[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Tire Chains? (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 1/2/2012 3:10:25 PM EDT
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With the semi arrival of winter I was considering getting tire chains to keep in my Jeep for "just in case". I read the laws and it says you can use studded tires between October and April....wasn't exactly clear on chains. Now, I'm from CT and have great snow driving ability as in practice losing control of a car and regaining it, learning the breaking point of traction of all my vehicles, blah, blah, blah. The point of the chains would be for those times up here in northern VA when we get enough snow to warrent use of chains. Seeing that I'm "mission essential" I have to go to work.
Now, I figure, if chains fall on the no no list for VA (I read the law and it's not very clear) if there's 8in of snow on the ground and the roads aren't plowed getting pulled over by a crown vic in VA isn't really something I see happening. With the normal reactions to snowfall around here I assume I would be very low on the pull over list. Again, I would only use them when absolutely necessary. So, any input? Would there even be any advantage with chains? Is it worth the 150 bucks for 4 tires? |
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No! If your jeep will not go then no one else will be moving either.
It is not worth the && to rust in the rear cargo area of your Jeep or in your shed. An experienced driver with a 4X4 can go anywhere he wants on the highway in snow. The other morons that cant drive and think their Prius with straight tires is a snowmobile are going to be your biggest pain in the ass to deal with. |
| Interesting, didn't know about studded tires in VA, that's new to me. I use chains when its icy seemed to work ok. Also got better tires (Rugged Trails) on the Expedition this year, it did well last year with Long Trails as long as the crazies get out of the way. 85% pavement driving |
| I managed to drive around during the blizzards last year in my 2WD Saturn Vue with very few problems. Only issue was having to dig a ton of snow out of my parking spot to let me get out. If you have a jeep with tires that have tread, I doubt you will have any trouble driving around, -IF- we get any snow. |
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If you live around NoVA and it starts to snow forget about chains or 4WD or AWD because you are going to be stuck in traffic with nowhere to go.
I've lived in VA for almost 30 years and they are not needed. Just get a good set of all season tires and keep gas in the tank. My son was born 2 years ago in the epic 2 weeks of snow we had and I never had a problem driving to and from the hospital to visit him in the NICU with a 4wd Nissan Frontier and a set of Dueler Revo A/T tires with the bed of the truck weighted down. I just relocated to Colorado and don't have chains out there either as locals have also said chains are overkill unless you are running up and down the mountains. Even then the chain control guys will let you go with AWD and snow tires (In my case a Subaru and a set of X-Ice's). |
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If you live around NoVA and it starts to snow forget about chains or 4WD or AWD because you are going to be stuck in traffic with nowhere to go. I've lived in VA for almost 30 years and they are not needed. Just get a good set of all season tires and keep gas in the tank. My son was born 2 years ago in the epic 2 weeks of snow we had and I never had a problem driving to and from the hospital to visit him in the NICU with a 4wd Nissan Frontier and a set of Dueler Revo A/T tires with the bed of the truck weighted down. I just relocated to Colorado and don't have chains out there either as locals have also said chains are overkill unless you are running up and down the mountains. Even then the chain control guys will let you go with AWD and snow tires (In my case a Subaru and a set of X-Ice's). During that huge storm I had Pirelli Scorpion ATR's on my Range Rover Sport and had no problem getting through the snow. Now I have a TJ Wrangler lifted 3" with Goodyear Wranglers with about 80% of the tread. I suppose I have nothing to worry about. |
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With the semi arrival of winter I was considering getting tire chains to keep in my Jeep for "just in case". I read the laws and it says you can use studded tires between October and April....wasn't exactly clear on chains. Now, I'm from CT and have great snow driving ability as in practice losing control of a car and regaining it, learning the breaking point of traction of all my vehicles, blah, blah, blah. The point of the chains would be for those times up here in northern VA when we get enough snow to warrent use of chains. Seeing that I'm "mission essential" I have to go to work. Now, I figure, if chains fall on the no no list for VA (I read the law and it's not very clear) if there's 8in of snow on the ground and the roads aren't plowed getting pulled over by a crown vic in VA isn't really something I see happening. With the normal reactions to snowfall around here I assume I would be very low on the pull over list. Again, I would only use them when absolutely necessary. So, any input? Would there even be any advantage with chains? Is it worth the 150 bucks for 4 tires? So I guess it's safe to assume your new to VA. 
