El Dusty
Member
Ahh I missed that info my fault. If it was wet deep snow like you mentioned I would bet the mud terrains would be better as the void spaces in MTs are designed to self clean themselves as they spin.
2018 4Runner TRD OR - deep snow impressions
- Thread starter sonjason
- Start date
Ahh I missed that info my fault. If it was wet deep snow like you mentioned I would bet the mud terrains would be better as the void spaces in MTs are designed to self clean themselves as they spin.
IanB
New member
You could get factory equipped Duratracs on a 4Runner?!?
What is your tire pressure set at?
13" of heavy, wet snow will have you pushing with your front diff, it's going to be very different than 9" of the same snow which you'd be able to skim over top of.
Yes, the tires and TRD wheels were part of the "XP Predator package" from the factory.
Tire PSI is at 34 PSI give or take, for normal on road use.
Good point... the snow was very wet and heavy so this certainly could have been a factor with ground clearance.
mtnbiker49
New member
You did nothing wrong. On flat or slight inclines, you wouldn't have much of a problem driving through 13 inches of snow. Add in a steep incline and you just have to use momentum as your friend. As momentum slows, back down and restart.
MTN4RNR
New member
My thoughts...
The Jeep weighs less, and likely has more ground clearance overall making it seem easier to drive through deeper snow. You also mentioned that it has mud tires, maybe they're wider than the 4R allowing you to disperse more of the lighter vehicle and 'float' over it.
Regardless, 13" of wet snow means that you were plowing with your under carriage, which isn't easy when the snow is heavy and you're going uphill. Snow conditions will dictate a lot of what you can and cannot do, not necessarily the depth alone. I have been through 18" light powder in mine with zero issues, and 6" - 10" of the heavy stuff where it took more effort to get through even getting stuck. Your best chance at traction in in those conditions would be 4LO, A-TRAC on, and momentum. Momentum is your best friend, and if you get stuck don't force it, just back up, gain momentum and go again. Using the locker isn't a bad idea either, you just have to remember to turn it off once you're moving, but arguably in these conditions you'll get just as much traction by using A-TRAC alone.
Here is a great article explaining all of the 4Runner's 4wd gizmos and how to use them: 5th gen off-road features
Here's another article explaining winter travel tips: 4x4 winter travel tips
Best of luck!
The Jeep weighs less, and likely has more ground clearance overall making it seem easier to drive through deeper snow. You also mentioned that it has mud tires, maybe they're wider than the 4R allowing you to disperse more of the lighter vehicle and 'float' over it.
Regardless, 13" of wet snow means that you were plowing with your under carriage, which isn't easy when the snow is heavy and you're going uphill. Snow conditions will dictate a lot of what you can and cannot do, not necessarily the depth alone. I have been through 18" light powder in mine with zero issues, and 6" - 10" of the heavy stuff where it took more effort to get through even getting stuck. Your best chance at traction in in those conditions would be 4LO, A-TRAC on, and momentum. Momentum is your best friend, and if you get stuck don't force it, just back up, gain momentum and go again. Using the locker isn't a bad idea either, you just have to remember to turn it off once you're moving, but arguably in these conditions you'll get just as much traction by using A-TRAC alone.
Here is a great article explaining all of the 4Runner's 4wd gizmos and how to use them: 5th gen off-road features
Here's another article explaining winter travel tips: 4x4 winter travel tips
Best of luck!
Last edited:
My thoughts...
The Jeep weighs less, and likely has more ground clearance. You also mentioned that it has mud tires, maybe they're wider than the 4R allowing you to disperse more of the lighter vehicle and 'float' over it. Regardless, 13" of wet snow means that you were plowing with your under carriage, which isn't easy when the snow is heavy and you're going uphill. Snow conditions will dictate a lot of what you can and cannot do, not necessarily the depth alone. I have been through 18" light powder in mine with zero issues, and 6" - 10" of the heavy stuff where it took more effort to get through even getting stuck. Your best chance at traction in in those conditions would be 4lo, A-TRAC on, and momentum. Using the locker isn't a bad idea, you just have to remember to turn it off once you're moving, but arguably in these conditions you'll get just as much traction by using A-TRAC alone.
