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Need winter tips for living and commuting through Montana in a 2014 TRD OR

Discussion in 'North West' started by UBYBC, Nov 18, 2020.

  1. Nov 18, 2020 at 4:28 PM
    #1
    UBYBC

    UBYBC [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hi everyone, I'm a Texan that will be heading up to Montana for Dec 2020/Jan 2021. Taking my 2014 TRD OR running BFG KO2s and will be commuting around the state. I am looking for advice and tips for winter highway and local driving during my time there. I have some annual winter driving experience in NorCal, CO and midwest states, but it was in an easy as can be AWD Subaru with BFG Sport Comp tires. Any suggestions and tips for the truck, chains, no chains, bed weight, battery warmers are welcome, and thank you.
     
  2. Nov 18, 2020 at 4:35 PM
    #2
    Bishop84

    Bishop84 Well-Known Member

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    You'll be fine as is, BFG's arent winter tires, but they have the 3 peaks snow rating, so they are better than most.

    Easy rule with 4x4, if you can't see the road, or its kicking out, put it in 4HI, dont worry about driving highway speeds with it locked in, its much safer and does little to the truck.

    Run 29-30psi cold, it will bite better.

    You won't need a battery warmer, just make sure its charged.

    Make sure you're running 5W30 oil, not 10W30 or 10W40 that some hot states run.

    Make sure to change to washer fluid that is sub zero rated.
     
    PowerFlower, Hooligans and TacoManOne like this.
  3. Nov 19, 2020 at 9:55 PM
    #3
    GoForBroke

    GoForBroke Well-Known Member

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    Yes to chains, not sure about Montana but some roads in Oregon and Washington require you to at least carry chains. If you get stopped or checked for them you can at least show that you have them to get through. Les Schwab will let you return them if you do not use them for a full refund. Common sense stuff mainly applies when driving in winter conditions, like make sure to have emergency supplies with you on hand in case of a road closure or stranded situation. Waterproof pants and jacket, wool blanket, tarp, extra food and water, flares, portable battery jumping device, additional battery for cell phone. Anything with a battery will need to be maintained regularly as batteries die faster in cold weather. As you mentioned some weight in the bed will help but also too much weight probably isn’t good either. A good head lamp with extra batteries or multiple battery packs if they run off their own battery is a must have, so many situations where they are helpful and it gets dark early.
     
  4. Nov 19, 2020 at 10:08 PM
    #4
    Hooligans

    Hooligans Well-Known Member

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    Fairbanks, Alaska
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    Still thinking about it.
    I moved to Alaska from Texas eight years ago. Good advice above... carry some stuff to keep you safe and warm if something goes wrong. Have a good battery under the hood, not too old. You can run those BFGs no problem, just maybe not as fast and confident as Blizzaks and such. I run highway speed in 4hi anytime I feel the need. Sometimes for days at a time.
     
  5. Dec 4, 2020 at 9:46 PM
    #5
    UBYBC

    UBYBC [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks guys, these are great tips. Adding warm weather gear makes good sense. I carry most of that stuff on board, battery pack and use 5W30 here. I will have to get chains. Will look at Les Schwab. I get concerned about torquing the diff in 4H on asphalt roads, but I guess the trick is to be mindful of it when turning, and to use soft spot when it needs to slip. I run an X2 AGM battery, its good for about 4 yrs.
     
  6. Dec 8, 2020 at 7:00 AM
    #6
    barnes828

    barnes828 Well-Known Member

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    Vancouver, Wa
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    you shouldn’t need to have chains if you have KO2’s. Make sure they’re 3 peak rated and it counts as a traction device the same as chains. Main thing is to give yourself lots of room from others and slow down way before you need to stop. As others said 4hi is the way to go and as long as you don’t try to make really sharp turns it won’t cause any problems. If you’re in 2wd make sure you leave all the traction controls on. It does wonders! If you hit the brakes and are sliding bump it into neutral and ease the brakes. This will turn off your anti lock brakes and allow you to try to slow down. If you can’t slow down let the brakes off and just steer towards the safest place. Your truck won’t steer if the wheels are locked up, but if you let the brakes off the tires will rotate and you’ll be able to steer. Have fun and enjoy your trip
     
    UBYBC[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  7. Dec 8, 2020 at 7:18 AM
    #7
    Knute

    Knute Well-Known Member

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    Don't circumvent the Anti-lock brakes. The system can pulse the brakes much faster than your foot. The specific purpose is to prevent the wheels from locking up leading to a skidding wheel with no control.

    When the snow arrives, carefully drive to an empty parking lot. You can practice stopping, starting, panic stops, doing donuts......use all drive settings 2 WD, 4Hi and 4Lo. Begin with low speed, say under 10 mph. Work your way up to about 30-35 mph. Put the truck into a skid, then take action to correct the skid. The purpose is to retrain yourself about how the truck handles and the function of the ABS system. Have fun, watch out for light poles. I caved in a passenger door on my first car......fortunately it was a rust bucket beater......
     
    UBYBC[OP] likes this.
  8. Dec 10, 2020 at 12:25 PM
    #8
    montanacruiser

    montanacruiser Well-Known Member

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    Before you start off hold the traction control button for 3 seconds. Give it lots of gas through corners to get the back end out. But seriously just give your self extra time to get where you need to be and drive slow. No need for chains unless you are headed up into the woods. I have lived in Montana my whole life and never had snow tires just all terrains.
     
    UBYBC[OP] likes this.
  9. Jan 17, 2021 at 2:22 PM
    #9
    UBYBC

    UBYBC [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks again guys. Been super easy and fun. Gorgeous state and really nice people.
     

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