Snow and Ice questions

Ghostface · 01-06-2005, 04:20 PM

With winter setting in I thought I would see how other people handle driving in the snow and ice.

1) Do you put extra weight in the back of the truck? If so how much?
2) Do you put snow tires or anything other than stock tires on?
3) Run your truck in 4hi the whole time while driving on snow or ice?
Nevermind this question its being answered on this tread Another 4x4 question
4) Do you find some empty parking lot and "practice" sliding?

When I used to live in Alaska I managed to kiss 2 different guard rails in my 99 Dodge Dakota because of black ice. I would definatly like to avoid that again in my new baby. Of course I was a little younger and dumber back then.

*Squid* · 01-06-2005, 04:41 PM

1)No.Over 320 miles in the last two nights of(freezing rain, sleet, snow and ice and I've found that the truck doesn't need it.)(Not that it would hurt)(I do carry around a 50LB bag of salt just in case)

2)No,I have the Bridgestones and the Truck is very sure footed in both 4WD and 2WD.

3)Yes,If there is snow or ice.(pages 5-20 thru 5-25 of the manual covers 4WD.)

4)Yes,I'ts the only way to know what to expect when your actually out on the road.

(Learn the feel of when the rear end is going to break loose.Which way does the rear end go when it does?When you slam on the brakes and the ABS kicks in how does that feel,(both truck and brake pedal) and sound.Whats the brakeing distance for different speeds.learn it all alone so when crap starts to happen around you you can concentrate on escape and evade of the danger.)Good Luck.I'm back out in it in about a hour.

And when it comes to black ice in 2wd I do nothing but slowly reduce the gas.And hold the steering wheel rock solid. And Pray.
ALOT!
REAL LOUD!
AND SHUT MY EYES!

wrenrj1 · 01-06-2005, 05:27 PM

I'll echo what Squid says. We had a foot of snow in the past two days. I'll put it in 4wd for the roads that I think it may be necessary to maintain traction and momentum. If main roads are snowy, I may or may not depending on if there are clear tire paths down to the pavement. The Titan does well with the VDC and anti-skid mechanisms which made me more confident in keeping it in 2wd for the most part. While I don't prefer to shift in and out for every change in the road surface, I'll usually keep it in 4wd till I'm reasonabally sure I won't have to go back to it in the next block or two...

I have the stock goodyear tires which seem to do pretty well, but I'd bet they wouldn't hold a candle to my previous vehicle's Michelin ATX LT's...

milleniamarv · 01-06-2005, 06:55 PM

Quote Squid: "And when it comes to black ice in 2wd I do nothing but slowly reduce the gas.And hold the steering wheel rock solid. And Pray.
ALOT!
REAL LOUD!
AND SHUT MY EYES! "

Also applies when black ice is encountered on a 1wd motorcyle! A number of years ago while riding to work in December all bundled up with multiple layers of clothing found myself on a freeway coated with black ice. With 2-3 vehicles sliding off the right hand side and 3-4 off the left side I started to fishtail just backing off the throttle. By doing as little as possible with the throttle and nothing with the brakes made it through upright. Arriving at work, had several people ask me about my "ghost face". Now the bike stays in the garage over winter and now can enjoy a safer mode of transportation.

A second echo to Squid, learn what the ABLS, VDC (if equipped), ABS, etc., sound and feel like away from traffic so you know what is going on. The first time the VDC kicked in on mine the grinding noise scared me, now appreciate the "warning".

Goose1207 · 01-06-2005, 09:34 PM

1) No. The F/R weight distribution is no different than an average FWD car.

2) Stock tires. I had the 17" Bridgestone's that did fine in the slippery stuff and recently replaced them with the 18" Continental's that work just as good.

3) Depends but I pretty much do what Squid does.

4) Yes. I've practiced in 2WD mode and in 4HI. I have an XE (no VDC) and it is very easy to correct this truck when the tail slips.

*Squid* · 01-07-2005, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milleniamarv

Quote Squid: "And when it comes to black ice in 2wd I do nothing but slowly reduce the gas.And hold the steering wheel rock solid. And Pray.
ALOT!
REAL LOUD!
AND SHUT MY EYES! "

Also applies when black ice is encountered on a 1wd motorcyle! A number of years ago while riding to work in December all bundled up with multiple layers of clothing found myself on a freeway coated with black ice. With 2-3 vehicles sliding off the right hand side and 3-4 off the left side I started to fishtail just backing off the throttle. By doing as little as possible with the throttle and nothing with the brakes made it through upright. Arriving at work, had several people ask me about my "ghost face". Now the bike stays in the garage over winter and now can enjoy a safer mode of transportation.

A second echo to Squid, learn what the ABLS, VDC (if equipped), ABS, etc., sound and feel like away from traffic so you know what is going on. The first time the VDC kicked in on mine the grinding noise scared me, now appreciate the "warning".

Yeh, I use to be young and hardcore also.
I'm still hardcore, but now like you, older and wiser.

rarjar · 01-07-2005, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghostface

When I used to live in Alaska I managed to kiss 2 different guard rails in my 99 Dodge Dakota because of black ice. I would definatly like to avoid that again in my new baby. Of course I was a little younger and dumber back then.

Lived in Alaska myself two different times, a total of 8 years (worked for ARCO). Being from Texas, it took me a little while to learn how to drive during the winter and like you, I slid into a few unforgiving objects, especially early on. Then I learned to slow down, not try to brake while turning (kept reminding myself "dummy, brake before the curve") and not making sudden movements with the steering wheel or slamming on the brakes! That said, like the inevitability of taxes and death, eventually everyone loses it on the ice, and not hitting something when you do is pure luck!!

akangl · 01-07-2005, 08:48 AM

Maybe its just us, but we always run snow tires no matter if its a 4WD or a 2WD or a FWD vehicle. Watched around town last night at people sliding all over the place on the ice, when they got stopped we'd look at the tires on their vehicle.......always stock tires. Now those of us who have snow tires could stop and go with ease. I wouldn't have chanced the drive into town last night with the stock Goodyears on the Titan, nope, no way, not gonna happen. I drove my other Titan with stock Goodyears on ice, not an experience I want to repeat. Then again living in Alaska for 15 years breeds different thinking.