Renegade in snow

[ARS1]

We will be leaving FL for upstate NY about a week before Christmas. Is there anything I should get before we leave as far as driving in the snow? Being from FL even though I’m from NY I’ve never driven in snow... We have a Valencia with the stock tires which don’t have a snowflake on them like I’ve read about before they appear to be just normal Bridgestone 22.5”s. I really don’t want to replace brand new tires but also don’t want to put my family in harms way either. How should this FL boy prepare?

We won’t be towing anything even though I was planning on taking the wife’s Jeep since my dad and grandpa who live in NY and tow strongly advised me not to tow anything and get a rental once we get up there which I already reserved.

[Finance]

Most commercial trucks depend on chains, not snow tires.

I don't mind driving in snow at all. Ice, now that's another story.

I hate road salt more than I worry about traction. Not what you asked, I know, but I'd not put our coach in it.

[HJLowell]

Its not pretty right now.

Mt Airy Maryland today.

[HJLowell]

If its below 30 and or snowing we keep our slide in.

After Thanksgiving with the family we will head south.

[ragoodspeed]

I am with Finance, no worry about traction, road salt is your biggest issue. Living in NH I know first hand what a mess road salt can cause. No matter what you do you will never get the salt out of every crack and cranny. Best of luck with your travels just slow down if you run into foul weather and remember stopping is your biggest issue.

[petrel]

We've canceled two winter trips over snow, or actually because of snow's aftermath SALT. Like others have said, trucks drive all winter, and use chains when necessary. However, once you introduce your rig to salt, it may never be the same.

[ragoodspeed]

If salt is not bad enough the beet juice based salt replacement that is being used in the northeast is horrible. There is a big warning in your Manuel about the reaction aluminum has to the stuff. Must wash it off very fast or outing will take place.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by ragoodsp

If salt is not bad enough the beet juice based salt replacement that is being used in the northeast is horrible. There is a big warning in your Manuel about the reaction aluminum has to the stuff. Must wash it off very fast or outing will take place.

That must be what I drove through two years ago at Christmas here in WA State. My nice polished but uncoated wheels were really corroded and even pitted in just a couple weeks. Took me hours to bring them back.

[ARS1]

Boy it sounds like this could be a really fun trip I know the snow is pretty bad now but hopefully it slows down a bit in the next month. We have a meteorologist in the family and he said it will be bitterly cold and snowy the first couple weeks of Dec but he couldn't predict beyond that at the time. He's usually dead on with the weather so I'll keep tabs on it in the mean time.

[GramPa Carso]

1) Slow down
2) When stopping on snow or ice, put the transmission in neutral.
3) Bleach for the drive tires. It last about 30 minutes.
4) Single tire cable chains is easier to keep and put on.

If you stay on the main roads you will most likely never need chains. For a one time trip I would not worry. If you wait until late morning, the road are normally good.

[Kennzz05]

Tranny in N ?whats the theory?

[Kennzz05]

Okay here's my two cents as a truck driver you are way over thinking this. At the most this is a two day trip.with the amount of technology available for the weather there is absolutely no excuse to be caught with your pants down. The only truly unpredictable snow is the lake effect up in New York itself but again it is viewable on radar and you can choose to hunker down or drive through it depending on what the radar looks like
If it were me I would plan on trying to go through the Washington area on Saturday night after 10 p.m. And if you plan on going over the GW Bridge in New York prepared to have the **** scared out of you because you will be literally be 4 inches away from vehicles around you and the toll on the GW Bridge is pretty expensive there is a way around the bridge I think it's cool Interstate 87 or 287 I can't remember but it only has about 25 or 30 miles well worth it
And finally be aware of overhead clearances many older towns have low bridges know what your height is and pay attention to signs

[ragoodspeed]

There are many opinions and theories
in regards to driving on snow and ice.
I would agree with nearly all that has
been said with the exception to throwing
the transmission into neutral. With lockable
rear ends (as equipped on the M2) I would personally leave in gear
and not gamble with loosing traction totally.
I would not go over the GW bridge
for anything, very rough, very expensive,
and does not save you any time. I go
out 287 to the Tappan Z and then go down the
Garden State. I know there are rules about
trucks on the GSP but I have never been
bothered and as long as you stay in the
middle lane our 12’8” clears fine. Good luck

[GramPa Carso]

Kennzz05

When you are trying to stop on slick roads, put the trany in N releases the power to the drive wheels. With no power to them the brakes work. With power to them the engine over powers the stopping action of the brakes.