10 Tips for getting your 4x4 truck ready for Winter 2024
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- Опубліковано 6 лют 2025
- Choosing the right tires for winter can mean the difference between getting stuck in the snow and making it home safely. In this video, I share the story of the tires I regret buying most-what went wrong, why they failed in extreme winter conditions, and the costly lesson I learned so you don’t have to.
We’ll also dive into essential winter prep tips, including must-have survival and retrieval gear for your truck. Whether you’re tackling icy roads or prepping for unexpected emergencies, this video has practical advice to keep you safe and prepared this season.
Don’t make the same mistake I did-watch now and get ahead of winter!
💬 Have you had a bad experience with tires or winter gear? Share your story or ask questions in the comments below. Let’s learn from each other and stay safe out there!
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
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Disclaimer:
Some of the links above are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them at no additional cost to you. Your support helps keep this channel running and allows me to continue creating content like this. Thank you!
May want to note that the Rhino USA gear is NOT USA made.
They mislead by saying they are a US company, and have US based support, but their products are NOT.
Now, I don’t get all wrapped around the axel about foreign made gear, but I do despise people that are intentionally misleading, like naming it Rhino USA to profit off those that want to buy US products, but get duped by companies like this.
Top two links seem to go to the same product fyi. Thanks for the video! I'm in Texas but planning a road trip to Idaho so knew you'd have a comprehensive list.
Why no tiny lady hat?
Look at the nokian studded tires… they make the best winter tire
@wranglerstar I just wanted to let you know, the young man at Poco's with the Carhart hoody is my son. It's his first job and I'm proud of him.
That’s awesome. Keep up the good work. Good on your boy as well!
Awesome
Been a mechanic for 20 years. I’ll do anything from squeaks and rattles, tires to major diesel repair. All the things that make a difference the way a vehicles rides. Tires make the biggest change. I agree new tires feel so good. Big Fizz!!!!!
I would argue shocks/struts, but tires are definitely up there.
@KevinHuff23 Both about equal in pavement ride quality. Both together is 1+1=3. Off road bumpy? 🤣
My hat's off to small business owners and the men and women who labor day in and day out performing valuable service to customers.
Well said and on point in so few words. 👏
@@nellayema2455 my hat's 🪖also off to those who prepare & plan ahead so they never need help themselves, but will help others who are not as responsible. 👏👏😇
This is the kind of video that brought me to your channel about 9 years ago. I appreciate the time and individuality you put into your content. All the best!
Thanks for being thorough for those of us who didn’t have an example!
Super good take away. My dad was a city boy from a broken home that became a cop. Love him to the moon and back but as far as practical everyday man stuff he didn't know what to do lol In a strange way though he gave me a great gift for life.... How to figure it out at my own pace... Thanks for all you do
just got 285/75/16 Ko3's put on my 95 f350 powerstroke. bought from costco for $1250. I'm in alaska and so far i am liking them!
Man the satisfaction of new tires is next level! Last year I bought 6 Mickey Thompson Baja boss AT 37-12.5 r20 and absolutely love them! I have a plow for my dually and it did amazing. North idaho^
I want them for my gas F-250 but I pull a camp trailer in the summer and I am worried about poor wear. I am guessing 30k mile tires on a truck that pulls a trailer. Thoughts?
Cody, old firefighter here. I also carry a flathead axe married to a Haligan bar with some wedges to get people out of wrecked cars when seconds count. The Silky can also double as a windshield saw.
I do the same. I like gear and also keep a high lift Jack which can be used for extrication to some degree and a rappelling kit
I've been watching your videos for years, and I always like watching to see what you carry in your truck. I use them for reference when I get my car and truck ready for the winter, although I traded 4x4 f150 for a RWD dually f350 so I won't be doing much snow driving with my truck anymore. I get what I can and each year I tend to add $100-ish worth of gear to my vehicles.
Growing up all recovery gear was chains and cables, I finally made the switch to ropes and straps and I’ve been very impressed. One thing I might add to the kit is a winch extension line.