Here is a great article explaining all of the 4Runner's 4wd gizmos and how to use them: 5th gen off-road features
Here's another article explaining winter travel tips: 4x4 winter travel tips
Best of luck!
EXACTLY the kind of response I was hoping for.
I did read the article you linked regarding the 4x4 gizmo's before I made my post. I will check out the other one too.
sn_85
Senior Member
Skied every other day? I wish I had your job!!! Only been up twice this year but very happy with the snow coverage this year in Utah as compared to last winter!!!
In lower states, TX to NC, heavy winterstorms start with rain/ice mixture followed with wet snow on top of it. In certain cases, roads are first covered with ice, and covered with heavy snow. The AT / MT tires sometimes dig out to reach the ice instead of staying on the snow like HT would have done it. AT / MT tires often clean themselves too much instead of behaving like a proper winter tires filled with snow. That filled snow in tire treads helps to increase snow on snow traction. Aggressive MT tires are worse for such situation. This also couples with lack of experience southern drivers have with snow and winter conditions. For pure ice, you need studded tires which are not necessary or down right banned / or dangerous for most places in the US. Studded tires behave not that good if not dangerous when it is wet.
At the end, 4runner didnt get you stuck for this case, but it is combination of tires and potentially lack of experience caused the difficulty. Driving slowly and eliminating any abrupt movement helps things.
At the end, 4runner didnt get you stuck for this case, but it is combination of tires and potentially lack of experience caused the difficulty. Driving slowly and eliminating any abrupt movement helps things.
AlcantaraFTW
New member
I made an account just to post this :lol:
I had a 3rd gen SR5 with Toyo Open Countrys and only got stuck one time in a 2ft snow drift of the wet snow. Spent about 20 minutes digging out some snow and rocking the car back and forth before I managed to get out of that.
Now, the "severe snow service" category is a bit misleading. It's better than an all-season labeled with just Mud & Snow, but it's still no winter tire. TireRack specifically put a note on the Duratracs listing on their site saying the below:
That being said, 13" of wet heavy snow is a whole different beast than 13" of dry powder. Wet snow tends to pack more easily and turns into a slick, near-ice surface. Get a set of winter tires and you'll have a much better chance at success.
I currently drive a Subaru, but I've had a number of other cars since the T4R and for any drivetrain type, there's really no comparison between a proper winter tire and any grade of all-season, all-terrain, or the new all-weather tire.
I had a 3rd gen SR5 with Toyo Open Countrys and only got stuck one time in a 2ft snow drift of the wet snow. Spent about 20 minutes digging out some snow and rocking the car back and forth before I managed to get out of that.
Now, the "severe snow service" category is a bit misleading. It's better than an all-season labeled with just Mud & Snow, but it's still no winter tire. TireRack specifically put a note on the Duratracs listing on their site saying the below:
That being said, 13" of wet heavy snow is a whole different beast than 13" of dry powder. Wet snow tends to pack more easily and turns into a slick, near-ice surface. Get a set of winter tires and you'll have a much better chance at success.
I currently drive a Subaru, but I've had a number of other cars since the T4R and for any drivetrain type, there's really no comparison between a proper winter tire and any grade of all-season, all-terrain, or the new all-weather tire.
Wasatch
New member
I have a ton of use it or lose it time off before the end of the year so I take Tues and Thurs off if I can, plus skiing the weekends.
For clarification most of our storms here in Utah are of the powder variety especially at higher elevations (6000 ft plus). So driving though heavy wet snow that's deep could be dragging on the bottom as others have pointed out.
GottaSkiBC
Junior Member
In my experience, 13" of wet snow is going to be a challenge no matter how you drive/4wd setting. At stock height and that depth you're going to be dragging and with wet snow its going to pack up underneath. You'd probably have to take a few runs at it, especially uphill.
Comparing a jeep to a 4 runner. Jeep is lighter, perhaps with bigger tires (i.e. more surface area), probably more clearance. Its going to have some "float" compared to a relatively heavy 4Runner on smaller tires.
In the winter, I run Nokian Hakka's on a stock 2015 SR5. 99% of the time 4hi is all it takes - keeping in mind snow here is lighter/dryer. If you live in a place with regular snow/ice - dedicated winter tires is the ticket. I can appreciate that this makes less sense further south where snow/ice is much less frequent.
