Pickup traction techniques

[velojym]

Today, after I topped off the tranny fluid in Ol' Grey (gotta get that fixed), I took him around
the block a few times to stir up the oil, keep the seals wet, etc.
I was reminded of something I hadn't had to deal with in a big way for quite a few years: unladen
pickup trucks and their lack of rear wheel traction on slippery roads.

The little red truck I recently sold was a 2.2l Sonoma with a 5 speed manual tranny. I guess between
the lack of power and my ability to control its transfer through the clutch, I rarely had much trouble
keeping control of the little truck. Ol' Grey, on the other hand, has an aftermarket 350 with a TH350 behind it.
Braking and acceleration suck in my neighborhood, as we're in a pretty hilly area and it's a muy rainy day.

Of course, I grew up with a '74 and was once used to the problems associated with 2wd trucks in bad weather.
Just took today to remind me, and it occurs to me that there may be a few folks here who don't have a lot of
experience driving their trucks in bad weather, and in the various tricks many of us use to remedy the situation.

First, the tires. Ol' Grey has a well-worn set of Hancook AT tires. No siping at all left (which are small cuts in the
tread to allow water to channel out) and the rubber compound even feels a bit hard. I'm figuring, for my purposes,
a decent set of A/Ts would be gobs better. I may even keep a second set of M/T tires for playing around, but would
prefer a milder tread pattern for everyday use.

Next, these beasts are designed to handle with a load on, and I'll be wanting some weight over the rear axle when
the road ain't in a grippy mood. Back in New Mexico, a couple sandbags added a bit of weight, and provided a handy
source of sand to throw under the tires if needed. When there was snow on the ground, I'd scoop a bunch of it into the
bed, which did a fine job of adding weight, and when the roads cleared, the snow would melt and exit my bed without any
extra effort from me.

I would like to operate this truck on mild offroad trails, and while a 4x4 conversion may happen some time in the future,
I don't see it happening anytime soon (unless someone looking to do a 4x4 to 4x2 conversion wants to swap trucks) so
I'd like to do what I can with what I have... my wife isn't real fond of my doing 'too much' in truck tradin' and the like.
Maybe I'll hook up an air locker in back. We'll see.

I did a brief search, and nothing like this post specifically caught my eye, so I thought it might be a good topic to bring up,
with the coming slippery season. If anyone has anything to add, I'd love to see more tips and tricks.

[Donut]

What's an un-laden pick-up?   Seems like I've always got something back there (usually my jobox)

Good tires are a must!  Suspension and brake systems should be in good shape also.  My 2wd's used to get studded snows on all 4 corners (even before it became law that you had to run 4) I usually run a little extra weight in my vehicles also.  My plow truck got a little light in the back last year, so I'll probably throw in 1/2 yd of crushed rock, I can use that in mud season to try to fill ruts.

Whatever you decide to do, don't forget, you still have to turn and stop.

[zieg85]

I made a brick box out of old 2x10's from a deck my dad rebuilt.  I made it so the bricks could be centered over the wheel wells and the front and rear could just have cargo in it but you still could haul a 4x8 sheet on top if you needed to.  Studded snows are great if your state allows it as Donut mentioned.  I always keep my following distance in check anyway because during the week I drive an '09 Escape company car that has ABS and much lighter and smaller.

[4x4x4x]

we have an 85k10, i am very pleased with auburn gear "ected" electric lockers that were installed in my f/r differentials.

the ected is a limited slip differential with an electric switch that transforms it into a full locking differential.  makes a huge difference in slippery conditions, on ice and slick snow you can feel the limited slip working, but when driving on dry pavement there is no noise or clicking in the differentials when it's needed a push on the switch and the differential is locked.

http://www.auburngear.com/aftermarket/

hope this helps

[blazinzuk]

Realistically tires are the most important here.  If you have a dually taking the inner duals off makes a huge difference.  In a 2 wd weight over the rear axle is super important.  A limited slip is good too at least in ice.  I don't mind my locker in the snow and ice but it takes some getting used to. 

Most important I think is getting used to your truck on the conditions,  I have been in Kentucky when the roads iced over and dang its no big deal to me but to everyone there you would think WWIII was upon us.  If you drive according to conditions all will be good.  If you dont' know how to drive for the conditions don't freaking drive 

[Donut]

Tires are very important, so it a brain.  Texting and tailgating in a snowstorm are recipes for disaster.  Up here, it seems everybody "forgets" how to drive in the first storm, they remember quick!

I think I prefer an open diff on ice, one tire "planted" seems to keep me in a straight line better. (JMO, maybe it's because I didn't take enough time with the limited slip.)

The key is control.  Spinning tires= no traction.  Going to far on weight, you may not be able to stop and steer.  Sometimes it's better just to park it and wait.

[blazinzuk]

Tires are very important, so it a brain. 

quoted for truth right there.  The brain is the most important