Toothless is earning her pay as a barn cat.
It's amusing seeing the title of the video change twice while watching all the way through, hehe.
I really like my Falken Wildpeak AT3W's (they're up to the AT4W now); Paco knows what he's talking about. Still rough to pay $250 per tire when it was under $200 a couple years ago when I got them.
A little cluster hook set up or bridal chain/cluster hook end , helps out with a lot of the newer cars that don’t have any recovery points on it
you live the life we all wish we could. Enjoy it brother
Another awesome video!!! I got my BFG KO2S this past August. I'm in the central valley of California and I have a American Tire (Discount Tire) close by. I grew up using chains for recovery. I still do but I also have tugem straps. I watch a lot of Matt's offroad recovery. But it's not in the budget for those new recovery ropes. I love your under seat storage boxes. I wish they had something like that for my 04 GMC 2500hd 4x4. I have seen them for the next model GM trucks like my dad's 07 GMC. Thank you for all the info!! Stay safe up there. I'm not ready for rain yet, but I hope we get some soon.
Slime has saved me many times from punctures in the woods. My truck is mainly off road and I will always run the stuff.
For a sec I thought that yellow notepad was an irpg. Just started my apprenticeship for IBEW here in Oregon doing line clearance. Look forward to going back through these vids and acquiring all the items for helping folks out
I live in far north MN, and for digging snow out from underneath cars a large square faced hoe does really well for that. Also, when its -40 out, having your recovery hitch point already in your reciever is a big thank-you-God moment if you ever get stuck or need to pull someone out, and carry a spare to put in the truck that wants you to pull them out with their ball hitch.
Great promo for a local shop!
Good load out. I would add a few of those hand and feet warmer packets. You know that when your hands and feet get cold, it makes things miserable. I keep a case of each in my winter box. If you have to walk anywhere, because the truck died and leave the family in the truck, it's nice to crack a few of those open, wrap a mirlar blanket around them and it'll produce enough warmth to keep them conformable. There's a few other things I would add but no one ever reads my posts anyway lol.
I had those tires on the F350 regular cab long bed. The only reason I put in four-wheel-drive was to not spin. You’re gonna love them.
Paco and Sara are awesome! Love those guys!
11:35 hey cody writing on the shroud is really smart thank you for showing us that!
So enjoy your channel, winter here in Saskatchewan and being more inside you channel is so welcomed. Be safe you and yours God Bless.
After watching this video I can happily say that I am fully prepared already.
Guess I’m PROHO.
Thanks Mr.Cody
You picked the right tires for snow and off-roading. This is what I have on my 4Runner and they perform very well in the snow. Greetings from Winnipeg some call it ‘’ Winterpeg ‘’ 🇨🇦
One thing I have found very handy in my retrieval is a T/J combo hook like the tow truck drivers use. All unibody vehicles have reinforced slots near the front and the back that accept a T hook or a j hook, and allows utilization of the factory tow points. I keep one in each of my vehicles.
I have that Milwaukee M18 compressor. I love it. Honestly, a bit large for other than a pick up or larger SUV. But even around the garage it can be handier and a lot quicker than dragging out the air hose.
Hey guys quick one Clevis is usually used in farming towing applications shackles are usually used for rigging lifting in construction and some difference in the load and loading. My two pence is it’s splitting hairs and I regularly interchange the two words!! Love the content Cody god bless to you and your family from across the pond.
Lol, yep, but, at least using a clevis / shackle & not a hitch ball. Also invest in a pair of frame dogs & a safety hook with a ring so you can pull from reinforced proper pull points & not bend everything. I do not recommend linking the 2 aets to a ring with sewn straps. Place your tow strap through each ring so your pulling evenly on both even at angles.
Love that you have a EDC kit, open carry and also that you kiss your kitten on her head.
You’ve taught me everything I know about retrieval over the years. I just use to use a simple tow strap 😂
I have the same tire in the MT variant and i've been very happy with them. Whether pulling the trailer in the fields or getting in and out of Mtb trailheads, they really hook up quickly.
