Tacoma very good in snow

First time really driving my ‘21 Sport in the snow. Last year when we got snow I had 100 miles on it so it stayed in the garage. Protected with cosmoline now! Very impressed for stock with stock tires. Took this pic early on in the storm. Up to around 8” now. Pretty heavy wet stuff. Another 4-5” coming tonight with pretty high winds. Looking forward to more fun tomorrow.

 

Every big storm makes me giddy to drive. I doughy those sport tires are good in the snow though.

 

Ours does really well with Studded Snow Tires

 

Never had studded tires on an automobile. They are illegal here. I have had them on my bicycles and the mtb studded tires are a game changer

 

I have 49k on my stock 18 Limited with original Michelin tires. The tires passed state inspection In September so I decided to roll with them through the winter even though I felt new tires would be a good idea. Even with marginally ok tires this truck is great in the snow. I’m looking forward to putting some new tires on and see how much better it can be.

 

We just got warning of a significant winter storm. I've been loving every minute of driving in it, especially now that I've gotten a dashcam. Even with the stock GYs on my offroad it did great in the snow, loving my General Arctic LT for snow but will still be buying Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT3s for my next set.

For what it's worth, I don't find studded worth it and I've never run them on my four vehicles. I think defensive driving and proactive measures should always be most important - it's what's saved me many times, moreso than the studded tires on my mother's Honda Fit when I drive her around.

 

Dah.

 

It’s fun to drive on, but don’t get cocky in the deep stuff- be prepared!

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/stuck-in-snow-advice-needed.751743/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/recovered.753394/

 

How does the truck compare to a car in the snow?

I’ve yet to take mine out in the snow, but I don’t expect performance much different from a sedan with decent tires on maintained roads.

 

An unloaded 2wd pickup is the worst vehicle in low traction situations like snow and ice. There is not much weight on the drive axle. Bad traction and excessive oversteer. A front wheel drive car does much better. However 4wd is a game changer.

 

My '91 Pathfinder 4x4 and this '21 Tacoma 4x4 are better in the snow than my '16 Impreza was. A 4x4 with decent tires (>3/32" tread or whatever the number is) and properly engine braked is just about as safe and controlled as I've ever experienced in the snow. Yes, 4WD will help you slow down if you engine brake.

Having said that, we had over 9" on the roads here in Denver yesterday morning at 5am, I inferred that measurement because the Tacoma was "plowing" when I took the gf into work. Sure enough, on the way home I found an open lot to switch to 2WD and long-press the VSC button for some quick fun "practicing what it's like to lose control, officer."

 

I love my truck in the snow. Had a massive snow storm last year and it did fairly well (Toyo A30's are garbage) compared to the Firestone Destination's that came on my 2016. Now I have new AT's and a topper (Weight on the back) and we have yet to have a big snowfall

 

How's the traction control on these newer trucks? I don't think my 2nd gen has TC so in the rare occasion that we get ice in central Texas (like today) we always take my lady's Subaru, been wondering if 3rd gens could hold up to the AWD. Feels kind of silly to have to say "oh no the weather is too rough to take my 4x4 TRD OR, let's take the hatchback".

 

Agreed. I have a set on my fatbike, 4.8 Snowshoe XL's. Floats over everything.

 

What traction setting are you using?

 

I couldn't believe how good my taco is in snow. Its just as good in 2wd as my gen1 tundra was in 4wd.

 

If you think the truck does well with stock tires, toss 150-200lbs of sand over the rear axle and you will be amazed. Not only does the truck perform much better in the snow, but it rides much better and doesn't have nearly as much brake dive.

 

License it in North Dakota, then you can blizzak's are nice I almost like them better than studded tires less noisy and you don't throw the studs out when driving.

 

Mine rides better than it did when new new....its like i was told by my dealer the suspension take a few thousand miles to settle in. I think one reason it goes better in snow is the heavy tonneau cover on it. The truck has always sat perfectly level, unlike my gen1 tundra that sat higher in the ass end. The tacoma just feels so hooked up in snow.

 

We got 12.9” here in Lansing, MI yesterday. I’ve never been happier with my taco than I was last night as I drove anywhere I wanted.