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All-terrain tires, proper four-wheel drive and ground clearance loads can all save the day with clutches.
I know I was messed up.
My 1995 BMW M3 rally car has been sitting outside since October last year. Before the upcoming 100-acre lumber rally, this car had a severe rear-end dull sound that urgently needed diagnosis and repair. It also begged for an oil change. But there was a big obstacle blocking my way: the driveway and huge front yard were filled with more than a foot of snow, not to mention the wet soil below. The E36 is equipped with gravel tires that hate snow, but there is nowhere to go.
Shoveling snow is a failed business. I tried to pull my 2005 Land Rover LR3 from the garage to unload the M3. That also stuck. Even though it was wearing Blizzak WS series snow tires and equipped with (still working!) air suspension, low gear transmission and locking transfer case, the LR3 was still stranded.
This requires reinforcements. A few days later, I came back with a tool suitable for the job: 2021 Chevy Tahoe Z71.
Z71 is a suitable choice for off-road in the Tahoe family. Compared with other trims, its front end is more aggressive, with shiny anti-skid plates and red towing hooks, 20-inch Goodyear all-terrain tires, standard four-wheel drive with low-gear lock function, ramp descent control, magnetic Ride control and adaptive air suspension for clearing obstacles. Tahoe Z71 is not only suitable for off-road tasks, but also capable of light to medium travel.
Our tester is priced at US$68,940 and includes a basic 5.3-liter V-8 engine (the only option for off-road trim) and a US$2,500 rear seat entertainment and navigation package. The basic cost of the Z71 combination itself has increased by $5,700.
My driveway is a steep, gravel-filled slope next to a quiet country road. Although the temperature has risen, the pull-off and property are still covered by about a foot of water, ice and snow. I did not hesitate to disable the Tahoe's traction and stability control system, lock it at the selected four-high off-road height, and move on. The huge SUV rushed past like a champion.
Once I reached the bottom, near the resting point of my M3, I used Tahoe's 20-inch Goodyear Wrangler TrailRunner AT tires to chew on the snow and create an escape path. The throttle and steering angle become silly, and Tahoe's mechanical rear limited slip differential will lock and provide power to the two rear wheels. Yes. Sliding a 5600-pound three-row SUV is as lively as it sounds.
Once I started M3, I connected it to Tahoe and started our escape. Road & Track writer Brian Silvestro (Brian Silvestro) is responsible for the control of the rally car, applying accelerators, brakes and steering to help. When the leash was installed, Tahoe pulled the M3 through the snow without any problems.
But this is only the beginning.
Leaving the property requires a hairpin turn to enter the uphill section of the driveway. When turning, you are already climbing. In the snow and mud, this is the perfect secret to get the car into trouble. To prevent this from happening, Brian and I wrapped the M3 around, connected the tow strap to the hook of the front bumper, and made a game plan to precisely place the two cars.
It all went well until I slowed down, got the M3 stuck on the slope, and the traction belt was at an awkward angle. When I pushed forward, the front tow hook broke.
Fortunately, the broken tow hook did not damage anything else. We have to re-evaluate our entire plan. First, we try to place Tahoe on the other side of M3 and pull it back. That's no use. Z71 also began to show its weaknesses through some deeper snow. Although it can pass without problems by itself, the increased weight of the M3 is starting to make things very difficult.
Through the off-road screen displayed on the dashboard, I can see which wheels are losing traction. With the M3 decoupling and four-low locking, I was able to freely swing the Z71 using coordinated steering and throttle input. It only requires a little skill. After remounting the M3 and aiming Tahoe at a slightly different angle, we started to move again.
In the end, we decided that the only way to free the M3 and ourselves from this snowy hell was to remove the front bumper of the drag racing car and hook the towing belt to a new position. Using my M3's custom anti-skid plate mounting rods, they are directly connected to the frame, and the Z71 can pull it all the way to the driveway.
Tahoe's worsening success story is largely due to its semi-aggressive all-terrain tires and low-range transfer case. Similar large SUVs equipped with ordinary all-wheel drive systems and snow tires will fail in this regard. But for any more aggressive off-road recovery task, a proper locking rear differential, or at least an electronic LSD from Yukon AT4 will be welcome.
And, in case you want to know. Do not. The snow tires on the M3 will not save a day here.