Buell Posted October 18, 2007 Report Share Posted October 18, 2007 One of the mountains we will ride this winter has a very difficult road to get up when it snows. It is the only road my 2WD Tacoma with snow tires has had any difficulty (I had to put on chains) during snow season. On a powder day it is all 4WD vehicles with good tires except for us, with chains, and another guy in the same truck with no chains (should have asked him). For this year we are keeping the Tacoma so I am looking for thoughts on how to improve my traction and climbing. The road is not safe for adding chains if I need them once I start up it. I am considering combinations of several options: Adding more sandbags to the back (I already run up to 400 pounds). Adding a set of studded tires on the rear drive wheels (ice is not an issue). Getting a pair of "the best studless" snow tires. I currently use a brand that no one ever mentions Any other thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Buell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pebu Posted October 18, 2007 Report Share Posted October 18, 2007 Get good snow tires and run alot of weight in the back. 400 seems like plenty, but tires make a whole lot of difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galen Posted October 18, 2007 Report Share Posted October 18, 2007 I'm shocked you guys dont have a 4x4! Sell half your boards and you could probably afford a new 4x4 Tacoma :lol:. small rear wheel drive trucks kinda suck for fresh snow, chains may be your best choice. If you go with studs, get them narrow as they will have an easier time digging down to something firm/packed. I'd hesitate to put more then 600 lbs in the back as it will make the front end a little light and hard to steer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buell Posted October 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2007 Galen, I could get one, but since I would only need it a few times a year, it doesn't seem worth it. We drive this truck 20,000 miles a year and I like the gas savings. It works fine in the snow, except going up this one road, which is about 4 miles long, when there is snow on it. I will sell you my Pogo 180 Longboard (that would get me part way there ;)), but since you don't weigh more than me, it is probably not for you either. Interesting thought about the weight and the front end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galen Posted October 18, 2007 Report Share Posted October 18, 2007 I'm just guessing on the front end thing. when I get over 1000 lbs in the bed of my smaller tacoma, it feels a little swimmy, and I'm guessing that would be compunded in snow and ice. If you can get all the weight in front of the wheel wells, probably wont matter as much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monodude Posted October 19, 2007 Report Share Posted October 19, 2007 If it's just snow, not ice, A good winter specific tire. Blizzak etc... Also WIDE "grooves" between the tread blocks will throw the snow out. Also "Siping" the tires helps on hard packed snow/ice. Studs don't help on fresh snow, only on ice or hardpack. Don Feed the addiction... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.T. Posted October 19, 2007 Report Share Posted October 19, 2007 You have got the sandbags covered Studs would be worthless in fresh snow. Do the tires! And yes, the siping is critical. Either buy a tire that already has lots of siping or buy one that can be siped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dingbat Posted October 19, 2007 Report Share Posted October 19, 2007 I run Nokian Hakkapeliittas on my Nissan rear wheel drive pick-up with aprox. 150 lbs. in the bed. Works great most any time and anywhere in snow. Go as thin as you can get away with on your vehicle/wheels. If you're having trouble getting a straight answer on what size is appropriate, call Pete at the Tire Source in Boulder CO. The guy is a saint, tell him what you need and he'll get you the right tire. http://www.tunnellracing.com/TireSource/index.html http://www.nokiantyres.com/passengercars_product_en?product=10341085&name=HAKKAPELIITTA+5%20Nokian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dingbat Posted October 19, 2007 Report Share Posted October 19, 2007 Oh, and another thing, whatever you do for tires, run them on all four wheels not just the rear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted October 19, 2007 Report Share Posted October 19, 2007 Just take the shuttle from Wolf Creek Buell! :p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buell Posted October 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2007 Yeah right, and take only one board? That bus gets stuck too! It caused one big jam on the road at least one time last year. Then all these other vehicles couldn't get started again once the bus was moving. It was a mess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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