Started By
Message

Driving on roads with snow...

Posted on 1/24/21 at 11:24 pm
Posted by DLauw
SWLA
Member since Sep 2011
6086 posts
Posted on 1/24/21 at 11:24 pm
... how you do that?

We’re about to make a drive to west Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado and north Texas. I’ve driven in snow very little and would appreciate any advice.
This post was edited on 1/24/21 at 11:49 pm
Posted by auggie
Opelika, Alabama
Member since Aug 2013
27812 posts
Posted on 1/24/21 at 11:37 pm to
Give yourself plenty of room, don't do anything sudden. Feather the brakes.
Posted by weadjust
Member since Aug 2012
15082 posts
Posted on 1/25/21 at 12:12 am to
What kind of vehicle you driving? Does it have RWD, FWD, AWD, 4WD?
Posted by finchmeister08
Member since Mar 2011
35588 posts
Posted on 1/25/21 at 12:15 am to
Don’t drive over bridges with your foot on the gas. Coast over them.
Posted by DLauw
SWLA
Member since Sep 2011
6086 posts
Posted on 1/25/21 at 12:54 am to
Jeep Gladiator. So, selectable 4wd, 35” BFG KO2’s (all terrains), traction control.
This post was edited on 1/25/21 at 12:55 am
Posted by CuseTiger
On the road
Member since Jul 2013
8195 posts
Posted on 1/25/21 at 1:07 am to
You'll be fine in that. Take roads slower than usual, don't brake hard (you'll just skid). The feathering the brakes above was a good way to put it. If you see the road is like below, try to keep the tires in line with previous tracks. When you need to change lanes, don't take any sharp turns at speed just slowly glide over.



Bring a snowbrush/de-icer with you and make sure plenty of windshield washer fluid (you'll end up using a lot more from the salt). Put your windshield wipers up at night when parked if it's getting below freezing and snowing (one less thing to de-ice in the morning)
Posted by RogerTheShrubber
Juneau, AK
Member since Jan 2009
259906 posts
Posted on 1/25/21 at 1:26 am to
Drive slow, don't accelerate or brake on curves, stay in one lane as much as possible, give yourself a lot of distance between you and the vehicle in front. Its not hard if you keep calm.
Posted by boudinman
Member since Nov 2019
5015 posts
Posted on 1/25/21 at 4:37 am to
Carry a shovel in case slide off road in deep snow. Used to remove snow underneath vehicle allowing clearance to get back on the road.

Carry a -20 degree rated sleeping bag in case get stranded waiting for help.

Buy at least one set of tire chains for front tires. Use if in heavy snow or bad ice. Just drive slowly with them on.

Stay on main roads. Those get plowed and have other motorists around for assistance. Maintain a full gas tank as much as possible.

I lived in Wyoming for 8 years. Blizzards can be deadly if not prepared. In Wyoming it was long stretches for miles between towns and one may not see many other traveling motorists.
This post was edited on 1/25/21 at 6:22 am
Posted by 257WBY
Member since Feb 2014
5560 posts
Posted on 1/25/21 at 5:01 am to
When I came over Vail Pass in November, I was in 4wd Hi. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but I’ll let the experts comment on when you should do that.
Posted by LSUintheNW
At your mom’s house
Member since Aug 2009
35746 posts
Posted on 1/25/21 at 5:08 am to
If going down steep grades downshift gears and let your transmission work for you.

It's a smoother way of braking so you don't get out of control.
Posted by Sus-Scrofa
Member since Feb 2013
8122 posts
Posted on 1/25/21 at 5:26 am to
If you’re in a truck, throw some sand bags/logs/cinder blocks in the bed to weigh it down some.

That 4x4 sticker on a big truck is misleading for snow/ice driving.
Posted by Wtodd
Tampa, FL
Member since Oct 2013
67482 posts
Posted on 1/25/21 at 5:29 am to
quote:

Give yourself plenty of room, don't do anything sudden. Feather the brakes.

This and go a few mph under the speed limit
Posted by Lonnie Utah
Utah!
Member since Jul 2012
23865 posts
Posted on 1/25/21 at 6:38 am to
I've lived and driven in snow country for over 25 years. I worked at one of the ski resorts (part time) for 15. Some of the best advice I ever got was 4WD will help you go, it doesn't do anything to help you stop.

Most of the advice in this thread has been good. When my wife first started driving on snow, I told her, as been already said in this thread, don't do anything too fast. What you don't want to do is loose traction, either accelerating or breaking. Dive like you have an egg under you foot. Once you start sliding, bad things start to happen.

