OAUSA Net - January 4, 2018 - Driving in the Snow

[DaveK]

DRIVING IN THE SNOW

Happy New Year!!

Welcome to our first net of the new year.

This net usually occurs at about the time when we start seeing snow, more or less!!! Driving to and from your favorite outdoor adventure can be a lot of fun, but doing it safely requires a whole different set of skills and equipment. We've enlisted the help of our friends from Colorado to talk about their tips and advice for driving in the white stuff. We always benefit from the experiences of others, so whether you are from Colorado or not, join the discussion with your suggestions, tips and stories. Pictures always are welcome!

[kevinhum55]

Early Check in
W6RIP
Kevin
73

[KAP]

Winter driving should start with a reminder of the safety and life saving items that you should carry when venturing out into inclimate weather.

My first experience with snow driving involved a friends VW Rabbit and my fathers tire chains I decided to bring along... Just in Case.

Always be aware of "possible" road conditions and realize you could find yourself stranded.

Kevin
KK6DGL

[DaveK]

KEVIN'S SNOW ADVENTURES (KD0VHD)

Kevin, KD0VHD, is one of our Colorado members who will be helping us for this net. If the weather reports are right, Colorado should be just about to get its first dose of snow. Here are some of Kevin's pictures


PICTURE #1

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PICTURE #2

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PICTURE #3

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PICTURE #4

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[DaveK]

DRIVING IN THE SNOW

From all indications, it looks like the majority of the lower 48 are being treated to an arctic blast involving very cold temps, snow and ice, and in some cases it is predicted to be severe. The reports show a small sliver of the country that will be spared, but the cold even extends into Mexico. Bundle up and get your vehicle ready for snow.

The Weather Channel posted this picture of the current temps for January 3, 2018. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!

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Even the Falls at Niagara are frozen (CBS News)

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[DaveK]

TIRES

1. STANDARD TIRES

There are a number of variations in snow tire designs, but regardless of the differences, there are industry standards and guidelines which apply to them all. The two most common symbols or designations are M+S and the mountain snow flake. If the tire qualifies, the designations are molded into the tire sidewall.

1. M/S rated tires (or M&S, M+S, MS, also known as all season tires). This is a Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) designation and means that the tire is suitable for mud and snow conditions. Tires so designated are really only suitable for light snow, but not icy conditions or sub-zero temperatures.

M&S Designation.jpg (6.33 KiB) Viewed 1036 times

2. Mountain / Snow Peak rated tires. This is also an RMA designation and means that the tire is suitable for "severe snow service" (their terminology.) A three peak mountain, with a snowflake in the center, will be molded into the tire sidewall. The primary benefit of these tires is that the rubber compound is formulated so as to not become hard in sub-zero temperatures, thus improving traction. It looks like this:

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While it may seem unlikely, there are certain tires which have a solid 4x4 off-road reputation, which also bear the Mountain/Snow Peak designation as well as the M/S designation. One such tire is the BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A. Here is what it looks like:

M&S and Snow Peak (Large).jpg (83.85 KiB) Viewed 1036 times

2. STUDDED SNOW TIRES

Studded snow tires have been around for many years and are still preferred by many. There are some disadvantages, including the need to buy a new set of tires, the need to swap them in when snow appears and out when the season is over, and increased road noise. Additionally many states prohibit studded tires during non-snow seasons, and some states have even banned them altogether.

While studded tires are not as common as they once were, there is still a market for them, and the manufacturers who make them claim significant advantages. The Nokian Tyre Company is one such manufacturer, and offers a full line of studded tires (or tyres, as they call 'em), https://www.nokiantires.com/tires/passe ... ter-tires/. Nokian studded tires have found a large market in the Northern environs, such as Canada, although there are dealerships in the States as well. And, they are Snow Peak rated. Here is what they say:

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV - Balanced grip, stable and durable to drive

The new studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV winter tire grips firmly and handles steadily in the varying winter weather. The strong aramid-fibre used in the sidewalls gives the tyre maximal durability.

DIFFERENT STUD TYPES OPTIMISE MAXIMUM GRIP UNDER EXTREME CONDITIONS
FIRST-CLASS STABLE AND STURDY HANDLING ON ICE AND SNOW
UNIQUELY DURABLE, EXTRA STRONG SIDEWALLS RESIST IMPACTS AND CUTS

Here is what they look like (from the Nokian website:)

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The "studded vs non studded tire" debate is one which will be resolved purely by choice, but breakthroughs in tire technology seem to have swung the pendulum in favor of non-studded tires. The Bridgestone Tire Company offers the following analysis of "stud vs non-stud" tires" (http://www.bridgestonetire.com/tread-an ... less-tires):

Studded Tires

Studded snow tires literally have metal studs embedded within the tread. These small, strong pieces of metal are designed to dig into ice, which provides added traction. When the driving surface isn't covered in ice, studded tires can damage the road. They're tough enough to dig into pavement, which is why many states limit their use during non-winter months and some states have outlawed them completely. Studded winter tires are also known to produce a noisy ride.

