Winter driving w/TC

I have a 2 wheel drive dually and drove up to the ski resorts last year. I found I had no problems what so ever. I do have chains on board just in case but yet have got them out of the bag. I have had no big issues with sliding around on the ice and compact snow. I do have a good traction tread on the tires, snow/mud type. as with driving in any adverse conditions, ease on the throttle and brakes along with a safe speed is required. do I worry about driving it during the winter? no, no worries...if I were to worry id be staying at home for a good 4 months or so out of the year and that is not an option. lol.
by the way, ive driven my old camper on the old truck during the winter and never had issues then also. that was a lighter camper and a 3/4 ton 2 wheel drive.

If you are an experienced and capable winter driver you need not worry. You are probably used to driving slower than regular traffic which is helpful. The added weight over your rear axle gives added traction too. Think of all the rear wheel drive snoplows with a dump box full of sand. That is how I feel driving into the mountains in a snowstorm. I could not tell if you have 4WD. I consider that to be essential for winter driving. I also run Wrangler Silent Armor tires with the mountain/snowflake designation for superior handling. I carry chains as well since that is the law in California, however I have yet to use them with the TC. Kohldad made an excellent point about the advantage to having the TC if conditions warrant pulling over for a while. I have spent several nights in the camper waiting for avalanche control on the way to the ski area. Have fun!

Can't tell you about a TC in winter ( yet ) but can comment on a heavy loaded truck . I do a bit of plowing and sanding in winter with a DRW , coming out of the pit at about 12-14k . Mostly I'm traveling slow on back roads with lots of hills . Traction and control are good , but , when you loose it with a lot of weight nothing is going to stop you except something hard . Go slow and leave plenty of room , but you already know that . Good luck

I understand what you are saying about crashing with the TC. There is potential for a lot more expensive damage to be done than with the truck alone. I think about this every time I head out in the winter.

I know you understand all the physics of driving during the winter, like a TC will increase your traction for accelerating away from a stop or going up a hill but the trade-off is increased stopping distance and the tendency to continue in a straight line through a corner and off into a ditch.

I much prefer driving my DRW truck in the winter with the camper loaded but like Desertboy wrote, I slow way down, increase following distance and drive in a much more defensive mode than other times of the year.

Back in the 90's I had a friend with a TC who would leave it on all year. We took his truck to go snowmobiling one day and drove up a long steep grade in about 8" of fresh snow to get to the sno-park on top of the pass. While we were turning around in the sno-park we got too close to the shoulder and got stuck. I got out to survey the situation and noticed only his rear wheels were turning. We had driven all the way up the mountain in 2 wheel drive because his TC provided so much traction to the rear wheels we didn't even think to put it in 4x4 until we got stuck in the parking lot.

Yes the thought of crashing is scary and the damage can be very expensive however I don't let that stop me from enjoying life. Winter last's for way too long out here in Idaho that I won't sit on the couch for 4-5 months and miss out on all the fun to be had with my TC during that time. Accidents and crashes are an inevitable part of life and the likelihood does increase with adverse weather conditions. All I can recommend is to make sure your insurance is paid up and go enjoy all that winter has to offer.

I had to drive 5 hours up the road to get a chance to drive in wintry conditions with the TC. We loved it. With all the extra weight in the back, we were going where others dared - most of the time still in 2wd.

Came upon a severe hill down under a railroad. There were about 10 cars sliding around trying to make it up. I just waited at the top until they gave up. That's when I dropped it in 4wd, went down one side and up the other without slipping a tire - weaving between all the stuck cars.

Just have to remember to slow down and take it extra easy. Another nice thing about traveling with the TC, if you do get stuck because of conditions or other idiots, you have a comfy place and food to wait for rescue.

Desertboy wrote:
I believe the added weight on the truck could be a asset if anything.

I would like feedback from those who have real experience WITH a TC in winter.

I don't need lessons in winter driving...I need feedback on winter driving WITH the TC...or this will get off topic real quick.

Thanks for your help.

My biggest concern is other drivers. I just decrease my road speed more and more as conditions worsen. I mean if I am going in a dith or worse id rather do it going slowly than fast. I believe the added weight on the truck could be a asset if anything. But the one thing you can not account for is that other driver. But driving slower will give you more time to react and go in to defensive mode. Id rather be late and safe.