Winter in mountains with RWD

Sorry if someone has already asked this. I am from Michigan and I will be heading out to CO for a couple weeks to go climbing and will be travelling through the mountains frequently. I recently bought a RWD taco and will be living out of that. Does anyone have experience driving a RWD truck through the mountains in winter conditions and/or have any tips? I've never had to deal with mountain roads in winter conditions, but it does snow a decent amount here in MI (although I'm new to RWD trucks). I bought some chains but the USPS delays are ridiculous and I probably won't get them before I head out. Anything is helpful.

Thanks!

 

Chains are a pita, especially when they usually get mounted in the worst possible conditions. Get some winter rated studded snow tires, keep the chains as weight in the back just in case.

 

There are some places that you might have to have your chains in the truck just to drive. I had to carry them when I drove my RWD tacoma to Durango a few times, never put them on, but I had them checked once on a pass when we were stopped by an accident closing the road.

 

Long term look into a rear locker, or see if your truck has the electronic brake controlled simulated "LSD".

Get snow and ice rated winter tires and wheels if you're that concerned.

And put some weight in the back, 100lbs at least, but given you said you're going to be living out of it for a bit I assume you're going to have a camper shell and gear back there, that should be enough.

These trucks are really unbalanced with their natural empty weight distribution due to the EXTREMELY light bed, pickups are already unbalanced with heavy steel beds.

Be careful with the throttle watch your speeds and give twice the braking distance you expect to need.

Possibly consider maxxtraxx or other traction aids a good jack and a shovel too.

You should be good to go my dude have fun carving that fine powder!

 

Don't sleep on the side of the road and get buried alive by a plow, and please don't trash the place like too many other people do nowadays.

 

https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/tractionlaw

Put some weight in the bed.

 

Snow tires for sure, not studded because they probably won't be legal in a lot of places you'll be. Carry chains that fit in the bed just in case and to be legal in some areas. Use sand bags for weight because they double as traction if you need it.

 

I don't have enough to buy another set of tires at the moment (although I haven't sold my original ones yet, that could help). Think I'll be fine without? Right now I have HTs in the front, ATs in the rear (daily driver). Maybe I'll buy another set of chains when I'm out there then return them if I don't use them. I've got a cap on there now and I'm building out the back with drawers. It's already starting to sag in the back so with all my gear it'll look stupid from so much sag, but it'll at least have some traction. I've also got some Maxtrax ripoffs and 2 shovels as well. We'll see how it goes but I'm mainly concerned with snowstorms, steep icy/snowy roads, and high winds.

Thanks for the tip for not parking on the side of the road, didn't think of that one. And don't worry, I'm very LNT, as are many climbers.

 

I think the main thing with your truck or any vehicle in snow storms or high winds, is to know when to wait it out. Have a plan, and don’t take risks. Oops in normal conditions is annoying or bad, then add cold and the way it can cloud judgment, and things can turn worse fast. I always packed a bunch of hot hands in my truck in the mountains. It’s cheap insurance and takes up no room. Put a box under your seat.

Main thing is, don’t get into a situation where you can’t get out easy, and don’t push to close to the edge with gas or anything. Seems simple, but crossing western Kansas in snowstorms and seeing people stuck on the highway or having run out of gas because they didn’t stop always made me careful about those things.

 

- You will need chains, Troopers can ticket you for not having them

-Air the tires down

-Lots of weight in the back (looks like you have extra weight)

- Go easy on the gas and brakes

 

https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/tractionlaw

 

Do not be without chains, is illegal in Colorado during winter months through the mountains.

 

1st thing I always do when driving in any kind of snow.....is turn on the LSD. It really can help. Plus it turns off that damn traction control....which is a hindrance in the white stuff.

Also run snow tires when it really starts piling up

 

I've run through 12 inches in my five lug on the Midwest fine. The lsd is really a super help. Just be mindful about the drums freezing up if they get super wet or you get stuck. I once had to drive for three miles to find dry pavement to break loose my drives side rear wheel. Talk about going sideways.

 

Use a wheel chock when you park instead of the parking brake. It can freeze if the brake drum is wet from slush. Also, where are you climbing? I'm in Durango.

 

Anywhere really. Right now I am actually looking for a partner for Jan 7-10, probably head down to Ouray and Silverton or something, but also down to climb wherever. Mainly ice, but also interested in alpine objectives too. I'll be in Estes Park the 6th, and probably up to Cody, WY the 11th. Let me know if you want to climb something!

 

The ice is in good shape in all the usual places, typical of a low snow year. Alpine approaches are a little problematic as the avy danger is high.

 

Nice. Yea alpine would only be a consideration if conditions were good, but mostly looking to climb ice and stuff. I have an avy course from Jan 4-6

 

I drove rwd vehicles in Alaska for a number of years, going over the mountains between Anchorage and Glennallen. Take it slow, and remember, there is no margin for error. You don't have 4wd to get you out of a tight spot.

I would put something better than HT on the front. Most of your stopping power, and all the turning, is with the front. When you turn the wheels, you want the truck to turn and not slide straight. Since you have winter experience, should be similar.

Remember the light rear end. A little too much throttle and it will want to walk around on you. May want to stay out of the throttle entirely around sharp corners.

 

Oh, and mind the shaded parts of the road, the sun doesn't warm them and they will have ice even when the rest of the road is clear. Big issue in the mountains from the hills and trees.