Setup for deep snow?

[lmj301]

OK, thanks for the responses. So it will be a 6x6 then. With 395s it will not accept chains with the stock spacing between the rear tandems.

The snow here tends to be crusty on the top and ice crystals below. It tends to be too cold to have the good packing snow. Once we get our first snow it tends to stay until early March.

I figured that the truck would have difficulty if snow was being pushed by the square tube axles. I have Ideas about that if it is a problem. I am not sure if it will be since the snow tends to be very light and dry here.


Now what is the consensus for tire choice? XMLs?

 

[gimpyrobb]

I had 395 XMLs and am now running 395 XZLs. I like the XZL much better, traction, wear, and road noise.

 

[lmj301]

XZLs is what the City's Unimog snow plow/flower water truck runs. They look quiet for sure. More rubber hitting the road should mean better wear I would think.

 

[cornrichard]

I have driven through bumper high dry blown snow with a singled deuce on stock ndt tires. I just got going about 35 and never let out. Last winter we got a blizzard with 18" of heavy, kind of wet snow. I got around ok. I eventually got stuck in some 3 foot snow blown into the road. I was on top of the snow. I got out and left the truck running in gear. Three wheels just spinning not touching the ground. I got out the shovel and dug the snow out from under the truck. I backed up about a quarter mile and took another route. If you want to move in the really deep stuff you are going to need to move everything over about 18" out of the way with a blade of some kind. Bigger tires will help. Just remember that every extra inch of tire only adds 1/2 inch of ground clearance.

 

[BackWoodsDrifter]

Don't know if this loaded or not, but sometimes it whats under the snow you gotta be prepared for

 

[BackWoodsDrifter]

 

[NSCoyote]

being canadian snow is a fact of life, 6x6, 395 xzl's, and lockers if you dont have ice under the snow, chains are a must if you cant fit them. if not look into having a set of tires studded at a tire shop. for the flat faced axle tubes look into fabbing a bolt on attachment for the front axle tube that changes the flat face square to to more of a <, while i have never done it to an MV my lawn tractor has a simaler bolt on plate i made and now instead of getting stuck compressing the snow like a solid wall, it cuts through pushin the snow up and over as well as down and under. may or may not work with an MV but easy enough to try

 

[CobraCDR]

The 4x4 or 6x6 capability won't get you through everything nature puts in your way, but it does help with SOME of the obstacles out there. If you're looking at snow that deep, look at a snowmobile or something desined to ride on top of it. I've been in the 'frozen north' for years, nothing is perfect for driving through snow that deep without getting stuck sooner or later.

 

[maccus]

The best truck I have ever driven in deep snow was an M34 and M135 with chains on all wheels. Pretty much unstopable. So that means you need to single out your A2 with 1100x20 NDTs. There was a meeting of the minds just after WW2 to decide what would replace the CCKW. With all they had learned in the war they came up with a singled truck with chains as the decision for an off road truck and a truck with duals for mostly on road use. So the M34 and M35 were born.

Fat tires are not the answer if you want to bust through deep snow. Good for flotation on sand but flotation in snow is not a good thing unless you can keep the truck totally above the snow. Anytime you break the snow surface you are busting more new snow which is not good. That is the reason singles beat duals in deep snow, when you make a path with the front tires you have to bust another when the rear duals come along. With a singled truck you do not have to bust snow but once.

 

[bones1]

Makes sense, I never thought about this way.

 

[A/C Cages]

Whats snow? lol

My stepdad has a 6x6 with 395s on it. You are correct on CHAINS wont fit but he has studded CABLES installed on them. Being in the midwest in (yuck) Iowa. They get snowed in alot there.

The studded cables last about 5 years and work better then the chains and dont tear up the roads as much.

The best thing is to be like me, live in Floirda where there is no nasty snow.

 

[Troll1216]

Remember this, Lockers are good in mud and snow, but BAD on ice and can cause loss of control.

Also, take a second vehicle with you and keep proper supplies on board so that WHEN you get stuck, youcan get out or have enough supplies on hand to wait it out.

Just like motorcycles, (gone down or going to go down) if you off road you either have been stuck, or will get stuck.

I ditto the chains idea as well as the singles, just remember to take self recovery/rescue supplies on board so you don't become a statistic.

I know my location is FL, but I spent every winter in northern Maine by the Canada border deer hunting growing up driving tote roads and into remote areas there. Winch, manditory with extra cable and a chain saw, cribbing, sand bags (used to fill ditches and for traction on ice as well as ballast).

 

[jmassenga]

I know neither is a deuce, but having used a M37 with a rear locker as a daily driver in Fairbanks for 4 years and a M1008 with a rear locker as a daily driver in Anchorage for 3 years (and counting), my opinion is that a rear locker in a low horsepower heavy vehicle is mostly transparent. I never had an issue with losing control because of the locker in either rig.

Non-directionals are like strapping ice skates to your truck; the Michelins are a night-and-day improvement. I'm on my second set of XLs on the M37 and wouldn't consider going back to non-directionals on a bet.

Chains too make a world of difference; I would consider running a smaller tire so that you have room for them.

As stated, its not if you get stuck, its when; be prepared. Not only to get the truck out, but to survive in the cold.

 

[simp5782]

I have this attached to my 62' M-61. Going to go to 14.00s or 16.00s with a 6ft x 4ft x 1ft steel open top box filled with reinforced concrete mounted to the frame over the tandems. I am still working on it as we speak. It is only a 10ft plow but it will due for the road where I live since its only 9 1/2ft wide.

There was a huge V blade snowplow on the wyoming craigslist that is mounted on a deuce for $1500 price range. Listed as an Adams Snow Plow.

 

[CobraCDR]

Whats snow? lol

The best thing is to be like me, live in Floirda where there is no nasty snow.

No snow?!? What's the point of driving a 6x6 if you don't need it to get out of the driveway for 6 months out of the year!

 

[abh3]

It snows here every five years or so, the liquor stores are sold out for days...

 

[PROSTOCKTOM]

You need to read "boogers" thread

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce-modification-hot-rodding/80493-bobber-snow.html

He lives and plays in deep snow country.

Tom

 

[Beerslayer]

Do they make chains for the super singles?

I would recommend the 395s 6x6 for snow. I had Laclede custom make a set of four chains, one set for front and one for rear. With 395s there is barely enough room for one set of chains to clear in the back and you have to be going very slow.

You will need power steering off road to get very far. First big Utah rock or rut is going to yank that wheel right out of your hands.

Edit: The tire chains cost $1200 for 4 of them. If there is a Tire Factory near you they can order them.

 

[rjeep]

My M109 has done well in the snow and yes i have got it stuck one time playing...

 

[TGP (IL)]

A Chained up deuce is hard to stop IMO!
Friends Truck in N. ID. 11/09
TOM