Winter driving w/TC

[billtex]

I am no stranger to winter driving. We ski and I drive a lot in nasty/icy conditions. However, we usually don’t take the TC skiing until the shoulder season (late Feb/early March) when day time temps are above 32 deg F and the roads are not icy. It is just easier to deal with when weather and road conditions are not too extreme as they are mid-winter.
However, this year I am considering using the TC right through the entire winter for skiing. For those of you that regularly drive all winter in nasty conditions with the TC loaded up…isn’t it nerve wracking driving the TC in those conditions? For anyone that lives in snowy climates…it is only a matter of time before you slide off the road, regardless of how good a driver you are. I have been involved in 3 winter accidents in my lifetime. It happens, there is no avoiding it…but the thought of sliding off the road with the TC just horrifies me! Thoughts/experiences?
Tx, Bill

[cewillis]

I will just comment that as much as I like the Eaton auto-locking rear differential in our trucks, it can be a killer if both rear wheels are on ice. If one wheel spins, so does the other in very short order - which can produce highly undesirable effects.
So be very careful on ice.

[Photomike]

I would like to not drive in the snow, but in reality I have to. It does worry me about the cost of the TC and the truck but at the same time there are a number of vehicles on the road worth more than my set-up. So it is off I go. Like others have said drive slower and smarter and at the same time drive defensively (know what is happening around you and prepare ways out). I use the TC when the roads are too deep for my other vehicles, with the weight I will get moving in the deepest snow.

A few things:

- make sure that you have good tires - studs are great if you are doing a lot
- drive slowly and anticipate lights changing
- watch around you
- pull off should conditions go south on you (you have your house so why risk it)

and most of all enjoy!

[Desertboy]

Your welcome.

[Oldtymeflyr]

We have thousands and thousands of winter driving miles with our TC's over the years.

The weight of the TC does help. We use AT type tires, I have never felt a need for snow tires on the highway with 4WD. We usually have one set of chains available but seldom use them (I hate chains). We have/would use chains to get to a safe haven and shut it down.

We do not do ice, even with one set of chains it doesn't work well. Add a second set of chains and you are a target.

Our camper is just another load. We have virtually no sway. When we had the Lance it was on a dually and we had no problem either. A top heavy camper/truck combo might be another story.

4wd is good for those tough situations, getting going on a hill, going around a stuck vehicle etc. We seldom have the truck locked in 4WD. For us it does not make sense to have the truck in 4WD for hundreds of miles. It really saps the mileage and the speeds will be much lower.

Other traffic is an issue, we will pull off if there is a lot of traffic, that is what will get you in real trouble.

If there is a snow plow up ahead, I will follow it and pace myself with the plow.

Stopping distances are even longer and people love to cut in front of us, life in the slow lane is that way.

We were in the big storm back east in December 2009 and had no problems whatsoever. We were able go where we wanted, when we wanted and frankly there was little traffic.

The most significant effect is that driving in bad weather is a lot more tiring. The solution is to pull over sooner, that's just the way it is. If your too tired to know the difference, then its just too late. Its all about discipline.

We don't think twice about traveling with the TC in the winter. The bigger question is winterization of the TC our heater is on water in the tanks and we get propane every 3 days. Dumping the tanks can be more difficult but it works out.

Good Luck.

[billtex]

ticki2 wrote:
Traction and control are good , but , when you loose it with a lot of weight nothing is going to stop you except something hard .

That is my concern! We do have 4x4...and that is great...I have driven through all kinds of crap...as ticki noted...once you start to go...that's it until you hit something (or run out of steam). Here in New England, the roads can get very slick (black ice... we call it!)and anyone who has spent time driving here has spun into a ditch at one time or another. Sometimes you get lucky; lock the hubs and drive out. Other times...not so lucky...mr. tree gets in the way (or another car). This is why we usually wait until late Feb/early March to load the TC. The skiing is still great, but the icy storms are usualy gone, so driving is fine.
My truck can be fixed...I have to think sliding into a ditch (even slowly) is going to be bad news for a TC.

[Cannon_George]

I agree with Desertboy, my experience (admittedly limited) is that I am much less likely to skid on ice with the camper on than off the truck. I am much more worried winter driving an empty truck (especially a diesel with limited slip differential, which can easily spin unloaded tires off the line) than a loaded one.

Camper-specific issues I have experienced include heavily snow-laden branches will drop significantly and create unexpected overhead clearance issues, where in dry weather clearance is fine. I use steel snow chains (with 4WD, not very often) but have also seen the added camper weight demolish the cheapo all-plastic ones. Finally, changing a flat tire out in ice and snow is obviously a bit more challenging, on ice the jack will walk so take precautions.

In summary, I feel safer with the camper on rather than off in these conditions.

[the_tc_life]

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.

[TCcruzn]

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!

[ticki2]

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

[insp1505]

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.

[kohldad]

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.

[billtex]

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.

[Desertboy]

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.