Hello all,

My name is Patrick. I have had my Ranger for approximately one month now, and I just managed to spin out in it
This is my first pickup truck ever.

Here in this part of Canada, snow and ice is a fixture of winter... this year it's lasting a little longer.

I'm 28, and have been driving since I was 16. My driving experience mostly consists of driving the following vehicles:
2002 Saturn SL2, FWD, 1.9 L I-4, manual transmission, open differential, no ABS, no stability control, no traction control
1997 Suzuki Sidekick, 4x4 with manual transfer case, 1.6 L I-4, automatic transmission, open differentials, no ABS, no stability control, no traction control
1985 Pontiac Fiero, mid-engine RWD, 2.8 L V-6, manual transmission, open differential, no ABS, no stability control, no traction control

So zero experience with pickups.

Here are the specs of my Ranger:
2007 Ranger Sport
4x2
SuperCab, 6-foot box
3.0 Vulcan
Manual transmission
ABS
Axle code R7 (8.8 inch 4.10 limited slip, according to the door jamb sticker)
All-season tires
Nothing in the bed
150k miles

Here's what happened:

Around two weeks ago:
Snow/hail covered road
30 MPH
3rd gear
Moderate throttle
Rear end moves unexpectedly sideways a foot, I countersteer quickly and regain control.

Earlier tonight:
Freezing rain, roads have icy patches
25 MPH
2nd gear
Light throttle
While passing over a manhole cover, the rear end moves about a foot, I countersteer and continue on my way.

Earlier tonight (an hour after the previous incident):
Freezing rain, roads have icy patches, windy
60 MPH
5th gear
Light-to-moderate throttle to maintain speed going up a gentle grade on the freeway
The rear end moves about a foot, I'm unable to catch the oversteer, and I spin out. Minor bodywork damage.

Each of these incidents, I was taken by surprise, and I got spooked.

I'm wondering what's going on. Are my driving skills just not good enough to drive a pickup? Is this simply how they are?

This is my first vehicle with a limited slip differential, so I don't know what to expect. What if someone before my changed the differential oil, but didn't use an oil with the limited-slip additive?

I have spun the tires other times in the Ranger, and it didn't do anything scary.