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tight turns/4wd hi/snow driving

11K views 19 replies 13 participants last post by  sho_maniac  
#1 ·
This is my first winter with my 07 DC, and I am experiencing something
different from other 4wd trucks I have had. While pulling into a snow
covered parking spot, or a similar tight turn, this truck pushes quite
noticeable and makes it hard to judge where I will end up. I do this
quite a bit at work, and this week we have had 3' of snow, so every day
it's a deep snow parking lot at work, so I am getting a lot of 4wd time.
I noticed it over the weekend, but thought it was due to the load I had
in the bed while helping somebody move, but, I spoke with a 010 CM LTD
today, and he told me he had the same condition, tight turn and the truck
pushes ahead instead of having the front's bite and pull the truck around.
Is there some way this is associated with the ALSD that they say happens
in 4wd Hi, or is the front to rear wheel speed ratio that radically different.
Prior truck was on 05 base cab 4wd V8, and this condition never happened
with that truck.
:confused:
 
#3 ·
No, that's typical of a 4x4 when turning (while in 4wd). Your front wheels are grabbing while turning, which will cause you to "pull-through" the turn more than in 2wd. I think this happens with the Tundra because it has a better turning radius than most 4x4's --- I notice it more with my Tundra's than I did with other trucks I had in the past too
 
#4 ·
No, that's typical of a 4x4 when turning (while in 4wd). Your front wheels are grabbing while turning, which will cause you to "pull-through" the turn more than in 2wd. I think this happens with the Tundra because it has a better turning radius than most 4x4's --- I notice it more with my Tundra's than I did with other trucks I had in the past too
Same here, all normal. I just switch mine to 2wd when ever i have to make tight turns. If is deep stuff ill hit the trac button and use the LSD for traction. If its REALLY deep, then your stuck with 4x4.
 
#5 ·
Remember that the Tundra is 4 wheel drive not All wheel drive. There is no center differential so the front wheels continue to turn at the same speed as the rear wheels.
That is why you get the "hop" when turning on dry pavement and the increased turning radius on slippery surfaces.
 
#6 ·
This is my first winter also. We had a snow storm and 4wd worked fine until the road were cleared and dry patches began to appear. Then when turning, the truck became little jerky. I am now back to 2wd and everything works fine.
 
#7 ·
No, that's typical of a 4x4 when turning (while in 4wd). Your front wheels are grabbing while turning, which will cause you to "pull-through" the turn more than in 2wd. I think this happens with the Tundra because it has a better turning radius than most 4x4's --- I notice it more with my Tundra's than I did with other trucks I had in the past too
But that's the problem, the front wheels don't seem to be pulling fast enough, and the
truck plows forward more than I expect.
Maybe it's just a different design than my previous 4wd trucks, (i've owned them for years)

I never ever run 4wd on dry or just wet pavement, only snow/slush covered roads, and off road occasionally.
 
#9 ·
so it's not us, not the tires, not the weight, is it engine weight?
or did they change front to rear 4wd characteristics?
 
#10 ·
The truck has a PART TIME 4wd system, its not a FULL TIME 4wd. which as stated in a previous post it has NO center differential. Which means the front and rear wheels do not spin indepently. So in a tight turn the rear wheels are pushing more than the front wheels are grabbing.​
 
#11 ·
I not only noticed an increased turning radius the first time i used 4wd in the snow, but also much more drive line bind than I was expecting. I can be coasting along in 4wd while going straight, then as soon as I turn 90* into my driveway I have to give it gas in order to keep moving...but in 2wd I can coast all the way in. While its true that all 4wd trucks i have previously owned exhibit the same tendency, I honestly did expect this tundra to have more improvements made to those areas. Really cant complain tho since the 2wd turning radius is so tight...toyota made a huge improvement in that respect.
 
#12 ·
I've also noticed that when in 4WD on slippery snow covered roads when breaking and the ABS kicks in it feels as though I get the wheel hope condition even when going straight. Is this also normal due to the lack of a center differential and the ABS trying to make the wheels turn at different speeds?
 
#13 ·
What you can do in a tight turn is slow right down to a crawl....then you lightly get on the gas and the front wheels will pull you around the corner. If you try to turn sharp going too fast it will just push straight ahead. The 4WD system is truely meant for driving/pulling mostly forwards. A 4WD system like the Tundra has all the Front and Rear wheels get the same power transferred to them as much as possible. It's not a perfect system for winter driving around the city but you need a system that is beefy like this to be able to handle towing heavy loads in 4WD thru mud and snow or whatver.

