Snow/Off Roading Vehicle Settings

[ripcurlksm]

Truck: Stock 2018 Silverado Crew Cab 5.3L Z71

 

 

1) Snow on public roads:

What are the best vehicle settings for fresh 1-4" snow on town roads and highways or 1" of ice on side roads? I've always used 4x4 High and have ~380lbs of sandbags over the rear tires and axle in the bed. I've read some people suggest 4x4 Auto? Under what conditions should I consider disabling stabilitrak and/or traction control?

 

What settings will put me in the best scenario to keep control of the truck?

 

2) Off roading on semi-maintained roads:

This year for hunting season I will be driving up to 15 miles on poorly maintained forest roads that are likely rutted up in some areas and washed out and uneven. I have a lot of experience on dry desert type roads but not so much on mud and snow off road. I will be driving conservatively and have all the recovery gear and comms, but wanted to get some advice on a few specific areas. My goal is just to get to the location I am planning to reach safely and back home.

 

My perfect example/fear is driving 15mi down a terrible muddy road with ice patches and then returning to my truck in a few days with 1-2 feet of snow on the ground and trying to get home:

1. How much will I benefit from disconnecting my sway bars?
2. My tires are Michelin Defender at 35psi, can I air down to 15psi?
3. Stay in 4x4 High?
4. When should I consider turning off stabilitrak and/or traction control?

 

What settings will put me in the best scenario to not get stuck?

Edited January 5, 2024 by ripcurlksm

[CamGTP]

If there is just snow on public roads I just stick it in 4AUTO, the truck is pretty damn fast at putting it into 4WD if the rear wheel start slipping. I don't like driving in 4WD unless it's a ton of snow because I'll forget sometimes and going into a tighter turn in 4WD can start to bind stuff up if there isn't a lot of snow on the ground.

 

If you're offroad, just put it in 4WD and it should be fine. No reason to air down the tires in my opinion. Only disable traction control if the truck just can't do anything if the T/C is freaking out. But in 4WD it should let you get away with a lot before it stops letting you move.