Winter truck preparations?

[r3ccOs]

I'm looking to use my truck for some backcountry skiing excursions this year and want to make sure that when I head out, that if I make it back to the truck :) I will be able to get home.

I had an old SUV that I had running 33's which I was able to get around in, even the deepest snow and now that I'm running a F150 I want to make sure I can do the same.

as I have a electric locker, I'm already ahead, but this is what I'm thinking:

leveling kit and slightly taller (yet no wider) A/T tires.
I'm thinking the height will give me both clearance and reduce torque a bit.

Tires I'm looking at are the General Tires A/T 2 w/ studs

normally I'd go unstudded but with a light rear end, I don't mind.

Was thinking of getting a shurtrax bed bladder to add that extra weight to the rear end.

I already have some recovery points on the car, and will look into getting an anvil style winch mount bumper w/ a warn later down the road (not a cheap investment)

I have a pretty heavy duty 12,000 rear hitch tow hook, if I need to or need to be extracted.

[HuMz]

Sounds like you have a good start, the AT2's are great I have them on my wifes jeep. I would recommend a winch sooner than later, after that you just need to make sure you have lots of survival/recovery gear.

-Extra warm clothes
-Food
-Water
-axe(chainsaw is better)
-shovels
-Hi-lift with recovery kit (so you can hand winch youself backwords if need be)
-Hi-lift lift mate
-Hi-lift base
-Satellite phone is always a good idea when by yourself in backcountry
-Full size spare
-Spare fluids
-Cold weather sleeping bag
-Spare parts
-JB weld
-Good ratchet straps (I've seen straps hold axles to leaf springs on the highway)
-Few pieces of scrap wood (Can help support broken tie rods or other parts that snap)

[Sugarphreak]

...

[r3ccOs]

when it comes down to first aid emergency gear, typically what I carry for backcountry trips would cover everything + (i.e. bivi sac, plenty of camp fuel, fire starters, etc..)

I already have a full size spare, so that shouldn't be an issue and from an extraction perspective, I'd like to go out with a comparable vehicle to ensure that someone is getting out.

that being said, even when I had a front mounted winch, having a winch on the hitch reciever always seemed to work better, as its always better to extract yourself from where you came, than getting yourself further stuck.

[r3ccOs]

when it comes to tires, these are what I'm thinking (without going to a full winter or breaking the bank)

from looking at my sizing, the specs and tread pattern for these 3 seem very simular and are not studdable:

looks to be more Winter oriented:
Hercules terra track AT/2 - online from PMC tire (great price)
Wild country XTX Sport - available from Kal tire, good price as well
Hankook Dynapro AT-m - available at Canadian Tire
Nokian Rotiva AT - also available from Kal Tire (expensive)

More of an A/T
BFG A/T anywhere
General Grabber AT2 anywhere
Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac - Fountain tire
Kumho ROAD VENTURE AT KL78 (ok tire)


of the bunch I think they'd all do well, with likely the the Winter oriented tread patterns being the best... (its crazy how they are almost the same tread pattern)

Where as the ones below are a bit "luggier" and I think would yield better in deep snow, but would lack traction on ice unless studded (only the General Grabber AT/2 & Duratrac)

as of this point, I'd almost favor value with either the Wild Country and Hercules, but still am leaning torwards paying a premium for the AT/2 for studdability.


thoughts?

[ExtraSlow]

If you are looking at anything goodyear, Fountain Tire will be running the 4-for-3 sale as always in the fall. I think October usually?
Don't overlook the Wrangler Adventure with kevlar, it's the replacement for the SilentArmor tires, which I always found great in moderate snow, and pretty good on ice.

[r3ccOs]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
If you are looking at anything goodyear, Fountain Tire will be running the 4-for-3 sale as always in the fall. I think October usually?
Don't overlook the Wrangler Adventure with kevlar, it's the replacement for the SilentArmor tires, which I always found great in moderate snow, and pretty good on ice.

I used to like the AT/S way back in tha day and even ran MT/R(s) siped, but I find goodyear to not really have a good compromise tire and fell behind the BFG A/T when it came out.

This Duratrac I've heard good and bad things, and that its more in tune to a M/T than an AT

that being said, a full Winter tire, such as the ultra ice grip would be very good on-road in the winter.

[FraserB]

Originally posted by r3ccOs

This Duratrac I've heard good and bad things, and that its more in tune to a M/T than an AT


It's not more of an MT, plus it has the mountain/snowflake on it for winter.

For winter driving it's better than the BFG AT and the Grabber (which is just a BFG clone)

[spikerS]

I have a 65l rubbermaid tote in the back of the truck.

Inside:
Traction pads
pea gravel
fire extinguisher
multiples of different sized clevises
2 different types of recovery straps
A badass pair of winter boots (thanks tomco)
a few of the more common / used tools
and a couple of transferable recovery points for vehicles with a 2" receiver

Of course, I am also running studded winterforce tires.

all this put together has never let me down, and I have yanked a lot of people out of the ditch and the like.

