Snow time

[Dkalvin]

Just worndering how you guys set up your truck for winter. Do you change tires? add weight? I add about 360# of sand to the bed, keeping it over the rear axle. I put some new tires on my trucks last year (Bridgestone Dueler A/T 265/70/16). Still slip and slide in the snow. Anybody have "the" set up for winter time?  

                Dkalvin

[Jpshostr]

Throw an aluminum scoop shovel in the bed and call it good.  A little common sense takes you a long long way.

[SilveradoWV]

If I need tires I usually try to have them new right before winter, other than that I dont do anything else. I hate haulin all that weight around, so I dont use any, but I am sure it helps some. I thought about airing down a little but my tires run really hot when I drop below 60psi, so I will probably run them at 60 unless its really bad then I might pull over and drop them down about 15 psi.

[HillHound]

Yes we have about 4 inches right now and the temp heading into the teens tonight.

 

Only thing I did was air my tires down 5psi each and throw some rubber boots, extra gloves in the cab.   On yeah-have the window scraper in there now too! :thumb:

[Shaners]

Seeing that you have a 2wd, I think the extra weight is good.  Keep it at or behind the rear axle.  300 lbs over the rear axle would be about the same downforce as 200 lbs at the tailgate.  The sand would be a good idea to carry because you can always take some out and use it for extra traction if you become stuck.  Carrying a shovel (like Jp said) is a good idea too.

 

Do you have the locker rear end?  If so be careful, because although it helps if you get buried in the snow, it can cause alot of fishtailing problems on slippery roads.

 

The best advice is to drive slow and defensively and you should be OK...

[MountaineerTom]

My dad had never owned a 4x4 until just a couple years ago when he got one (an '84 GMC) to replace his old work truck ('76 Chevy), but he always made it to, through, and out of places he needed to go in the 2wd's by just adding weight and driving sensibly (sp?).  He always uses some railroad ties that were cut to fit across the bed at the tailgate.  His drive up and down the mountain at the mine he used to work at was a pretty big test at times, but he always made it.  

[CMNTMXR81]

Last winter I put 4, 70lb tubes of sand in my bed because my rear end was all over the place even on simple acceleration (despite JP's mark about common sense).  That of course was with the stock Firestone's.

 

We've already had a few inches here this winter and I haven't had a problem even with no weight in the bed.

[RyanbabZ71]

We've already had a few inches here this winter and I haven't had a problem even with no weight in the bed.

 

same here i have had my truck sideways already.  It was on purpose of coarse.  

 

no weight just a snow brush

 

My dads truck we throw 4 70lb sand bags in the back of his S-10.  That doesnt even help

[General Lee 01]

Well, In my "inaugural" runs in the snow (Presuming I get a truck before March), I'm just gonna leave it alone and see what happens, for 2 reasons.

 

1.Fish-tailing is fun.

 

2. What's the use of buying useless stuff I'm only gonna use 1 day of the year?  

 

Let me put it this way, seeing over 5" of snow in Richmond,  is like seeing  some guy walking in Times Sqaure @ NYC wearing a Realtree Camoflauge outfit. :-D

[Dkalvin]

Just wanted to say thanks for the advice.  Yes I have a shovel, blankets, tools, boots, tow straps and various other stuff in my truck at all times. I have been driving in the snow for quite a while now and know to use common sense, I was actually wondering if anybody had any "secret tricks" up their sleeve that actually work.

 

CMNTMXR81, I live S/E of you in Bolingbrook and was out playing in the snow over the weekend. Had a little snow overnight and it melted and refroze at work (O'hare airport) and I was slip sliding around every corner on my way home. At least I was doing better than one Ferd I saw. Road turned, he didn't. SMACK straight into the guardrail.

[Shaners]

I think the only trick that GM gives you is a true 2nd gear start-out.  If you put the gear selector in "2" it will force your truck to start in 2nd instead of 1st gear.  This limits the torque to the rear wheels, and aids in traction from a dead start...

[CMNTMXR81]

Just wanted to say thanks for the advice.  Yes I have a shovel, blankets, tools, boots, tow straps and various other stuff in my truck at all times. I have been driving in the snow for quite a while now and know to use common sense, I was actually wondering if anybody had any "secret tricks" up their sleeve that actually work.

 

CMNTMXR81, I live S/E of you in Bolingbrook and was out playing in the snow over the weekend. Had a little snow overnight and it melted and refroze at work (O'hare airport) and I was slip sliding around every corner on my way home. At least I was doing better than one Ferd I saw. Road turned, he didn't. SMACK straight into the guardrail.

Where you at?  My friend just bought a house in Bolingbrook off of Lee St. and 53.

 

You must've had more than us, cause it was melted by Friday/Saturday around us.

 

But hey, it's snowing like a MOFO now!!

[k1500chevy97]

Two eighty pound sandbags , take out a shovel (i ussually carry two) , a set of tire chains in the toolbox , and an ice scrapper.

[varmint2506]

Let me put it this way, seeing over 5" of snow in Richmond,  is like seeing  some guy walking in Times Sqaure @ NYC wearing a Realtree Camoflauge outfit. :-D

Living about 35 miles Northwest of Richmond, I have seen a little more than 5" of snow from time to time. It's a rare occasion though. The worst we have had was in the early '90's. We had about a foot added every weekend for a month. Kinda' tough when you do not have a tractor to clear the drive.

 

On the Realtree, got a closet full!  

[sunnydude]

I throw on the tiny 245's with studs and the chains in the back and have no problems crossing the Cascades.