Truck put to the test

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Spent a few days at my folks' place in Anaktuvuk Pass when the snow was still hanging around, and it wasted no time showing me who's boss. Went outside expecting to fire up the truck and get moving, only to find it buried past the wheel wells. Digging it out was one thing, but getting traction was another. Every time I inched forward, fresh powder had me sliding sideways down the driveway. Ended up making a few adjustments to my setup after that one. Has anyone else had to rethink their plow rig after experiencing conditions like these?

 

[Rico Mondres]

Man, sounds rough! fresh powder can really mess with traction, had to swap to wider tires and tweak the blade angle after a similar run-in, it makes a difference

 

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Man, sounds rough! fresh powder can really mess with traction, had to swap to wider tires and tweak the blade angle after a similar run-in, it makes a difference

You can say that again! That deep powder is a whole different animal. I was starting to think I needed a new bag of tricks and your suggestions are very helpful. How much of a difference did you find the wider tires made on their own?

 

[tdrims40]

man, it's a humbling experience when you think you've got a handle on everything, and then you get a taste of some real deep snow.. it seems Anaktuvuk Pass isn't playing around either.

i've had a similar situation, not quite as extreme, but i was on a long, steep driveway after a blizzard.. the plow just wasn't cutting it, and I was losing all my forward momentum.. i ended up adding some serious weight to the back of the truck, right over the axle. It wasn't the prettiest solution, but it made a big difference for extra traction.

so did you end up getting wider tires like @Rico Mondres suggested? what did you end up changing on your rig? i'm always curious to hear what solutions people come up with..

 

[Stu.44]

Spent a few days at my folks' place in Anaktuvuk Pass when the snow was still hanging around, and it wasted no time showing me who's boss. Went outside expecting to fire up the truck and get moving, only to find it buried past the wheel wells. Digging it out was one thing, but getting traction was another. Every time I inched forward, fresh powder had me sliding sideways down the driveway. Ended up making a few adjustments to my setup after that one. Has anyone else had to rethink their plow rig after experiencing conditions like these?

You can say that again! That deep powder is a whole different animal. I was starting to think I needed a new bag of tricks and your suggestions are very helpful. How much of a difference did you find the wider tires made on their own?

Wow, it sounds like Anaktuvuk Pass gave you a proper welcome! It's a good reminder that a good rig is more than just a powerful engine and a big blade.

I know a few guys in similar situations who had to rethink their setup. One added more weight to the back for better traction, just like what @tdrims40 did. I also know a few who used different tire chains or even upgraded to a more aggressive tire tread. Sometimes, a different plow angle can make a huge difference in how the snow rolls off, which can keep you from getting buried.

It's all a learning process, and those tough days are often the best teachers! So what adjustments did you end up making to your setup after that experience?

 

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You're damn right, Anaktuvuk Pass doesn't mess around. This trip gave me a whole new respect for deep powder and how quickly it can throw off your setup. We hadn't gone with wider tires yet, but I did add weight over the rear axle and adjusted the blade angle slightly, which helped with traction during that visit. Since I'm not based up there full-time, I'm holding off on bigger upgrades until I know I'll be dealing with those conditions more regularly. Between chains and deeper tread, I'm leaning toward whichever gives better control on steep driveways with loose snow. Have either of you tested both options in similar terrain?