You'll never need chains in VA, if the roads are that bad youryou are best off staying as far from them as one can get. |
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With the semi arrival of winter I was considering getting tire chains to keep in my Jeep for "just in case". I read the laws and it says you can use studded tires between October and April....wasn't exactly clear on chains. Now, I'm from CT and have great snow driving ability as in practice losing control of a car and regaining it, learning the breaking point of traction of all my vehicles, blah, blah, blah. The point of the chains would be for those times up here in northern VA when we get enough snow to warrent use of chains. Seeing that I'm "mission essential" I have to go to work. Now, I figure, if chains fall on the no no list for VA (I read the law and it's not very clear) if there's 8in of snow on the ground and the roads aren't plowed getting pulled over by a crown vic in VA isn't really something I see happening. With the normal reactions to snowfall around here I assume I would be very low on the pull over list. Again, I would only use them when absolutely necessary. So, any input? Would there even be any advantage with chains? Is it worth the 150 bucks for 4 tires? So I guess it's safe to assume your new to VA.
You'll never need chains in VA, if the roads are that bad your best off staying as far from them as one can get. Na, lived here for 3 years...you're right, the worst part is all the other people. I couldn't go 1 mile without seeing someone in a RWD car with summer tires, stuck, spinning the wheels....I've said it for years....There's a big difference between THINKING you can drive and KNOWING how to drive. |
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With the semi arrival of winter I was considering getting tire chains to keep in my Jeep for "just in case". I read the laws and it says you can use studded tires between October and April....wasn't exactly clear on chains. Now, I'm from CT and have great snow driving ability as in practice losing control of a car and regaining it, learning the breaking point of traction of all my vehicles, blah, blah, blah. The point of the chains would be for those times up here in northern VA when we get enough snow to warrent use of chains. Seeing that I'm "mission essential" I have to go to work. Now, I figure, if chains fall on the no no list for VA (I read the law and it's not very clear) if there's 8in of snow on the ground and the roads aren't plowed getting pulled over by a crown vic in VA isn't really something I see happening. With the normal reactions to snowfall around here I assume I would be very low on the pull over list. Again, I would only use them when absolutely necessary. So, any input? Would there even be any advantage with chains? Is it worth the 150 bucks for 4 tires? So I guess it's safe to assume your new to VA.
You'll never need chains in VA, if the roads are that bad your best off staying as far from them as one can get. Exactly there is no place in VA on pavement that would get bad enough for chains, outside maybe some of the mountains in the south west. Hell, they are rarely used here in WV, and it's a lot worse snow wise here. |
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And now for a contrarian view. I live near a mountain top outside Front Royal, run studded snow tires on my Avalanche, which is good for up to 6 inches or so, and then put chains on all the way around for anything more than that. Between the switchbacks and 1500 feet or so I climb chains are a must. Right after a good snowfall they are also needed to get into town. They do the trick on ice, too, which no 4x4 tire can handle short of studs.