More respect to you, those tires are the best on the market
I loved the in depth gear breakdown, Wranglerstar! Thanks for imparting wisdom and being willing to receive some tips too. Keep up the great work 👍🔥
I’ve owned two sets of Duratrac tires and I don’t care for them. Loud and not great in snowy, icy conditions. Mind you that I didn’t have the Kevlar addition. I almost fell for the Nitto’s but noticed that they don’t have a snow rating. I live in VT. Snow happens. I just installed new KO3’s on my Ram Rebel 2500 diesel. I love the Ko2’s so excited about these ( 185/65R20).
Love your content Cody. I’ve been watching for years. Thanks.
I have two things you can consider to add. Cheap harbor freight ratchet straps and their Pittsburg 130 piece tool kit. Here people usually tear up a bumper or skid plate when they end up off the side of the road so I’ve had to use the straps to hold something on their car and since it’s cheap I don’t need it back. And the tool kit has been handy to have and not be upset when something disappears in the snow the road isn’t the best place to look for a snapon ratchet.
That flat mouse bit at the end was funny. Good job Toothless!
I drive a superduty as well and check my brakes just like you showed by looking at the outside pad. Well I just replaced a set of rotors because while my outside pads had a few seasons left, the inside was completely shot and down to the backing plate unbeknownst to me.
I check both sides of the rotor know and advise others to do the same.
I use the Goodyear Ultraterrain ATs for summer and Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT3 studded for winter. Good choice.
You’re going to love the Duratrac tires! I’ve had 3 sets of 4! 60k-70k per set! Work so well in rough terrain and snow!! Will always recommend them!
i run studded dura tracs LT on my truck in the winter, we get a lot of freeze/thaw here in Newfoundland, Canada.. i highly recommend Goodyear duratracs. 👍🏼👍🏼
Had Goodyear for year’s now, great tires and great video as usual. 👍
I've used those duratrac tires in Colorado since 2022...awesome tires man... Worth the money
Great tires for sure. I run Blizzacks for winter. Living off of a road off of a road they are great. Pulled many a FedX , UPS , USPS and assorted folks out of ditches. 04 Chevy Avalanche with a bubba and some soft shackles.
I’ve been running duratracs for about better than 10 years in lots of different snow scenarios. They have worked extremely well.
I found this rather funny, you could jump in my F250 and pretty much find everything exactly as you have it from the center console locked gat, ear pro, and field glasses, to mags in the door pocket, and MREs under the seat, and my recovery gear behind the back seats. I do carry my winch controller in the door pocket (that and a soft shackle) because I figure the day I really need my winch, i probably don't want to go fishing for it. I did run an air chuck to the back bumper for convenience. I feel you on the ridge grapplers, they aren't the best for real winter. I do mount my own tires and found that nitto and toyo just end up being the most "round" and require nearly no balance weights.
Toyo AT3! I run these on my personal truck along with a couple fleet trucks I have. They are snow rated and they were pretty well. They also come with a 55,000 mile warranty.
Just when you think that you're the coolest always ready boy scout in the parking lot, then this guy shows up. But seriously, that's plenty of smart and handy gear to have at the ready. Cheers.
I use the falken wild peak A/t I love them.
same wonderful tires. hard to get anything else after running these the last 2 years. Cross country, winter storms, offroading, etc. MUST HAVES
those are actually good
Only trust Falken's on my old Z28 Camaro for year's now.
That’s what I have on my Cummin’s. Second pair. They have been great. $1500 for a stock size though 🥴
They are good i love them and for snow nokian studded is the weay to go
Add a Grayl to your kit. They are amazing for quick water prep.
Duratracs are my go to tire here in MI year round. One thing to remember though is that they like to be rotated RELIGIOUSLY (I rotate mine at every 5k oil change)
The ridge grapplers have been amazing for me. I run them on two trucks 9 years and 8 years. Tread wear even and driven in snow out here in Canada where we get real snow.
