Sliding in the snow?

[NewInBoise]

Today I was driving in the mountains in my first snowstorm in Boise, and I was disappointed that I lost the rear end several times during turns, even in Slippery Mode and babying it as gently as I could around the corner (especially after the first slide!). I have the stock tires, fairly new replacements—nothing special. I thought an SUV this heavy, with traction control, would be better…

Do others have this issue? What do I do to make it better? I can’t tolerate it like this…. Snow tires? Chains? 1000 pounds of concrete mix in the back?

Thanks!

 

[Black Label]

Navigator owner for almost 4 years now. Not once.

 

[BruceS121]

I was Essential Personnel, with 70 miles one way for 30 years. Bronco, Ranger, Taurus, Expedition, Navigator got me through every Mid-Atlantic snowfall including 2 blizzards and Snowmageddon. Except for the Bronco and Ranger each had standard All Season tires. I never had the issues you described.

 

[LegalBrief]

Today I was driving in the mountains in my first snowstorm in Boise, and I was disappointed that I lost the rear end several times during turns, even in Slippery Mode and babying it as gently as I could around the corner (especially after the first slide!). I have the stock tires, fairly new replacements—nothing special. I thought an SUV this heavy, with traction control, would be better…

Do others have this issue? What do I do to make it better? I can’t tolerate it like this…. Snow tires? Chains? 1000 pounds of concrete mix in the back?

Thanks!

OEM tires are rubbish. Hancock and Goodyear.. if you’re doing snow/ice daily you need winter rate tires.

______________________________

 

[TrentM]

Morning! So your name is Newinboise. Did you just move here from someplace without snow experience or does that mean a new Gator owner in Boise? First time driving in snow? Just wondering. I dunno how a 2018 compares to a 2021 but the first thing I did was take off those useless highway tires that came on it and put on all terrain tires to handle Idaho stuff. That little 1" we got yesterday was nothing compared to what we are capable of getting. My Gator goes like a tractor in the snow. Might consider different tires. I live in Meridian by the way.

 

[NewInBoise]

Morning! So your name is Newinboise. Did you just move here from someplace without snow experience or does that mean a new Gator owner in Boise? First time driving in snow? Just wondering. I dunno how a 2018 compares to a 2021 but the first thing I did was take off those useless highway tires that came on it and put on all terrain tires to handle Idaho stuff. That little 1" we got yesterday was nothing compared to what we are capable of getting. My Gator goes like a tractor in the snow. Might consider different tires. I live in Meridian by the way.

We moved to Boise from Georgia a month ago. I grew up in the North though, and have driven on snow/ice for 30 years in various cars and trucks. My old Nissan Armada was awesome in snow in Minnesota. Zero drama. Zero issues. But here yesterday morning was our first trip up to Bogus Basin, and it was snowing the whole way up. The “gator” slid in the rear like a pickup truck, imho. Maybe the all terrain tires is the way to go…

 

[TrentM]

Yes they will certainly help. I have the "Open Country" from Les Shwab,, where I have always got my tires. I run them at 34 lbs too. More rubber on the road. The Gator suggested pounds at 39 is way too high. I also changed my wheels from 22" to 20" so I could put on a more substantial tire. Those stock 4 ply's don't cut it for me. They usually keep the road up to Bogus pretty clear,,, there may have been some ice under that snow that did not help any either.

 

[LincolnJoey]

Does your car have eLSD? How fast were you going? It is possible that the rearend was locking up and causing the oversteer. Locking rear axles are great for in-line traction, but lateral traction not so much!

That said, tires can make a HUGE difference in a car's handling. My brand new 2024 Navigator has Pirelli Scorpion Verde tires, and I'm holding my breath waiting for a snowstorm to see how they perform in snow and ice. I have my doubts. (We live on the lake side of Tuo Hill in New York...it is a high snow area.)

Please post what you finally decide to do and how well it worked.

______________________________

 

[Black Label]

I live in the Chicago area. I had the Pirellis on my 2008 Expedition. Never an issue. I have the Pirellis on my 2022 Navigator. Never an issue. Had the Hankooks on my 2020 Navigator. Never an issue.

 

[Tahoe Dave]

Yes they will certainly help. I have the "Open Country" from Les Shwab,, where I have always got my tires. I run them at 34 lbs too. More rubber on the road. The Gator suggested pounds at 39 is way too high. I also changed my wheels from 22" to 20" so I could put on a more substantial tire. Those stock 4 ply's don't cut it for me. They usually keep the road up to Bogus pretty clear,,, there may have been some ice under that snow that did not help any either.

