with steering and braking too.

 

Despite having the bfg rugged trail stockers on my DCSB OR last winter, it handled exceptionally well in the snow. The Tacoma is so much better in the snow than my old 07 tundra was, no matter what tires your running.

 

I have been running Firestone Winterforce UV with studs on all four corners on dedicated rims and they work GREAT...

Howard

 

Nothing a couple zip screws can't handle. homemade studs get more traction like a boss

 

Get some Duratracs and you'll be good to go......they look awesome get excellent reviews for their snow traction!

 

the stock tires are not the best but they will work...

 

pushing through powder in a driveway and stopping or swerving on ice at higher speeds are two different things. Tires are a good investment. Most important thing on your vehicle. Driving for the conditions is always paramount.

 

Like any 4x4 it does great in the snow. It is lighter (than my past 4x4's) so I worry sometimes in windy snow storms (60mph+ winds) but haven't had any issues yet. I recommend you do what I did and keep the Dunlops for winter, they do just fine. They really aren't as bad in snow/ice as everyone seems to say here. I live in Denver and drove it in at least two storms that I remember that had 1 foot plus on unplowed back roads. I drive to the airport for work so its a long commute in a blizzard. If you know how to drive in the snow the Dunlops will be fine. I waited til spring because I didn't need any offroad tires til summer anyway Like any pickup a couple sandbags or a topper can't hurt in the winter. As for winter tires, I used to run 2 studs in the back for winter in my 2 wheel drive f100 because THAT was a bad vehicle for the snow.

 

You are correct that your original tires will work in your area since you do not get the snow as some others, but if you want the best winter protection for snow and ice you need to change tires. That does not mean you should go with a lug tire which will not work on ice any better than you have. There are snow and ice tires that work best.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn_wEzti6TM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlYEMH10Z4s

 

id probably prefer the sport's stock dunlops over the off roads stock rugged fails in the snow and ice.... i went one winter with the rugged fails (keep in mind i live in southern california... so my winter driving is many times a season to the ski resorts around on mountainous roads).... this winter i will get getting some hankook dynapro ATM RF10's.... as the first turn i took on the rugged fails on some icy / snowy roads made me not confident in the truck at all, i was so used to MS2's in the snow and ice that you didnt need 4x4... rugged fails it was mandatory.

 

I do not know what tires you have, but the P245/75R16 tires like I have on my 4WD Regular Cab are Mud & Snow rated.

Last winter in Northeast Ohio was horrible. Not only was I glad I had 4WD, I was glad I also had 9" of ground clearance. There were days when it was too bitterly cold to go outside and clear the driveway. I just put it in 4WD and chugged up the driveway.