Have chains for our other two vehicles, too. More than once I've been coming home from Fairfax in a winter storm, ducked off 66 where everyone was spinning out, put the chains on and taken back roads home. They will get you through just about anything and are cheap insurance, IMHO. If you have good winter driving skills (I grew up in Wisco), know how to drift and counter steer, you can get by most times and places with 4WD and decent all weather tires. Snaking up a mountain road after a good snowfall, however, chains will give you the control you need when you encounter the spun out optimist around the blind curve that's blocking half the road. |
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And now for a contrarian view. I live near a mountain top outside Front Royal, run studded snow tires on my Avalanche, which is good for up to 6 inches or so, and then put chains on all the way around for anything more than that. Between the switchbacks and 1500 feet or so I climb chains are a must. Right after a good snowfall they are also needed to get into town. They do the trick on ice, too, which no 4x4 tire can handle short of studs. Have chains for our other two vehicles, too. More than once I've been coming home from Fairfax in a winter storm, ducked off 66 where everyone was spinning out, put the chains on and taken back roads home. They will get you through just about anything and are cheap insurance, IMHO. If you have good winter driving skills (I grew up in Wisco), know how to drift and counter steer, you can get by most times and places with 4WD and decent all weather tires. Snaking up a mountain road after a good snowfall, however, chains will give you the control you need when you encounter the spun out optimist around the blind curve that's blocking half the road. I commute from McLean to Leesburg. As I noted I am "Mission Essential" so I have no choice, but to go to work. As I also noted earlier, I practice driving skills like sliding and counter steering. You're last sentence is my biggest concern. Last year we had abondoned vehicles blocking lanes, randomly placed all along the toll road, bottom of the exit ramps, the worst possible locations. |
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AWD & 4WD just gets you to speeds quicker than you should be traveling at anyway (not my quote, but one that seems to apply to a lot of jacked up pickup trucks around here during inclement weather).
Remember, getting up to speed vs. stopping and maintaing control in a turn are critical, and I feel under certain circumstances (like on ice) chains may still be useful. You can get stuck very easily in a "AWD/4WD." That being said, most four wheel drives are actually three wheel drives (open front diff, when one front tire loses traction all of the power goes to the tractionless tire). Some actually are two wheel drives (open differentials front & rear, so when both front and rear are at a loss, opposing tires get no power). If you own a 4x4 like this, I would still recommend some type of snow tire if you insist on going out when the heavier snows/slush/ice comes. Some folks add differentials & lockers, while other companies run open diffs, but actually apply brakes to the spinning tires, forcing power to the opposite. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: With the semi arrival of winter I was considering getting tire chains to keep in my Jeep for "just in case". I read the laws and it says you can use studded tires between October and April....wasn't exactly clear on chains. Now, I'm from CT and have great snow driving ability as in practice losing control of a car and regaining it, learning the breaking point of traction of all my vehicles, blah, blah, blah. The point of the chains would be for those times up here in northern VA when we get enough snow to warrent use of chains. Seeing that I'm "mission essential" I have to go to work. Now, I figure, if chains fall on the no no list for VA (I read the law and it's not very clear) if there's 8in of snow on the ground and the roads aren't plowed getting pulled over by a crown vic in VA isn't really something I see happening. With the normal reactions to snowfall around here I assume I would be very low on the pull over list. Again, I would only use them when absolutely necessary. So, any input? Would there even be any advantage with chains? Is it worth the 150 bucks for 4 tires? So I guess it's safe to assume your new to VA. You'll never need chains in VA, if the roads are that bad your best off staying as far from them as one can get. Exactly there is no place in VA on pavement that would get bad enough for chains, outside maybe some of the mountains in the south west. Hell, they are rarely used here in WV, and it's a lot worse snow wise here. Quite a few folks have chains around here, myself included. With some of the grades of the roads around here you need something that has more bite than tires. |
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I have been considering a set for my truck, especially since it is not four wheel drive.  That, and with my upcoming job opportunity, I can see myself needing them...
Jeremy Back when I owned a half-ton 4x2 truck I did get a set of chains for the rear tires. Even used them a few times and got around just fine when we had more than 8" of snow on the ground, and it was cheaper than selling the truck and getting a 4x4. |
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Quoted: That is the situation that I am in. Quoted: I have been considering a set for my truck, especially since it is not four wheel drive. That, and with my upcoming job opportunity, I can see myself needing them...Jeremy Back when I owned a half-ton 4x2 truck I did get a set of chains for the rear tires. Even used them a few times and got around just fine when we had more than 8" of snow on the ground, and it was cheaper than selling the truck and getting a 4x4.  Jeremy |
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Consider this: Every state trooper has a set of tire chains issued to them for use in the snow. Weird, I remember blowing past (45 on the highway) in my R32 in a huge snowstorm and as I was going past one of the on ramps a state trooper was slipping, sliding, and couldn't get any traction to those rear wheels while approaching the highway. Not that you're wrong, I guess he just decided to not use them. It was actually that memory that spawned my question about who is really going to care or be able to do anything about chain use if the snow is bad enough? Considering I moved from CT to VA, my biggest concern with driving in the snow is OTHER drivers.
