2012 1500 Ram bad in Snow!!!
old jeep I assure you it is not a driver issue. The truck is 4x4 and does the same in 2H , 4H + 4L. I have owned and driven many trucks but never experienced this unless of course the 4x4 wasn't activating. this seems to be but not operating correctly. I live in NY and trailer to the Tug Hill Plateau which gets a considerable amount of snow but it does the same in minimal snow depth. The tounge weight on the trailer should be more than enough about 500 - 600 lbs. The tires are Wild Peak but either way shouldn't make that much of a difference in minimal snow depths of 4-8"
Good luck next snow season.
I just heard there was a service bulletin about the clutch mechanism in the rear axle. Not sure all the details but it isn't engaging and it causes the truck to jump to the right when backing in slippery conditions which is what my truck does. Has anyone heard of this? mhelinski what snow conditions do you normally drive in? do you tow a trailer in the snow or pull people out of the snow? if so maybe the service bulletin above could be my issue. it's as close to a good answer as I've heard so far.
KJ,
I could find no such service bulletin for your vehicle. Is your vehicle equipped with an anti spin differential? When you put in in 4H do the front tires just spin? Does it happen both with and without trailer?
I felt the truck is poor in the snow as well. we had a snow fall here and in 4wd i was stuck in the middle of the road and sunfires were plowing through no problem. I just remove the fuse for the abs and traction control and voila no more issues. i go through anything. It was a huge disappointment. my 06 never had traction control and i wish the 09 never as well. I am looking at a new 3500 once they arrive and unfortunately the HDs now have traction control. I rigged a relay under the hood for that fuse and ran the control back to a switch under the dash, now when im going to be in snow or mud i flick the switch and the abs drops out. Thing of beauty
Ramulak , I towed the same trailer for years with my 2004 F150 Lariat with a 5.4 Triton and 3.73 axle going through much deeper snow and never had an issue. The snow has varied as far as wet or dry. Never have I had to put weight in the back of any vehicle i have driven or towed with but it might be worth a try.
09Ruffram , funny you should mention the fuse as one of my buddies says he did the same by setting up some sort of switch. What size tires are you running? I appreciate all the good input from everyone. At least I have some options to consider. The dealer was useless... I will try the fuse , winter tires , weight etc...
09Ruffram , funny you should mention the fuse as one of my buddies says he did the same by setting up some sort of switch. What size tires are you running? I appreciate all the good input from everyone. At least I have some options to consider. The dealer was useless... I will try the fuse , winter tires , weight etc...
I believe what Oldjeep refers to is listed below. There is more in the owners manual starting on page 480. Link to owners manual also below.
http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/owners/manuals/
To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving
with snow chains or starting off in deep snow, sand or
gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the “Partial Off”
mode by pressing the “ESC Off” switch. Once the situation
requiring ESC to be switched to the “Partial Off”
mode is overcome, turn ESC back on by momentarily
pressing the “ESC Off” switch. This may be done while
the vehicle is in motion.
http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/owners/manuals/
To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving
with snow chains or starting off in deep snow, sand or
gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the “Partial Off”
mode by pressing the “ESC Off” switch. Once the situation
requiring ESC to be switched to the “Partial Off”
mode is overcome, turn ESC back on by momentarily
pressing the “ESC Off” switch. This may be done while
the vehicle is in motion.




