2WD Ranger still fish-tailing in snow even with weight in the back and all terrains?
#1
2WD Ranger still fish-tailing in snow even with weight in the back and all terrains?
Last week we got maybe 2 inches of snow. I loaded the back/rear axel area of the bed with about 400-500 pounds of wood and I have Uniroyal all terrains, but the rear end still fish-tailed like crazy at even the smallest turns. What else is there to do? I don't really feel like dropping a grand on mud/snow terrain tires for a small 2WD 4-banger Ranger. Am I missing something here? I mean, were just talking 2 inches of snow here folks. Do 4WD trucks still fish-tail even without weight in the bed?
#4
My 1996 Mazda 3.0L RWD with 300 pounds of sand bags and a brand new set of 27 inch BFG AT T/A KO did the same....got stuck 10 times one winter too...had to carry tire cables after that. After a couple of winters of this, I upgraded to a set of studded entry level winter tires...much better winter traction and braking....only got stuck when the snow was really deep (over 12 inches).
Even with a 4x4 in 4HI, 300 pounds of sand bags and studded winter tires, I have fishtailed occasionally. Have to lay off the gas.
Dave
Even with a 4x4 in 4HI, 300 pounds of sand bags and studded winter tires, I have fishtailed occasionally. Have to lay off the gas.
Dave
#6
You just need to slow down. Simple as that. It also might be your tires. Throw up a picture of them. If they are an all season tire, then get a good set of snow tires. Or carry chains.
Its not your truck, your truck is the same as every other 2wd ranger on the road, its your driving style.
Its not your truck, your truck is the same as every other 2wd ranger on the road, its your driving style.
#13
yea like everyone said easy on the gas if your not. i have a 4 wheel drive and i just about got stuck in the snow with my nitto terra's in 4wd. in my exp (i live in socal so its not often) but snow is difficult to drive in. ive seen alot of people have a second pair of rims with snow tired they use every winter what are studded, its alot of money but im sure it saves alot of headache
#14
You're not the only one guy.
Slow down and avoid turning on uneven surfaces on roads or parking lots during the winter. I was practically idiling out of a drive thru around the corner of the building, and the pavement dropped slightly probably 20 degrees downward.Spontaneous 720 mc twist's are no fun in a lot full of cars lol.
Slow down and avoid turning on uneven surfaces on roads or parking lots during the winter. I was practically idiling out of a drive thru around the corner of the building, and the pavement dropped slightly probably 20 degrees downward.Spontaneous 720 mc twist's are no fun in a lot full of cars lol.
#16
yep, pull about 10-15lbs out of the rear tires.
stay lower in the rpm's
break before the corner, not in it. down shift as well
wait til your through the corner and straight before you get back on the gas.
stay lower in the rpm's
break before the corner, not in it. down shift as well
wait til your through the corner and straight before you get back on the gas.
#17
Like I mentioned before, I make turns as slow as humanly possible and were talking 75 year old granny turns here folks, but the rear slowly slides out every time. We have a steep hill on our road that's all gravel and I came down it in first gear not even going 3-4 mph when the rear slid out to the right into the ditch and I thought I was gonna flip the truck.
Thankfully I was able to stop in time and steer back into the middle of the road. Looks like I'm gonna have another repeat of last year where I couldn't even drive my Ranger for over a month. If I had the extra money I'd look for a cheap AWD Escape or CR-V in a heartbeat.
Thankfully I was able to stop in time and steer back into the middle of the road. Looks like I'm gonna have another repeat of last year where I couldn't even drive my Ranger for over a month. If I had the extra money I'd look for a cheap AWD Escape or CR-V in a heartbeat.
#19
Like I mentioned before, I make turns as slow as humanly possible and were talking 75 year old granny turns here folks, but the rear slowly slides out every time. We have a steep hill on our road that's all gravel and I came down it in first gear not even going 3-4 mph when the rear slid out to the right into the ditch and I thought I was gonna flip the truck.
Thankfully I was able to stop in time and steer back into the middle of the road. Looks like I'm gonna have another repeat of last year where I couldn't even drive my Ranger for over a month. If I had the extra money I'd look for a cheap AWD Escape or CR-V in a heartbeat.
Thankfully I was able to stop in time and steer back into the middle of the road. Looks like I'm gonna have another repeat of last year where I couldn't even drive my Ranger for over a month. If I had the extra money I'd look for a cheap AWD Escape or CR-V in a heartbeat.
what could go wrong? Traction isnt necessary in mid air
#23
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Driving lesson: Stay off the gas.
Let me introduce you to my old ranger. Bone stock, 4x4. (Only thing I had REALLY done to it was a torsion bar crank... woopdefackindo!)
I drove it quite a ways in 1-2' deep snow in 2WD. Didn't switch to 4WD till a rock hit my frame and pitched me 45* sideways (which I recovered from in 2WD) Only weight in the back, was my toolbox, and maybe 100LBS of contents in said toolbox.
As others before have said, stay off the gas, and keep in mind, you don't have as much traction on the snow as you do in storybook conditions. (70*, sunny, dry pavement, etc.)
I hope to God I never see you driving in the snow... cause i'd probably get just as pissed off as I do with anyone in my home town tries to drive in the snow.
Let me introduce you to my old ranger. Bone stock, 4x4. (Only thing I had REALLY done to it was a torsion bar crank... woopdefackindo!)
I drove it quite a ways in 1-2' deep snow in 2WD. Didn't switch to 4WD till a rock hit my frame and pitched me 45* sideways (which I recovered from in 2WD) Only weight in the back, was my toolbox, and maybe 100LBS of contents in said toolbox.
As others before have said, stay off the gas, and keep in mind, you don't have as much traction on the snow as you do in storybook conditions. (70*, sunny, dry pavement, etc.)
I hope to God I never see you driving in the snow... cause i'd probably get just as pissed off as I do with anyone in my home town tries to drive in the snow.
#25
I had my old '88 2wd ranger with those 14 inch rims and some all seasons and I didnt have a problem at all when I drove it! This was driving on ice, and up some really steep hills - im literally going sideways up the hill waving at people coming down - spooky, but you get used to it.. get some chains! They help wonders!