Although studded tires are capable of handling icy driving situations, improvements in the rubber compounds of modern studless winter tires have made them more capable of handling some of winter's most extreme driving situations.

Studless Tires

In recent years, studless snow tires have become the preferred snow tire for many winter drivers. Instead of relying on metal protrusions in the tread, modern non-studded winter tires lean on advances in rubber compounding, tread designs, and other unique technologies.

In winter's cold temperatures, a non-winter tire's tread rubber becomes stiffer and less able to conform to even a dry road's irregularities. Modern studless snow tires are capable of maintaining flexibility in freezing temperatures, thanks to advances in rubber compounding technologies. This increased rubber flexibility allows tires to maintain traction on snowy, icy, wet and dry driving surfaces.

Studless winter tires generally have deeper tread depths than summer or all season tires. Deep tread depths allow the tire to manage snow and slush dispersion from under the tire. It also allows the tire to provide better or snow-on-snow traction by packing it within the tread blocks.

Another feature you'll notice are thousands of tiny slits in the tread pattern, called sipes. These act as thousands of biting edges on ice that help with acceleration, deceleration, and stopping.

3. SIPING TIRES FOR BETTER SNOW TRACTION

Siping is the process of cutting thin slits across the tread of a tire for the purpose of gaining additional traction. Some tires actually come from the manyufatures spied, but most don't.

The Lee Schwab Tire website says this about siping (https://www.lesschwab.com/tires/performance-siping):

What is Siping and how is it Done?
How tire siping works

Siping is the process of cutting thin slits across the surface of a tire to improve traction for driving in snowy, wet or icy conditions. Siping can also help manage tire heat when the road is overly hot.

Siping is done by placing your tires (new or used) on a specially designed machine that rotates your tires while making small, nearly invisible 90-degree cuts in your tread. It’s actually easier to tell if a tire is siped by the improvement in vehicle handling than by visual inspection.
Should I Get My Tires Siped?

Tire siping improves traction and braking, makes for a smoother ride, and prolongs tire life. Siping won’t reduce tire performance in any way. The tire tread retains its toughness due to the patented spiral cutting process. This leaves uncut areas known as tie bars intact, keeping your tread strong.

This is what it looks like:

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Here is an interesting video showing the benefits of siping: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Tc3VIDQvh0

Here are several websites that discuss the benefits of siping tires, with an emphasis on the advantages during snow driving.

1. http://www.snowtrek.org/tire-siping/tire-siping.php
2. https://blog.cargurus.com/2013/01/15/wh ... -good-idea
3. https://www.lesschwab.com/tires/performance-siping

Siping may carry one risk that you should research before choosing to have it done - your manufacturers warranty. Some warranties may be voided by siping. Be careful.

4. AIRING DOWN FOR SNOW DRIVING

Everybody knows that airing down your tires on a rough trail can improve comfort as well as traction. The same can be true in the snow or ice. If you are not running with chains, there are certain snow conditions in which you will gain a traction advantage by airing down. But be aware however, there are some snowy conditions where you will not want to air down. In snow that is hard packed and wet, the larger footprint of an aired down tire can give you a traction advantage. Likewise, in deep lightly packed snow. an aired down tire can help the vehicle "float" on the surface. When the snow is thinner, the narrower profile of a normally inflated tire can allow the weight of the vehicle to "punch" through the snow or ice and get to the better traction of the road. Know your conditions and keep the speed down.

Check out these sites for additional helpful advice.

https://www.warn.com/blog/2011/04/28/ai ... _use.shtml
http://www.rockcrawler.com/features/baldwin/may98/
http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/wheel ... he-winter/

[k9atk]

Please check in
K9ATK BRIAN
K9FOG TRISH
KD0EXI CHEYENNE
KD0GPE AUSTIN

snowy-road- 1024x768.jpg

Normally buy this time of the year Colorado would had a few snow storms
Not the case this year were all doing a snow dance of some sort wanting waiting wishing for snow
A few tips on driving in the snow
Watch the cleared areas of roadways for ice under trees on bridges and low laying areas
I travel just to the outside edges of tracks in the rougher edge as not to travel in the tracks tend to be slippery





A few products and with most tire chains limit speed to 30mph
Look for the 3peak mtn on side wall of tires if traveling in states know for snow or have chains or autosocks.
To advoid tickets during traction laws
http://m.bestreviews.com/best-snow-chains
Autosock.com

