Winter Driving - Fishtailing

[Osteodoc08]

More weight in the bed and air down your tires. Consider chains if allowed by local regulations.

Sponsored

 

[Billkowski]

According to TFL, those Falkens are horrible in the snow....significantly so.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=video&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiHtK7VxbeKAxXsQjABHQ8OIXMQtwJ6BAgZEAI&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp0QrccoKqA&usg=AOvVaw3vYNW22EYDFtH_7OjLy1Zt&opi=89978449

 

[Vtur]

traction control in 2WD, AWD and 4WD only work when you are hitting the gas pedal, if your going around a turn while hitting the brakes, coasting not under power or giving to much gas the tires will slip. when you are heading to a turn, brake in a straight line without turning, then use constant throttle during the turn, if you accelerate or brake you'll slide. constant throttle low revs, like most said the weight in the bed helps, plus severe snow rated tires are helpful, the falken at3s on the mojave are great in the snow.

Very good advice. Same applies to motorcycles.

 

[OffAxis2021]

Lifelong southeast Michigan here. Self-ordered 2022 Mojave (w/Selec-Trac). First jeep. Of all the bought new 4x4s I have owned since being a teenager (10), I am 52… this vehicle on Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T 255/85R17 is hands down, by far the absolutely best winter driving vehicle on setup I have ever owned/driven.

It is an absolute blast to drive in the winter, in the far left lane, often breaking trail, doing at least the speed limit, wherever I am going.

Hanging full size matching spare tire/wheel and another unmounted same tire thrown in the back. Nothing else.

Of those 10 new vehicles, ‘91 K5 Jimmy/Blazer, ‘04 Avalanche Z71 & ‘19 4Runner TRD Pro… the rest were pickups. I’m just saying… generally speaking… a lot of trial and error with different vehicles and tire setup.

As long as said tires [size] are available, I will never consider anything wider. I do not require “flotation” of any kind whatsoever.

The only improvement to be made, would be winter specific snow tires, as mentioned and in my opinion.

First video link is what convinced me to stick with my plan to go with “pizza cutters.”

Second video link is another popular one.

 

[Dave-in-RI]

This is my first winter in mine (diesel Willy’s with the stock mud terrains), and yesterday was our first appreciable snowfall. I drove around town, nothing in the bed, and was bummed but not surprised at how easy it could fishtail. Thing chirps taking turns from a stop on rainy days, so I didn’t expect much on the snow— all that diesel torque without RPMs kinda works against you. Didn’t try 4, as it was controllable with throttle at least in those conditions. Most important thing said so far this thread was the PSA reminder that 4wd only works using the gas, not the breaks or coasting. I’ll be adding some rubber bins (not brittle plastic) of gravel (have leftover from a project) and expect that to work. Had a sandbag break in an old Bronco so I’m averse to those; what a mess.

 

[Jteakus]

4-high, diffs open, winch, straps and snatch block ready. No sudden moves.
But what do I know, I live in Louisiana

 

[audibahn]

Physics in action. Wide tire footprint + all terrain tread profile + rear wheel drive = little traction.

4WD and extra weight will get you going, but you will still have a harder time stopping unless you address all three factors.

For the same reason, I run a dedicated set of 265/70/17 Blizzaks winter tires for a third of the year.

I would love a center locking differential AWD option on the Gladiator similar to the Toyota Torsen system. It's a nuisance shifting between 2HI and 4HI, especially when the roads are partially covered with ice.

 

[ZeeJay]

Lovr my JT Sport S - but man, I have been disappointed in the snow performance.​

​

I live in WI (grew up driving here) and have driven everything from a small sedan to a Jeep Grand Cherokee, to now my JT.​

​

I know I have a truck - and they drive different than a AWD vehicle of an SUV, but man I am not impressed with the constant fish tailing around town for now it’s third winter.​

​

I don’t drive fast. Really… I don’t​

​

I have p285/70/17 Falken AT3W tires. 36 psi​

​

I have x2 70lbs tube sand bags in the bed over the axles.​

​

I’ll shift it into 4hi sometimes to go on snow covered roads, but a lot of my issues are in 2hi and with turns.​

​

I went to pickup my son from daycare today with my wife, and turning onto a road from a stop - I slipped multiple times and also saw the traction control light flash on.​

​

Im not really sure what to do or if this is just how it is. My pregnant wife made a comment “isn’t this thing supposed to be good in snow” and I couldn’t really even answer her.​

​

Any ideas or tips?​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Yeah it’s a pickup with part time 4WD so drive accordingly meaning that stick to left….use it. Leave that Grand Cherokee shit behind and pretend it never happened, Grands: ZJ/WJ/WK or WKll are on a different playing field than a JT, and for snow a much better field they will always win that fight. It’s approx 4800 lbs+\- absorbed over a 137 inch wheel base, if that rear axle were even 3 inches farther back it would be unbearable in snow.

 

[Advntrbound]

That's the best part of driving in snow.

 

[MrJeep]

Weight in the back is a double edged sword. The more you have in the back the more difficult is to bring back under control when it does break loose. I like a light rear end that is easy to control. Might be the race car driver in me.

OP sounds like practice is your best friend. Take it out solo into an empty parking lot after a fresh snow.

 

[J3colt]

Growing up hearing lots of Fudd-lore about how you should or shouldn’t use part-time 4wd systems, I’ve discovered some wisdom from owning 8 different jeeps over 35 years. The main thing is don’t be afraid to pull the 4wd lever and use it. It’s way cheaper to fix 4wd than replacing a $60k+ truck from not using it. I’ve driven this way since the mid-80’s and never once have I broken any of the Jeep 4wd systems on road. Off-road is a different story.

 

[red/green hawk]

Then make sure you have good tread on your tires. Once ice and snow fill the tread you might as well be in slicks, like a NASCAR.

I thought once the tread gets packed it helps with traction.

A lot of drivers here in Idaho used studded tires during the winter. Don't think I've seen them on a Jeep yet. Would that be a faux pas for a Jeep owner? Asking for a friend...

 

[jac04]

...
A lot of drivers here in Idaho used studded tires during the winter. Don't think I've seen them on a Jeep yet. Would that be a faux pas for a Jeep owner? Asking for a friend...

If you regularly experience ice and/or hard-packed show conditions, then studs are your friends. There is no "faux pas" using then on a Jeep.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Physics in action. Wide tire footprint + all terrain tread profile + rear wheel drive = little traction.

4WD and extra weight will get you going, but you will still have a harder time stopping unless you address all three factors.

For the same reason, I run a dedicated set of 265/70/17 Blizzaks winter tires for a third of the year.

I would love a center locking differential AWD option on the Gladiator similar to the Toyota Torsen system. It's a nuisance shifting between 2HI and 4HI, especially when the roads are partially covered with ice.

There is an optional Selec Trac transfer case that gives you 4H auto.

 

[jac04]

There is an optional Selec Trac transfer case that gives you 4H auto.

Exactly. But Jeep didn't do a very good job promoting the Selec-Trac option over the years (IMO) and most dealers ordered their inventory without it, even in snowy areas. For only $695 (in 2021 when I ordered mine) it was a no-brainer. Actually, if it wasn't for the Selec-Trac option, I would not have bought a JT.

Unfortunately, I beleive that the only way you can currently get Selec-trac on a new model is to get an "X" version.

Sponsored