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“How to” for Handling Deep Snow, Ice, and Steep Grades?

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by ridgeview_runner, Nov 7, 2021.

  1. Jan 1, 2022 at 11:36 PM
    #31
    SR5 Limited

    SR5 Limited New Member

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  2. Jan 2, 2022 at 12:03 AM
    #32
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    Stoney Ranger likes this.
  3. Jan 2, 2022 at 11:04 AM
    #33
    TDRProDave

    TDRProDave Here for the gear

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    I was just up in the Mountains (~5,000 feet) this past week and I got a chance to experience driving in deep snow with a bit of ice. Here is what worked for me.

    1. Get a good set up A/T tires if not full-blown winter tires.
    2. I was in 4 high the entire time.
    3. I also drove in 3rd gear.
    4. I kept the speed nice and slow, rarely going above 30 mph.
    5. There are lots of windy curves as is to be expected in a mountainous area, so slow is the way to go.
    6. Pump the brakes, no hard braking if it can be avoided.
    7. I did use a set of snow chains briefly, but they really were not necessary. I got the ones with the V tread to provide better grip and got chains with cams to help tighten them. I would also recommend having a bungy cord handy for pulling the loose end of the chain taught, otherwise it makes a really unpleasant sounds as it smacks against your wheel well.

    Good luck!
     
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  4. Jan 2, 2022 at 11:49 AM
    #34
    Doubleduty

    Doubleduty Life is better on the mountain

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    Likewise!
     
  5. Jan 2, 2022 at 5:08 PM
    #35
    achtung6

    achtung6 New Member

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    Did you use chains on front or rear tires?
     
  6. Jan 2, 2022 at 6:07 PM
    #36
    TDRProDave

    TDRProDave Here for the gear

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    Only on the rear tires. I believe this is what Toyota recommends although I could't find anything on chain use in my manuals. Like I said, they weren't necessary, but they worked just fine on my rear tires.
     
  7. Jan 2, 2022 at 6:23 PM
    #37
    Stoney Ranger

    Stoney Ranger New Member

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    That was Snow Driving 101. Beginners course.

    We have a masters degree driving in the snow here, but Colorado is Phd. territory.
     
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  8. Jan 2, 2022 at 6:49 PM
    #38
    ARB1977

    ARB1977 It’s a beaut Clark

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    Don’t be stupid. Good set of tires. Take it out to a place where you can practice. Granted we deal with ice in Texas and some snow from time to time. My Tacoma Prerunner with weight in the bed did pretty good with no 4WD during last winters ice and snow storm. Take it easy, give yourself space and don’t drive like a dick.
     
  9. Jan 2, 2022 at 7:44 PM
    #39
    YetiMtnBkr

    YetiMtnBkr New Member

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    I was in that same DC storm on the Maryland side. It took me about four hours to get from DC to Frederick, MD (35 miles) in a 2006 LJ Rubicon Wrangler. Surprise snow storm hit right before rush hour and power went out. 2wd's and 18 wheelers stuck everywhere, cars running out of gas and gas stations closed due to no power! That was a fun evening - thankfully I was in a 4WD.
     
  10. Jan 2, 2022 at 8:09 PM
    #40
    SR5 Limited

    SR5 Limited New Member

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    “Hummmf” snow? I still haven’t put my all terrains on yet.
     
  11. Jan 2, 2022 at 8:11 PM
    #41
    SR5 Limited

    SR5 Limited New Member

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    And I’ve had my heat off for two days.
     
  12. Jan 2, 2022 at 8:40 PM
    #42
    Bald Michelins

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    For me, tires make a huge difference. During winter I never let the fuel level get below half a tank. With incoming weather I top off to full even if it is only a few gallons.
     
  13. Jan 3, 2022 at 5:47 AM
    #43
    VentureTRD

    VentureTRD New Member

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    1st big snow in North Carolina Mountains for 2022.

    Got up driveway just fine today with Traction Control Off, Goodyear Duratrac Tires, 1st gear 4x4 Hi. My driveway is about a 20° slope with a hair pin curve at the top. We are expecting about 10" of wet snow today.

    I also use bags of tube sand over both rear tires in the rear, and keep the gas tank at least 3/4 full.

    IMG_3223.jpg
     
  14. Jan 3, 2022 at 6:00 AM
    #44
    Xero

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  15. Jan 3, 2022 at 6:01 AM
    #45
    Schlappesepple

    Schlappesepple New Member

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    What elevation is that?
     
  16. Jan 3, 2022 at 6:20 AM
    #46
    YetiMtnBkr

    YetiMtnBkr New Member

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    My wife's dad would always preaches to his daughters to fill up with gas with every pending snowstorm. I always laughed since with live in a high density suburban area (MD suburbs of DC) with gas stations everywhere and only 15" of average snowfall total per year. That 2010 "snowmegeddon" DC snowstorm that hit just before rush hour and caused power outages with no open gas stations, no working red lights at intersections was a eye opener for me. Thankfully my jeep had a full tank that day since it took me four hours to go 35 miles. I typically refill when empty!
     
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  17. Jan 3, 2022 at 7:52 AM
    #47
    afret

    afret 2022 ORP, KDSS, Toyo AT3

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    This is how I handle it, at least in my yard. :)

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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  18. Jan 3, 2022 at 11:58 AM
    #48
    suaveflooder

    suaveflooder New Member

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    Just because I’ve never driven the 4Runner in the snow, is the sand necessary in these?? I know they were in my Tacoma for the snow.
     
    Last edited: Jan 3, 2022
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  19. Jan 3, 2022 at 12:45 PM
    #49
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    I have never needed it, but it's not a bad idea. I have ~200# of constant weight in the cargo area, so I don't bother.
     
  20. Jan 3, 2022 at 1:15 PM
    #50
    DRobs

    DRobs New Member

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    Pinstripes, lots of em. Plus a couple dents.
    The 4Runner weighs 700lbs more than the Taco so no I wouldn't carry sand in it.
    I do carry lots of recovery gear plus have sliders, skids, and winch / bumper on mine.
     
  21. Jan 7, 2022 at 6:19 AM
    #51
    AZ_Trails

    AZ_Trails New Member

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    Definitely not necessary in the 4Runner. Makes more sense in the Tacoma (or other pickups) which have less weight about the rear axle.
     
  22. Jan 7, 2022 at 6:55 AM
    #52
    BlueSpruce

    BlueSpruce New Member

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    Also, lowering tire pressure can help in deep snow but be careful about running low pressures on hard pack or dry roads as it can cause premature wear and give odd handling characteristics.
     
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  23. Jan 7, 2022 at 7:27 AM
    #53
    banjos-n-beer

    banjos-n-beer New Member

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    my driveway is often 500 feet of glare ice. like it is right now. occasionally i'll need 4WD to get moving. heck, i needed it to get off my flat but wet lawn a few weeks ago. if i had studded tires (like on all my previous vehicles) i'd probably be okay. extra weight in the back certainly won't hurt anything, and will give you more traction.

    edited to add- i never intentionally carried extra weight in my 3rd gen 4Runner, but i had a dedicated set of studded snow tires. i don't plan on adding extra weight in my current one either, but will probably get another set of studded snow tires (or at least good snow tires such as the nokian hakkapeliitta) next winter. but if i did add extra weight, i probably wouldn't have to engage 4WD quite as often as i do.
     
    Last edited: Jan 7, 2022
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