Winter Questions

DougH

DougH

Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2012
Hello Everyone, my name is Doug. I recently moved to Boone from south Florida(Yep, more Floridians invading the High Country). I've never experienced a cold winter with snow so, if you don't mind, would like to ask a few questions. They may sound silly to you experienced North Carolinians but they're serious for me. They also pertain to street driving as I'm not attempting to go off road alone.

If someone, or me, is stuck in the snow or snow filled ditch, should I use a tow strap or snatch strap to try and get them/me out? Does it depend on how icy the street or gravel is? Unfortunately, I don't have a winch.

Someone told me that my tires are to big for the snow. That it's best to have smaller, skinny tires. Something about cutting through the snow as opposed to pushing the snow. The tires are only 33" X 9" wide. Is he correct? What's your opinion?

Should I lower tire pressure for the street?

What engine maintenance/preparation is necessary for the cold weather?

Your advice on these questions or any additional info will be really appreciated.

Thanks
 
Ice and snow are 2 different animals. You can get pretty good traction in snow for what it is. Tire SIZE dosent matter as much as how much siping they have. Street tires work better in snow because they can "grab" the snow.

Ice just plain sucks. If you get to an icy patch, you can sometimes drop your passenger side tires to the shoulder to get the snow and maintain some traction.

Momentum is your friend on ice and snow. When you have to stop, start stopping waaaaaayyyyyy before you need to. Downshift instead of using the brakes as much as possible.

When driving in ice and snow, imagine you have a hot, full cup of coffee between your legs. You want to be steady with all movements.

As far as pulling out of a ditch, a snatch strap will probably work better. A tow strap requires traction to pull. A snatch strap absorbs the energy and will pull better like a rubber band.
 
My old TJ on bfg at would go anywhere i wanted to go. AT's will go better than MT's. I am from the piedmont and we get ice more than snow and dad tought us to drive without using brakes, only gearing in the icey stuff....
 
It will ice plenty in boone too. Especially in parking lots and such. Lots of yankees like to use the "skinny tires" line but that's bullshit if there is ice under the snow. Like snappy said, a tire with more biting edges is what works. A big mud terrain will suck since it just has giant tread blocks.

Another word of advice, don't tell anyone in Avery or Watagua county that you're from Florida.
 
To start with, most North Carolinians can't drive in snow either. One or two snows a year doesn't give you enough practice time. (Though in Boone you'll get more than one or two.) I grew up in the mountains of CO and drove in snow 4-5 months a year from the time I had a learners permit. If it's a manual, when stopping, push the clutch in, if it's an auto, kick it into neutral. You'll stop MUCH quicker since the engine isn't trying to overcome the brakes. If it's a manual gearing down can make the rear end (if it's rear or 4wd) lose traction just like pulling the parking brake.

Also the first time it snows find a parking lot with no cars and go find out what it's like when you loose traction and PRACTICE regaining control. It will also show you how easy it is to lose control in a (relatively) safe environment. (Plus it's tons of fun) See how little go pedal it takes to spin the tires, see how little brake pedal it takes to cause ABS regulation and understand what ABS regulation is so when it happens on the street you don't freak out and assume there is something wrong with your truck. When that brake pedal starts to pulsate and push back keep pushing it. It's doing what it's supposed to and can pump the brakes a bazzillion times faster than you. (pumping the brakes causes you to stop faster than just skidding with the tires locked up.) Drive like there is an egg under both pedals on the street.


Make sure the coolant will protect to as low as possible, usually -35 with a 50/50 mix. Oil is probably fine with whatever you put in it. Lower tire pressure will help some but remember not too low or you'll ruin the tires just like when it's hot out.
 
Keep a cold weather kit in your vehicle in case you are stuck over night in the cold.

or you could just go back to Florida:flipoff2: & not worry about it.
 
