4x4 in snow, not my favorite vehicle.

[rxyb]

Hey IPT, I'm in Anchorage and it was probably this same snow that was the first test in my van. I knew it would be a learning curve and lousy since it's empty with stock tires and I felt the disappointment as well. I have a hill for a driveway and had to back up a few times to build speed to get out with a good foot of fresh snow. I think weight is going to be the best thing to get some improvement especially with how many times the rear slips under power....gotta get this thing built!

[Redline]

Thought I would add a few thoughts on this after my first experience in the snow with my 2017 144 4x4 Crew this past Saturday. The van isn't built out yet and was basically empty in the back. The Tahoe region got hammered with a few big storms, and on my way out of town the main interstate closed. That meant I had to take some smaller highways north and west, which would normally be a three hour trip. It took six. These are twisty mountain roads with quite a bit of elevation change. At times there was 8-10 inches of unplowed snow on the road, other times hardpacked ice. There were cars stuck all over the place. At one point there were about 60 mph winds, blowing snow and boulders falling on the road. Quite an exciting trip.

In short, the Sprinter handled it all very well. I'm running Cooper ST/Maxx, which I aired down to 45 psi. I only felt it slide once, and that's when I got on the power to see how much traction was available. Other than that, I can't think of a single issue. Rock solid, even up and over some big grades. After reading this thread I was a bit hesitant on my way up to Tahoe. After the trip, I'm left wondering why people are having issues. I can't help but think it's tire/psi related, because at this point I think I'd prefer taking the Sprinter on a snow trip over my F150.

[Ski Trip]

i am loving my Sprinter 4x4 in the snow and wet weather. ive had it in deep snow during storms, and it feels like driving a tank. factory tires. have had it in 2 wd and 4 wd during the same storm event, it definitely makes a difference!

no matter which tires you have, and be it 2wd or 4wd, make sure the tires are closer to new than old, and do everything slooowly in the snow. I have always felt like i have control of the van. if it feels like you dont have control...you dont...

the Sprinter handles great in the snow. if you are looking to win a race however in winter conditions in a Sprinter, prepare to be disappointed.

[Sinatorj]

Just finished driving over Poncha and Wolf creek passes during storm today. Beastly good. Bfg Ko2 s and 4x4 = no slip.

[4wheeldog]

I admit to driving in snow and on ice very conservatively. But the Sprinter has never slipped, even on the stock tires.
And it is a motor home!
I don’t know what others expect, but it is better than I could ever have predicted.

[AEmedic]

I drove mine in 4WD for the first time today, since it was snowing and icy, I figured it would be a good test. It never missed a beat, never slipped once. It's all about expectations, for a big heavy van, I love it!

[4wheeldog]

Originally Posted by AEmedic

I drove mine in 4WD for the first time today, since it was snowing and icy, I figured it would be a good test. It never missed a beat, never slipped once. It's all about expectations, for a big heavy van, I love it!

I needed mine on my driveway yesterday. Generally, I try to engage it before I need it, since it can take a little donkey dance to get it in. Yesterday, the initial steep part of my driveway had not thawed, and I was curious if it would make it up in 2wd. Tried it 3 times, backed down the first 2. Third attempt, I got about 1/2 way up the steep part when it just spun its wheels.
So I attempted to engage 4wd. Hit the button 3 times, first 2 the light blinked and it failed to engage. The 3rd time, I let it roll back a foot or 2, and it engaged without drama. And it walked very nicely the rest of the way up.
Truthfully, a 2wd Sprinter would not work for me. Because there is much of the year it would not be able to climb my driveway. So I am very happy with the 4wd.

[Wrinkledpants]

I would agree. Of all the performance AWD German cars I've had running expensive Nokian winter tires, our Sprinter 4x4 is by far the best snow vehicle I've owned. It's 7300 lbs empty, 255/85/16 ST Maxx tires running about 45/57 psi, and it's planted in the snow. It takes a lot of slush to make it flinch, and even slippery conditions it's sure-footed. Brand new on stock tires with factory pressures, it would get a little twitchy in the rear, but some weight with better tires made all the difference.

I don't think it's it's anything unique to the Sprinter, per se, I think it's a combination of the tire size, weight, and 4x4.

[martyphelps]

I'm running Cooper SST Pro 265 x 75 x 16's. I stoked with the way the vehicle performs in the snow.

[Bobmog]

My lowroof with Blizzaks has no problem going up my steep driveway with 8-10 inches of fresh snow with the ASR off. Just keep on the throttle.