2016 Trail stuck in snow

[CCH974Runner]

Last week when I was driving on 145 south from Telluride, I had inadvertantly driven off the road into a 2ft snow bank. It was snowing and visibility was very poor. I had the Trail in 4wd-hi at the time. The snow was up to the top of the wheel. I switched it to 4wd-lo, turned on the rear locking diffs, turned on the crawl control, turned on the multi terrain selector in "Mud & Sand Mode" . But the tires kept spinning and Trail wouldnt move at all. Even a Silverado with tow straps had a hard time pulling me out until it succeeded after several tries. Ive seen AWD Xovers go through 2-3 ft snow like it was nothing, so I cant understand how/why the Trail got stuck. The Trail has about 3k miles and everything on it is factory stock from the dealer show room. The 4x4 worked fine in 4wd-hi. But is it possible there could be a malfunction in other parts of the 4x4 system if no warning light appears on the instrument panel/display screen? Would AT or mud terrain tires, tire chains, and boards to put under the tires have made a difference?

 

[Cheers!]

If you beach a vehicle there is no way it will be able to drive out on its own, even with chains or studded snow tires.

Snow tires > AT tires. snow tires > mud tires.

The narrower the tire the better for snow. A Silverado (assuming 1500) is also not that much heavier than a 4runner.

 

[JSparky]

Well, every scenario is different but I probably would not have locked the rear diff in that one.. Snow you typically want some wheel spin and crawl control is controlling how much. Not to say that's why you didn't get unstuck yourself. If the Chevy was having trouble pulling you out then you were probably in there really deep. Traction devices like maxtrax or treds do work in the snow, but you may still have had to dig some snow out still.

 

[LandCruiser]

No idea, I routinely drive through deeper snow with no issues--except I've bashed in the mesh vents on the factory skid.

 

[Teamoatmealpie]

stock tires are ridiculous, they are suck even driving around in the rain. Capable vehicle equipped with thin, bald mini-van tires, Toyota should be ashamed.

 

[philsey]

Please tell me you weren't driving in those conditions with oem tires. Regardless, you were high centered, game over.

Crossovers? .... 3' of snow? .... um, sure.

 

[Salvo Jimmy]

Very possible the vehicle frame/underbody/suspension, etc were resting on the snow and the wheels were not the real support.

I've seen that with vehicles in the sand many times. Framed out like that and you are going nowhere until you get the wheels supporting.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Well, every scenario is different but I probably would not have locked the rear diff in that one.. Snow you typically want some wheel spin and crawl control is controlling how much. Not to say that's why you didn't get unstuck yourself. If the Chevy was having trouble pulling you out then you were probably in there really deep. Traction devices like maxtrax or treds do work in the snow, but you may still have had to dig some snow out still.

I don't think I would've locked the diff either. 4 hi would've also been better. Traction boards may have helped but my experience is that they have a hard time grabbing onto OEM tires, even some AT tires.

No idea, I routinely drive through deeper snow with no issues--except I've bashed in the mesh vents on the factory skid.

I also drive through deeper snow but it sounds as if the OP was high centered, something I found myself in just last week. The only way out was to winch out. Honestly, I think if I had dropped the tire pressure considerably I may have been able to avoid breaking through the frozen crust. Maybe.

stock tires are ridiculous, they are suck even driving around in the rain. Capable vehicle equipped with thin, bald mini-van tires, Toyota should be ashamed.

The stock tires are terrible. Better, taller tires may have helped you but it all depends on the situation.

Please tell me you weren't driving in those conditions with oem tires. Regardless, you were high centered, game over.

Crossovers? .... 3' of snow? .... um, sure.

Yep, it does sound like you were high centered.

 

[Cymon]

Please tell me you weren't driving in those conditions with oem tires. Regardless, you were high centered, game over.

Crossovers? .... 3' of snow? .... um, sure.

This...only idiots from the South would drive in snow with OEM tires.

 

[karmatp]

You don't need your locker and the Highway tires are not good for snow.

 

[Salvo Jimmy]

You don't need your locker and the Highway tires are not good for snow.