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| Right before the big snowstorm from two years ago, I called around to the local auto stores in Alexandria and had multiple people tell me that "snow chains are illegal in Virginia, you can't buy them here." Obviously that's full of crap, or even if it is it's something I'll need, so where do you guys recommend buying them? |
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Keep in mind some places require you to have chains if the snow is piling up such as the WV Turnpike or some local cities.
I have 2 sets of chains and I use those on the 4X4 truck to get up and down the hill at the cabin when there is snow and ice. I keep them in the truck from Nov. to Apr., you just never know when you might need them. |
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Right before the big snowstorm from two years ago, I called around to the local auto stores in Alexandria and had multiple people tell me that "snow chains are illegal in Virginia, you can't buy them here." Obviously that's full of crap, or even if it is it's something I'll need, so where do you guys recommend buying them? Tractor Supply has them. I just have to drive into town. |
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Right before the big snowstorm from two years ago, I called around to the local auto stores in Alexandria and had multiple people tell me that "snow chains are illegal in Virginia, you can't buy them here." Obviously that's full of crap, or even if it is it's something I'll need, so where do you guys recommend buying them? tirechains.com |
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One of the biggest dangers that your going to find driving in this area is the asshole with a brand new 4x4 who has never driven a 4x4. They are the ones who are going to kill you or block the road. I was going over WV 9 to VA 9 headed to Fort Belvoir to a meeting in a storm one year when the shit head four cars ahead stopped got out to lock in his hubs and promptly got stuck and blocked the road because the other vehicles got stuck, I backed up to a level area, got a forward start and left them all setting there.
One year I was comming down a two lane road in MD, came up on five or six small trees blocking the road. I stopped and got out of the truck to survey them and promptly had to duck a car that slid into the other side of the blockage. I offered to use my chain saw in the back of the truck to cut up the trees if everyone would help carry the trees to the side of the road. The other drivers got back in their vehicles, so I put my trusty 4x4 Toyota in 4 wheel drive lo and drove over the lowest spot in the blockage. Dumb shit in a two wheel drive truck tried it next and that was all the further he got. I understand it was 4 AM the next morning until they got out of their. Next couple of days a few co workers tried to give me a raft of shit for leaving them set. I reminded them that I asked them to help and the declined by getting back in their cars. First big excuse was "I had nice clothes or a suit on" Hell so did I. ANGMSG |
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First big excuse was "I had nice clothes or a suit on" Hell so did I. Sometimes you have to do what is needed, even if you are not prepared or dressed for the job. I have used my tow cable to move multiple trees and cars out of the road. Very often in clothes that where not appropriate. |
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First big excuse was "I had nice clothes or a suit on" Hell so did I. Sometimes you have to do what is needed, even if you are not prepared or dressed for the job. I have used my tow cable to move multiple trees and cars out of the road. Very often in clothes that where not appropriate. Try scraping an inch of ice off your windshield while wearing shoes with an open toe and 2" heels. In my defense I was young, stupid, and not a prepper at the time... 
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First big excuse was "I had nice clothes or a suit on" Hell so did I. Sometimes you have to do what is needed, even if you are not prepared or dressed for the job. I have used my tow cable to move multiple trees and cars out of the road. Very often in clothes that where not appropriate. Try scraping an inch of ice off your windshield while wearing shoes with an open toe and 2" heels. In my defense I was young, stupid, and not a prepper at the time...
You wore heels??? 
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l always have to chuckle when people this far south start talking about studded tires and chains.
