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?

 

It's called snowy conditions, open rear end and 2wd. It's a stock 2wd ranger with an all terrain tire. It's goign to wander.

 

I have the same problem with my 2wd you just have to be real easy on the gas

 

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

 

I barely touch the gas during turns, but out she spins anyway. So 4WD's fish tail as well even with weight in the bed?

 

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.

 

Yes, but much less often than a 2wd because you have your front 2 tires spinning to help correct your lack of traction in the rear.

 

I have a 4x4 and it will still fishtail. it all comes down to your right foot. adding weight will only give you better traction, not make it a super truck.

 

Try starting out in 2nd gear too

 

Here's a sure-fire way of minimizing your truck fishtailing:




EASE OFF THE GAS.


Simple.

 

lower your tire pressure!

 

is this a serious question? i dont know if its been said before but.. slow down..

 

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

 

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.

 

short shift, brah!!... keep the power off the wheels.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Seriously its all about how you drive, i drove my old 92 2wd with no weight in that back in like a few ft of snow everyplace down back roads and all.

 

Just Bo Duke that mother.
what could go wrong? Traction isnt necessary in mid air

 

post pics of your tires.

also you sure the road wasnt froze over from sleet or ice

 

i agree, SLOW DOWN


i have a 2006, i run studded snow tires, and have zero problems with fishtailing, and i don't run any weight in the back either

 

pick up a set of chains when in doubt chain up

 

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.

 

sorry Rob, but F*CK studs. lol. I hate them. (Unless on a car that goes up to the mountain every week) lol

 

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!