Tips for snow and the north please

I am moving to Ohio in April to be by family, I have lived my entire life in Georgia where it hits 115°f in the peak of summer and snow is the end of all times bc that shit dosent happen here. I'm moving to the snow belt and I've never seen snow... What are things I need to know for living up there and what are some tips for keeping my taco in the best shape I can

 

Bring a jacket

 

Make sure your fluids are upkept and appropriate for the cold. I check my antifreeze mixture in the fall to make sure it's good to go.
Not sure how much snow Ohio gets but snow tires could be a possibility. They really do make a difference.
I love my remote start but the previous owner installed that.

 

Never use cruise control on slick roads and pump your brakes to stop never panic. Also find an empty parking lot covered in snow and practice your counter steering. Also if the defrost is to hot ice will build onto your windshield wipers and window. That's all for now.

 

Chardon Ohio, average of 7'of snow apparently. Ummmm, I have the stock tires on the truck and I'm Def getting a remote start put in soon

 

hose down or Up your undercarriage, or like previously mentioned Fluid Film.

 

I assuming shops up there will offer this. Is this a yearly appliance or a one time thing. I was assuming there is something similar to rhino liner for the Undercarriage.

 

Fluid film is just that, it stays fluid, & does not get hard like other undercoatings. apply twice a yr

 

Leave plenty of space between yourself and the vehicle traveling in front of you.....(doubly so for plow trucks and triaxles). The vicious cocktail of slush, snow, rocks and salt pelting the front of your truck is not so good. Also, the added space gives you time to brake reasonably if the roads are slick.

 

Empty parking lot is a great idea. Get a feel for the truck sliding and how it handles.

 

Most detail shops offer a rust inhibitor but the best thing you can do is rinse your frame as often as possible using just water the chemicals in the soap will increase the chance of rust if not completely washed away. Also in the spring time I usually run a lawn sprinkler on the undercarriage for a couple hours moving it a little bit at a time.

 

Welcome to Ohio. I live in the snow belt of NE Ohio. You will want to get some weight in the bed of the truck. Home Depot sells the cheap 60 lb. bags of sand (Quikrete Tube Sand). I run two bags, but three may be even better. Driving in snow isn't too bad. Take it easy, brake early, easy on the throttle, and drive by feel. Avoid the soft shoulders of the road. The slush that builds up on the shoulder as the road thaws from the salt can pull you in if your not careful. Keep your windshield washer fluid topped off - the salt spray kicked up on the highway tends to smear and stick to the windshield. If you start to lose control of your vehicle or feel a slide - don't panic and over correct. I recommend going to a parking lot after some fresh snow and try messing around and seeing how the extreme steering inputs affect the truck.

Fluid Film is a must to combat rust from all the salt we have here. I ordered a kit from Amazon that comes with the bottom feed sprayer, gallon of Film, applicator/brush can, and an aerosol can of Film.

Decent all season tires are good, but dedicated snows are better. When I wear out my factor Wranglers I am going to go to a AT tire with a winter rating.

Ask questions, there are plenty of things that I probably have left out and take for granted. Here is a motivational photo of what you are coming to (photo taken today):

 

I have mine done every other year. I would recommend fluid film also. Krown Rust Control or Rust Check.

 

. Holy crap!!! I'm am really excited but at the same time like wtf am I doing. Lol. Thanks for the advice.... Dear God that's alot of snow

 

Great advice here! I live a little further North, where it's a bit colder and has more snow. I've learned a few things over the years such as keep it simple and don't drive too fast. With a set of good winter tires tacomas are unstoppable so don't overdrive the vehicle. It's easy to go too fast and think you're invincible on snow days haha. Remember when it comes to stopping and maintaining control you have the same four patches of rubber on the road that everyone else has.
In terms of rust that's a tough one and hardest thing to adjust to. We all love our trucks and would like them to be cool forever but sadly that doesn't happen where salt is used. Regular washes, fluid film and other methods all help but sooner or later your truck will be junk. I figure if I get 10 years out of it, it owes me nothing and it's time to start over.

 

Just make sure you have decent tires, give it a rinsing every once in a while, and take it slow and you'll be fine.

 

If you park outside at night when it's going to snow, lift your wipers away from the windshield and prop them up, or stand them out from the glass to keep them from freezing to the windshield.

 

Just remember that 4 wheel drive really doesn't mean bupkis on ice. In snow it can help, but if you break traction, it does not matter how many wheels you have driving. When I was in a semi, every year after the first snow anywhere I went, the majority of vehicles in the ditches were 4WD. It's REALLY easy to get overconfident and overdrive the conditions. Just go easy, and find a parking lot and practice, practice, PRACTICE!!!

 

We will have a 3 car garage but idk if it will fit once I get roof racks a lift and larger tires.... Guess I'll have to build a bigger garage to fit

 

Parking lot is the best advise.

The only issue with lifting the wipers is how this leads to them losing their shape. I used to do this and noticed I would have the problem but never realized it until I read about it some where.