SnoBall 2025 - first time - equipment feedback & tips

[downforce137]

I ran snoball pretty much all 8 years ive attended at 35psi on Toyo M/Ts 35x17-12.5


20s are fine, we arent really using the sidewall to do much. theres no rock crawing, you'll be ok..


the flat strap isnt really needed if you have a kinetic rope, except for extending a winch line, or towing another truck a distance because its broke..

def at least 2 quality soft shackles from bubba or yankum.. the harbor freight ones are not rated high enough.

there are some other third brake light mounted chase lights out there now, i think GJ was sold to swarfworks (maybe) Hopefully you'll get it in time if you have not ordered it yet..

you'll def want a truck mounted radio, https://www.lvjmotorsports.com/ is your best bet for something already programmed and MARS modded..

this is a big safety item so you can let the truck behind that might be completely blind something is wrong in front or with your truck so theres not a pile up.. dont skimp on this.

 

[Bracamonte]

I was going to say, stay away from an M/T tire and do an A/T tire instead, but it looks as if you’ve already gotten A/T tires.

M/T doesn’t do as well in deep snow with my experience, even if 3-peak rated. The A/T’s do better with how the snow gets slick when compacted down. (I actually like how well my Toyo AT3’s have done in the high mountains.)

Run the tires lower, obviously, but I don’t ever drop below 22psi. I also don’t run beadlocks. 24-26 psi is where I usually sit.

 

[dsiggi]

First couple years at snoball, my brother and I only had a handheld. He in recent years upgraded to the mounted one which was nicer. Still need the handheld for outside the truck, doing extractions without a leader on a handheld just makes things harder. I just got a new truck in July and ordered my handheld and radio from Keith at https://www.lvjmotorsports.com/ as well. But if FreedomMotorsports sells it, that works too.

For third brake light, i also got the GJ with antenna mount and I like it a lot. There are other options out there, but no matter what ya get, I think ambers by the third brake light are best. The bumper mounts or low mounted ones get covered up in some snow conditions and make them very hard to see. Sometimes the snow powder is so much you can't even see the truck in front of you, just it's ambers. One year we only knew we were close to the truck in front of us because the ambers got too bright haha.

You are from ohio, so you probably already have winter style windshield washerfluid. Here in Orlando I had to make sure I purged the normal washerfluid by heavy use and been filling with winter stuff since then.

Things not truck related, more snoball related...we can get stuck for hours on a trail, so make sure ya have snacks and drinks to tide ya over in case. Kitty litter has been handy in the past for an icy road you are trying to do an extraction on to keep people from slipping and falling. Bringing fuel along is obviously not a bad idea, your fellow V8 raptors will thank you hah.

you forgot to tell him to bring a "****" couch for "safety"

 

[Rick at FMS]

Makes a lot of sense. As it will be my first year and I'm not even sure if I'll be able to do runs again (although I'd love to), I didn't want to spend a dime more than I needed, so was looking at the cheapest radio options. If yours are within de 150-250$, please send me the options over DM. Thanks for the heads up.

About the IWE, wow, might get one spare just in case then.

If you are going to stick with the handheld radio option, then I would suggest the 9W version over the more common 5W one. It's more powerful.

Baofeng UV9-R (18W) Handheld Radio | lvj-motorsports

UHF Dual Band UV-9R Plus (18W) Portable Radio VHF:136MHz-174MHz(RX/Tx) / UHF:400MHz-520MHz(RX/Tx) dual band, dual display and dual standby. ($65.00 Radio, $20.00 Programing, $ 10.00 Shipping) Programed with the common off-road channels . Hand microphone / speaker sold separately.

www.lvjmotorsports.com

 

[downforce137]

If you are going to stick with the handheld radio option, then I would suggest the 9W version over the more common 5W one. It's more powerful.

Baofeng UV9-R (18W) Handheld Radio | lvj-motorsports

UHF Dual Band UV-9R Plus (18W) Portable Radio VHF:136MHz-174MHz(RX/Tx) / UHF:400MHz-520MHz(RX/Tx) dual band, dual display and dual standby. ($65.00 Radio, $20.00 Programing, $ 10.00 Shipping) Programed with the common off-road channels . Hand microphone / speaker sold separately.

www.lvjmotorsports.com

with an external antenna at the very least but this really isnt a viable option..

 

[Rick at FMS]

with an external antenna at the very least but this really isnt a viable option..

As he is better off with a 50w mounted radio instead? Because if that is the case, I agree.

 

[MeFryRice]

This will be my 5th year attending Snoball and look forward to catching up with everyone again in a couple months. It’s my favorite event of the year.

Out of everything you’re looking to purchase (aside from the tires), the two most important items are rear facing ambers and a powerful radio. Everything else will be bought as a precautionary however, if you don’t have the items, there’s a good chance someone else in the group will.

When it comes to the radio, do yourself the favor of buying a powerful, hardwired, radio. Nothing is more frustrating than hearing static because you’re just out of range from the person talking. I went with a basic ICOM 2300, which I purchased from Keith at LVJ Motorsports (https://www.lvjmotorsports.com/). Reach out to Keith and he’ll be happy to get you setup with the proper equipment. Depending on the model radio you choose, there are plenty of ways to mount it inside the truck. I personally mounted mine where the wireless phone charger is located as I didn’t want it exposed but this comes down to personal preference. A handheld radio is nice to have when you’re outside the truck whether it’s when we’re taking a bio break or working to get someone unstuck.

