4x4 is all you need.

some people throw a couple sand bags in the bed, which doesn't hurt.

 

one thing to note Ron, Drive the 4x4 just like you would a car with 2wd. You cant stop any faster with 4wd than you can with any other vehicle you have owned. Chains are not legal here where I live so I cant attest to where they will help you.

 

Last winter in New England was the second snowiest in history. One Saturday night they were calling for snow to start after midnight. My wife and I went out to hang with friends anyway, planning on being home before the snow. At 10:45 when we went to leave it was already a blizzard! No problem, we'd take it easy. The normal 25 minute ride turned into almost 2 hours because of the route we had to take and the road conditions. Bottom line, I drove through 8 inches of snow on unplowed roads with well worn tires and had zero issues. An hour or so after going to bed in the height of the storm I had to go out on an ambulance call. The roads still weren't plowed, the snow as a couple of inches deeper, and the Tundra performed! I have brand new tires for this season, so my confidence in getting around will be greater.

Take heed to SP's advice, 4X4 is not a substitute for proper driving technique. The only real advantage is being able to take off from a stop or climb a hill without getting sideways. You do not want to be standing out next to your Tundra while it is on it's roof, it is very embarassing.

 

very good points. 4x4 will get you through the snow, but it doesn't mean drive like an idiot and it will save you. You'll easily be able to get through snow though.

Last winter here in MN, we had a big blizzard (like usual), and had probably close to 2 feet of snow on the ground, and also lots of drifts that built up. It was easily up to the side steps on my truck. It was actually the same storm that is in my sig pic, just many hours later in the evening. The plows were way behind, so no side streets had been plowed. I was bored at home, and threw a shovel in my truck and drove around the neighborhood and probably helped close to 10 cars/vans get unstuck. I had no problems whatsoever, even starting from a dead stop, etc. Was pretty fun actually.

I've had 8 mile commutes take me close to 2 hours, and all that fun stuff too, I'm not a big fan of snow either, lol.

I always carry a bunch of supplies in my truck in winter, like shovel's, scrapers, jumper cables, straps, etc., just in case.

 

Common sense and flipping the switch. That is all. Those two things have gotten me through some very heavy winters in a couple of 4x4s without chains, studs, weight in the bed, or anything else. The biggest single thing that's ever made a difference for me is tires. Tires can make the difference between getting the job done and getting the job done while making it look easy. The crappy Bridgestone passenger tires on my Crewmax will be replaced with all terrains before the Winter, but the truck hasn't been stuck yet. It just feels less confident in certain situations than it would be with quality rubber.

There is no need to be a hero or take stupid chances. Easy on the gas, slow around corners. When you need to turn the wheel and change direction remember that you're not on solid ground and what seems like a harmless amount of throttle can get you in trouble. When you go around a corner what seems like a snail's pace in comparison to how fast you normally take it can still get you in trouble. Take it slow and avoid driving close to other cars. 4x4s end up in ditches because people forget 4x4 is not a replacement for caution and driving skill.

 

Great advice, but I'll add a little technical to that. Don't just flip the switch. If your rear tires are spinning DO NOT try to engage the 4WD, wait for the tires to stop spinning first. That sudden power to the front end that might be on a surface with higher traction will quickly destroy your 4WD components.

 

With all the good advice you have been given I would add two things. 1st is to find a nice big empty parking lot when you get your first snow and get the feel of how your truck will handle. Remember that you are heavier than most cars and while the 4WD will help you go better your weight will mean you need more room to stop.

2nd is that not all vehicles on the road have the same capabilities and needs in bad weather conditions. Don't be one of those morons that drives through a heavy wet snow throwing it all over our smaller brothers trying to get down the road in their car. If you have ever had this done to you by a 4X4 or semi you know what I mean. Just because you can go faster doesn't mean you have too!

 

Good tips! I always wondered how my tundra would handle in the snow. Not that I get much snow over here in orange county haha ... But I go up to mammoth and the desert for dirtbiking and snowboarding, so I hope to romp in some snow soon.

 

All good advice above, I also take off the all seasons and put on my snow tires mounted on 18 inch steel rims and I have one of the shurtrax things that you fill up with water in the bed for weight over the axel,the truck is like a tank in the snow and on the ice

 

Snow shouldn't be an issue. How much snow do you normally get If you have decent rubber then you shouldn't need 4x4. Been through a few winters in Maine and Nor' Easters are hell of storms. All was driven in either a 2008 D/C or my old 93 Toyota pick up. Of course don't drive like an jack ass you should be fine.

 

no need for chains. If you find you need chains in this truck you probably should not be driving in those conditions anyway. I ski 10-15 time a season and driving up in the Colorado mountains in snow, ice and blizzards is as simple as slowing down and flipping on the 4x4 high and drive on. There are a few mountain passes I drive on a consistent basis that can get pretty hairy when the snow is blowing. No issues in the snow and all with stock tires.

Note: I'm due for new skins before this season so we will see if new tires upgrade the snow performance or not.

 

Where I live we have snow for 4 or 5 month out of the year. It starts in November or December and finally stops around the end of March or early April. One thing to take note of is, it is not when the roads have snow on them that makes them hard to get around. It is when the roads are plowed and the traffic has turned everything into hard pack that it is hard to find traction. Some of the things I have learned over the years that really help are:

Let some of the air out of your tires. Drop the air psi down to somewhere between 25 and 28. Your speeds will not be high enough to do any harm to the tires.

Get your tires sipped. This alone will make a huge difference and it will also help in times of normal driving (many benefits).

