Driving a Rubicon in the Snow

[Av8Chuck]

I’ve driven all kinds of vehicles in the snow but I can’t recall ever driving a Jeep in the snow..

I’m going to Yosemite in February and chains are often required. If you have four wheel drive with M+S tires you don’t have to use them but you have to carry them with you.

I’m interested in hearing Jeep drivers experiences in snow. Any special considerations? I would only use chains as a last resort, is using them on the front a bad idea?

Thanks for sharing.

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[Terpsmandan]

I am not fond of 12.5" RG's on anything icy. Her commute got longer this winter so I got her 35" Noikian Hakka LT3's on hers in the 315-70-17 size. Her summer tires are 35x12.5x18 RG's. I had 285x75x17 RG's on my JK and they ok in the snow and not so good on ice. I have had good performance on 37x12.5x17 KO2's. Ok on ice and great on snow. Hope that helps.

 

[Ratbert]

It all depends on the tire.

 

[Av8Chuck]

I am not fond of 12.5" RG's on anything icy. Her commute got longer this winter so I got her 35" Noikian Hakka LT3's on hers in the 315-70-17 size. Her summer tires are 35x12.5x18 RG's. I had 285x75x17 RG's on my JK and they ok in the snow and not so good on ice. I have had good performance on 37x12.5x17 KO2's. Ok on ice and great on snow. Hope that helps.

Does it help to air down a bit?

 

[Grayhound]

I think one to watch with a rubicon is partially slick roads.

4h is too much
2h is too little and being rear wheel drive can get a little loose.

Take it slower than you think you need to and stay alert.

 

[Grayhound]

Does it help to air down a bit?

Yes , but air pressure should equal at least half your desired top speed.

 

[Ratbert]

Does it help to air down a bit?

Some of the more hardcore tire experts that spend multiple days in deep snow air down into the low single digits.

 

[Terpsmandan]

Does it help to air down a bit?

I’m running the 37’s at about 27 cold. Her LT3’s are at 32 but I think I’m going to be taking them down to 30.

 

[Terpsmandan]

Some of the more hardcore tire experts that spend multiple days in deep snow air down into the low single digits.

If you are running the 38” or 44” snows that Arctic Trucks has, I’ve seen guys running 4psi.

 

[Terpsmandan]

I think one to watch with a rubicon is partially slick roads.

4h is too much
2h is too little and being rear wheel drive can get a little loose.

Take it slower than you think you need to and stay alert.

So last January went into the Adirondacks during a nor’easter. Killed the DW with a set of MetalCloak correction brackets and I used the lowest setting for the uppers. Never measured it and grabbed 4hi on the highway. Oops. Ended up starting out in 4hi and switching back to 2hi once I got rolling. Moved the uppers to the highest mount and got the caster to just under 7.

 

[Ratbert]

If you are running the 38” or 44” snows that Arctic Trucks has, I’ve seen guys running 4psi.

I'm thinking of Outdoor Auto. He has incredible knowledge related to tires.

 

[Terpsmandan]

I'm thinking of Outdoor Auto. He has incredible knowledge related to tires.

I’ve been watching Dirt Lifestyle. He built a Land Rover with 38” Arctic Trucks snow tires. Got them down to 2.5 psi. And we have definitely taken the op down a completely different rabbit hole

 

[Ratbert]

I’ve been watching Dirt Lifestyle. He built a Land Rover with 38” Arctic Trucks snow tires. Got them down to 2.5 psi. And we have definitely taken the op down a completely different rabbit hole

I could be wrong, but I think they wheel together.

This is all definitely related to OP's question.

 

[RicRecon]

I’ve driven all kinds of vehicles in the snow but I can’t recall ever driving a Jeep in the snow..

I’m going to Yosemite in February and chains are often required. If you have four wheel drive with M+S tires you don’t have to use them but you have to carry them with you.

I’m interested in hearing Jeep drivers experiences in snow. Any special considerations? I would only use chains as a last resort, is using them on the front a bad idea?

Thanks for sharing.

Nice wheels! I have those too. I’ve driven to Yosemite and Sequoias several times with snow on the paved roads. Never used the chains. Just drive at a speed you are comfortable at which will likely be slower than normal and maintain distance with other vehicles. I’ve used 2H/4H and manual mode on my auto to minimize use of the brakes and accelerator. You should be fine.

 

[Heimkehr]

I’m interested in hearing Jeep drivers experiences in snow. Any special considerations?

Prior to purchasing my JLU, I owned a Honda Ridgeline with a computer-controlled 4WD that the brand refers to as "VTM-4". Its functioning was such that that vehicle was easily the most competent and confidence-inspiring vehicle that I've ever driven in the white stuff.

The Jeep, by comparison, with its part-time analog 4WD transfer case, requires more attention and input from the driver. This is exacerbated by its comparatively lighter weight. It became quickly apparent to me that I couldn't get by with meaty all-seasons, as I did with the Honda. A set of studded 3PMSF winter tires arrived from Tire Rack soon enough. That gave me a bit of an edge, but due care in inclement conditions is still the Order of the Day.

I wouldn't consider all-terrain or mud terrain tires as suitable proxies for a proper snow tire. Just a data point of one, and of course it will depend on the actual road conditions.

But for my time on active duty, I've always lived and driven in the snow belt. I have the experience to know how to balance my own capabilities with that of the vehicle that I'm driving. The Jeep needs recurrent but not excessive hand-holding, and that's OK.

P.S. -- Don't use the locking axle function. Let the LSD, if equipped, do the worrying for you.

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