I have the GJ Motorsports third brake light with the NMO antenna mount; definitely worth the investment as it’s not cheap. Don’t make the same mistake I did by going with the S2 Pros, opt for the S2 Sports as the Pros are too bright, or at least that’s what the people behind me tell me. Like someone else has already mentioned, the lower mounted light options can often times get covered in snow and not as visible

Invest in some recovery gear but don’t go too crazy. Soft shackles and a couple different style ropes will be sufficient.

For the spare tire mount, you can buy something basic like this.

KHC Spare Tire mount.

Gen 2/3 Raptor / Gen 13/14 F150 5.5 Bed Reversible Flat Tire Mount

Due to high demand and limited supply, Items will be built to order with a lead time of 4-8 weeks from purchase. This Versatile Flat Tire Storage Mount Is A Great Option For The Weekend Warrior And Aggressive Off-Roader. - Built And Gusseted From 3/16 Steel, Holds Up To A 40" Tire!! - The...

khcoap.com

Don’t worry about uploading a tune as it’s not necessary. You mentioned it’s for 93oct and there are some areas that only offer 91. You don’t want to be worrying about whether you can find the correct octane during this trip.

Additionally,

A shovel to help move some snow when we get stuck. Doesn’t need to be fancy.

Bring a cooler for drinks and plenty of snacks. Depending on how much snow the UP receives, the first day is always the most challenging as we have to break trail and we have found ourselves in the same location for hours. It’s all good fun though.

 

[leonardopessoa]

I appreciate a lot everyone's inputs here! Really helping.

I've decided to go the mounted radio option based on the feedback here. Will grab a handheld additionally if I happen to show up again next year. Will also install the rear ambers.

This will be my 5th year attending Snoball and look forward to catching up with everyone again in a couple months. It’s my favorite event of the year.

Out of everything you’re looking to purchase (aside from the tires), the two most important items are rear facing ambers and a powerful radio. Everything else will be bought as a precautionary however, if you don’t have the items, there’s a good chance someone else in the group will.

When it comes to the radio, do yourself the favor of buying a powerful, hardwired, radio. Nothing is more frustrating than hearing static because you’re just out of range from the person talking. I went with a basic ICOM 2300, which I purchased from Keith at LVJ Motorsports (https://www.lvjmotorsports.com/). Reach out to Keith and he’ll be happy to get you setup with the proper equipment. Depending on the model radio you choose, there are plenty of ways to mount it inside the truck. I personally mounted mine where the wireless phone charger is located as I didn’t want it exposed but this comes down to personal preference. A handheld radio is nice to have when you’re outside the truck whether it’s when we’re taking a bio break or working to get someone unstuck.

I have the GJ Motorsports third brake light with the NMO antenna mount; definitely worth the investment as it’s not cheap. Don’t make the same mistake I did by going with the S2 Pros, opt for the S2 Sports as the Pros are too bright, or at least that’s what the people behind me tell me. Like someone else has already mentioned, the lower mounted light options can often times get covered in snow and not as visible

Invest in some recovery gear but don’t go too crazy. Soft shackles and a couple different style ropes will be sufficient.

For the spare tire mount, you can buy something basic like this.

KHC Spare Tire mount.

Gen 2/3 Raptor / Gen 13/14 F150 5.5 Bed Reversible Flat Tire Mount

Due to high demand and limited supply, Items will be built to order with a lead time of 4-8 weeks from purchase. This Versatile Flat Tire Storage Mount Is A Great Option For The Weekend Warrior And Aggressive Off-Roader. - Built And Gusseted From 3/16 Steel, Holds Up To A 40" Tire!! - The...

khcoap.com

Don’t worry about uploading a tune as it’s not necessary. You mentioned it’s for 93oct and there are some areas that only offer 91. You don’t want to be worrying about whether you can find the correct octane during this trip.

Additionally,

A shovel to help move some snow when we get stuck. Doesn’t need to be fancy.

Bring a cooler for drinks and plenty of snacks. Depending on how much snow the UP receives, the first day is always the most challenging as we have to break trail and we have found ourselves in the same location for hours. It’s all good fun though.

That's great feedback on the S2 - I was already going for the pros. Looking forward to meeting you and the crew in person soon.

I'll buy Yankum kinetic and a pair of soft shackles, skipping the tunes, bringing a cooler and sand bags, so I'm planning on using my tonneau cover and strapping the spare tire myself - guess that works too instead of investing on a mount already?

 

[MeFryRice]

I appreciate a lot everyone's inputs here! Really helping.

I've decided to go the mounted radio option based on the feedback here. Will grab a handheld additionally if I happen to show up again next year. Will also install the rear ambers.


That's great feedback on the S2 - I was already going for the pros. Looking forward to meeting you and the crew in person soon.

I'll buy Yankum kinetic and a pair of soft shackles, skipping the tunes, bringing a cooler and sand bags, so I'm planning on using my tonneau cover and strapping the spare tire myself - guess that works too instead of investing on a mount already?

Securing the tire inside the bed will be sufficient. It’s not like we’ll be hitting any jumps that would allow it possibly fly out.

 

[downforce137]

Securing the tire inside the bed will be sufficient. It’s not like we’ll be hitting any jumps that would allow it possibly fly out.

speak for yourself..