World's WORST Driveway? - AWD Subaru Crosstrek vs. Ford F-150 4x4

We knew when we bought this property that our driveway would be a challenge in the winter. And sooner or later, there would be only one way to find out what our vehicles can handle. Here, we finally put them to the test! 2018 Subaru Crosstrek X-Mode and 2019 Ford F-150 Hill Descent Control.
We left behind our careers in Dallas Texas for life off the grid in the woods of Vermont. Here, we experience new rewards and challenges, living in a travel trailer while setting up water, power, and a yurt on the side of a mountain. Charles plans and executes our DIY projects. Jill is our KZbin videographer. #offgrid #vermont #subaru

[@nancyclardy7882]

Both of you have so much to offer, be patient with one another in stressful times like this. Team work makes the dream work. Your grandpa Fruits always said a team (he was referring to horses) that pulls together can always accomplish more. Love you both, BE SAFE.

[@tinker1148]

I’ve been driving a Subaru Forester since 2017 with X mode. It’s awesome! Fun fact; Xmode will turn itself off over 20 mph so you don’t have to remember to turn it off.

[@patriciamartick1192]

I distinctly remember driving up that driveway last August and saying "I wouldn't want to try this in the winter". This is a good way to discourage unexpected drop in company. We'll see you in July!

[@OvertheRiverandThroughtheWoods]

No kidding, it really does keep people out this time of year (we actually have trouble getting people to come up even when we want them here!) See you in July :)

[@meglange3595]

I've never heard anything but praise for Subaru vehicles. And a mechanic once told me that if he had to depend on them to make his living he'd go broke. I drove one, that belonged to someone I worked for long ago, and absolutely loved it. You made a very wise choice in buying it and it's so good that you have it there. Enjoy the lovely snow anyway 😊. We haven't had enough here all winter to even cover the ground completely. Mostly just rain and mud. But we often get our biggest snowfalls in February or even March, so we'll see. Take care!! 🥰

[@OvertheRiverandThroughtheWoods]

Yes! We love the Crosstrek. We like the snow too, but it's melted now from all but the shadiest nooks and crannies on the property. (The video was taken three and a half weeks ago, and most of the weather since then has been warm except the polar vortex that lasted two days).

[@laurataft3626]

Snow-packed/icy steep road with trees on either side = my worst driving nightmare! And yours and Charles's dynamic inside the car is very reminiscent of mine and my husband's. "No comment." I relate. Good for you two for doing a practice run and figuring it out. Love keeping up with your VT adventures.

[@OvertheRiverandThroughtheWoods]

Thank you Laura! I didn't know (and was delighted to hear) that you are sharing our adventures :)

[@martinr8278]

Your crosstrek is quite the versatile vehicle to have. You both chose wisely. Hope it gives you many years of attacking that snow on your driveway. I do not have X mode on mine, it certainly is cool to watch that hill, descent, work in action, and back on, as you guys went up the driveway, that was very impressive.🏆🏆💯💯🥇🥇

[@OvertheRiverandThroughtheWoods]

Yes! We love the crosstrek. Some vehicles (rear wheel drive, I think) can't even make it up our hill on a dry day in the summer! We never even thought to worry about it except on rare days like the one in the video. But we did choose it very deliberately after buying this property!

[@carolspencer7755]

haha, I love the "Don't hit the break" from Charles, with calm reply by Jill!

[@carolspencer7755]

also yay Suburu! Good to know that's how that xmode works. One thing I have used in the field for getting my truck out of mud and deep soft sand (similar to snow) are the mats from the car. One of my mats is is really long and I was able to put that under the back wheel to get traction.

[@carolepuleo1307]

I loved my Subaru, little to low for deep snow but never put on chains (Northern Ca and Colorado)

[@StnmtnZone6]

Love yall teamwork ,Awesome content ‼️❤️🔥🔥🔥🤘🤘

[@OvertheRiverandThroughtheWoods]

Thank you very much for watching and commenting!

[@chaleurphantom1]

Your Subaru is very impressive. Your truck taught you a lesson. You are running all season tires on it. The rubber compound is hard for mileage. It doesn't respond well below 7c or 40f. It becomes very slippery. Bridgestone Blizzak, Toyo Observe GSI, or Nokian winter tires are game changers. Beautiful Truck. Trucks have terrible winter traction. All the weight is over the front axle, but the drive is from the rear axle, which is light. 4wd engages the front axle with the weighted axle. All that being said, they are tricky in the winter. Winter tires from a safety and convenience perspective are very much worth the investment. They also extend the life of your "Summer" All-Season tires. I stumbled across your channel, researching Bigfoot trailers. I am curious if you are planning to make a dedicated video of winter living in the Bigfoot? How does it handle the cold weather, insulation and heating improvements, etc..?