Here's a pic from last winter in Quesnel, BC. Never needed more that 4hi to get around in this depth of snow including through deeper snowbanks/up hills.
Comparing a jeep to a 4 runner. Jeep is lighter, perhaps with bigger tires (i.e. more surface area), probably more clearance. Its going to have some "float" compared to a relatively heavy 4Runner on smaller tires.
In the winter, I run Nokian Hakka's on a stock 2015 SR5. 99% of the time 4hi is all it takes - keeping in mind snow here is lighter/dryer. If you live in a place with regular snow/ice - dedicated winter tires is the ticket. I can appreciate that this makes less sense further south where snow/ice is much less frequent.
Here's a pic from last winter in Quesnel, BC. Never needed more that 4hi to get around in this depth of snow including through deeper snowbanks/up hills.
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MrGainzz
New member
Your post makes me realize I made the right decision.
The only reason why I chose to go with Ltd is because of its full time 4wd system. I live in Canada where winter lasts 7-8 months in my area and roads can be very unpredictable due to its covered with ice and snow all the time. I also have Nokian Hakkapeliittas winter tires on my vehicle,so I am pretty happy now.
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CutthroatSlam
Senior Member
My thoughts...
The Jeep weighs less, and likely has more ground clearance overall making it seem easier to drive through deeper snow. You also mentioned that it has mud tires, maybe they're wider than the 4R allowing you to disperse more of the lighter vehicle and 'float' over it.
Regardless, 13" of wet snow means that you were plowing with your under carriage, which isn't easy when the snow is heavy and you're going uphill. Snow conditions will dictate a lot of what you can and cannot do, not necessarily the depth alone. I have been through 18" light powder in mine with zero issues, and 6" - 10" of the heavy stuff where it took more effort to get through even getting stuck. Your best chance at traction in in those conditions would be 4LO, A-TRAC on, and momentum. Momentum is your best friend, and if you get stuck don't force it, just back up, gain momentum and go again. Using the locker isn't a bad idea either, you just have to remember to turn it off once you're moving, but arguably in these conditions you'll get just as much traction by using A-TRAC alone.
Here is a great article explaining all of the 4Runner's 4wd gizmos and how to use them: 5th gen off-road features
Here's another article explaining winter travel tips: 4x4 winter travel tips
Best of luck!
Should be noted that when you plow through it, you build a wave of snow that eventually lifts the front end causing you to lose traction. You're best option then is chains.
MrGainzz
New member
What kind of tires were you running across each vehicle? Huge difference here.
My two cents are if you live in a cold weather / seasonal climate is to always have a decent set of snow tires and wheels to run in winter and cold months. Saves your expensive and oversized offroading tire tread for the trails in summer time.
Very true. That’s actually very economical.
You would be able to drive with two sets of tires for a long long time before you need to replace them.
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CutthroatSlam
Senior Member
SlugInfinite
New member
Tires and snow depth, make all the difference in the world. I live in the mountains outside of Denver and run KO2s late April through October, then dedicated snows in the winter. Even though tires like Duratracs and KO2s have the snow rated symbol, they can’t hack it if the temperatures drop enough or if there is enough snow on the ground. The rubber compounds get exponentially harder and lose traction, and the tread designs do not have sipes to eject snow and instead get bogged down.
I’ve driven almost every type of 4x4 and AWD vechicle manufacturer, there are marginal differences in control and traction, but ultimately it all comes down to tire design and compound.
I’ve driven almost every type of 4x4 and AWD vechicle manufacturer, there are marginal differences in control and traction, but ultimately it all comes down to tire design and compound.
MissouriBreaks
New member
I never have problems in that much snow. I would simply get the snow blower out, clear a path after the snow plow has gone through, and then drive my Pontiac Vibe wherever I want to go! 4 Runner stays out of the road salt.
2016 4Runner SR5
Senior Member
Maybe the OEM tires which are absolute trash? Get yourself a nice set of AT tires, it'll transform your street machine into a much more capable vehicle.
Mine came stock with Goodyear Duratrac’s which are supposed to be decent from what I read of their reviews.
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