Do you think that winter’s arrival is the end of your off-roading adventures for several months? On the contrary, the fun has just begun. Snow wheeling has become a common way for 4×4 aficionados to test their limits, braving the cold weather and the large white blanket covering the trails. Think of it as snowmobiling but with trucks and SUVs.
If that sounds like a good time, this guide will help you get started. We’ll review everything you need to know about snow wheeling, including how to approach different snow types, select a trail, and prepare your machine. Like every form of off-roading, smart preparation and a practical approach will help you enjoy driving in a winter wonderland.
Types of Snow and How They Affect Snow Wheeling
Snow is snow, right? As someone who has lived in the Northeast all my life, I can tell you firsthand that there are many different snowpacks, and each affects the way you drive on or off the roads. Here are the main snow conditions you’ll encounter when snow wheeling and how to tackle them.
Powder Snow
This fluffy crystalline snow occurs in cold, dry conditions, making it most common in northern inland areas and high elevations. Fine powder snow is the best for snow wheeling because it’s less likely to pack down, whether on the trail or in your tire treads. Because the snow is so light, you can drive through even the largest drifts.
Crud Snow
Even if snow is powdery at first, it gets packed down as people drive on it. This creates a layer that’s firm but slick. Your stopping distances will increase, and you’ll have to drive more carefully to stay in control. That said, if you like sliding, you’ll love a little crud.
Wet Snow
Snow falling in milder temperatures and/or a high-humidity area results in heavy snow that’s full of moisture. You’ll see this most often in maritime and Southern regions. It’s much more likely to clog tires and build up on the underside of your vehicle, so be prepared to get bogged down if the snow is deep.
Crusty Snow
A crust forms on the top of wet snow when it freezes. It can also form on powder snow after a thaw/refreeze cycle. These conditions are very slippery and unpredictable since you don’t know exactly what type of snow is underneath the crust. However, if you go too slowly, you can start to sink in and require assistance.
Slush
Partially melted snow of any variety will create a slushy, low-traction mess. Slush is arguably even more hazardous than crusty snow because of how much gets onto your tires and undercarriage. You’ll most likely encounter this in late winter and early spring as temperatures warm up.
Ice
Freezing rain and sleet will form a sheet of ice over the trail. Just like you should avoid icy roads, stay away from ice-covered terrain. These conditions are unsafe at any speed, and potential thrills aren’t worth the risks.
How to Find a Snow Wheeling Trail
The next step is figuring out a place to go snow wheeling. Multiple apps are available using a quick Google search to locate open snow wheel trails. State and municipal organizations sometimes release trail updates on their websites and/or social media, and you can get great tips from online communities (just verify the info is recent and not 15 years old). Confirm the trail distance, width, difficulty rating, and current conditions, so you know what you’re facing.
Once you’re on the designated trail, stay there unless it’s blocked by an immovable obstacle. Making your own trail is enticing, but the cost will show when the snow melts, revealing that you’ve torn up grass and killed vegetation. It’s important to be good stewards of the land. If you’re not, you endanger everyone’s ability to enjoy. Snowmobiling is banned in most U.S. national parks and many localities because of its “adverse environmental effect,” and you don’t want snow wheeling to suffer a similar fate.
How to Prepare Your 4×4 for Snow Wheeling
No matter what trail you choose and what the snowpack is, you’ll need some basic gear to equip your vehicle and yourself. Here are my picks for the six most important snow wheeling supplies:
- All-terrain or mud-terrain tires. These have a more aggressive tread and a softer rubber compound to improve grip. Heavy-duty tires also hold up better when aired down, which I recommend doing to spread the tread out for even more traction.
- A limited slip or locking rear differential. Each will help increase traction by keeping one tire from spinning faster than the other. If you choose a locker, make sure it’s selectable, as you’ll want to turn the system off in certain situations. Limited-slip differentials have better road manners if you use the vehicle for everyday driving.
- A shovel or two. Sometimes if you get stuck or encounter a large, wet drift, the only way out is to dig. Good old-fashioned shovels will get you out of a jam much faster than digging by hand and with much less irritation.
- A winch and other recovery gear. Winches are a major snow wheeling boon. They can pull your vehicle or a friend’s ride to safety and help control ascents and descents if you encounter ice. Recovery gear can include tow straps, D-rings, and tree savers. Even a set of traction boards can help you in tough spots.
- Two-way radios. You may not have cell service where you’re going, so a set of classic CB, FRS, GMRS, or ham radios is a must for communication. (Keep in mind that you need a license for a GMRS or ham radio.) Vehicle-mounted and handheld radios are both useful. Get radios with as long a range as possible to reach emergency services if there’s a disaster.
- An emergency kit. Pack the essentials in case you’re stranded or have an accident. Your emergency kit should include a change of warm clothes, food, water, blankets, and first aid supplies. Bring standard automotive tools, like a lug wrench and jack for changing a flat tire.
Other Snow Wheeling Tips
There are a few more things to cover that didn’t fit elsewhere but are just as important. Remember these tips for snow wheeling before you head out.
- Trails will be easier to traverse at the start of winter (December and early January). By late winter, more snow will have accumulated, and more freeze-thaw cycles will create crust, slush, and ice.
- Dress appropriately for the conditions. This includes water-resistant or waterproof boots, insulated jackets, and snow pants or bibs. You’ll almost certainly have to get out of your vehicle at least once, and you don’t want to end up freezing and sopping wet when you do.
- Gravitate towards using the Low setting on your transfer case. Although you need enough speed to maintain momentum, you’re not looking to set any land speed records. The Low setting will deliver more torque to the wheels and help control your pace.
- When in doubt, use basic slippery terrain driving techniques. Unless you’re facing imminent danger, don’t mash the gas pedal, slam the brakes, jerk the steering wheel, or anything else that makes you more likely to lose control.
- Once you’re done, clean off your headlights, tail lights, and license plates. After an adventure, they’ll likely be caked in snow. You’ll need them clear on your way home for visibility, safety, and staying on the good side of law enforcement.
- Finally, never go snow wheeling alone, and always tell a family member or friend where you’re going. You’ll want the manpower and company along for the ride, and if you get stranded and don’t come home, someone will know where to send emergency services.
Hit the Snowy Trails This Winter
Snow wheeling is a great way to make the 4×4 season last all year. It offers a unique test of man and machine. You can’t beat the postcard-worthy views when you’re going out just after a fresh snowfall. Planning your trip, following safe practices, and making smart decisions will give you an unforgettable off-roading experience.
