Relocating to Denver: Snow driving question

[zoonik]

Originally Posted by gsenator

Another question i forgot to mention. not to beat a dead horse...

If I end up in the Boulder Area, does this whole discussion turn from " you might be okay" to " absolutely sell your truck, you'd be crazy otherwise". I've never been there, I've heard it isn't as flat as Denver and higher altitude.

Boulder has more hills then the city of Denver, gets slightly more snow then Denver, and the foothills to the west of town up to Nederland get quite a bit more (much like the foothill areas west of Denver). Take it for what it's worth, the general rule for Denver snow storms is higher accumulation to the west (Foothills) and south (Palmer Divide).

I drove a 2WD Tacoma for a few years out here. 95% of the time you should be fine as long as you drive cautiously in bad weather. Sandbags in the back (at least 100 lbs worth) to avoid fishtailing. Drawback is that it tends to kill your gas mileage. Around town, city streets you should be perfectly fine. However if you plan long, highway or mountain commutes frequently, it would be in your best interest to plan on trading it in for FWD or AWD. I loved my old truck but a near rollover trying to avoid another vehicle on I-70 a few years back was the turning point for me. I decided to go with AWD and haven't looked back.

The resale value on a 2WD truck is going to be higher in CA than out here. So if you are considering selling it, I would do it before you get out here.

[Cyborgt800]

Don't worry about snow...it hardly lasts more than a day...what you need to be concerned with is having the proper washer fluid and lots of it!

You cannot use plain water like you do in CA...it will freeze up. The most dangerous thing about winter drinking in the Den/Bldr areas is road wash on your windshield...that and black ice.

[Katarina Witt]

I have told people on other forums that no matter what time of year, you can talk about driving in the snow in Denver! Just heard on the radio, upper 90s for today for Denver/Boulder!

[dude_reino]

Originally Posted by gsenator

good info. thanks guys. I'll look into my options.

Funny you mention the chains. Out here in California ( more mountainous than one might think in the Sierra Nevadas) you see chains every 3rd or 4th car. It must have something to do with the fact that our mountains are 3-4 hours a way from civilization, whereas in Denver it's only 1 or 2. People only go up there once or twice a year and most don't live in the snow back at home, so no need for winter tires. You actually can pinpoint who the Locals/Reno natives are by looking for subarus without chains.

I has more to do with California's legislation. Chains or snow tires are required by law in the Sierras. They are not required by law on passenger vehicles in Colorado.