[Sugarphreak]

...

[r3ccOs]

so I picked up some studded duratrec goodyears (just slightly taller) which should do me pretty good in the winter.

It has WAY less sipes than the SR-As, but knowing how terrible the SR-As are, I'm sure w/ the Studs i'm in better shape, and especially the big lugs in the deep snow if I'm off A/Ting for a weekend

Now, when it comes down to making the rear end heavier... whats the best option? I was thinking of that shure trac water bladder from CT, but isn't 500lbs a little bit of an overkill?

[ExtraSlow]

Keep in mind, it's not just about making the rear end heavier, if that weight is too far back, your truck will be unstable in turns. If I was adding weight to my truck, which I never do, it's be just ahead of the rear axle.

[spikerS]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
Keep in mind, it's not just about making the rear end heavier, if that weight is too far back, your truck will be unstable in turns. If I was adding weight to my truck, which I never do, it's be just ahead of the rear axle.

QFT. I have never bothered with extra weight in mine either unless it is 2wd only. Trucks these days have great traction control, coupled with 4x4 and studded winters, they are tanks.

[r3ccOs]

Originally posted by spikerS


QFT. I have never bothered with extra weight in mine either unless it is 2wd only. Trucks these days have great traction control, coupled with 4x4 and studded winters, they are tanks.

okay then :)

Spikers

looking at this reference: https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/2011/2011_BBLB_F-150_V1.0.pdf

our weight distribution of a Shortbox Max Tow 7650 Ecoscrew is:
front 3184
rear 2441
total 5625

making it a 62/43 weight bias which isn't bad.

I'm assuming this is dry, so if you factor in a full 136 liter tank, which is 300lbs, brings the rear end up a few % better, but I reckon that adding 300lbs to the rear end should give it a better "even" balance, especially on a full tank.

I am still thinking that I'll buy the shurtrax from Canadian Tire... but it would be nice to do a test with condtions of using weight vs none

other option would be to air down?

[Sugarphreak]

...

[spikerS]

Originally posted by r3ccOs


okay then :)

Spikers

looking at this reference: https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/2011/2011_BBLB_F-150_V1.0.pdf

our weight distribution of a Shortbox Max Tow 7650 Ecoscrew is:
front 3184
rear 2441
total 5625

making it a 62/43 weight bias which isn't bad.

I'm assuming this is dry, so if you factor in a full 136 liter tank, which is 300lbs, brings the rear end up a few % better, but I reckon that adding 300lbs to the rear end should give it a better "even" balance, especially on a full tank.

I am still thinking that I'll buy the shurtrax from Canadian Tire... but it would be nice to do a test with condtions of using weight vs none

other option would be to air down?

Honestly, you are over thinking this and over complicating it.

I have taken the truck out on the stock all seasons, in 3 feet of fresh snow, yanking vehicles out of the ditch along the way.

I only finally got studded winters because after 2 winters on my all seasons, I tried to accelerate up stoney trail, and if I tried to speed up, the tires spun on the ice. I bet if I switched into 4x4, it would not have been an issue.

Seriously, just get a couple of traction rails for the back country if needed, otherwise, just carry a tow strap and with winter tires, it will always be you yanking everyone out.

[SkiBum5.0]

^ This. Get winter tires and you'll be fine. Carry an emergency kit in case you ditch it and a tow strap.

[r3ccOs]

Originally posted by spikerS


Honestly, you are over thinking this and over complicating it.

I have taken the truck out on the stock all seasons, in 3 feet of fresh snow, yanking vehicles out of the ditch along the way.

I only finally got studded winters because after 2 winters on my all seasons, I tried to accelerate up stoney trail, and if I tried to speed up, the tires spun on the ice. I bet if I switched into 4x4, it would not have been an issue.

Seriously, just get a couple of traction rails for the back country if needed, otherwise, just carry a tow strap and with winter tires, it will always be you yanking everyone out.

lol okay

with Studds I should be pretty good and yes there is always that 4x4 button and the pretty light that comes on that makes me happy

[4runneron36s]

If you're airing down consider also buying a decent off road style compressor (by that I mean higher CFM) or a CO2 tank setup to air back up once on the highway. The CO2 setup will be more expensive but air up times will be a fraction of those of a compressor (ie under a minute vs 4.5 minutes for my tires)

[r3ccOs]

hrm... drove @ 5:40 AM this morning to work... found that deerfoot were filled with overlly agressive lifted 2500 drivers and apprehensive ones.

I can't stand the white knucklers, but HATE even more the tail gating Rig pig in his jacked up truck running 37' mud tires thinking he's invincible

I was moving at a good trek (110k in the center lane), and a couple idiots heading to what I would image is Site, were inches from my bumper, where I could not even see their headlights.

anyways, I haven't mounted the Duratracs on yet, and I can tell you that in just RWD w/ the Ecoboost... my ass end was everywhere. That advance track was kicking in an out, and I had to throw it into 4WD...