An AWD system like what you would find in a Subaru is much more intelligent. It will move power around to whichever wheel/wheels have traction. As far as driving around town an AWD system is quite a bit superior. But it lacks the rugged toughness you need when you are out in the back 40.

In GM's they have an option for AWD. What this does does is kick in the 4x4 system when it's required. There is a little bit of lag because it needs to sense the rear wheels spinning then engage the 4x4 system. One of my friends has a GM and we were comparing 4WD systems once.

You might often see alot of 4x4's that have ploughed themselves into a ditch. They hit a sharper turn without slowing down enough and the front wheels dragged them right into the ditch. Opps!

In 4WD your turning radius is definately less, just slow down more and use a little power to pull you around the corner. That is what I have learned to do anyhow.
 
#14 ·
What you can do in a tight turn is slow right down to a crawl....then you lightly get on the gas and the front wheels will pull you around the corner. If you try to turn sharp going too fast it will just push straight ahead. The 4WD system is truely meant for driving/pulling mostly forwards. A 4WD system like the Tundra has all the Front and Rear wheels get the same power transferred to them as much as possible.


You might often see alot of 4x4's that have ploughed themselves into a ditch. They hit a sharper turn without slowing down enough and the front wheels dragged them right into the ditch. Opps!

In 4WD your turning radius is definately less, just slow down more and use a little power to pull you around the corner. That is what I have learned to do anyhow.
I am talking about pulling into a parking space in a snow covered lot, and the truck
pushes instead of pulling. In the past I have been a toyota salesperson, and driven 4wd trucks
off and on for 20+ years, and this truck pushes more than any other I have had.
I don't doubt I could need new rubber, but I am thinking maybe it's a weight issue,
it is a big V8 compared to the 4.7 or 3.0 V6 that I owned.
 
#15 ·
I notice that a bit more with the Tundra than I did with my old Dodge also.
I have always thought it was because the Tundra turns shorter in 2wd than other trucks the same size so when you put it in 4wd you are back to reality.
 
#16 ·
I am talking about pulling into a parking space in a snow covered lot, and the truck
pushes instead of pulling. In the past I have been a toyota salesperson, and driven 4wd trucks
off and on for 20+ years, and this truck pushes more than any other I have had.
I don't doubt I could need new rubber, but I am thinking maybe it's a weight issue,
it is a big V8 compared to the 4.7 or 3.0 V6 that I owned.
So am I...I back my truck into my garage in 4x4 ice/snow covered alley and I have way less room around me than any parking stall. You need to slow to a crawl and then go easy on the gas and let the front wheels pull you. I use the same tactic going forward too. You will stil never be able to turn as sharp in 4x4 but at least you don't push straight.
 
#18 ·
perhaps it is just due to the longer wheelbase? The longer the wheelbase the bigger the difference in speed between the front and rear tires when turning tightly... Without a center diff the higher speed of the front could be causing the back to 'push' a bit more to keep up with the front wheel speed? just a guess...
 
#19 ·
i think it's either due to the fronts are turning way slower than the rears,
or, maybe the rears are both driving and it causes the front to not want
to pull around the turn. but at least now it sounds like i'm not the only
one to experience it.
 
#20 ·
I am talking about pulling into a parking space in a snow covered lot, and the truck
pushes instead of pulling. In the past I have been a toyota salesperson, and driven 4wd trucks
off and on for 20+ years, and this truck pushes more than any other I have had.
I don't doubt I could need new rubber, but I am thinking maybe it's a weight issue,
it is a big V8 compared to the 4.7 or 3.0 V6 that I owned.
All I do is slow down in the turn so that I need to be applying power. Sometimes you almost need to get to a complete stop. However, getting on the gas lightly the front wheels will pull you into the parking spot or around the corner. If you try to take a turn with any speed it will push as you described. I live on a court in my area, and I have to nearly stop in 4x4 half way around then get on the gas to make the full turn.

Try this for an example, go into an empty parking lot with some snow in the ground. Crawling ahead slowly start into a sharp turn. As you get into the turn, let off the gas to almost a stop then lightly on the gas. You will find the front wheels pull you around the corner. This seems to work for me.

I used to have a T100 4x4 too. I didn't find my old truck quite so bad but it was also a stick so it was easy to feather the clutch and take away power when I wanted to. It still never turned very sharp when in 4WD though.