I grew up in and learned how to drive in Boston, which I assure you gets more snow than any part of Virginia or West Virginia that isn't making it artificially on the side of a mountain. I can also assure you that the state of disrepair of roads in that area rivals any dirt road around here. Nobody, and I mean that quite literally, used studded tires, let alone chains, up there. I think I saw chains on the rear wheels of some of the RWD police cars once in 18 years up there. Much like guns, the software is much more important than the hardware. Learn how to drive (generally), learn what that means in the snow, and then practice in empty parking lots. Learn how your vehicle behaves. You don't need anything other than all-season tires. AWD does help in a variety of dynamic driving situations in the snow. I mean real AWD systems like Audi torsen-based systems and manual transmission Subarus, not the electronic nanny systems on most cars. The way torque is applied to the wheels affects a lot of things other than just "getting stuck" or "getting started." |
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One of the biggest dangers that your going to find driving in this area is the asshole with a brand new 4x4 who has never driven a 4x4. Yup. I try to avoid driving in the snow here in VA. Not because I doubt my own abilities or experience (I've never been in a MVA of anyone's fault, snow or not), but because I doubt those around me in SUVs who lack the ability and experience. |
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l always have to chuckle when people this far south start talking about studded tires and chains. I grew up in and learned how to drive in Boston, which I assure you gets more snow than any part of Virginia or West Virginia that isn't making it artificially on the side of a mountain. I can also assure you that the state of disrepair of roads in that area rivals any dirt road around here. Nobody, and I mean that quite literally, used studded tires, let alone chains, up there. I think I saw chains on the rear wheels of some of the RWD police cars once in 18 years up there. Much like guns, the software is much more important than the hardware. Learn how to drive (generally), learn what that means in the snow, and then practice in empty parking lots. Learn how your vehicle behaves. You don't need anything other than all-season tires. AWD does help in a variety of dynamic driving situations in the snow. I mean real AWD systems like Audi torsen-based systems and manual transmission Subarus, not the electronic nanny systems on most cars. The way torque is applied to the wheels affects a lot of things other than just "getting stuck" or "getting started." If all we got was snow it wouldn't be so bad. It's the freezing rain/sleet that causes the most problems, especially for the 4x4 owners who think they're invincible. I'd rather deal with 25 inches of snow than .25 inches of ice. |
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l always have to chuckle when people this far south start talking about studded tires and chains. I grew up in and learned how to drive in Boston, which I assure you gets more snow than any part of Virginia or West Virginia that isn't making it artificially on the side of a mountain. I can also assure you that the state of disrepair of roads in that area rivals any dirt road around here. Nobody, and I mean that quite literally, used studded tires, let alone chains, up there. I think I saw chains on the rear wheels of some of the RWD police cars once in 18 years up there. Much like guns, the software is much more important than the hardware. Learn how to drive (generally), learn what that means in the snow, and then practice in empty parking lots. Learn how your vehicle behaves. You don't need anything other than all-season tires. AWD does help in a variety of dynamic driving situations in the snow. I mean real AWD systems like Audi torsen-based systems and manual transmission Subarus, not the electronic nanny systems on most cars. The way torque is applied to the wheels affects a lot of things other than just "getting stuck" or "getting started." If all we got was snow it wouldn't be so bad. It's the freezing rain/sleet that causes the most problems, especially for the 4x4 owners who think they're invincible. I'd rather deal with 25 inches of snow than .25 inches of ice. You don't drive in ice. Anywhere. There is nothing you can do to a vehicle to fix the problem of a coefficient of friction that approaches zero. |
