Question, Deep Snow options, advise, tips?

I love to go hunting and fishing, I live in California, and it would sometimes snow fresh powder snow up to sometimes 4 or 5 ft of snow. My question is, what are my best options for the old back logging roads during snow storms ? Take a shovel, air down, and invest in some chains ? My current setup is a 3.5" lift on 285 70 17x9 nitto terra grapplers, 08 4x4 Trd Sport Dclb with the mechanical Lsd in the rear. Next summer I'm hoping to look into some Mtr Kevlars 33x12.5s, hear they do great in snow. My type of terrain are, mud, snow, slush, rocks, and sand. I do drive approximately 1 to 2 hours to locations of trips, so a snow tire is NOT an option.... Just another weekend warrior seeking for help.

 

Chains and a winch...but 4 feet is really stretching it without tracks or very tall wheels

 

What's considered tall ? Current setup is 285 70 17 on a 17x9 rim. 5.71" backspacing. If my math is right, that is just under 33inches.

 

Here's an idea of what I go through. 2.5" lift on 29" km2s on my suzuki, my tacos' got 33s on 3.5" lift and a rear lsd.

 

Snow is what we do back home, and there's no way in hell you're going to push that truck through 4-5' of freshies without an exceptional amount of modification. A lot will depend on the condition of the snowpack, but I wouldn't expect much success over 3'.

Chains, winch, tire chains, shovels, water, food, fuel, supplies, 200-300 lbs of additional weight in the bed, and never go out alone.

Some light reading for your consideration:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tacomas-in-iceland.14007/

 

Thanks for the input, main reason I haven't gone out to the snow as often as I'd like to is because I'm am new to the snow terrain. Any helpful mods I should be doing/getting ? Rocksliders/sidesteps, front and rear bumpers, winch, roof rack, 15gal of fuel, full sized 33 spare tire, hilift jack, dual battery setup, lights, and on board air are expected to go into this rig along with 33x12.5 mt/r kevlar tires. Possibly a camper shell or a soft topper.

 

Check out http://expeditionportal.com/ It's a great resource.

I'm working my truck into an expedition build. Front and rear true high clearance bumpers, sliders, and lots of belly armor. Kick up a fallen limb into your drive train or gas tank and you're proper screwed. I'm looking at the prinsu roof rack, and just purchased the All Pro bedrack and a CVT RTT to go on top of the bed. I'm planning a custom swingout on the rear bumper to run go from my one full-sized spare up to two. Hi-lift and accessories, and a ton of recovery gear. I like the dual battery setup, but I want to keep it simple... I've been thinking about installing a deep cycle marine battery. My goal is to run 34's, so I'm going to relocate the front cab mounts and push in some sheet metal while installing front fiberglass fenders. At that point, regear the diff and install front and rear ARB air lockers and on board air. That's most of what I can think of off the top of my head. I'm trying to keep it all organized in my build thread.

 

Bring alot of buddies, the more the merrier. I've spent many nights stuck up on the mountain because we only brought one or two rigs..

 

I have a marine battery in mine, along with factory 130 amp alt and tow package, oil cooler and such. The second battery would be mainly for winching, or backup accessories/auxiliary items. Much like an expedition vehicle, but not made for going on for weeks. Mostly camping for a few days at most. Also my rig would be set up with 33s possibly 34s later down the road, but I'd start chopping up fenders then. Reason I didn't consider the fiberglass fenders is that they are more fragile than stock ones, if you were to hit anything, they'd crack. Also I was looking around for a true high clearance hybrid tube bumper, and keep it lighter weight for towing moments.

 

Ahh, a reason to miss a day of work, that's all. I love the outdoors, mostly hunting and fishing. Thanks for the input though, I'd think a winch and shovel would get me home if i were out hunting in one rig. Due to the fact that there are trees everywhere where I go. Now wheeling is a different story... here in Cali, it snows in the mountains, and off road trails in the rocky creek beds, where the animals are away from. I separate my wheeling and hunting trips

 

Which battery did you go with and why? I'm not overly concerned about cracking fiberglass. They'll get color-matched and look good when installed, but if they get cracked they'll get zip ties for stitches. My bed is already smashed up, and aesthetics mean very little to me.

 

Winch, shovel, chainsaw .

 

if you do only one thing it has to be chains on all powered wheels.

big fat chains and good strapping to hold them on...not the plastic euro-pass stuff

 

Having lived through 40+ Maine "wintahs" ..........I simply won't drive in any intact/standing snow that's over a foot. An once of prevention....ya know.

When I do venture off-road with the potential for unplowed snow, I always have tow straps, tire chains, 3 Ton Come-Along, winch ropes, snatch blocks, etc.

 

Add extra warm clothes, fire starter, extra pair of boots and socks, high calorie snacks, etc. Basic stuff you need survive being stuck, walking out, and signaling.

BTW the Taco will only accept chains on the rear. Most kinds of chains anyhow.

 

The problem for the Tacoma and all pickups is the light rear end. To get around this problem I carry 3 60lb tube sand "sausages" all winter. I got them at home depot a number of years ago and they came in a plastic type covering and are still ok. That being said, all the suggestions concerning chains, come-alongs, etc. are all valid and you can't go wrong by having them. On the road, I have driven the Tacoma through 10-12 inches of snow without issue. Off road is a different situation entirely and bears much caution. If the OP has little experience in that type of situation I suspect that he could find a "winter driving school".

 

4 to 5 foot. STAY HOME!

 

1) avoid getting caught in something you can't get out of. Simplest solution. Big strorm coming? Stay home or don't go deep.

2) If caught by a surprise 4-5' snow dump, wait for spring?

3) have a good survival setup regardless, if you are deep and at risk of some foul weather. Survival gear may change a bit based on season?

4) file a trip plan so you can be rescued after x hours of no communication (like good sailors do). This will allow for weather, personal injury (hey, it happens), broken gear, etc.

 

I wouldn't try to take a snowmobile through 4 feet of fresh snow.

 

This is what you need for serious snow https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mattracks_Inc