Winter driving in a 4 wheel drive ranger / mazda

[drvon]

So had my 2010 B4000 for about six months and its going to start snowing this weekend. Just wondering how a ranger 4x4 with new all terrian tires will be like in the snow? My last car was a mini cooper, and my only rear wheel drive car I had was a 86 MR2, so a 4 wheel drive truck is a new quite different for me.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

If the tires are worth much it will go like a tank.

Keep in mind AT ALL TIMES that it might go like a tank, but will stop and turn like a marble.

People get to thinking that they are 10' tall and bulletproof and rear end someone or go in the ditch because they were driving too fast for conditions.

4x4 will hide conditions too, unless I KNOW it will be bad I try to run in 2wd so I know what the street conditions are.

 

[K.Strong]

It well drive as well as you drive for the winter conditions. I think what most guys do is keep their trucks in 2WD until they need the 4X4..I drive a 2WD truck so someone correct me if I'm wrong?

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

don't use the brakes

 

[wahlstrom1]

It will work just fine. As everyone need's to do:

DRIVE FOR THE CONDITIONS!!!!!!

Your 4wd will get you moving, it will not make you stop any better (unless downshifting, then it'll pull down all 4 tires instead of 2 unless you lose traction) and it can actually make it steer worse and push into turns, just something to be aware of.

 

[drvon]

Thanks for the replys. I'm pretty calm and cautious in the snow, so that won't be a problem. I was more conceared about the tires. Do most of you run all terrians or snow tires in winter?

 

[retep88]

On my 2wd ranger I ran snow tires, on my 4wd I run all terrains and they work just fine. The biggest problem I get is over steer and a good dose of throttle will correct that IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR ARE DOING.

 

[wahlstrom1]

Yup, snow tires work great if you can afford them. If not, a good all terrain will work fine but I'd avoid all-seasons as the tread compound is usually fairly hard leading to poor ice traction.

 

[K.Strong]

Congrats on the new truck I also bought a 2010 b4000 7 month ago. Are you talking about the stock tires? I've driven my friends b4000 in the snow with the stock tires and they work pretty good but they're no match for a good set of winter/snow/ice tires.

Plus +1 for others comments. 4x4 will get you going but it's not going to help you stop any better.

Another thing to consider is your truck has anti-lock brakes, traction control, roll control and stability control systems which can all come into play when it gets slippery. I played a bit on a snow covered road and parking lot when it snowed for halloween and the electronics do a very impressive job

I have a love/hate relationship with that TC and RS. It works good in some situations but just plain out sucks in others..Yesterday was trying to make it up a very small grade hill from a stop sign with TC on and all it would do was cut all the power and the truck felt like it was going to stall. So I quickly turned it off and just shifted into 2nd and did it that way...Have you had any issues like that with it?

 

[Original_Ranger84]

I run 2 sets of tires. Summer mud tires and Studded/Siped winter tires. Night and day difference between them (All terrains are better but are still no match for a good set of true winter tires IMO)

 

[Nhaz]

I have had some experience driving in the snow with all terrains and then with snow tires.

Real snow tires are superior to all terrains. They improve Everything. I like all terrains. BUT I have noticed they tend to get on top of the snow instead of digging through it. This is really shitty if you need to stop or turn.

Tires rated Mud and Snow M+S, can also get on top of the snow.

 

[feellnfroggy]

Downshifting is the best best when needing to drive in wheel drive. I ran the walmart wranglers not the authoritys, but the cheaper one that come on our trucks from the factory and it did great in what little tennessee snow we had. Crappy on ice though. I was in two wheel most of the time, with 4 wheel just for getting up slopes. Weight in the bed is your best friend, our trucks are light in the back and thats no good. Someone on here posted a neat bladder for thebed, but I see it freezing, I stick with rocks and bricks for weight.

 

[JohnnyO]

A lot depends on the tires. The Goodyear all-seasons that came on my Sport Trac were terrible in snow. The all-terrains I have now are much better.

Again, a 4x4 will GO better in snow but it will not stop or turn much better than anything else.

In 4wd on a snow-covered road it will want to go straighter than what you have the wheel turned for. You get used to it. The steering will feel stiffer and you will occasionally feel clunks. This is normal. When the road is only partially snow-covered then leave it in 2wd unless you are driving totally straight for a long while. In town I often switch the 4wd off to turn a corner then switch it back on.

4wd works by letting you power your way out of a problem. If you are already going too fast, then you are about to have worse problems.

 

[strvger]

i use all terrain tires, but these are different than most:

http://www.treadwright.com/shopnow/product/tabid/61/productid/14/sename/21585r16-axiom-at-e.aspx

mine has the 'Kedge grip' and that combined with being rather tall and skinny, i have no problems with them wanting to "ride on top of the snow". winters here are mid-Oct thru mid-Apr usually with combination's of snow and ice, followed by lots of mud when the thaw comes out of the ground in late spring. these tires are excellent in my mind.
just my $.02

 

[JohnnyO]

+1 on the bed weight comment. I have a friend that insists it isn't needed because of 4 wheel drive but I argue balanced handling is always a plus when it's slippery. The http://www.shurtrax.com/ is meant to freeze. I've been thinking about it but haven't bought one yet because bags of salt are cheaper and I can break one open to throw down for traction if I really bury the truck.still might go that route.

When I had Rangers I just built a frame out of some scrap 2x4's, one across the bed in front of the wheelwells, one across the bed behind them, and two pieces front-to-rear screwed in to connect them. Then three or four sandbags in the middle. My Sport Tracs carry enough weight in back that I don't bother adding more.