Snow driving

[1971ford]

I'll be going up to the ski resorts a lot this winter with buddies and I'll be taking the highboy that i'm restoring right now. I'm wondering if it's a good snow driver or if it needs some extra's like chains on top of skinny tires in 4wd.

Driving while the snow is falling, but not a blizzard, how does a highboy handle it? Do you drive in 4hi if it's gettting a little nasty or do you stay in 2wd.

My tires are General Amertrac TR's. 235/85/16's. They look like a pretty good tread and they are definately nice and skinny. Tread is about 60% and rubber is in great condition.


The most weight it would have is a couple snowboards in the bed and a couple people in the cab. I'm putting in a 22 gallon mustang tank behind the axle. Good idea to keep it near filled for more weight?

[fireguywtc]

The highboy is good, but I would not call it great for snow. Mostly it comes down to skill and experience. I think you will be just fine and will likely never need chains, though it is best to have them just in case. When I lived in Cali. I made many trips up to the mountains. though they were newer 4wd Fords, I never had a time when I needed anything but 2wd, the roads were always either really good or closed. The one time I ever needed to go to 4wd was pulling up the entire grade of Mt. Bachelor in Bend, OR. It was icy and 2wd was sacary, but once I switched to 4wd it was almost like being on dry pavement. I kept it slow, about 35 mph just incase I need to stop. As you know, the hardest part will always be stopping, not going. A bit of weight in the back helps a little too, perhaps some sand bags or bags of gravel for example would be helpful.

keep it safe and have fun!

[1971ford]

The highboy is good, but I would not call it great for snow. Mostly it comes down to skill and experience. I think you will be just fine and will likely never need chains, though it is best to have them just in case. When I lived in Cali. I made many trips up to the mountains. though they were newer 4wd Fords, I never had a time when I needed anything but 2wd, the roads were always either really good or closed. The one time I ever needed to go to 4wd was pulling up the entire grade of Mt. Bachelor in Bend, OR. It was icy and 2wd was sacary, but once I switched to 4wd it was almost like being on dry pavement. I kept it slow, about 35 mph just incase I need to stop. As you know, the hardest part will always be stopping, not going. A bit of weight in the back helps a little too, perhaps some sand bags or bags of gravel for example would be helpful.

keep it safe and have fun!

Cool, doesn't sound too bad.
75% of the time we go up snowboarding it probably will be clear and dry. I'm just curious about the few times it starts to snow on us as we are boarding and the drive home is in the snow.


Say I'm driving the bump up/down the mountains and it is snowing steadily but not extremely heavy. Can i switch to 4hi just for the little bit of added control and assurance or will there be no noticable difference?

[thrush544]

Hey Guys,
Spent my whole life in SW NY and NW PA ... snow country. The biggest key is to do everything a little slower, give a lot more room, start stoping sooner giving yourself more room. If you start sliding while braking you will loose your steering too, so lift off, steer and pump your brakes. If your on a very slippery road and headed down hill, with caution I will shift into loww (at proper speed) and I'll put the right side on the burm to get stopping traction (AT A VERY SLOW SPEED). With four wheel drive going isn't the biggest issue, stopping is!!! As far as tire chains go, easy to load, take little space, can be carried in the bed. Like fireguywtc, you probably will not need them but ..... worth 10 times their weight in gold when you do! Throw them in the back of the truck!
I worked several years on oil leases arounf Bradford PA., had to work every day no matter the weather. Delt with all kinds of weather and road situations. Biggest asset is your mind ... so be attentive and get rid of distractions.
My dad taught me how to drive on the ice/snow when he would pick me up from work at a grocery store. It was after closing and we had the lot to ourselves. Never forget... was a 62 Rambler wagon, 6cyl 3 speed stick on the colunm. (just make sure you stay away from the dry spots or you'll be buying an axel).

Also .. never panic!!!!!!!

Good luck, have a great time and God Bless,
Ed

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

i used to drive mine everyday to and from work in about 1ft of snow. handled it just fine with nearly bald tires. i even had to rescue my bro in laws mitsubishi montero from a huge ditch, the ice was so slippery it only took 1 person to push the truck sideways

its all in the drivers skill. brakes are your enemy, don't use them until you're at a snails pace and ready to stop completely.

and be very light on the gas pedal or you lose steering and control when tires start spinning

[fireguywtc]

Can i switch to 4hi just for the little bit of added control and assurance or will there be no noticable difference?

The best I can give ya is the fall back college answer of "it depends."I am sorry I can't be more helpful, but it is hard to explain and it is just one of those things that I know it when I see it. Again most of my experience has been no need for 4wd, but if it starts to snow I would recommend atleast locking the hubs so you are ready to shift at any time.

[mlheppl]

Just a side note, 4 wheel drive doesn't help you brake/stop in the snow and ice. Notice the recurring theme of braking?

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

Just a side note, 4 wheel drive doesn't help you brake/stop in the snow and ice. Notice the recurring theme of braking?

it does, but only if you use your gears to slow down. whenever i used to let my gears slow me down in 2WD the rear end would start to slide and get sideways.

[1971ford]

Cool thanks for the replies, doesn't sound too bad

[zakt]

here in reno nv, I go up to snowboard at the local places up I-80 and they have vehicle checks for 4x4 or chains or you cant go farther with certain weather. When we drove the 2wd crewcab back from California the checks were out so had to bypass the check points by taking the side access roads around then get back on I-80.... but had no problems with ice or snow even with the 2wd.. When I lived in colorado there is no such thing no checks etc, drive at your own risk Ive had a newer truck with low gas tank (rear under bed) and it was slick so had to fill up the center and rear tanks to be half decent. Our bed are alot hevier but I would still put some kind of weight in the back... one of my friends has this deal in the bed thats like a bag and keep it filled with water for winter for weight.

http://www.shurtrax.com/

[1971ford]

That's pretty cool...