Get a set of studded tires. There isn't much better for driving on hard pack or ice.

Chains work really well in the deep stuff but are not all that great on hard pack or ice. Don't get me wrong they will defiantly help but for the long haul they can get really annoying and they really don't hold up all that well.

One of the best things you can do is watch out for the other guy. You can do all the right prep and be doing all the right things and still have someone else (that didn’t) get out of control and take you out.

Just my thoughts. Hope they help. Drive careful and good luck.

 

Everyone above is correct.

4X4 is not a catch all for bad condition driving. My 2 wheel drive Cm got me through a pretty icy/snowy winter in IL and it did just fine driving through a few fields when the bad Tornados hit AL this last spring.


Drive cautiously and respect the conditions!!!

 

only thing needed for driving any vehicle in adverse condition is just knowing how to drive...

i have had everything from a mustang, rx7, elcamino, 2wd f150, jetta, you name it, i have had it... all those vehicles sucked, never once stuck. never once in an accident ( other than from me ephin around once doing donuts too fast (mustang)

since then i have bought 4x4's, and really had no issues @ all, i had an 01 lhs fwd for my winter ride last winter...

the tundra with 4x4 should do just fine as long as you know how to drive, use your head, and have good tires.

practice in a parking lot helps. this can not be preached enough. i love winter, i love driving in winter, i even kinda love snow... i do hate the cold tho, that just flat out makes me ache and hurt...

ill drive anywhere in winter, the gf and her fam won't go out, i drive to them, i have brought pizza, i have left there when they think i need to stay...

its only snow.

its the ice and freezing rain thats a pita.

and 4x4 goes better, stops the same ( for the same weight 2wd vehicle)

tire siping helps if you do not already have a good winter tire.
studding is not legal everywhere just like chains/cables....


keep the tank full in case shit happens and you are stuck or road closed and have to sit so you can keep it running and keep you warm.

 

(This is my old 09 4WD Tacoma)

I LOVE SNOW!

I can't wait to test out the Tundra.

I always watch my speed, and braking distance. I never drive into deep snow unless I know whats underneath. I always carry a shovel, gloves, flash lights. Those types of things.

 

Remember that most of the time you will not be in snow like the photos above. It is the clear road mixed with drifting snow and spotty ice conditions that are more common.
A little bit of weight in the back and a LOT of common sense will do you the most good, then use the 4wd when the roads are completely covered.

 

all good advice. here in WI similar to the posting from MN we get 1-2 snowfalls around 24" each year with drifts 3-4' high. NO problems going thru them with somewhat decent tires having tread left and slow the F down is my hardest issue I have. I usually drive too fast for conditions even though never had a problem but biggest issue with 4wd for me anyways is I can drive faster than all front wheel drive and older rear wheel drive cars thus when in traffic around others, I get impatient and pass sometimes when I should not be passing in adverse conditions. If I am all alone on the road, no problems, biggest issue is other people on the road having to watch out for. Remember, our tundras do NOT slow down as fast as most lighter cars since heavier than most other vehicles and takes more time to slow down thus needing more distance between other vehicles on the road. Best advice: stay clear of other traffic as much as possible in winter driving conditions.

 

It isn't the heavy snowfalls I worry about but the dustings.
Menacing snow that turns to black ice quickly.
Lots of good suggestions already mentioned here. I tow in winter and go with studded tires though can be used here in Vermont. Mostly for the towing do not want 360s with a trailer on the back. Also give plenty of room for the other guy.

 

Guys, I live in South Carolina where we might get 2 inches of snow a year, if that. I'm curious though, what is siping for your tires?

 

Siping (rubber) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Where I grew up, nearly everyone had chains and used them. That said, I carry a set in my Tundra but have never needed them mostly because of all of the things mentioned in this thread.

Note, if you look in the Tundra owner's manual, chains are only advised on the rear tires.

 

Yeah, but in those days pickup trucks were all 2wd with 6.70x15 tires and the limited slip diff had not been invented.

Chains on the front would cause a SERIOUS clearance problem. They would rip the fender liners out.

 

Living in Southern California, I never get to drive in the snow. Sucks.

 

If you do run chains on the front (due to circumstances) NEVER EVER pull someone out that way. It will tear your front diff. appart, it isn't made to withstand that kind of punishment!

The Tundy does well in snow, but it can't handle everything:

 

I love this photo!

Anyway, my advice for driving in the snow >> DON'T! It seems every time it snows, more idiots get out to test their driving abilities. And then they end up in the ditch taking you with them.

 

Most everything I could tell you has already been said, and really well.

Just keep in mind that having four-wheel drive does not negate the Laws of Physics.

Ask me how I know.

Good luck,

Joe

 

and use your transmission to slow down! i normally run around in 2nd gear so I don't use as much brakes. last thing you want is a skidding truck

 

A set of good tires, they don't need to be studded, just a good all season traction tire. Most importantly common sense and knowing how to drive in snow/ice. People seem to think that because they drive a 4WD truck, van, car, or SUV they are invincible. Yes, with 4WD you can in fact drive 100mph in the snow if you are dumb enough, just don't plan on stopping anywhere close to where you want. Driving with a 4WD seems to make people overconfident and with the addition of all the electronic traction control systems it makes people even dumber when it comes to driving offroad, mud, sand, snow, ice, etc.

 

Out of curiosity, what do you guys do as far as Traction Control- leave it go or disable it? I've found that if I'm stopped on a hill in snow with it on the truck just wants to sit there and make the grinding sound that it makes when TC is working. It seems to work a little better to disable it and let the truck dig and spin a little to get going.