👏👏👏 Well thought out and practical with lots of versatility and extensibility combined into your various prepackaged kits! ✨
Above all, much respect for supporting the local folk (tire 🛞 shop, sawmill, etc.) whenever quality goods and services are provided. I admire that. 👍
Stay well and keep safe, and God Bless Always.
Full tank of gas and new tires. Those look great brother! Love mine, they’re the best.
That tip about the snow on snow was actually super cool to learn!
To Cody and the rest of the ProHos out here and Wranglerstar family....we are looking at "new to us" late model Ford F250 Super Dutys to replace my other half's GMC 2500HD 6.0L 4x4 4door. We know we do not want a diesel and Im pushing for the 7.3L in a 2020 to 2022 similar to what Cody has but she isn't sold on the 7.3L for one major reason... We cannot find anyone around out part of Texas with personal knowledge of fuel efficiency. Her current truck gets 12.5 in town/14 on the Hwy not pulling a trailer and 8mpg to 10mpg pulling a loaded horse trailer.
What or ya'll finding, friends?
Oh and no we aren't trading in the GMC. It's going with our eldest back to college after the Christmas break as he blew up the motor in his F250 diesel.
I agree with everything except for the blanket i have been stuck enough times to know even in helene here recent! vehicles get cold and a quality blanket/sleeping bag/quilt makes a huge difference on sleep as always amazing tips and keep up the good work thank you for your service
Yes, wool is best wet or dry will keep you warm.
If you have the room, add about 6' of 3/8 G70 chain. Grab hook on one end, slip hook on the other.
Gives you a lot more options if you need to winch something sharp or awkward that would tear up your rope.
We run those tires on all our trucks. I got four rams. Those are really good tires, especially in the winter. I run them on Dooleys easy I can’t get up by Hill if I run anything else without putting chains on, I don’t change those tires and they seem to last a while, thanks love your video Don and Donna from North Idaho
Hi found you since NC. great info! I am in northern AZ. I going to try some solar battery maintainers this winter. I have solar flash lights. You had me at kiss the kitten. God bless you.
Just put a set of KO3s on my Taco and I’m very happy with the results. Got caught in a surprise snowstorm in Idaho and they did great.
King Shocks! Garden Grove CA. Nice choice!
Fallen wildpeak AT4. Best tire around.
Great job Cody, constantly learning from you.
Thankyou 2nd dad a very informative video you have taught me so much over the years it's really appreciated
🇬🇧🇺🇲
Glad to hear it
The tires you got are the same tires we use on our utility trucks. Im a captain for the FS in California.
I run them Wrangler Duratrx on my 2wd pickup. Been very happy with them. Upstate NY snow hasn't stopped me yet.
Lots of great gear!
I don't have a proper winch setup yet, so I carry 2 snatch blocks, 80' of 5/16 cable with loops on each end, 4) 3/4" shackles, a 7/16"x20' chain with grab hooks, for easy adjustments, a 10-15' strap, along with a 30' and a Hi-Lift jack.
From my personal experience, Kenda Klever RT, non metric sizes, is the best tire for the money.
Last year i needed tires but there was no money for such things. The company i spent the last 25 yrs with closed the doors. I got a whole set of cheap tires for just over $600. They are noisy and lumpy but not wearing too bad but amazing grip in the swamp mud i get into occasionally. I cant complain for the price. It allowed me to get out and work.
Also, if you’re equipped with a winch, make sure you pull it out at least twice a year. Make sure that it not only works, but the cables get some movement in them as well.
Oh no! I just swapped the Goodyears that came with my taco-only got 40k out of them and 4 nails. Just put K02s on (my go 2 tire) and I'm so glad to be done with the bad years. Tire rack always has them.
I just installed my winter tires!
Just got Michelin CrossClimate2 put on the Outback yesterday! Bring on the snow!
I ran those on my wrangler. Fantastic on powder, but on the wet stuff it likes to pack up and get a little slick. Overall a great tire.
Falcon wild peaks on my Tacoma. Love them
Happy with my Toyo RT's on my Toyota 4x4. No issues in mud or snow.
