Horrible snow traction!

[BlackRunner]

Anyone think their 4runner sucks in the snow?

Granted, I have the OEM stock tires on it w/ 30k on them, but they still have plenty of tread left.

Yesterday I got stuck in my friend's driveway while his Tundra backed out without slipping or spinning at all. The traction control and ABS in these things drives me nuts too and the locking center differential just seems to make it worse. Heck, my GF's Camry goes just as well in the snow.

I guess I'm just wondering if it's the tires or the vehicle?

 

[boston_kevin]

Exactly the reason I upgraded to BFG AT KO's this fall. The stock tires are really bad... If it wasn't for the traction control systems, I would have been stuck earlier. I usually got lots of wheel spin, but not any more!

 

[greasefingers]

You did not mention which tires where supplied from your dealer. It appears that the different OEM tires are supplied, depending on your geographic area.
Dunflops seem to be one of the more common tires supplied and there are marginal on snow.

 

[charlier180]

After my first winter of driving in snow with the standard equipment all season tires, I decided to purchase a set of Blizzak dedicated snow tires.
I purchased a set of Tundra steel wheels (very cheap) from a Tundra owner who upgraded his wheels.

When it comes to snow, many people forget that WIDE All Season Tires do more harm than good especially once snow gets to a certain depth.
This situation only gets worse over time as the tread depth of all season tires gets worn down.
Heck the first winter I had my 4Runner I climbed some steep, unplowed roads (ie 6-8"+).
The 4Runner had no trouble climbing those roads. Coming down the other side and especially steering was the problem.
That made for interesting driving in snow.
The standard all season tires that came with my 4Runner are only good up to a certain depth of snow.
Asking them to perform past that point was simply not smart on my part.
When it comes to winter driving in snow over a certain depth, any vehicle (even a 4Runner) is only as good as it's tires.

The Blizzaks I have are not was wide as the all season tires and the tread pattern is made for snow.
The last few winters I have had no problems with snow while I have watched other 4WD SUVs get stuck and have accidents.
Best part of all, when I get home from work after a snow I do not have to worry about my driveway being plowed shut.
The 4Runner easily gets trough whatever the township has piled up for me.

 

[xmytruck]

I guess you never drove an xterra on the snow, even with AT tires I was all over the road in 4X4. But do note you have 30000 miles on your tires which usually means you only have 25% left on them. I drove my 67 miles in a big snow storm it was like driving on rails..

 

[xmytruck]

Mistake

 

[Even Steven]

Yes, it's definitely the vehicle. If I were you, I'd sell it quickly before other find out how horrible it is in the snow.

 

[BlackRunner]

Yes, it's definitely the vehicle. If I were you, I'd sell it quickly before other find out how horrible it is in the snow.

Even Steven, thanks for the help!

I'm definitely not going to sell it, I love my 4R, I was just wondering if the 4WD is inferior to that of the tundra or the GMC that ended up pulling me out.

I'm going to replace the Dunlop AT20 Grandtrex tires at some point soon, going to start by looking at the BFG T/A KOs, hopefully the handling and road noise aren't too bad.

 

[Even Steven]

Even Steven, thanks for the help!

I'm definitely not going to sell it, I love my 4R, I was just wondering if the 4WD is inferior to that of the tundra or the GMC that ended up pulling me out.

I'm going to replace the Dunlop AT20 Grandtrex tires at some point soon, going to start by looking at the BFG T/A KOs, hopefully the handling and road noise aren't too bad.

LOL.... no the 4wd system isn't inferior at all. With the proper tires, your 4Runner should be amazing in the snow.

You asked a silly question, so I gave you a silly answer.

You'll see what I mean when you get your new tires. :bigok:

 

[BTLFED]

I'm going to replace the Dunlop AT20 Grandtrex tires at some point soon, going to start by looking at the BFG T/A KOs, hopefully the handling and road noise aren't too bad.

Those Dunlops are your problem. Those are horrible tires.

 

[TeryT]

Anyone think their 4runner sucks in the snow?

Granted, I have the OEM stock tires on it w/ 30k on them, but they still have plenty of tread left.

Yesterday I got stuck in my friend's driveway while his Tundra backed out without slipping or spinning at all. The traction control and ABS in these things drives me nuts too and the locking center differential just seems to make it worse. Heck, my GF's Camry goes just as well in the snow.

I guess I'm just wondering if it's the tires or the vehicle?