Kinda surprised really considering that the roads didnt' seem that slick...

I know the tires are crap, but I'm still thinking even with the new tires some weight in the back is still necessary.

[spikerS]

I know how heavy you get on this skinny peddle. :rofl:

this morning is obviously not a normal day. with the melt yesterday, and then the fresh snow and 0 temp, there was ice under the slush.

Temper that skinny peddle, and things change a lot.

I don't know anyone that is running sand bags for weight any more. They carry them as a traction aide.

[Aleks]

TC light never came on once in the Tundra this morning in 2wd. But it came with Michelin LTX A/T2 stock vs the Michelin PSS everyone else has, so that's probably why :rofl:

[r3ccOs]

Originally posted by spikerS
I know how heavy you get on this skinny peddle. :rofl:

this morning is obviously not a normal day. with the melt yesterday, and then the fresh snow and 0 temp, there was ice under the slush.

Temper that skinny peddle, and things change a lot.

I don't know anyone that is running sand bags for weight any more. They carry them as a traction aide.

I think the torque on the ecoboost coming on so early has alot to do with how traction can break...

but agreed, being tempered is key! but honestly I wasn't given her any... I was going 110, and then all of a sudden the rpms popped and the t/c lights came on.

tires are everything :)

my buddy's 5.4 2010 XTR Screw has Goodyear studded Ice tires, and he rarely even uses 4x4 at all with no weight over the rear.... (unless of course the backflip weighs that much)

[ExtraSlow]

Once you get used to driving the EB, you'll be fine. Just stop mashing the pedal like it's a civic.

[r3ccOs]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
Once you get used to driving the EB, you'll be fine. Just stop mashing the pedal like it's a civic.

but I want to hear the turbo :cry:

[r3ccOs]

tire pressure tire pressure tire pressure

realizing that the last shop had inflated my Duratrac's to 80psi... I dropped them appropiately down to 33 (to accomodate from 35 at -10) and what a difference it made.

With that being said though... the difference with an unloaded truck v/ a full tank & about 250lbs over the rear axel is still pretty big...

I threw in 5 40lbs salt bags, on top of the matt and tonneau cover I have, and I find the rear end strability in RWD to be improved substantially.

That being said, the added weight could be a hazard when attempting to both brake and if in an accident, so I'm still on the fence about leaving it back there.

I also know the added weight also contributes to fuel consumption, but running 4x4 will as well...

Do you guys run 4x4 most of the time in this condition? I only seem to need 4x4 when in stop/go... but on the deerfoot, I can stay in rwd most the time.

I also don't really like this truck with a locked transfer case on any slick piece of overpass... would rather be in RWD, as it seems to push outwards more than my old SUV(s) w/ a transfer case could.

[FraserB]

Put it in Auto and leave it; if you don't have an Auto setting, 2Hi and toss some weight in the back. Calgary roads don't get bad enough to actually need 4Hi.

[Alak]

I use 4 HI to get going at an icy intersection, then back into 2wd.

[r3ccOs]

Originally posted by FraserB
Put it in Auto and leave it; if you don't have an Auto setting, 2Hi and toss some weight in the back. Calgary roads don't get bad enough to actually need 4Hi.

except for those glazed over intersections...

I find I use 4wd for stop/go traffic more than anything else, even offroad lol (As I'd rather get stuck using my 2wd w/ a locker, and using 4wd to get me out if I need)

[redblack]

4auto on all the time on days like yesterday. 2wd when the city finally catches up with plowing

[ShermanEF9]

Originally posted by redblack
4auto on all the time on days like yesterday. 2wd when the city finally catches up with plowing

4Auto is an awesome feature. its a shame more of the fords didn't come with it. I used it on and off to see how much of a difference it made on the snow. my only complaint is ABS or the T case really gets active when turning and makes it kind of annoying.

[ExtraSlow]

:hijack: Back in the day, I had a 2000 Expedition (back when they were same chassis as F150) with the 2wd - AWD - 4hi - 4lo switch.
AWD on that thing was terrible, it was very clunky and from what I understood, it was just shifting into 4hi when it detected wheel spin. I much prefered to just use 4hi in slippery conditions.
Now, that truck wasn't well maintained, but I've always wondered if that same system is used on pickups today.

[r3ccOs]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
:hijack: Back in the day, I had a 2000 Expedition (back when they were same chassis as F150) with the 2wd - AWD - 4hi - 4lo switch.
AWD on that thing was terrible, it was very clunky and from what I understood, it was just shifting into 4hi when it detected wheel spin. I much prefered to just use 4hi in slippery conditions.
Now, that truck wasn't well maintained, but I've always wondered if that same system is used on pickups today.

I remeber this being the case for a friend's Tahoe (07 I think), and for those who get caught putting too much power down on an overpass, it will lock in and you have to be on top of knowing that it will kick in the front axle... its very much auto-detect and split the torque 50/50 or nothing...

Not quite like the subaru symmertrical, haldex or center diff viscus coupler for on-road handling.