Actually if you air stock tires down to about 18-20 psi (just like for deep soft sand) they will do OK if you are careful. I only get snow that could use another tire maybe every 3-5 yrs so that is what I do if really necessary. The bigger problem around here is folks tend to think 4WD works on ice so I try to just stay home.

 

[Ducseven]

+1 on the High Centered conclusion.

I was in Mammoth CA once in my 3rd Gen 4X4 with my then GF, now wife of 15 years. We were out looking at a property for sale and drove over a decent size patch of snow, from dirt to snow in 4 wheel drive and got stuck. I had high centered the 4Runner on the highest point of the snow. Had to dig the snow out from the differential to get us going again.........

To this day she remembers me getting us stuck in 4wheel drive on a "patch" of snow!

Priceless

 

[CoMtn4Runner]

You may want to think about having some kind of shovel, warm clothes, sleeping bag, food etc. when driving around the mountains in colorado, regardless of having OEM or AT tires. What would your plan have been had you found yourself in a similar situation but in the middle of the night in an area without cell coverage?

 

[catrains]

you obviously are not all that experienced in snow driving. when you enter snow depths that exceed the frame height then your entering the danger zone of getting stuck. if the snow is light and low density no problem.. you drive into a plowed snow bank 24 inches or more totally then a truck with winch will be required ...

another option is a hand operated winch with strong straps to connect to another vehicle/tree etc to pull you out. also a shovel is also needed when you plan to drive in snow.

when all 4 wheels are spinning then the shovel is required .. no shovel your screwed .

 

[catrains]

You may want to think about having some kind of shovel, warm clothes, sleeping bag, food etc. when driving around the mountains in colorado, regardless of having OEM or AT tires. What would your plan have been had you found yourself in a similar situation but in the middle of the night in an area without cell coverage?

also a large bottle of whiskey...

 

[Bossman]

I had inadvertantly driven off the road into a 2ft snow bank.

Is it just me, or are we missing the obvious ... driver error ... drive for the winter conditions and keep that 4Runner on the road!

The 4Runner with all of its fancy gizmos and do-dads can only do so much - human input got you stuck.

All good comments/suggestions in this thread by fellow members.

 

[Martyb]

Better tires are not the reason, especially if you are in a slight ditch in deep snow. I have been in a lot of snow over the years and it is usually time to dig and get some help with a tow strap. I have pulled many snowmobiles out of ditches with my sled. Even they often cannot get out by themselves. You have to dig a channel and yank away.

 

[p nut]

In addition to what has already been said, remember that snow is not just "snow." Water content, density, etc. all play a part. Just because you've been able to drive through 3' powder yesterday without issues doesn't mean you could do the same today. Snow conditions change frequently. I've learned this riding snowmobiles, fat bikes, etc.

Also, locker is a good thing. You may want wheel spin at times, but only when both wheel are on the ground. Typically when stuck in snow, I only see one wheel spinning. That's not doing you any good. Lock them both up, and spin away. But in this scenario, that did no good. Be better prepped next time with a shovel, better tires, and probably a buddy to pull you out.

 

[DurangoMax]

High centered

you obviously are not all that experienced in snow driving. when you enter snow depths that exceed the frame height then your entering the danger zone of getting stuck. if the snow is light and low density no problem.. you drive into a plowed snow bank 24 inches or more totally then a truck with winch will be required ...

another option is a hand operated winch with strong straps to connect to another vehicle/tree etc to pull you out. also a shovel is also needed when you plan to drive in snow.

when all 4 wheels are spinning then the shovel is required .. no shovel your screwed .

My thoughts exactly - the snow along the edge of the road has been plowed and will not compact like fresh snow. I have BFG AT KO2 on my Trail but even that won't help you if you go off the side of the road. Glad you were able to get out. I live in CO and carry a shovel as well as a snatch strap and always hope that I can stay on the road - but things do happen.

 

[catrains]

Is it just me, or are we missing the obvious ... driver error ... drive for the winter conditions and keep that 4Runner on the road!

QUOTE]

I have had it happen . you hit an ice patch even at slow speeds you get into a snow bank ... that's why the shovel. happens in a second black frost ice patch.. esp in early morning .