Winter vehicle preparedness

[Caribou]

I have chains for the truck..I can't remember what the pattern is when in 4x4..isn't it one in front and one opposite rear?

I think I saw chains for the subie by the spare..I'll have to check tomorrow.

4x4 in my truck has always been sufficient..I keep good tires on both vehicles. I don't drive fast when the road is crappy.

I did notice the other night having 250 pounds of chicken food in subie felt better.

I always buy those 80 pound sacks of sand and throw them in the bed of the truck..I still need to do that. At the end of winter I put the sand the chicken coop.

I think I'll just get in the habit of buying some chicken food n leave it in the car for weight.

When putting only two chains on a four wheel drive vehicle the chains go on the front tires to assist in turning as well as movement.

 

[Hooch]

When putting only two chains on a four wheel drive vehicle the chains go on the front tires to assist in turning as well as movement.

Thank you..

 

[Hooch]

When the snow starts melting in the spring the road gets pretty muddy. I've put over 100 truck loads of gravel on this road so far. Once the road starts breaking up we usually don't drive anywhere. I've had to walk up this road many times due to getting stuck. That's why I always carry a fire making kit with me. Many times during high winds I have to stop and build a fire to keep from freezing.
Getting ready for winter takes all summer.

A few years ago a older guy that lived out in the hills not far from me got stuck and tried to hike home just a few miles but in the evening as it was below freezing already..he didn't make it.
From what I hear he was a oldtimer around here...but if your not prepared properly..yikes..

 

[Hooch]

And so it begins..gah...lol..

 

[Bacpacker]

Make sure my anti freeze is good to go up North. We usually go up in Nov or Dec. Tow strap, jumper cables, fuel treatment, heavy gloves, coats, toboggan, boots, at least 1/2 tank of fuel.
Monday I'm getting a radiator flush and fill, oil change, and a serpentine belt that is due to be changed anyway. Just put a new battery in a couple months ago. Wifes car is in good shape and she don't drive in bad weather anyway.

 

[Mountain trapper]

Thank you..

I've known some people who only chain the front axle, and others who only chain the rear. I think it's your choice.

 

[Mountain trapper]

It started snowing on us when we drove up to the lumber yard, 80 mile RT. It's still snowing. We only got about 4" so far. The roads were a little slippery but not too bad. Tomorrow morning we're going down south to get the studded tires put on both Jeeps.
About a year ago I bought a portable air compressor/jump starter. I carry it everywhere we go, and have used it several times around here.

 

[d_marsh]

Tomorrow morning we're going down south to get the studded tires put on both Jeeps.

Do you use the same tires for a few seasons or get new one's every year?

 

[Mountain trapper]

Do you use the same tires for a few seasons or get new one's every year?

We don't drive too much any time of year, but when the studs start coming out I'll buy new tires, even if the tire itself shows very little wear. This is usually about 5 winters.

 

[Pearl]

And so it begins..gah...lol..

Does that red "button" on the right say passenger eject ??

 

[Cabin Fever]

I've lived in snowy, cold Minnesota all of my life. I've never done anything special to my vehicles to get them ready for winter. With that said, I do put the snow plow on one of my old pickup before winter.

 

[Hooch]

Does that red "button" on the right say passenger eject ??

Well..yes...I've a short walk with screaming folk..I like serenity

 

[Peanut]

Here in Bama I go over all the vehicles each fall, a thorough maintenance check. Even dropped the spare tire under my silverado today, checked the air pressure and looked for signs of damage. Year round I keep 2 gallons of antifreeze in the tool box along with extra oil and washer fluid. It has plenty of room for a range of tools, sockets, wrenches, jumper cables, extra jack, even keep an axe in there along with a 20ft logging chain.

I always have a day pack in the truck along with a 6x10 tarp folded, laying on the floor. The pack has first aid gear, heavy knife, hatchet, fire starting kit, head lamp, cordage and a mountain house meal.. That reminds me… bought raisins in little boxes a couple weeks ago, liked them. Last week I bought a 2lb bag of them. When I finish the current bag of croutons (foil, ziplock) I’ll put in a pound of raisins for my day pack, maybe some dried blueberries and apple slices, something to snack on… They’ll stay fresh til spring.

I once spent most of a night in a snow bank during a storm in Buffalo, ny. Had a sleeping bag that night or I’d have gotten very cold. But here in the south I’m just concerned with the cold. If it snows I’m not going anywhere, there are no plows or salt trucks and most people have no idea how to drive on snow (even if I do). Home is the only safe place to be.

I keep the rear seat in my ext cab folded up, handy space for groceries or livestock feed when it’s raining. But each fall I fold it down, unroll a sleeping bag then fold the seat back up. In winter I keep a heavy work coat and gloves in the cab too. Help is never more than a few hours away so as long as I can stay warm… no problem. I’ll just listen to the radio and eat raisins!