Stuck in snow

mbRam4x4 · Dec 1, 2022

I've got a 2020 1500 and got stuck in 6-12 inches of snow (packed by the tire tread, maybe a little ice?) after parking and starting to drive off again on a dirt road. 4WD high was not enough to get the car moving and I needed a push out. I could not engage 4WD low b/c I wasn't moving. Would locking my axles have helped?

I was under the impression that I wouldn't need chains, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

Any ideas?

TIA.

mikeru · Dec 1, 2022

There's a huge difference between 6 and 12 inches of snow. You shouldn't have much difficulty with 6 inches, but you can get high centered in 12 inches of snow, especially if it's wet snow.

Which tires do you have?

OC455 · Dec 1, 2022

What tires? OEM?

mikeru · Dec 1, 2022

OC455 said:
What tires? OEM?

OEM doesn't help answer the question. There are several different OEM tires available, depending on package selection. OEM Wildpeaks that come with the ORG package work well in the snow, while OEM Bridgestones that come with a different package are crap.

OC455 · Dec 1, 2022

mbRam4x4 said:
I could not engage 4WD low b/c I wasn't moving.

To go into 4WD LOW you need to be stopped and put the transmission in neutral, then push 4WD LOW, then engage the transmission.

392DevilDog · Dec 1, 2022

As already mentioned...tires

6 to 12 inches of snow is a wide spread. 12 inches would be through your ground clearance.

Not sure why you could not engage 4wd low. Did you place the transmission in neutral. It is best to be slightly coasting to engage low range...bit it should engage stopped as well.

OC455 · Dec 1, 2022

mikeru said:
OEM doesn't help answer the question. There are several different OEM tires available, depending on package selection. OEM Wildpeaks that come with the ORG package work well in the snow, while OEM Bridgestones that come with a different package are crap.

Did not know they are using different brands and styles now....

mbRam4x4 · Dec 1, 2022

OC455 said:
To go into 4WD LOW you need to be stopped and put the transmission in neutral, then push 4WD LOW, then engage the transmission.

Thanks. Would the low gear help get out of the snow? I have Wildpeaks with just a few thousand on them.

mbRam4x4 · Dec 1, 2022

392DevilDog said:
As already mentioned...tires

6 to 12 inches of snow is a wide spread. 12 inches would be through your ground clearance.

Not sure why you could not engage 4wd low. Did you place the transmission in neutral. It is best to be slightly coasting to engage low range...bit it should engage stopped as well.

I have fairly new Wildpeaks. From what I heard they should work pretty well in snow. Would 4wd low not be advantageous in this situation/. Sorry, I'm new to all this so just thought it might help out some.

turkeybird56 · Dec 1, 2022

YUP, plus knowing how to drive in snow. ALSO, as stated, put tranny in neutral to engage Low lock. Remember, U R really upping the torque in 4 Low, so easy on the gas, don't floor it. I have no issues with my Wildpeaks even in 8 inches with ice underneath, as in our friggin WTF snowstorm in Feb 2021. Also, proper PSI on them Wildpeaks help also.

392DevilDog · Dec 1, 2022

mbRam4x4 said:
I have fairly new Wildpeaks. From what I heard they should work pretty well in snow. Would 4wd low not be advantageous in this situation/. Sorry, I'm new to all this so just thought it might help out some.

Yes 4wd low could have been advantageous. But, you said you could not get it to engage.

Which is why I asked if you had the transmission in neutral when you tried.

Fairly new WildPeak should have been good traction.

The problem with snow, heat from tire and bellow freezing temps...you make ice every time you spin.

mbRam4x4 · Dec 1, 2022

mikeru said:
There's a huge difference between 6 and 12 inches of snow. You shouldn't have much difficulty with 6 inches, but you can get high centered in 12 inches of snow, especially if it's wet snow.

Which tires do you have?

Wildpeaks.

ramffml · Dec 1, 2022

As a Canuck who regularly gets dumped on with snow; 4low is not needed in the slightest. Most important is snow tires (or at the least, ones with the snow flake symbol).

If you're stuck, stopped, 4 high/auto is all you need and then turn OFF your traction control as much as possible. Then rock back and forth using the brake to stop at each side of the peak, before swapping forward/reverse and trying again. A moderate amount of wheel slip is required, too much though and you start making ice under you so don't just blindly thrash the pedal.

Once you're back on the road above 20 definitely turn on your traction control again though.

mbRam4x4 · Dec 1, 2022

392DevilDog said:
Yes 4wd low could have been advantageous. But, you said you could not get it to engage.

Which is why I asked if you had the transmission in neutral when you tried.

Fairly new WildPeak should have been good traction.

The problem with snow, heat from tire and bellow freezing temps...you make ice every time you spin.

Thanks. I was not in neutral. I thought I had to be moving, but under 3 of 4 MPH. Appreciate the response.

392DevilDog · Dec 1, 2022

mbRam4x4 said:
Thanks. I was not in neutral. I thought I had to be moving, but under 3 of 4 MPH. Appreciate the response.

Yep. Got to be in neutral. You are correct...it is easiest to be coasting under 5 mph....but it will engage stopped. Have to be in transmission neutral.

Rlaf75 · Dec 1, 2022

mbRam4x4 said:
Thanks. I was not in neutral. I thought I had to be moving, but under 3 of 4 MPH. Appreciate the response.

4LO is kind of finicky. It may take a few seconds for it to engage. As mentioned previously, 4LO gives you more torque so try not to mash the gas pedal. Also it's not meant to be driven in 4LO at high speeds

turkeybird56 · Dec 1, 2022

Rlaf75 said:
4LO is kind of finicky. It may take a few seconds for it to engage. As mentioned previously, 4LO gives you more torque so try not to mash the gas pedal. Also it's not meant to be driven in 4LO at high speeds

Ditto ^^^^^ No high speeds in 4 Low Lock

ADDED: OP, these R great trucks, but have clutches in the trans to engage 4 wheel, etc.,. and these Trucks are not Snow Machines. Unless U have a lot of Mods done, and lifted, and tires, and suspension, etc etc try not to go snowmobiling in a 6000 LB truck, just saying, LOL. If nothing else, take pictures, hee hee.

turkeybird56 · Dec 1, 2022

Rlaf75 said:
4LO is kind of finicky. It may take a few seconds for it to engage. As mentioned previously, 4LO gives you more torque so try not to mash the gas pedal. Also it's not meant to be driven in 4LO at high speeds

Yeah it is, and dat sucker bang into 4 Low depending upon terrain etc, and dang sure clunk coming out. I always exercise my 4 HI once in a while, and even 4 Low once in a while.

mikeru · Dec 1, 2022

mbRam4x4 said:
Wildpeaks.

I had those tires on the 2020 Laramie I used to own. They came with the ORG, are 3PMSF rated (snowflake symbol), and worked great for the two winters I had that truck.

Rlaf75 · Dec 1, 2022

turkeybird56 said:
Yeah it is, and dat sucker bang into 4 Low depending upon terrain etc, and dang sure clunk coming out. I always exercise my 4 HI once in a while, and even 4 Low once in a while.

If I remember correctly, the owners manual even recommends doing that as well

Stuck in snow

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