I removed the Pirelli's as soon as I drove our 2023 off the showroom floor. I replaced them with Continental Cross Contact DWS tires. We have a homes in Northern California and Lake Tahoe Nevada. As such, I don't want to roll the dice on the Pirelli's as they have underperformed in snow on other vehicles. Of equal importance, I see you went from 22's to 20's, I'm considering doing this because of the crappy ride over small bumps. Did you notice any difference in the ride with the 20"s?

 

[TrentM]

Yes I did.. More meat on the shoulder and 8 ply's takes away the squishy feeling I had with the 22's. Feels much firmer when making turns and on curvy roads. Just way more solid feeling. Some guys like that squishy soft feeling but I do not. A butter smooth soft squishy ride is not that important to me. I am used to trucks and how they ride! lol I actually wanted to go to 17 or 18 but the wheels I wanted did not clear the brake calipers. The 20's work just fine.
I have 17's on my Raptor with 35" x12.50 tires. Talk about a firm ride!

 

[Tahoe Dave]

Yes I did.. More meat on the shoulder and 8 ply's takes away the squishy feeling I had with the 22's. Feels much firmer when making turns and on curvy roads. Just way more solid feeling. Some guys like that squishy soft feeling but I do not. A butter smooth soft squishy ride is not that important to me. I am used to trucks and how they ride! lol I actually wanted to go to 17 or 18 but the wheels I wanted did not clear the brake calipers. The 20's work just fine.
I have 17's on my Raptor with 35" x12.50 tires. Talk about a firm ride!

Thanks for the feedback. I was actually looking at 18's with some hesitation. Your "brake caliper clearance" remark put a fork in that one!

______________________________

 

[TrentM]

Well it depends on the style of wheels you decide on. I certainly would prefer 18's! But the wheels available for that size that would clear the calipers were just not what I was looking for. You certainly might be able to find some 18's that clear the calipers and would be a style you would like. There is a huge selection of options out there!

 

[Tahoe Dave]

Well it depends on the style of wheels you decide on. I certainly would prefer 18's! But the wheels available for that size that would clear the calipers were just not what I was looking for. You certainly might be able to find some 18's that clear the calipers and would be a style you would like. There is a huge selection of options out there!

I can go the Tire Rack route which offers endless choices in 20" Wheels. The 18" consideration was the result of quite a few new takeoffs on the web. These are mainly new Expeditions and F 150's that have the same 6 X 135 bolt pattern. The offset however is different than that of the 2023 Navigator. While the price and ease of bolt on and drive are tempting, I need to pay careful attention to factory specifications. As a practical matter, I've been over thinking the "rough ride" on imperfect roads. Time to put that issue behind and enjoy the rest of the features. By way of example, best sound system of any vehicle ever.

 

[Mark-P]

As trent mentioned dropping to 35-35 psi will help some also helps the low speed harsh ride.

If you have max tow that should have electronic limited slip differential will make the rear end squirrly when in 2wd. Either enjoy the drifting or put in 4wd.

 

[Black Label]

As trent mentioned dropping to 35-35 psi will help some also helps the low speed harsh ride.

If you have max tow that should have electronic limited slip differential will make the rear end squirrly when in 2wd. Either enjoy the drifting or put in 4wd.

I don't think the OP ever said whether or not any of the 4WD modes were being used. I have never had any of the issues mentioned when using 4WD in these vehicles.

______________________________

 

[Vics 2024 Black Label]

I live in the Chicago area. I had the Pirellis on my 2008 Expedition. Never an issue. I have the Pirellis on my 2022 Navigator. Never an issue. Had the Hankooks on my 2020 Navigator. Never an issue.

I also live in the Chicago area and have owned 4 Navigators since April of 2020 and I also have never had any issues with the snow or bad weather they have been really great vehicles in the snow.

 

[Black Label]

I also live in the Chicago area and have owned 4 Navigators since April of 2020 and I also have never had any issues with the snow or bad weather they have been really great vehicles in the snow.

Yep. My 2008 expedition I had for 12 years never slid in the snow either. Ha, I would go to the Home Depot on La Grange in Countryside and have fun with the 4WD when it was snowing at night.