Stuck in snow, advice needed

Here's a thread with some tips:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/snow-wheeling-tips-n-tricks.642121/

 

This is a great forum ... OP, thanks for posting this ... and I am glad you are safe!

As a north easterner (who loves California), I am afraid my experience can't help much. As someone earlier said, California snow is just different. My concern would be how deep is the snow and what is underneath. In the North East, our ground gets pretty frozen solid so you can sink and then get traction when you get to hard ground, assuming the snow is not too deep. But I am not sure what the ground condition is under all that snow. Sometimes, we get lucky and the snow is wet and compacts tight enough that you can get some traction.

A few solid suggestions here, such as have plenty of warm clothing, supplies and emergency gear. And, of course, shovels. Real shovels like the one posted earlier. Those cute Overland shovels really don't do a lot when you have that much snow. Definitely get some chains but not the fancy modern ones (nothing wrong with those in the right conditions). But the old school chains with big teeth. The bigger and uglier the better!

I would add to the sound advice you have been getting about walking ahead and avoiding the snow drifts. I find it very helpful to have a snow marker in the truck for these purposes. That way I can poke the snow and get a sense as to how deep it actually is -- and how far it is until I hit ground. That won't help if the ground underneath is a mushy mess but good to know.

Side note: I have a nutty cousin who lives way north in Quebec. Loves to play in the snow. Dude actually tosses one of those electric snowblowers in the back of his truck and clears the path that way. Of course, his buddy thinks he is nuts and just loads a snow mobile in the back ... he is never one to be unprepared. I kid you not.

But really look forward to the other thoughts here so I can learn a bit about the difference in the snow at Mammoth ... I would like to get out there one day.

 

I did some snow wheeling this month too and learned how easy it was to get stuck. Big snow rated tires with clearance really does help but even guys out there with 37s still got stuck. We ended up airing down to 12psi and it really helped more then I expected, we just kept speeds down nice and slow. As mentioned above, always carry an emergency overnight snow kit, warm clothing, blankets/food/water/extra fuel etc.

Beside that, I learned what worked best is not just one thing but multiple, low psi, chains, lockers and a winch. All in conjunction with a buddy vehicle or two equipped with the same items. Cool pics though and glad you guys got out, fun stories to remember.

 

A winch would’ve probably been your best friend in this scenario, at least to get you back onto your tracks from before you got high centered, then find a spot to turn around and follow them out. Keep your rear locker and MTS on (which simulates a front locker) in the deep stuff. If you get chains, make sure they clear your UCAs and fenders when your suspension compresses, otherwise they’ll chew things up. And the bigger the tires, the less room for chains you’ll have. Besides the standard self recovery gear, Always keep extra water, food and blankets!!! in the truck when you’re in the snow, in case you don’t get unstuck. My dad ran a business called “Mountain Towing” when I was growing up, and I went on more snow recoveries with him than I can count. I have seen a lot of hypothermic people almost freeze to death because they weren’t properly prepared.

 

This one is a grain shovel. It isn't super wide but it is shaped in such a way that it'll move a lot of snow, quickly. I was very glad I had it that second time I high-centered myself in the snow.

 

Good point on the chains -- and making sure they fit. I would add to that, be sure to lace your chains up and test them before you need them. Not as easy as you think to get them on your truck when you have never done it before, it is cold and you are in deep snow.

Sound advice here ... thanks !

 

I'd say, experience is superhelpful. Go around and play in the snow. Momentum is key, keep your tires spinning. Spin your tires at a high revolution to eject the snow from the treads. If you come into a fresh line, hit reverse super quick and back up into your previous tracks. Never stop in a fresh snow bank. Air down before you hit the snow, like 12-15 psi. A front Locker will help a lot. My best traction while in thick snow was with Yokohama mud tires. Always travel with a buddy and don't enter anything unless you're confident that you can get out. Fully locked, mud tires, snow chains, shovels, gloves, headlamp, second vehicle, the ability to stay the night, recovery gear, food and water. Spin it to win it! (while in motion)

 

I have the same one on my deck. It'll move more snow in an hour than I can

 

Grew up in Alaska. Mud terrain or more aggressive at 10 psi on trails and drop as low as 6 if it’s over the axles or to get un stuck. I wouldn’t drive fast or corner aggressively at 6 but it really helps if you plowing a path.

 

Winter clothing would be a good start.

 

Flip flops and a hoodie???

 

from the looks of their age. id say call mom.. one dude has flip flops on and they all just have sweat pants on..
you know if there was no one else up there and you guys died because you froze and didn't have the right gear, your moms would sue Toyota for the tacoma getting stuck and then tacomas would be banned in California.. because California..
and then the world would be safer?

 

Yes, I was wondering the same thing. Very millennial. At least get a pair of warm socks and boots it you're going to be going out in the snow.

 

I got stuck in the snow and used crawl control for the fist time. It worked! That and as someone said experience.

 

TRD Bro’s get stuck tho (no hood scoop).

 

If you're High centered with your truck sitting on the frame / skid plate nothing much you can do besides having some pull you out with a snatch strap . If you can use a shovel and remove as much snow as you can from under your truck and a few feet from the tires in ea direction . Next lower your air pressure to 12 psi then with steady throttle control try and back out as reverse uses lower gearing

 

Nokian LT3 in 285/70R17 or 315/70R17.

 

Find someone else to go out there with you in another vehicle. A come along is fairly inexpensive and getting the vehicle to move a foot or two is usually all it takes to get going again. "I'm only going a couple miles out there." Out here in the desert I come across too many people stuck out there with no water etc. I always carry water and some good hiking boots or shoes. The cell phone doesn't always work out there so alway's have a plan to hike out. Water, gear etc. Let someone know where you are going and around when you plan on returning. Oh, and let them know if you run into some friends and your plan's change... don't ask me how I know that.

 

I've been in similar situation powder on top ice below powder. I had to use crawl control and some digging and I got out

 

Be the forth one in line.