Tacoma general snow handling.

I was born and raised in central Florida I recently move to philly because better paying job, either way. I got talking to a friend about the snow and he was wondering weather ass-end ( bed ) would slip all over with most the weight being in the front, I know tire's are a factor but I was just wondering in general how does it handle in the snow I have a 2 gen 2015 Tacoma.

 

do you have 4wd? either way, if you're nervous get some snow tires and add some sand bags to the bed and you'll be fine

 

If you're 4x4 you can get around in some fairly deep snow. I had a 2011 2.7 4x4 with and the cheapest tires they put on Tacoma - Dunlop AT20's. No locker, or ATRAC and got around pretty well in 10"+ snow. As stated above, I did use sand bags. Truck handle snow really well though.

 

I have a 2000 tacoma 4x4 with just a camper shell and it handle very well. Even in 2 wheel drive it did good. Just add some weight in the back and your golden.

 

It is 4x4, and thanks for the advice you 3 on the sandbags and sadly I also have Dunlop at20's also lol.

 

My 04 is much better in the snow than my 2 nd gen Tundra. You will be fine.

Just remember one rule. If you wonder if roads are bad enough for 4 wheel drive? Put it in 4 wheel drive. Also remember a little bit of snow is more dangerous than a lot of snow. People have to slow down for a lot of snow, they don't, on general, slow down for a little snow.

 

Fuck, man ... it's the middle of June and you're already talking about snow ?!

 

Wow. Really early in the year for this conversation. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is the traction control system in the newer Tacomas. It's not like driving an older rwd vehicle where you need to be careful going up hills and around corners that you don't overdo the throttle or drop a gear accidentally and spin out, kicking you sideways. The traction control system makes it almost impossible to lose your back end (fish tailing) unless you disable the system. As soon as one tire loses traction and starts to spin, the vehicle limits the power to the spinning wheel so that it doesn't go faster than the other, non-spinning wheels.

As with any rear wheel drive vehicle you just have to drive it as such. Added weight is great advice. Better tires if you can afford to upgrade them as well. A lot of people upgrade tires pretty quick and sell their take-off stock tires.

 

The Dunlops are okay in snow for the first year they are on the truck. After that, any traction lugs are gone and they suck - mostly when you apply the brakes. Get a second set of cheap wheels and good tires for winter. Also, if the roads are slick at all (or even wet in winter) do the quick push on your trac button. This will engage auto LSD before ABS when the rear slips a little. I engage it every time I start the truck in the winter because slick spots can show up without warning. With good tires you'll notice that the ABS and E-LSD don't engage anywhere near as often as it does with those shitty Donlops. They're just fine in warmer temps though.

Rear weight helps too - a shell is good multi-function weight.

 

If you live and drive in the city you'll probably rarely need four wheel drive. I think I used it once or twice last winter and that was only because I had it - not that it was truly needed.

My biggest winter challenge has been getting up my driveway....

 

Extra weight in the bed will help but the DCs already have way better weight distribution than the xtra cabs.

 

I didn't think about the double cab helping, makes sense though originally I just got it for extra space but that's a cool added benefit also! Thanks

 

Good point.

 

In my experience tires make the biggest difference. I had Goodyear Silent Armour tires on my last full-sized truck and the thing was a tank in the snow (accelerating and stopping!).