Listen to Boudinman, he gives good advice. Make sure you have extra supplies and a shovel. One of the most overlooked items from winter driving are tires. You have have a very capable snow vehicle and bad tires and you're in a world of hurt. Make sure yours are at least mud/snow rated (yours are). What helps a tired in winter driving is compound and sipes. Sipes are the extra cuts on the tire and they helps with winter traction. The more sipes, the better.

Go slow, use your brain and you'll be fine.
Posted by boudinman
Member since Nov 2019
5015 posts
Posted on 1/25/21 at 6:49 am to
So true. Many believe 4wd is also 4 wheel stop.
Posted by X123F45
Member since Apr 2015
27349 posts
Posted on 1/25/21 at 6:56 am to
Driving on snow is exactly like driving on a muddy dirt road. It's slippery but pretty easy.

Just take it easy. Plan for stops well in advance. Same for turns.

Next time buy duratracs instead of those KO2s. They are severe snow rated in most LT sizes.

quote:

Many believe 4wd is also 4 wheel stop.




Have been known to drive into a deserted parking lot in 4h just a little too fast, yank ebrake for a 180, then give it a shite ton of throttle.

Op don't do that.
This post was edited on 1/25/21 at 7:02 am
Posted by auggie
Opelika, Alabama
Member since Aug 2013
27812 posts
Posted on 1/25/21 at 7:05 am to
quote:

When I came over Vail Pass in November, I was in 4wd Hi. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but I’ll let the experts comment on when you should do that.

First time I ever drove an 18 wheeler through any real snow, was driving empty from Denver to parachute to pick up a load of chemicals to go back to Alabama. I was exhausted by the time I got there, but I made it without any real problem. I stayed at Rifle for a couple of days, and when I went back through, the roads were mostly clear. That was some beautiful scenery, but I always avoided going back through there.
Would love to do it in a car though.
Posted by CharlesLSU
Member since Jan 2007
31882 posts
Posted on 1/25/21 at 7:08 am to
Put cold weather washer fluid in your car!!!!!!
Posted by lgtiger
LA
Member since May 2005
1139 posts
Posted on 1/25/21 at 7:23 am to
Drive as though you had no brakes at all, will help you keep safe distances
Posted by Lonnie Utah
Utah!
Member since Jul 2012
23865 posts
Posted on 1/25/21 at 7:44 am to
quote:

Driving on snow is exactly like driving on a muddy dirt road. It's slippery but pretty easy.


I did wetlands work in Eastern NC for a long time and this really isn't true. I've driven in and around all types of swamps, bogs and marshes. While you can apply some of the same techniques, the reasons the roads are difficult are totally different.

On a muddy road, unless it's very greasy clay (that I've only seen 2 or 3 times), you'll stop pretty quickly if you want to. The problem is starting or maintaining traction. The surface tension of the water in the mud creates suction that prevents you from going. Additionally, the surface tension of the mud sticks to your tires filling in the treads and preventing them from gripping. As a result, in those conditions you want to maintain as much momentum as possible (partially to help keep the tread clear and partially to reduced the surface tension of the water and mud on the road) without wheel spin. Wheel spin will create ruts and destroy the road and that's not good (especially if you have to return that way later.)

It's a totally different animal than snow and ice where your loss of traction occurs because the coefficient of friction between the road surface and tires is at a minimum.

One thing that I've forgotten to mention in both posts is while low gear (not low range) is great for helping you keep off the brakes (especially when descending) be aware that there is often a big gap between 1 and 2. Down shifting to 1 often causes the wheels to start sliding. Once you start sliding it can be very difficult to recover on snow/ice. It's best to down shift early than to try to go after your speed is too high. People often worry about running the engine at higher RPM's in low gear (1 and 2), but I'd rather do that have it not go in or lose traction after things start to "speed up" so to speak. FWIW, I used to drive one of the steepest and most avalanche prone roads in North America on a regular basis (multiple times per week).
This post was edited on 1/25/21 at 7:51 am
Posted by X123F45
Member since Apr 2015
27349 posts
Posted on 1/25/21 at 7:52 am to
quote:

On a muddy road, unless it's very greasy clay


He lives in Louisiana, trust me he knows what I mean about driving on a dirt road.




How about greasy and icy in your neck of the woods
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 4Next pagelast page

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookTwitterInstagram