So this weekend we're headed up to flagstaff, so my daughter can play in the snow for the first time. The news said there's a good chance of 4-6 inches, and would it be a good idea to air down a bit for a bigger footprint? Or anything I should know or do in preparation? I've driven when it has already snowed and was off road but never highway, so the obvious I can think of is the go slower than normal. Thanks
The Following User Says Thank You to toytaco85 For This Useful Post:
Yes go slower than normal and keep your distance and trust nobody but your self. I live in Wyoming and drive on very slick and snow covered roads all the time. It's not me I don't trust it's everyone else I don't trust.
Thanks, i've learned not to trust other drivers, i'm in an ambulance 48 hours a week and people don't care if you have red and blue lights flashing along with a loud ass siren. They just keep driving like we have nowhere to be.
i remember driving into flagg years ago one winter from california. that was my first experience with black ice. i was in a two wheel drive chevy pickup with no weight in the bed. 18 wheelers were pulled over everywhere along the roads. some of them obviously not out of choice. i made it ok but it was not what i'd call a fun drive. watch out for the black ice in those parts.
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since yesterday became today then we're already living tomorrow in this moment
You do not want to air down. You want a skinnier contact area, the weight of the truck is more concentrated which works to your advantage. The only time you would air down is serious snow, like driving through fresh 12"+ snow un plowed, no tracks.
The Following User Says Thank You to Zeb8806 For This Useful Post:
Also, worst case scenario (if you have it, I don't know) and you do get stuck sometimes shutting off the traction control can work to your advantage. Snow and sand off ther own (most) unique driving experiences over most other types of terrain.
It's really something you get a feel for over weeks, months, years of doing it. Tossing some weight in the bed probably cold hurt you either. I've seen people come up with all kinds of solutions for putting more weight on their rear tires.
I know I just took my '12 DC/RW out to a parking lot the other night and tore into it in all kinds of ways and I'm impressed with how the truck and me got along.
But as mentioned, keep slow, allow distance, and just keep alert, anything can happen on snow and ice.
If you are talking 4-6 inches there will be no rocket science to it. Go slow, have good tires, don't worry about doing anything crazy with air pressure, and always be in 4wd as long as you are on a slick surface. I have never messed with my air pressure for a foot or two of snow. I and I am sure plenty of other people on here have driven through 1-2 feet without doing anything more than turning the key and going, and never had difficulty.
I will say this...stock rubber never stays for very long on my trucks. I upgraded to Revos on the last truck and TOYO OC ATs on this one.
And when in a skid, remember... off the brakes, off the gas, steer in the direction the truck is sliding, and don't do any drastic steering, brake, or gas inputs until the truck is pointed straight again. It is not a bad idea to go somewhere safe and practice inducing and then correcting skids before you encounter such a situation on the road.
__________________ Slow drivers and people who nap at green lights steal precious time from my life that I never get back. They should pay extra registration feels and sales taxes on their vehicles and the government should cut me a check out of that pot based on my hourly wage. If they do this I would gladly sit at the green light behind the lady checking her hair, adjusting the radio, applying makeup, talking on the phone, or daydreaming all day without a complaint.
don't air-down. you want the tires to cut through the snow, not float on top of it. otherwise remember to keep a cushion between you and the cars in front of you. you don't want to skid into the back end of some fool who stops for no reason.
If you put anything in the bed for weight, make sure it is tied down properly. The last thing you want is weight bouncing around back there. I always try to use my gears because your brakes will cause you to loss traction, can't have traction if your tires aren't moving. Low gears will keep you at a slow steady pace.
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When you get to a road with some snow and no one is around, slow down and test your braking distance. Sometimes ABS kicks in and you're not ready for it. I do it every time it snows because the truck responds differently in powder vs slush.
throw some weight to the back end of the bed i.e. sand bags, wood, or a bit of gravel. it will definitely make things less nerve racking for sure. drive like a "blue hair" and things will run smooth.
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Might be driving when snowing, need advice
Tundra
