Choice of Vehicle for Snow & Ice

Find old clunker that sit high off the ground 3/4 ton if possible standard transmission,Put sand or some kind of weight in back two shovels frist aid kit extra set of chains flash light and about dozen packs candy or cookies in a bag extra set of clothes and socks IF YOU DO ALL THIS EVERY WINTER IT WILL NOT SNOW ENOUGH TO HAVE TO USE THIS TRUCK another words plan for the worst and hope for the best look to see where you bee hivea are up in the trees and you will know how much snow you will get good luck it is suppose to be bad here bee nesrt 12 ft, in air

I love these post!

Basics from what I read is that if you are used to a car get the subarua AWD.

If you want a serious snow machine with clearance get a small (good on gas) 4x4.

If you want to make money get a fullsize 4x4 w/a plow!

Those who say that a front wheel drive is as good as a 4x4, haven't had the experience of real winters with a 12+ in snow fall where you can't even tell the difference between your neighbors yard/drive. And more and likely they don't ever leave the road much.

I also get a kick out of how many people say... "I always see... [xxxxxx] in the ditch and drive by in my.... [xxxxx]".

Most people don't know how to drive when it's dry and nice out, that just increases exponentially when it's snowy.

Whatever vehicle you get, when it get slippery, spend some time in a big parking log, speeding up, locking brakes, steering out of skids. It will help you know what your vehicle can do and what it won't do.

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I do not argue choice of vehicle. What I feel compelled to point out, is that choice of vehicle makes a difference. But the REAL problem is whether the nut behind the wheel is any good. That is, You can have all the fancy equipment and great tires money can buy, but it won't do you any good even in dry and clear weather if you cannot drive worth a hoot. As with so many other things, practice, practice, practice.

A closed mind is a useless mind

The ideal vehicle is a rocking chair, the second choice is a lazy boy recliner. If God wanted us out in the snow, we would all have been born with chains.

We have a big, hydraulic plow on our 4X4 Suburban and my husband puts an ad in the classified rag and customers beat down his door (or phone) when it snows. He's always looking for the tax writeoffs! Plus, he thinks it's fun. (shrug)

I drove over 1/2 million miles on a rural mail route. Most of the time I drove Jeeps. Its hard to beat a 4x4 Cherokee, there are a lot of them around and can had reasonably. Tough as nails, lots of cargo room with the rear seat folded down, will go about any place you should attempt to go, decent mileage, and with good maintenance will last a long time.

The largest market for Subarus in the USA is right here in my local Mountains.They are hugely popular for a reason.

BooBoo

One comment, Zeal, on the "parking lot" trials......my 2004 suv will not do donuts. The steering wheel takes over and jerks to the otherside...if I were any more of an idiot, I would be tipped over.
TG I was prepared for something, this car does funky things at odd times. Like fishtail like no tomorrow when you are trying to avoid something.
So my advice is be careful having fun, new cars are built a little differently.....

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My ideal is a little horse-drawn sleigh. We have a new pony, broke to drive.
I'd love to find a small sleigh for him to pull.

Front wheel drive means zilch if you dont have clearance,or the car uses low profile performance tires.Ask my Jetta.

That said,my Baja Bug has great clearance and LARGE aggresive treads in the rear.Add chains,I can drive past a lot of impressive 4x4 trucks stuck on the side of the road.BTDT.Even threw a chain once and was still going when tons of other much more impressive vehicles were long ago abandoned.

BooBoo

We use a Dodge Dakota 4x4. Coursde it hardly ever snows here.

But just a week ago we got a big rain storm I saw a front wheel drive stuck in there drive way. WE pulled them out and helped them get home. 4x4 has it's place.


Kenneth in NC

Another vote for a Jeep product. We have a Jeep Cherokee, it's built like a tank and gets thru just about an depth of snow.

....and, if you live in the country, you'll not have to wait forever to get repair parts if you ever need them. It may take up to a week to get parts for some of the foreign brands others have suggested.

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We're looking for a used Cherokee for our 17 year old daughter to get back and forth between school and home. Are they pretty dependable at high mileages if they've been well maintained? I wish they still made the Grand Wagoneer. i love those things.

I wouldn't do "donuts" in them. I would lock it up and try to steer out of a skid. EVERY vehicle acts different and you need to get to know your vehicle.

And I wouldn't own a "SUV" that would flip that easily. I have a full size f250 4x4 I would have to be going 60 plus to flip that thing in a flat parking lot.

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Yes, they have a decent engine. The biggest thing to watch on them is suspension components. Shocks/struts and area's where the suspension mounts to the subframe are notorius for wearing out. They hide it well. Make sure to take whatever you are buying for a LONG test ride over various road conditions.

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http://www.polarisindustries.com/en-...nce/900Fusion/

Best vehicle going for snow and ice,way cheaper than a subaru too!

Funny you should mention that. My husband just replaced the suspension in the Wrangler. Must be a Jeep thing? He loves Jeeps because he can do just about everything on them himself.

Been there, done that. No fun when you HAVE to and your're pregnant. We lived 8 miles off the pavement on Forest Service (plow?...whats a plow?) roads and snowmobiled in and out between our parked car and cabin. great for fun, not for everyday life.

I've had 2 Cherokees a Comanche and an S10 Blazer.......... I'll take the Blazer over the Cherokee's hands down although the 4 cyl STD Comanche will run again it is a great truck, unless I find a 4x4 S10 longbox first! None compare in reliability to the Toyotas. When the Blazer is a rusted peice of yard art I'll buy a Toyota........... probably

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Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup........

Yes it is typical that everyone has their favorites...
Some 25 years back I used to own a 4x4 shop... it was a hobby before and has been one since.
I have owned and driven a whole lot of different 4x4's and lived where I needed one to get in and out in the winter.
So much of it depends on the driver...the tires... and the conditions...

If the snow is not that deep it is hard to beat a Subaru or an Audi Quattro with studded snow tires. I have owned both. The wife now drives a Subaru wagon.
When the snow gets deep here we keep the Subaru down on the highway and have used a 4x4 with chains to get up and down.
Chains on all four wheels on a 4x4 can get your though some amazing stuff...
I used to have a CJ5 with a 401 V8 - Detroit Locker in the rear and a Tru-Trac in the front... When that thing had chains on all four wheels it was amazing where it would go...

Tires can make a huge difference... No tire will work best for all situations...
One of the biggest mistakes people make in snow and ice is to get the biggest tire they can. While I am a fan of big tires for most off road situations. A narrower tire can often provide a better bite in sown or ice… while a fatter tire can often just give you more surface to slide on. But it all varies by the conditions...

And yes it you get a big 4x4 truck if you want good traction you should carry some weight in the rear...