Winter Trail Safety Tips

Many of us associate the off-road experience with dirt, mud, hot temperatures, and plenty of bug bites. We’ll concede that spring, summer, and autumn generally make for the best wheeling. But for many of us in northern climates, the off-road lifestyle doesn’t need to be put away like golf clubs when the first frost sets in.

Dammit, your rig has 4-wheel-drive! And what goes better with a 4×4 than snow?

Sure, heading to your favorite trail in January rather than July presents itself with a slew of new possible problems and issues to ponder—but it also brings promise and potential. With our below list of gear, techniques, and essentials, there’s no reason to garage your rig after Turkey Day.

Must-Have Gear

A few years back we covered aftermarket gear in our Ready for Some Winter Wheeling?! article. And while a pandemic has happened since that post first went live, the information within holds true. So, if you’re looking more for the gear side of off-roading in the winter, make sure to head over to the link above and give it a read. That being said, let’s do a brief rundown of parts that at the very least you should consider for your rig.

Tires

First and foremost, tires should be at the top of your list. While technically you can do winter off-roading in any tire, we don’t recommend it. Your typical off-the-shelf replacement tires will generally have a thin sidewall, narrow siping, and come in smaller, non-ideal sizes. Fortunately for those of us that wheel when the weather is warm, the all-terrain and mud-terrain tires we run on in the summer should work fairly well.

These tires have deep channels to pack with snow, and while that may not sound ideal, remember—snow grips snow better than rubber grips snow. Mud and A/T tires also air down better than other tires creating even better traction.

If you want to run different tires for the winter, we fully support that as well. We recommend getting winter tires that are snowflake rated. Generally, these tires will tend to use a softer rubber compound, which is ideal for cold temperatures. As the thermometer drops, rubber stiffens up and will produce less traction. So, the softer the better. And we should add, remember to bolster your kit with some snow chains as well.

Winch

Snow, just like mud, is known for creating stuck vehicles. It is imperative that you have some kind of assistance when it inevitably happens to you. Even if you only use it sparingly, having a winch can save you or other trail goers time and money on a rough afternoon run. And in the rare case, it may even save your life.

Keep a bag of d-rings, snatch blocks, straps, kinetic ropes, and tree savers in your vehicle to make any possible pull you may need to perform that much easier. And, as always, learn the ins and outs of your winch, recovery gear, and pull-types beforehand, so the first time you need them won’t be an extreme situation.

Traction Boards

They’re great in the summer, and even better in the winter. Traction boards are strips of plastic that you put in front or behind tires that need grip during a stuck situation. Sometimes a winch is not needed, and all you’ll require to get your vehicle unstuck is the grip these boards provide. Alternatively, people use common items like sticks, 2x4s, rocks, or even kitty litter to gain a bit of grip, but traction boards work much better and can be easily mounted inside or outside your rig to save space.

Shovel

The most common wintertime tool is sometimes the one we forget the most when it comes to our trail kit. Don’t resort to using your bare hands to dig out a tire or bottomed-out undercarriage, make sure to always pack or mount a good quality shovel. Plus, in an emergency situation, a shovel can have many other uses including a makeshift traction board.

Proper Rig Prep

Once again, we’ve got a whole article that goes into detail on what you should make sure to fill, check, and pack on and in your vehicle. Head on over to our Off-Road Checklist article for a full list. But like with aftermarket accessories, here a few specifics we’ll highlight for wintertime.

Battery

Cold weather can wreak havoc on a battery, rendering them far less efficient when temperatures get down to freezing. Replacing old batteries, installing a dual-battery system to feed power-hungry accessories, and topping off any you’ll be using should be at the top of your list. Also, make sure to have a jump pack that’s fully charged at the ready as well.

Fluids

Antifreeze, wiper fluid, and oil are the big ones here. They do make winter-specific wiper fluid with antifreeze which is a good bet. Also, changing your oil type to a lower viscosity will ensure easier cold starts and give your engine a little more protection as it won’t thicken as easily.

Heating

We’re not saying you should be aiming to drive in cruise-to-Bermuda attire, but you certainly should want a warm, comfortable cabin. This should include checking your climate control and defroster performance.

4×4 System

We’ll touch on driving with your 4×4 system later, but it’s crucial to have functional all-wheel control on the trail. (I’ve had to replace fuses for this in my rig several times. Don’t discover this problem or any other when you’re already on the trail.)

