Hello all,

Yesterday was the first real bad snow storm I put my new 2014 STX 2WD through. Every other minor snow storm it's handled like a beast but yesterday I was struggling.

Starting on hill I gained no traction and the wheels just kept spinning. Even some of the minor flat stuff I was having trouble getting a staff on.

What has worked well for you other 2WD guys in these conditions?

 

Good snow tires and a couple hundred pounds in the bed right above the rear axle is the best combo in my mind.

 

I've never been stuck. Tires are stock. I do have the Electronic Locking Diff which I have used a couple times for extra traction. Are you a crew cab? The extra weight helps. I also open up the tonneu in the winter to collect snow for extra weight.

Grabbed a set of peerless chains for $100 just in case i need to transform into, form of, tank.



Cheapest assist you could give the truck is some weight in the back.

 

we didnt get a whole lot of snow this year. maybe 6-10 inches in total. I have 3-5 gallon buckets full of sand and on ebucket full of Salt. Put them over the axle and strapped to my bed divider. Makes a huge difference. I have been impressed with the traction control on 2 wheel drive.

I would like to say that I think the fact that the 3.7 doesnt have a lot of low end torque helps to keep the tires from breaking loose.

 

Thanks for the help guys.

Looks like weight in the back is key and I didn't have that yesterday

 

The kind of snow you're driving in matters a lot too. Powdery snow is not usually a problem. Heavy wet snow, and it only takes 1/2 inch to ruin your day.


But yeah, weight is very helpful

 

Yep. For stock "all season" tires, weight over or just in front of the axle is well worth the extra effort. But don't over do it. And like they said, the type of snow/slush will be a factor too. Ice is a whole other matter. For real traction in the stuff you really do need a winter tire, and at all four corners. Remember that you still need to stop, and steer. I have mine mounted on a separate set of rims. Everyone has their own preferences. The key thing about a winter tire is the tread compound, and the sipeing. I prefer studded winter tires. Others are happy with the newer studless snow and ice tires.

 

The closer you put the weight to the tailgate, the more it works for you as opposed to directly over the axle.

I put a couple sacks of barite and leave my 5th wheel hitch in and it works well enough.

 

Haven't had any issues with mine.
I have 4 x 50 lb bags of sand in the box behind the wheel wells and a good set of Firestone Winterforce 265/70-1q7s on steel wheels on all 4 corners.

I also have the electronic lock rear end, but haven't had to use it as this truck works great in the snow with just the traction control on.