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Quoted: Boston does not have the mountainous areas like we do in Virginia and West Virginia, an some areas of West Virginia get more snow naturally than Boston. Some areas on the high parts of West Virginia get an astounding amount of snow via lake effect/upflow/clipper snow events.l always have to chuckle when people this far south start talking about studded tires and chains. I grew up in and learned how to drive in Boston, which I assure you gets more snow than any part of Virginia or West Virginia that isn't making it artificially on the side of a mountain. I can also assure you that the state of disrepair of roads in that area rivals any dirt road around here. Nobody, and I mean that quite literally, used studded tires, let alone chains, up there. I think I saw chains on the rear wheels of some of the RWD police cars once in 18 years up there. Much like guns, the software is much more important than the hardware. Learn how to drive (generally), learn what that means in the snow, and then practice in empty parking lots. Learn how your vehicle behaves. You don't need anything other than all-season tires. AWD does help in a variety of dynamic driving situations in the snow. I mean real AWD systems like Audi torsen-based systems and manual transmission Subarus, not the electronic nanny systems on most cars. The way torque is applied to the wheels affects a lot of things other than just "getting stuck" or "getting started." |
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l always have to chuckle when people this far south start talking about studded tires and chains. I grew up in and learned how to drive in Boston, which I assure you gets more snow than any part of Virginia or West Virginia that isn't making it artificially on the side of a mountain. I can also assure you that the state of disrepair of roads in that area rivals any dirt road around here. Nobody, and I mean that quite literally, used studded tires, let alone chains, up there. I think I saw chains on the rear wheels of some of the RWD police cars once in 18 years up there. Much like guns, the software is much more important than the hardware. Learn how to drive (generally), learn what that means in the snow, and then practice in empty parking lots. Learn how your vehicle behaves. You don't need anything other than all-season tires. AWD does help in a variety of dynamic driving situations in the snow. I mean real AWD systems like Audi torsen-based systems and manual transmission Subarus, not the electronic nanny systems on most cars. The way torque is applied to the wheels affects a lot of things other than just "getting stuck" or "getting started." If all we got was snow it wouldn't be so bad. It's the freezing rain/sleet that causes the most problems, especially for the 4x4 owners who think they're invincible. I'd rather deal with 25 inches of snow than .25 inches of ice. You don't drive in ice. Anywhere. There is nothing you can do to a vehicle to fix the problem of a coefficient of friction that approaches zero. Do you now what chains do? They bite into even ice and allow you to drive (albeit slowly) under reasonable control. The ice fishing guys seem to use them to good effect. Good snow tires (large lug pattern) will clear themselves as the turn and work fine in snow. Chains provide enough grab to work even on ice, and with four wheel drive you can even control direction since the steering axle is powered. Point the wheels in the direction you want to go and gently step on the gas. I have chains (for all 4 wheels) and they seem to get used about every 3-4 years when we get clobbered by freezing rain that produces ice. They also worked well a few years ago when we had a very light snow on roads below 32F. As soon as the first tire rolled over the snow it melted and then formed ice. Only one weather forecaster saw what was about to happen and issued a warning. The schools opened and the buses all played 'slip and side.' Luckily there where no serious accidents, just a slew of minor ones. |
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Do you now what chains do? They bite into even ice and allow you to drive (albeit slowly) under reasonable control. The ice fishing guys seem to use them to good effect. Chains turn a rectangular rubber contact patch into a few much smaller metal ones, which theoretically gives you some penetration into ice and helps to negate the nearly zero coefficient of friction. They do not give you anything close to the level of reliable and consistent traction needed for safe operation on typical public roads, with proximities to other vehicles, trees, ditches, etc. that do not exist on the expanses of frozen lakes. They will, for example, slide like a skate if you need to stop on any sort of hasty timeline. Good snow tires (large lug pattern) will clear themselves as the turn and work fine in snow.