Wipers

Visibility is key as you’re already handicapped with a bright white snow/sun combination. Plus, the snow itself hides prospective obstacles out on the trail. Ensure your defroster system works well, and swapping out your summer blades for winter ones will ensure your windshield stays clean.

Driving 101

OK, you’ve got your vehicle all geared up, tires aired down, and fluids topped off. You’ve reached your destination and snow is blanketing the ground and perhaps falling from the heavens—it’s go time! But before you leave that first tire tread mark, let’s go over a few essential tips on winter 4×4 driving.

Be mindful of your gas pedal.

Low RPMs and steady throttle control are the ways to go. If you start to get stuck, don’t panic and floor the accelerator. This will certainly dig you a rut that will be even harder to escape. Throw it in reverse and give yourself a bit more momentum or alter your path. Additionally, use smooth acceleration when climbing a hill. Romping the throttle will increase your chance of spinning your tires and digging yourself in.

Brake slow and smooth.

Be sure to slow down prematurely before coming to a bend or descent. Keep in mind that with your brake pedal fully pressed and ABS activated, there’s still a chance of skidding and sliding. The slower the better.

Keep eyes open and ahead.

While snow on the trail can be a beautiful sight, it can also hide potential dangers. Even a light dusting can hide rocks, ditches, holes, and other potential obstacles that can halt your adventure. While it’s always a good idea to have familiarity with a trail before tackling it in the winter, sometimes that just doesn’t happen. Go slow and if possible, don’t be afraid to get out of your vehicle and test spots that raise an eyebrow.

Additionally, remember that snow can change throughout the day. While the white stuff may be able to support your vehicle during the chill of the morning or evening, the warm-up during midday will soften the snow and lessen its support of your vehicle.

Drive smart.

If you get stuck, rocking your vehicle may be all you need to shimmy yourself free. If this doesn’t work, reach for the shovel or traction boards.

Putting your vehicle in 4-Low is often the best option for moderate and deep snow. This will help smooth out your throttle response and boost your torque for sticky situations. Just don’t get overconfident; 4-wheel drive is not a band-aid for poor or reckless driving.

Cold Weather Essentials

In the above sections we’ve brushed upon what the snow and cold temperatures can do to your vehicle, and more importantly, yourself during winter wheeling. But to fill in some gaps (albeit, obvious gaps to most) lets run through a few more things to pack or consider before committing to a winter excursion.

• Check the weather and continue to check the weather before and during your trip. The last thing you’d need is to be caught in a storm going to, coming from, or while out on the trail.
• Not all places allow “off-season” 4x4ing, so double check that your destination is open before setting off.
• If you’ve confirmed a trail is open, scour message boards, talk to fellow wheelers, and call any groups associated with the destination to find out any recent condition reports.
• Some may ignore this, but it’s always the best idea to travel with another rig. If one becomes disabled, the other can provide assistance. You’ll not only have another recovery option, but also another outlet for supplies.
• Along with recovery supplies, ensure you’ve packed a comprehensive first aid kit.
• Pack plenty of food and water in case you get stranded for a day or two.
• In addition to the clothing you’ll be wearing, pack other warm, weather-proof garments to brave the cold. Prepare as if you’re going skiing/snowmobiling. Large warm blankets should be in your kit as well.
• Bring along fire-starting supplies in the event you’ll need to setup some kind of camp to cook or stay warm. In the off-chance you’ll need to be rescued, a fire will act as a location beacon.
• Ensure all communication devices are properly working and charged so you’ll be reliably able to communicate with your group or local authorities.
• We hate to be all doom and gloom, but reading any literature on winter survival is a fantastic idea. It could save the life of you or others.

Gear Up With TrailFX

While they don’t have a line of blankets or sweaters (yet…), our friends at TrailFX do have quite a few products that can assist with this year’s winter trail runs. A good off-roader needs a durable and good-looking set of bumpers to brush aside obstacles and house essential recovery options. TrailFX’s line of full-size, pre-runner, light duty, and heavy-duty bumpers can replace your flimsy stock offering with toughness and off-road performance.

Need something to fill that new bumper with? TrailFX’s premium winch and lighting lines can fill those empty bumper slots with capability. And with quality materials, construction, and warranties, all of TrailFX’s parts perform year-round—year after year.

Plus, if you’ve got other vehicular mouths to feed in your garage, TrailFX offers a complete line of other SUV and truck products to get the job done. These include, tonneaus, bed mats, racking systems, and cargo management tools. If you want premium quality without the premium price, go TrailFX.