New Ram owner, can't believe how bad it is in the snow.

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TC Retired

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AZ
Ram Year
2021
Engine
3.0 ED
I love my 1500 Limited in snow and it only has the (stock Bridgestone 20") All weather tires. This tranny with limited slip front and rear got me through stuff my Ford Explorer (2 wh drive at best even though Ford claimed it was 4x4 with non-locking diffs) would have chocked on. That along with the air ride can take on 20 + inches of snow with ease. Granted our snow is light and fluffy to begin with but in a day or two turns into ice and rock... She just plows through.

This Truck has every form of 4x4 included in the package, 2 wh, 4 wh Auto, 4 wh High and low. In the deep stuff do not trust the Auto setting because if it starts slipping your likely stuck.

Our sub-division has a 90 degree turn that will test the best system. An uphill approach with the turn uphill that you have to slow down for because they can only plow it 1 lane wide. a few times I remember coming to a dead stop on the hill but the truck just pulled out of it with limited slipping. To say the least, I'm more than impressed with it's ability.
 

Ironhead3

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New Brunswick Canada
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2019 Ram 1500 Classic
Engine
5.7
I assume you are talking driving on normal paved streets and roads in snow - and as most others replied, that is the worst setup for a vehicle possible for everyday driving in the winter. The wide tires on the front will not turn because it distributes the weight over a wider contact area, and the dual rear wheels do the same thing on the rear. The only time in snow a 4wd dual rear wheel truck with those tires might be better than 4wd with single rear wheels is in extremely wet, packy snow that will compact good under the tires - the same reason by principle any real off roaders that travel in snow air their tires down - a larger contact area reduces pounds per square inch.
I have been driving (legally) since 1979 and although people swear buy them, I have never owned a set of "dedicated winter tires". Having said that, on very icy conditions a set of studded winter tires would certainly be better than what I run (BFG Mud Terrains, All Terrians, Westlake Mud Terrains) but other than on ice I am satisfied with what I use here in Atlantic Canada, and we get all types of winter weather. In my experience, in soft fluffy snow, a narrow tire is a little better, of course depending how deep. As soon as the weather starts to warm and the snow gets packy, the wider the tire the better - I run either 12.5 or 13.5 wide.
 

TorqueWagon

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Westmost point in the contiguous United States
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2023
Engine
6.7L CTD
New Ram owner here I can't believe how bad this truck is in the snow. Compared to the previous two Fords I had before this, the Raptor and platinum both 150s this thing is awful it's a Ram 3500 Dually 6.7 with brand new rims brand new 37 inch tires no reason it should be such slug in the snow, obviously I have four wheel drive, this thing refuses to stop and refuses to turn just terrible. She is absolutely beautiful though, I'll give her that.
You have 3 big things killing your snow performance: Wide tires (narrow are better in snow) without very aggressive tread (mud terrains or similar better), heavy ass diesel engine (boat anchor, I've got one too), and dually set up which decreases weight & traction over a larger surface area. At this point if you really do a lot of snow driving or it is critical, you may need to just bite the bullet and chain up. My 1 ton Cummins (not dually) does OK in the snow with General ATX Grabbers.... Nice truck there.....
 

Chowzer

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2011
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5.7 hemi
If you’re not going to change the tires lower the air pressure in the tires to get more traction. You can go down to 25 psi it would make a big difference in traction.
Everyone is correct that you are comparing apples to oranges.
 

GCecchetto

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Woodside California
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2014
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CDT
My HD Ram is excellent in the snow, of course, I have a very different wheel/tire combination than you since they are 41” tall and only 11” wide:) DE7B27CF-80BD-429A-9F28-99E1CA765385.jpegAs others have said, if you want good drivability in the snow you have to run tires in an appropriate width and with an appropriate tread. image.jpg
 

TestPilot57

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This tranny with limited slip front and rear got me through stuff my Ford Explorer (2 wh drive at best even though Ford claimed it was 4x4 with non-locking diffs)
Two things.

1. Is your front LSD from the factory? I've not seen it available.

2. My wife's (2015) Explorer's AWD works WAY better than my Ram's 4WD (with rear LSD).
 

Brent 1955

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Kansas
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New Ram owner here I can't believe how bad this truck is in the snow. Compared to the previous two Fords I had before this, the Raptor and platinum both 150s this thing is awful it's a Ram 3500 Dually 6.7 with brand new rims brand new 37 inch tires no reason it should be such slug in the snow, obviously I have four wheel drive, this thing refuses to stop and refuses to turn just terrible. She is absolutely beautiful though, I'll give her that.
Wow that is a new one I don't have this problem with my 2013
 

Okie345

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2019
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Hemi
When you compare a 3500 drw to a halfton of any flavor you might not completely understand what you have. Then you went and got a sidewall delete with rim and tire setup. I'm curious to know if the tires are even rated for what the truck can tow.
 

2Tallguy

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San Diego
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2007
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5.9 diesel
New Ram owner here I can't believe how bad this truck is in the snow. Compared to the previous two Fords I had before this, the Raptor and platinum both 150s this thing is awful it's a Ram 3500 Dually 6.7 with brand new rims brand new 37 inch tires no reason it should be such slug in the snow, obviously I have four wheel drive, this thing refuses to stop and refuses to turn just terrible. She is absolutely beautiful though, I'll give her that.
You're floating with those wide tires. You need some skinny stockers for winter or a dedicated snow tread.
 

Acat96

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Orillia Ontario
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2022 Ram Classic
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Beautiful looking rig, But ya,, Tires are defiantly your problem
 

farout75

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Laurie, MO
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2017
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New Ram owner here I can't believe how bad this truck is in the snow. Compared to the previous two Fords I had before this, the Raptor and platinum both 150s this thing is awful it's a Ram 3500 Dually 6.7 with brand new rims brand new 37 inch tires no reason it should be such slug in the snow, obviously I have four wheel drive, this thing refuses to stop and refuses to turn just terrible. She is absolutely beautiful though, I'll give her that.
You must have done something wrong! In 4 wheel drive? Never ever heard this before. Go back to the dealer!
 
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