They're not much better than all-season tires. I've used them before and stopped a long time ago as it's not worth rotating them on and off. |
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l always have to chuckle when people this far south start talking about studded tires and chains. And I always have to chuckle when folks speak out of their hind quarters. I'll give you a call next snowfall and have a hot cup of coffee and a $100 bill ready up the mountain I live on if you can get to the house without chains or studs. Never ceases to amaze me how flat landers purchase summer homes in my neck of the woods in the spring, then figure if they gun the Escalade, Lexus or Audi they'll get up the hill come December. They end up against guardrails, in ditches, or worse, and the houses are back up for sale the next year. At one point a couple years back we had 21 cars spun out and stuck along 3/4 mile of road. Chains let me weave through 'em, but it sure had a post-apocolyptic air. Take up my bet and I'll be ready to come fetch you and hear all about the software glitch. At 2200 feet we also get a lot of ice storms when it's just raining down the hill. Studs deal with that just fine up to a quarter inch or so. More than that the v-bar ice chains go on, which have dealt with everything I've thrown at 'em including half inch ice storms with turned into a six inch snow storm, and then finished as frozen rain. You want to sit at the bottom of the hill next ice storm with a $100 bill and a cup of coffee I'll come down and fetch both. You are welcome to go double or nothing if you can follow me back up. Uhm, what's your deductible? I grew up in Wisco driving a rear wheel drive Delta 88 and Galaxy 500 ragtop all winter with no issues and hence have the software handled. Physics often dictate hardware solutions, however. If you'd like that proven empirically, come on by. |
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l always have to chuckle when people this far south start talking about studded tires and chains. And I always have to chuckle when folks speak out of their hind quarters. I'll give you a call next snowfall and have a hot cup of coffee and a $100 bill ready up the mountain I live on if you can get to the house without chains or studs. Never ceases to amaze me how flat landers purchase summer homes in my neck of the woods in the spring, then figure if they gun the Escalade, Lexus or Audi they'll get up the hill come December. They end up against guardrails, in ditches, or worse, and the houses are back up for sale the next year. At one point a couple years back we had 21 cars spun out and stuck along 3/4 mile of road. Chains let me weave through 'em, but it sure had a post-apocolyptic air. Take up my bet and I'll be ready to come fetch you and hear all about the software glitch. At 2200 feet we also get a lot of ice storms when it's just raining down the hill. Studs deal with that just fine up to a quarter inch or so. More than that the v-bar ice chains go on, which have dealt with everything I've thrown at 'em including half inch ice storms with turned into a six inch snow storm, and then finished as frozen rain. You want to sit at the bottom of the hill next ice storm with a $100 bill and a cup of coffee I'll come down and fetch both. You are welcome to go double or nothing if you can follow me back up. Uhm, what's your deductible? I grew up in Wisco driving a rear wheel drive Delta 88 and Galaxy 500 ragtop all winter with no issues and hence have the software handled. Physics often dictate hardware solutions, however. If you'd like that proven empirically, come on by. Haven't had any software glitches yet. Hillbilly.
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l always have to chuckle when people this far south start talking about studded tires and chains. And I always have to chuckle when folks speak out of their hind quarters. I'll give you a call next snowfall and have a hot cup of coffee and a $100 bill ready up the mountain I live on if you can get to the house without chains or studs. Never ceases to amaze me how flat landers purchase summer homes in my neck of the woods in the spring, then figure if they gun the Escalade, Lexus or Audi they'll get up the hill come December. They end up against guardrails, in ditches, or worse, and the houses are back up for sale the next year. At one point a couple years back we had 21 cars spun out and stuck along 3/4 mile of road. Chains let me weave through 'em, but it sure had a post-apocolyptic air. Take up my bet and I'll be ready to come fetch you and hear all about the software glitch. At 2200 feet we also get a lot of ice storms when it's just raining down the hill. Studs deal with that just fine up to a quarter inch or so. More than that the v-bar ice chains go on, which have dealt with everything I've thrown at 'em including half inch ice storms with turned into a six inch snow storm, and then finished as frozen rain. You want to sit at the bottom of the hill next ice storm with a $100 bill and a cup of coffee I'll come down and fetch both. You are welcome to go double or nothing if you can follow me back up. Uhm, what's your deductible? I grew up in Wisco driving a rear wheel drive Delta 88 and Galaxy 500 ragtop all winter with no issues and hence have the software handled. Physics often dictate hardware solutions, however. If you'd like that proven empirically, come on by. Haven't had any software glitches yet. Hillbilly.
http://files.sharenator.com/challenge_accepted_RE_Amazing_Feats_Fails_WIns_Lolz_and_A_Contest-s325x265-158648.png I'll drop you a line next storm. We won't mention the "chains required beyond this point" signs to the insurance company as it might gum up reimbursement.
