Would snow tires get my 4 X 2 up the hill?

06 JAN 17 Albuquerque, NM got an inch or so of snow on top of rain. This made a lot of the East/West (uphill going east) streets impassable without 4/all wheel drive. My regular cab 4 X 2 reached a point where it couldn't get up the hill either. I was able to back up to a side street & safely park while I called my son to come get me in his old Chevy 4 X 4. He was able to tow me to a point where I could get going on my own, so I made it to work. Of course when I got off work the sky was blue & the streets were dry. That's NM for you.

Here's my question for you folks with 4 X 2 Tacomas that deal with snow on a regular basis. Would real snow tires have made a difference? I still have the factory wheels, is it worth it to buy snow tires for the one or two times we get snow here? How about chains on all-season tires? I work on an USAF base so I can take leave if I can't get through, but I'd like to go to work. What do you folks do to get through without 4-wheel drive?
My Firestone tires M & S rating proved to be overly optimistic.

 

I drive a PreRunner (4x2) and drive in snow with no problem. Recently we had 8"of snow, the roads were terrible but good tires and a steady foot in the pedal help. I ride on Firestone Destination ATs and have never had a problem with snow. You may want to do a search on TW, there's tons of info about tires.

 

Snow tires definitely help. But if it literally happens once or twice a year, a set of chains is much better, and they work MUCH better, especially on a 2wd. Then you dont have to deal with the hassle of buying, storing, buying a 2nd set of rims, installing, etc.

But to answer your question, it would probably get you up the hill... but still you'll slip and slide everywhere. I leave mine in 2wd sometimes to see how it would do... usually last a half mile before i pop it back into 4x4... with snow tires...

 

Maybe better tires and throw some weight back in the bed. There is some debate if weight helps but I don't think it could hurt

 

Putting a sand bag or two in the bed behind the wheel well will help with traction ive heard

 

Rud Grip 4x4 chains on the rear and a few hundred pounds of sand just in front of the rear axle. A limited slip or locking rear axle helps too. My RWD work van gets around just fine with decent tires on it.

 

Chains are the best option. Cheap, dont take up extra room (storing extra set of tires).