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What is wrong with this

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My driveway Christmas day 2017

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AutoSock

1140 S Jason St, Denver, CO 80223
(888) 288-6063

https://g.co/kgs/judMC9

AutoSock

1140 S Jason St, Denver, CO 80223
(888) 288-6063

https://g.co/kgs/judMC9


http://www.snowchains.com/snow-chains-vs-snow-socks


http://m.bestreviews.com/best-snow-chains

[toms]

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With the snow we’ve been getting in the mountains lately, a lot of four-wheelers are itching to fire up their vehicles and go plowing through the white stuff. Whether over Cajon Pass, through Big Bear area, or just to Grandma’s house, driving off road in snow is a lot of fun. Winter driving offers its own set of challenges; the following tips will help ensure your trip is a pleasant one.

As with all four-wheeling, remember the buddy system. That is, always go out with at least one other vehicle. It’s fairly easy to get stuck in snow, and the cold just compounds any difficulties you may experience. More on that later.

Make sure you pack survival gear along with food and water. Remember that it gets dark early this time of year, and storms can hit in a hurry. Check the forecast before leaving. You don’t want to get caught in the mountains during a blizzard. Also, cold weather reduces the output of your battery. Replace it if it’s more than five years old. Consider installing a dual battery system as well. That way you’ll have a back up, as well as a source of power in case you need to use the winch.

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Pack your vehicle accordingly. The basics include a snow shovel, air jack and tire chains, if you have them. Brightly colored equipment is really useful in a snowy environment. An ice scraper/window brush and recovery equipment are a must, also. You’ll want some communications equipment, as well. Pack ham radio gear if you have it. If not, consider getting licensed. The exam isn’t that difficult and gear is reasonably priced. If you don’t care to go that route, look into a satellite phone. Cell phones rarely work in the outback, so don’t count on one.

Make sure your headlights, tail lights, fog lamps, and license plate are clear of snow. As the old saying goes, you want to see and be seen.

Upon arriving, spend a few moments surveying the trail and surrounding terrain. One of the biggest problems with snow is that it covers ruts, ditches, and rocks. If you’ve driven the trail before, try to recall where the rough spots are, and avoid them. Don’t try to drive over them, as you risk getting stuck or damaging your vehicle.

Chains are great for driving in snow. They give you better traction and braking all around, and better steering up front. If you have just one set, place them on the back. Chains up front allow you to chew through deep snow, but the added braking capability could cause fish tailing. This happens a lot while going downhill on a slippery slope.

Air down your tires to a standard off-road level. For a 31-in. tire, that would be in the 18 to 15 psi range. Start off in single file as you normally do. The lead vehicle will blaze the trail, but often becomes stuck. Plus, the underbody usually gets packed with snow, so the vehicle doesn’t run well. Be prepared to pull out that vehicle, but also rotate the vehicles to keep a “fresh” vehicle in the lead at all times.

If you get stuck, try rocking the vehicle. You can usually gain a few inches each time, which often is enough to get you onto better ground. Avoid spinning the tires if possible. That just melts the snow underneath, which quickly freezes. Then you’re in worse shape than when you started.

If you’re still unable to drive out, use a recovery strap to pull your vehicle out. But be careful: The strap is under tremendous stress. Make sure no one is standing between either vehicle. If that strap breaks, it’ll crack the person in the head, and your trip is over. A Pull Pal® also works well in these situations.

Remember to drive slowly. As mentioned above, snow covers all blemishes in the trail. If the snow is firm enough you may actually drive on top. But more likely, you’ll cut through, and expose your vehicle to rocks and other hazards below.

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Even with chains, your vehicle behaves quite differently in snow. Stopping and cornering are more difficult and braking distances are greater. Drive slower than normal and keep a safe distance between the vehicles. 4WD doesn’t offer any better braking than 2WD, despite what you may think. If you find yourself sliding one way, turn with it, but also apply some power and stay off the brakes. The 4WD traction will help pull you out of it.

Use gentle acceleration whenever climbing a hill. Quick acceleration can cause the tires to spin, which results in an icy trail. Speaking of hills, assess the trail before descending, and make sure it’s safe to drive. Can you get back up if you had to? If not, and that’s the only way out, take a different route.

Here’s hoping your next romp through the snow is a safe and enjoyable one.

[toms]

How to Survive in Your Vehicle Stuck in Snow

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Winter has arrived in many parts of the country, and that means a hazardous situation awaits you nearly every time you get behind the wheel. You may know how to drive in snow, but do you know what to do if you were stuck in snow?

