Ultimate snow car & truck?

**PhishingME** · 12-30-2007, 08:51 AM

For the sake of discussion you can assume manual trans and studded snow. Say 40K budget.

Car: Volvo V70R

Truck: V6 Taco

**telechuck** · 12-30-2007, 09:20 AM

Car: BMW 325(8)xi

Truck: No idea, but does a 4 Runner count?

**PearlJam09** · 12-30-2007, 09:39 AM

Car: Outback XT

Truck: Tundra w/ Full Cab

**truckeelocal** · 12-30-2007, 10:38 AM

The equipment is next to irrelevant. It's the operator stupid.

**plugboots** · 12-30-2007, 11:01 AM

Any of my 3: '98 A4 Avant, '03 Allroad, '07 328xit. Nice to have the clearance, and heated rear seats in the Allroad.

G · 12-30-2007, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by TruckeeLocal

The equipment is next to irrelevant. It's the operator stupid.

yep

___________

**Donkey Punch** · 12-30-2007, 11:34 AM

Truck: Dodge Cummins powered, crew cab. Put a leveling kit and 35's on and you will still get 18-20 MPG and be able to go through damn near anything with a good driver. The only time I got stuck last year with all of the front range blizzards was when I thought I could go through ~200' of 3' deep drift in 2wd. I dare any Taco lover to match this truck. The only down side is parking, and finding a garage that is tall enough to pull into.

**summit** · 12-30-2007, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by TruckeeLocal

The equipment is next to irrelevant. It's the operator stupid.

Operator is key, but let's face it: tires are HUGE... and 4wd + lockers give a huge advantage over 2wd

i drive an accord with snow tires... think i want a subaru

**Fear Of A Flat Planet** · 12-30-2007, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by Summit

Operator is key, but let's face it: tires are HUGE... and 4wd + lockers give a huge advantage over 2wd

i drive an accord with snow tires... think i want a subaru

yep. you want a subaru. a subaru with studded nokians is unstoppable in the snow.

**truckeelocal** · 12-30-2007, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by Summit

Operator is key, but let's face it: tires are HUGE... and 4wd + lockers give a huge advantage over 2wd

i drive an accord with snow tires... think i want a subaru

Anyone who thinks any part of the equipment gives them an "advantage" shouldn't be allowed on the roads. Anyone, everyone, should be driving scared. Chains give far better traction than ANY snow tires. And folks with chains tend to drive slower and are more scared. Way better than the bozos in the 4wd/awd with snows (I drive Subarus with snows and a Suburban with studs).

**Fear Of A Flat Planet** · 12-30-2007, 01:04 PM

Hmm, i don't know about this "driving scared" thing. I think that having the proper vehicle/tires is important as is practicing driving in all types of inclement weather. I suppose I prefer driving "confident with a healthy slice of caution"as opposed to "driving scared".

**truckeelocal** · 12-30-2007, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by Fear Of A Flat Planet

Hmm, i don't know about this "driving scared" thing. I think that having the proper vehicle/tires is important as is practicing driving in all types of inclement weather. I suppose I prefer driving "confident with a healthy slice of caution"as opposed to "driving scared".

So you're "confident" when flatlanders are around in their SUVs ? I'm scared.

**Fear Of A Flat Planet** · 12-30-2007, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by TruckeeLocal

So you're "confident" when flatlanders are around in their SUVs ? I'm scared.

nope, again, i'm cautious. i suppose when i think of "driving scared" i think of somebody having a hard time out there driving. that is what the flatlanders in suv's seem to be.

**truckeelocal** · 12-30-2007, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by Fear Of A Flat Planet

nope, again, i'm cautious. i suppose when i think of "driving scared" i think of somebody having a hard time out there driving. that is what the flatlanders in suv's seem to be.

It's those flatlanders who actually think they've got the proper vehicle/tires. Look. The tires say "Mud and Snow". And 4wd. And anti-lock brakes (why are they clicking ?). And air bags in places where air bags aren't expected. And a weather channel. And heated seats.

**Fear Of A Flat Planet** · 12-30-2007, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by TruckeeLocal

It's those flatlanders who actually think they've got the proper vehicle/tires. Look. The tires say "Mud and Snow". And 4wd. And anti-lock brakes (why are they clicking ?). And air bags in places where air bags aren't expected. And a weather channel. And heated seats.

oh, i hear ya. they're the ones that fly past me going 85 on a snow/ice covered highway. they're also the ones upside down like a turtle on its back in the ditch 5 miles up the road. yep. those folks are indeed scary, so i try to just give them space and let them put only themselves in the ditch.

**tranzformer** · 12-30-2007, 01:39 PM

Have you guys ever heard of Autosock? Seems like an interesting alternative to chains that Europeans have come up with.

http://www.autosock.us/default.asp

**Fear Of A Flat Planet** · 12-30-2007, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by tranzformer

Have you guys ever heard of Autosock? Seems like an interesting alternative to chains that Europeans have come up with.

http://www.autosock.us/default.asp

hmm those things are pretty crazy looking.

**mntlion** · 12-30-2007, 01:43 PM

4wd, 4dr, 2.4 diesel.

and add this

**tranzformer** · 12-30-2007, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by Fear Of A Flat Planet

hmm those things are pretty crazy looking.

Yeah I'm not really sure what to make of it. Sure is a lot easier to put on than chains. However I'm guessing that you wouldn't be able to use studded tires with that sock thing.

**Steven S. Dallas** · 12-30-2007, 01:47 PM

Drive smart, not scared, stupid.

**Donkey Punch** · 12-30-2007, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by TruckeeLocal

Anyone who thinks any part of the equipment gives them an "advantage" shouldn't be allowed on the roads. Anyone, everyone, should be driving scared. Chains give far better traction than ANY snow tires. And folks with chains tend to drive slower and are more scared. Way better than the bozos in the 4wd/awd with snows (I drive Subarus with snows and a Suburban with studs).

Isn't having 4WD/AWD, studs, chains, mud snow, whatever tires like having the right skis for the right day? They are all tools to help make life easier. if you take the same driver on a closed cource in two different vehicals one equiped for winter driving and the other not, which one will handle, and perform better? I think that means there is an advantage to being properly set up. Does that mean you can go out and drive like its August? Absolutely not, but having the right equipment for the right conditions can make your life easier and safer.

**Fear Of A Flat Planet** · 12-30-2007, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by tranzformer

Yeah I'm not really sure what to make of it. Sure is a lot easier to put on than chains. However I'm guessing that you wouldn't be able to use studded tires with that sock thing.

little writeup on tirerack on them..

http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/...k/autosock.jsp

**truckeelocal** · 12-30-2007, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by Steven S. Dallas

Drive smart, not scared, stupid.

Agree, but scared is better second choice than confident of vehicle and tire capabilities given the unknowns out there. After all not ALL of us are better than average drivers despite our perceptions to the contrary.