Oh it's definitely the vehicle. You probably need to sell it. I can take it off your hands, but because it's so poor, I can't give you much. :biggrin2:

(and I won't tell you my story last year of being in a blizzard, going through a steep canyon road covered in snow & ice, cars strewn all over the road, other SUVs with no traction that were going sideways, semi-trucks jack-knifed - a real winter circus, and the 4Runner never hesitated (with Revo tires). no, I won't tell you about that least you think the 4Runner is one of the more capable snow vehicles out there) :roadkill:

Oh, by the way, ditch the Dunflops.

 

[westwind1124a]

I've haven't had any problems in the weather. This is actually my favorite vehicle to drive in the snow. 25k on my Dunlops and they're getting a little tired, but I think they came that way.

 

[Falls]

1. I think tires are an issue here .

2. The VSC control will limit any power to the wheels if you start to spin.

3. Locking the center differential should get you out. My guess is there more to the story , were you high centered ? if so no tire will get you out of that or on ice , again no tire will get traction to pull you off if your sitting on ice.

 

[TeryT]

Read my post about getting stuck at 3am . I traveled through an unplowed nursery with atleast 12" of snow , I ended up getting my right front tire over an ice mound and the back 2 tires were on ice under the snow. BUT I had no problem driving through there. The stuck situation was my fault , not the trucks. I could not even try rocking it where I was sitting with 3 wheels hooked on pure ice.

I don't remember - did you engage the locker?

 

[magnumfan]

Tire Tread Pattern and rubber compound is EVERYTHING!!

Guys my V6 2006 came with Bridgestone road tires, it drove wonderfully on the blacktop, but sucked off road and in snow. Last winter 2006-07 I got stuck 3 times and had to be towed out or winched out. But put a set of snow cables on it, and no problem.

at 30,000 miles I replaced the road tires with Bridgeston Revo's (my cheapest option on the stupid 18'' rim the Limited has)

and the slightly more agressive pattern is considerably better in snow, mud and off road. but the T4R does not drive as well on road now. Its always a compromise with tires.

I didnt buy the BFG A/Ts (in my opinion the best tire on the planet for a compromise road/off road tire) because they were $250 to $260 a tire here in a 265/65/18. So I bought the Revo's at $150

so far so good. and at the price I am pretty happy.

Joe

 

[magnumfan]

Quote ''I guess I'm just wondering if it's the tires or the vehicle?''

Blackrunner

In my opinion, its your tires not the 4WD system in your T4R. I beleive you have one of the best most sophisticated 4WD systems ever devised. It took me ages to understand how it truely works.

take a look at http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33316&highlight=magnumfan

and take a look at http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25

that video should blow your mind. there is no way your friends chevy could solve that problem, without front/rear diff upgrades

j

 

[morphius909]

We have X-Ice Latitudes on our Runner. I've been riding with Snow tires with our Accord and previously Impala for the past few years so I know the benefits of Snow Threads.

Change those crappy All season tires out for dedicated snow and ice tires and you'll see the difference!

 

[maine runner]

Black Runner -

As Falls and others have said, it is definitely the tires. The truck is excellent.

There are several decent choices, take a look at the Performance forum.

I still have Dunflops and will be changing them out. I use Sullivan Tire for some services and they carry alot of the better choices. (I am in greater Portland)

While a hard thing to swallow, OEM tires are always (95%) crap.

Welcome to the board. Tired of the snow yet? More coming on Wednesday. (We got 8" today)

Regards,

Maine Runner

 

[boston_kevin]

I'm going to replace the Dunlop AT20 Grandtrex tires at some point soon, going to start by looking at the BFG T/A KOs, hopefully the handling and road noise aren't too bad.

Handling has not changed from the Dunlops to my BFG AT KO, and the noise is hardly noticeable even at highway speeds. You will be running a larger tire so your speedometer will be off a bit, but the traction is awesome! I went and had some fun in the back parking lots last week with the diffs locked and got to a point where I could not move anymore (like 200 yards in). When I got out and walked around the front I had accumulated a pile of snow deeper than the front bumper and about 2-3 feet across. I backed up and chose another path through the snow. The depth of the snow in the parking lot was over 15" of heavy wet snow.

 

[Falls]

Those video's are a great representation of what the 4R is capable of .

Like said it a unique 4x4 system , probably one of the best , it does take some getting used to and practice .