Toyos for me, I've had them on ALL of my Tudras,but I also have studded snow tires, like driving on Velcro!😅😅
A dewalt socket set is great, safety glasses and extra sunglasses (I keep some old ones that nobody would ever remove) beanie, full change of clothes, trash bags, tp, zip ties, bottle Jack (if towing trailer lug wrench too)
I make cat supply part of my prep! And I love your tool recommendations.
I love the way a vehicle rides and drives with new tires.
Great video Cody, just put my retrieval kit together last week.
I have ran regular Duratrac's for years. Great tire, extremely good on ice and snow in northern Canada.
Good choice. I run Duratracs on my 2nd Gen Ram 2500. Did a review video...I'm pretty happy with them.
As an avid off roader (mainly jeeps). Falken is one of my favorites. Also, keep in mind that tire pressure can/will affect tire performance when it comes to different terrains. I let about 10-15psi out of my tires for snowy conditions
I’ve had pretty good luck with keeping water in my car, and I live in the north east in a particular city that has become infamous for our winter storms. I keep it in the action packer with a couple canvas tarps over that to hide the tote, and it’s gone 2 separate winters, with 2 separate blizzards and has not frozen or busted open
Wranglers on Wranglerstar. Excellent choice on tires!
If you wanna carry a radio everywhere, get a radio holster.Knowing you , get a leather guy to customize one for you in the color you want….. just an observation. Great video as usual. 👍🙏
A battery powered heat gun (like DeWALT or Milwaukee) is a must have in your vehicle during the winter. To warm up frozen locks. I don’t know how I could live without it before. Imaging coming home to your house a late and cold evening, and you can’t get into your house because the lock is frozen.
I run the ko2s and i love them .i just got my set from discount tires .
Michelin Cross climate 2's Best tires I ever had for snow...living in the Boston Area...we can get the craziest weather !
Best all around tire imo
Had General Grabber X3's on my truck for 8 years, definitely the best tire ive ever experienced. Trying out Baja Boss A/T's in 255/85R17 to see how cookie cutters work in the snow lol
It's important to remember that with hollow fibre water filters, the water is difficult to fully empty once used. If the water inside the filter freezes, then the filter loses its function so they much be kept above freezing to be relied on.
Same tires I just had all 4 installed on my F-350 I didn’t try them yet because we haven’t had any snow. Same price here around $1,899 installed they have the 3 snow ❄️ flake on the side wall. No noise I keep 66 pounds in back and 55 in the front. thanks
The ring from yankum is amazing. I used it and a 12000 lb winch to get a tucker snow that broke down back to the road and on a trailer.
As a midwestern, we have Menards (hardware store brand). Menards now carries a kinetic rope and soft shackles. You can get a 7/8 rope and two shackles for less than 75 bucks now!! If your balling on a budget like I am, you don't have to come up with 500$ to be useful lol
Look forward to this every year.
In November 2024, Sumitomo Rubber (parent for Falken and Dunlop) abruptly closed their factory in Buffalo, NY and put 1500 Americans out of work without warning. I hope everyone takes this into consideration for future tire purchases. Thanks for the content!
Damn it...was just gonna leave a comment about how much I loved my fallen wildpeak at3s?...that's a bummer.
Coopers are good to go
I didn’t have a good result with the Falken tire. The BFGs and good year have all ways been my go to tires for all-terrain.
My dad decades ago after I putting a new set of Firestone on my car said you’ll never wear them out they’ll blowout first he was right, me I find the best flat tires have Goodyear all over them, individual experience I do like the falken wild peak have had good luck with them
BFG KO2 were absolutely horrible on my F150. Never balanced correctly and I heard a lot of others say the same thing. I went back to Michelin highway tires, I'm never off road and never in a lot of snow. Worlds better.
Put the Winch controller in a Ziplock freezer bag. Leather garden gloves. I like 4"× 4' strips of old carpet. Possible traction assist and Safety item to lay over the winch cable.