[@OvertheRiverandThroughtheWoods]

Hello Chaleur, we don't use the truck much (especially in the winter) but if that changes we will definitely need snow tires on it. Yes! I do want to put together a winter episode about the Bigfoot. I'm glad you are interested in one.

[@OvertheRiverandThroughtheWoods]

(Plus, next Saturday's episode includes the polar vortex from a few weeks ago, which we weathered in the Bigfoot).

[@chaleurphantom1]

It was nasty. We are from New Brunswick, Canada and we had to travel that weekend. So cold. I look forward to hearing how you made out with the trailer. The good news is that winter is on its way out sooner than later.

[@mikewright324]

I like the view from your drone.

[@OvertheRiverandThroughtheWoods]

We do too! Wish we had an observation tower on the top of our hill. We heard there is one on the public land nearby. We'll have to track it down after the snow melts.

[@SyrupCanuck]

Love your video but your F150s highway tires are toast. Invest in some nice All terrain with snow peak rated and it would have performed way better. I do love my Crosstrek though ☺

[@OvertheRiverandThroughtheWoods]

Ha ha, thanks, it's true that it wasn't quite a fair contest. We try not to use the truck generally for anything we can do with the Subaru due to gas mileage, so we couldn't justify the cost of snow tires this year.

[@alewicke]

This is what Drive 1 & 2 are for. Glad you got the sand. It's the best thing for traction, foot and vehicle, just make sure it's off your shoes before you go inside or it'll be everywhere.

[@OvertheRiverandThroughtheWoods]

Well, the sand (actually more like gravel) will be helpful if we can get to it, but storing it in a way that the buckets are strategically located and yet not buried under the latest snowfall is a challenge. Plus, it was wet in the pile and is likely to freeze into a popsicle in the buckets. We'll see! Drive one and two are a bit outdated compared to X-Mode, (which uses low gear and optimizes brakes and AWD).

[@alewicke]

@@OvertheRiverandThroughtheWoods Does the truck Drive 1 and 2?....or just 4-wheel drive. My old Subaru had on demand 4WD and it went down a paved road sideways once. Glad things have gotten better since then.

[@davidwayne9982]

We've had all that here in southwest VIRGINIA too... had a week with no power about 3 years back... tree fell on my explorer and broke the windshield.. Curious about this..

[@louisvilaros9066]

Drop the truck in low and leave it going down and up that should help the pickup and u don't have to turn off x mode on the subaru it will turn off by itself once u start driving over 18mph

[@martinr8278]

I believe it shuts off after 25 miles an hour

[@davidwayne9982]

SNOW SOCKS will work much better in your situation there--- and are far easier to get on too....

[@davidfinney2612]

Whenever I’m descending snow packed roads, I like to take off all electronic assistance. Nothing works like gearing down and keeping your speed low. Another good tip is to put two tires in the unpacked snow to get better traction. The powder provides more friction than packed snow, which can help with steering and stopping.

[@OvertheRiverandThroughtheWoods]

Electronic assistance worked pretty well in the Subaru. Hard to say about the truck, since the tires were not appropriate...

[@tinker1148]

You can’t beat a Subaru in the snow. Especially with snow tires.

[@TomKirkman1]

Just put the car or truck into a lower gear. Let the engine do the braking.

[@OvertheRiverandThroughtheWoods]

Hill descent mode in either vehicle most definitely includes lower gear, yes.

[@TomKirkman1]

@@OvertheRiverandThroughtheWoods Right, all vehicles dating back 100 years ago had "hill descent" mode. You just downshifted.

[@Smackvttv]

Lol use low gear and steer you also have summer tires on your Ford

[@OvertheRiverandThroughtheWoods]

yes

[@martinr8278]

Isn’t the Ford transmission able to go ahead and get through those kind of situations despite the tires? Unfortunately, I have seen other Subarus, with just all season tires, not always the best thing to have in the winter but it’s better than nothing, navigate and get through seasonal issues and terrain that is questionable.

[@bride8305]

(HUG) Thank you, I have a f150 and a really steep driveway that ends in a traffic road YIKES. I have been waiting well over a week to get out to go to the store. the end where it goes into traffic is very slippery. PRAISE GOD you have a husband, I just lost mine who always took care of plowing, sanding, driving in the snow, I thank God for providing me with him, now I guess I will have to wait until th snow and ice is melted, Pray for me.....Thank you Lord for providing us with husbands that take care of us we ask You Lord for WISDOM and thank You for providing for us in Yeshuah's Name, Amen, so be it.

[@bobodean1]

Truck has the wrong tires and was going way to fast. Is this the first time you've seen snow? Better tires, drop into low gear and go slow.

[@OvertheRiverandThroughtheWoods]

Ignoring the snark and answering the question... we were trying out the hill descent mode, which in theory is supposed to slow the truck down. Obviously, it has limitations. As we mentioned in the video, we did not put snow tires on the truck because we don't use it in the winter (hence, Jill's hesitation about sending it down the driveway).