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l always have to chuckle when people this far south start talking about studded tires and chains. And I always have to chuckle when folks speak out of their hind quarters. I'll give you a call next snowfall and have a hot cup of coffee and a $100 bill ready up the mountain I live on if you can get to the house without chains or studs. Never ceases to amaze me how flat landers purchase summer homes in my neck of the woods in the spring, then figure if they gun the Escalade, Lexus or Audi they'll get up the hill come December. They end up against guardrails, in ditches, or worse, and the houses are back up for sale the next year. At one point a couple years back we had 21 cars spun out and stuck along 3/4 mile of road. Chains let me weave through 'em, but it sure had a post-apocolyptic air. Take up my bet and I'll be ready to come fetch you and hear all about the software glitch. At 2200 feet we also get a lot of ice storms when it's just raining down the hill. Studs deal with that just fine up to a quarter inch or so. More than that the v-bar ice chains go on, which have dealt with everything I've thrown at 'em including half inch ice storms with turned into a six inch snow storm, and then finished as frozen rain. You want to sit at the bottom of the hill next ice storm with a $100 bill and a cup of coffee I'll come down and fetch both. You are welcome to go double or nothing if you can follow me back up. Uhm, what's your deductible? I grew up in Wisco driving a rear wheel drive Delta 88 and Galaxy 500 ragtop all winter with no issues and hence have the software handled. Physics often dictate hardware solutions, however. If you'd like that proven empirically, come on by. Haven't had any software glitches yet. Hillbilly.
http://files.sharenator.com/challenge_accepted_RE_Amazing_Feats_Fails_WIns_Lolz_and_A_Contest-s325x265-158648.png I'll drop you a line next storm. We won't mention the "chains required beyond this point" signs to the insurance company as it might gum up reimbursement. You're going to shit yourself when you see what I show up with (I'll have to borrow it from my mechanic, but I promise it doesn't have chains or studs).
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Hmm, interesting. I moved from CT to NORTHERN VA. There was a huge drop in the amount of snow I saw. I'm not doubting the mountains of VA and WVA get dumped on, but a Nor' Easter is in a league all its own. They just don't make the same big deal out of it up north because people don't panic. VA news: "We're gonna get 3" prepare to button down the hatches and the kids will be home from school, the world might end, and babies will die." CT news: "We're gonna get 3" of snow, get up early to brush snow off your car. Oh and the Sox beat the Yankees!!!!!" |
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Funny how those of us who live in the mountains are the one's who are saying that good tires and chains may sometimes be necessary. It doesn't have as much to do with depth as it does the grades of the roads around here and the sometimes disastrous consequences of sliding off of them. In about 2/3 of Virginia, if you slide off the road, you end up in a ditch, is other parts you are off the side of the mountain or hung up in a tree.
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Funny how those of us who live in the mountains are the one's who are saying that good tires and chains may sometimes be necessary. It doesn't have as much to do with depth as it does the grades of the roads around here and the sometimes disastrous consequences of sliding off of them. In about 2/3 of Virginia, if you slide off the road, you end up in a ditch, is other parts you are off the side of the mountain or hung up in a tree. There's always exceptions to the rules, I got buddies in the Nelson and Green that live way back in the hollers, they don't use chains but they also ain't drivin if it's that bad. If one want's to use chains rock on but in all my years with kin in every part of VA I've never heard of chains being used here in a seasonal fashion. If anyone want to learn how to drive on Ice let me know after the first snow, our gravel dead end road with only 5 residents is one of the last to get plowed and even then they leave several inches of snow/ice then the road gets no sun due to the trees and becomes solid ice till we get a few days of warm weather, in places it's as slick as an ice ring. |