Recently, drivers on I-90 near Buffalo, N.Y., were trapped for up to 12 hours when a massive blizzard hit the area. Some cars were literally buried in snow. If you were caught in a situation like that, would you know how to handle yourself?

You don’t have to be out in the country to encounter a hazardous situation. You can get socked in while driving home from work one day. If you’re stuck, you can bet that hundreds of other motorists are, as well. Help could be hours away.

Every situation is unique, but the following guidelines apply in all situations, and could save your life. I highly recommend you copy this article to your laptop or other device. You’re likely to have that with you, but you may not have access to the Internet. A PDF copy is available here.

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Prepare for winter driving

“Safety is no accident,” as the old saying goes. We discussed that before in 10 Safety Rules For Off-Road Driving and in a related column, Your Gear Is Not Complete Without An Emergency Packet! Winter presents its own set of hazards, which require additional preparation. It starts with a survival kit. Make sure yours includes at least some of these items.

More of a collection of items, a winter survival kit includes extra food and clothing, items to help you prepare food or water, signaling/communications gear, and some means to free yourself.

Food should be dry, packaged goods that have a long shelf life. These include granola bars, snack mix/trail mix, canned nuts, graham crackers, and hard candy. Thick canned food, like ravioli, may be added. Avoid soups as the can may freeze and burst. For a few extra dollars you can add military style MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) available on line and at military surplus stores.

Make sure the packages and cans are easy to open. It’s unlikely you’ll have a can opener or scissors with you.

Extra clothing can include boots, gloves, a blanket or sleeping bag, and a hat. This stuff can be bulky, so choose wisely. I pack a Thinsulate™ sleeping bag. It’s warm but thin, and compresses into a nice, small size (more likely to still be in the vehicle when I need it).

It’s easy to get dehydrated in the winter, so you should carry some liquids. Even if you normally carry a water bottle, be prepared to produce water by melting snow. (Avoid eating snow, as that will lower your body temperature.) Pack an empty soup or coffee can along with a small stove or burner. Jetboil® offers a line of nifty mini cookers. They work great with food, as well.

If you become stuck, you’re likely to reach for your cell phone. Keep an extra battery pack or the cord for tapping into the car’s cigarette lighter. You should also keep some fresh flashlight batteries.

Pack a red or orange flag that you can attach to your antenna. That will help rescuers spot your vehicle. (If you don’t have a flag, a large piece of fabric will work.) A small shovel can come in handy, also. Buy the kind with a curved blade and collapsible handle.

Ham and CB radio equipment can be very useful, especially when you’re outside of cell range. If possible, take along some radio gear (but remember that ham radio requires a license). Flares are useful, too, especially at night. Have one or two in your vehicle.

Consider packing small pieces of carpet or a set of Sand Ladders. Also, being stuck can be boring. Have some reading material or puzzle books with you to pass the time. Speaking of reading material, newspapers and magazines can be used for body insulation.

Get in the habit of keeping your gas tank at least half full. You’ll need the fuel to run your engine on occasion. More on that later.

Another “item” you can pack is awareness. It’s easy to get distracted or start daydreaming while behind the wheel. Memorize mile markers or street/highway signs as you pass by. You’ll help rescuers immensely if you can tell dispatch where you are. A GPS is useful to pin point your location.

What to do if you’re stuck

If you’re ever stuck in a blizzard, follow these suggestions.
1.Try not to panic. You’ll need a clear head to work yourself through this situation. Maintain your composure, and calm down your passengers as needed.
2.Stay with your vehicle. It’s a lot easier to spot from a distance. Leaving your vehicle, and the comfort and protection it offers, can be dangerous. You may think you’ll be able to get help. Odds are you’ll become disoriented and freeze to death.
3.Attach a flag or colored piece of clothing to the antenna. This helps rescuers and lessens the possibility of being hit by another driver.
4.Run the engine only 10 – 15 minutes each hour. Sure, you want to stay warm, but you need to conserve your gas. Also, the less often you run your engine, the less chance for lethal levels of carbon monoxide to build up.
5.Crack a window on the downwind side (leeward side) of the car. That air will be chilly, but it’ll also be clean.
6.Clear the exhaust pipe periodically.
7.If you decide to dig yourself out, start on the leeward side of the car. Don’t exert yourself, because you need to minimize sweating. Getting damp and cold can be deadly. Brush off the snow before reentering your vehicle.
8.As a last resort, burn your spare tire. The smoke (or fire) will be visible for miles.

Being stuck in a snowstorm can be a terrifying experience. With the proper preparation and response, you can enhance your chances of surviving and being rescued.

[KK6DYO]

Please check me in for the evening. I expect to make it to the OSUSA shack and help with check-ins.