Jeff B said:
Keep a cold weather kit in your vehicle in case you are stuck over night in the cold.

or you could just go back to Florida:flipoff2: & not worry about it.
Click to expand...


Sink or swim. Where were you from originally?

Experience is the only teacher for winter driving in wnc. Parking lot is your classroom.

Do carry some "survival" stuff in your rig as your thin skin may freeze.

A set of cheap chains on the front will be a huge help too. AAA is also a plus but dont count on them till it thaws.
 
As a fellow cracker, arriving here waaaaay back in '78 for college, but going skiing for years before that, I can relate to your situation. All the advice is pretty much just that until you get out in it and get a feel for the different conditions. Play in it, see how the rear swings around, brake and turn, etc. Hopefully in a safe parking lot without a lot of things to hit.

My personal perspective is that snow is like sand - slippery sand, but good traction particularly when deep. Ice is a double-edged sword. Sometimes you can get the front end to cooperate with a little goose to the throttle, a combo of kicking the rear around and getting the front to grab what it can. Think of it like that goose-crap gumbo clay in central Fla. Getting started and steering in 4 wheel drive isn't really the issue - it's stopping. I find engine braking is my friend as long as you go easy. Now, sometimes, the ice is so damn slippery that all bets are off - you're just going for a ride and have to see where you end up.

To answer your questions, any strap will do but I prefer a standard tow strap. The recoil can create unpredictable results on slippery stuff. Tires are what you've got - I don't normally air down, but if you found yourself in a situation where traction was an issue then you can give that a try. Unless you've got a diesel, or expect temps in the single digits, no worries on the vehicle prep. A set of chains for truly dire conditions is a good investment, but you'll want to avoid them on hard surface roads.

Enjoy the learning curve, go slow, momentum only to get up hills, and expect to get stuck or end up in the neighbors front yard now and again - hey, there's more traction over there! :)
 
frankenyoter said:
Sink or swim. Where were you from originally?

Experience is the only teacher for winter driving in wnc. Parking lot is your classroom.

Do carry some "survival" stuff in your rig as your thin skin may freeze.

A set of cheap chains on the front will be a huge help too. AAA is also a plus but dont count on them till it thaws.
Click to expand...
I am from my mother:)
 
Just like said above, find a remote location with snow/ice away from cars and other things, and PRACTICE. You can read all the advice but until you experience it, it'll never sink in. Also, like said above, 95% of North Carolinians can't drive in snow either. So dont' feel bad if you end up in a ditch, we've all been there. Main thing is just take it SLOW.
 
Jeff B said:
Keep a cold weather kit in your vehicle in case you are stuck over night in the cold.

or you could just go back to Florida:flipoff2: & not worry about it.
Click to expand...


I allways keep a couple of zero degree sleeping bags in the Jeep, would come in really handy in a bad situation. If it is seriously cold you shoudnt just take off walking if you are broke down in the boondocks somewhere, stay in the vehicle call or wait for help.
 
Thanks to everyone who gave me advice. This is my second winter here in the mountains and I haven't found myself in a ditch yet. Although, when the snow/ice are really bad, we don't go out unless it's a necessity. If anyone is ever up this way shoot me a message. By the way, as for being a Floridian, it seems most of the people in this area are from somewhere else anyhow. But, we're the last Floridians allowed to move here. Those that have come since us must leave. :)
 
Hey easy on us other Floridians. I am in Fayetteville and can't wait to get the hell out though.
DougH said:
Thanks to everyone who gave me advice. This is my second winter here in the mountains and I haven't found myself in a ditch yet. Although, when the snow/ice are really bad, we don't go out unless it's a necessity. If anyone is ever up this way shoot me a message. By the way, as for being a Floridian, it seems most of the people in this area are from somewhere else anyhow. But, we're the last Floridians allowed to move here. Those that have come since us must leave. :)
Click to expand...
Hey easy on us other Floridians. I am in Fayetteville and can't wait to get the hell out though.
 
Back
Top