Will Need To Relocate A Little South - Your Wisdom And Advice, Please? (Bangor: 2013, home)

[Three Wolves In Snow]

Would like to get some...I just don't know if I'm going to have enough money in time after I pay for rent and gas and get caught up.

How much do winter tires cost? I would assume the same as other tires? So that's $400 right there. Don't know what to do about that.

Originally Posted by slyfox2

You are going to need winter tires. I suggest General Altimax Arctics(inexpensive and CR reports rated TOPS). If you are going to have to drive any distance in winter, you cannot get away with all seasons(which are really 3 seasons). You do not want to get stuck, and you don't want to be worrying about a long day at work and then dealing with tires that don't keep you on the road in snow, cold wet, and ICE.

I'm retired. I really don't have to go. But last winter there were several times that things were going on and I just didn't want to chance it in my 3-season tires.

People who have to drive more than 25 minutes in regular snow, ice and very cold rain, get winter tires---if they're smart.

[Evan_Lanctot]

Do it. Change is good. And you'll feel better in a new place.


Good luck!

[slyfox2]

Originally Posted by Three Wolves In Snow

Would like to get some...I just don't know if I'm going to have enough money in time after I pay for rent and gas and get caught up.

How much do winter tires cost? I would assume the same as other tires? So that's $400 right there. Don't know what to do about that.

I paid about $400 for the Altimax Arctics for four of them for my Subaru---205-70-R16(you need them on all four wheels or your rear end will spin out on turns). I bought them from Tirebuyer.com, which was way cheaper by several hundred bucks from Harmon's in Ellsworth. Shipping is also free. Smaller wheels could be as low as $51.

First time I ever bought winter tires. Would love to buy a set for the AWD For Explorer, but will have to be satisfied with the Wrangler R/T's which are on them now.

[mainebrokerman]

Besides the tire commissioner slyfox, how many on here use winter studded tires? or use all-season/3 season tires?

of course its a good idea to have winter tires,,,,,, but if you are a cautious driver, all season radials are fine

[lovemaine]

Originally Posted by mainebrokerman

Besides the tire commissioner slyfox, how many on here use winter studded tires? or use all-season/3 season tires?

of course its a good idea to have winter tires,,,,,, but if you are a cautious driver, all season radials are fine

If I could afford it, I would probably get winter tires. That being said, I lived in WI for 20+ years and now in Maine for 3 years and I've always just used all-season tires. The plows, especially in my neck of the woods (Camden) do a great job keeping the roads clear. Just my 2 cents.

[mainebrokerman]

Originally Posted by lovemaine

If I could afford it, I would probably get winter tires. That being said, I lived in WI for 20+ years and now in Maine for 3 years and I've always just used all-season tires. The plows, especially in my neck of the woods (Camden) do a great job keeping the roads clear. Just my 2 cents.

i drive more than most and only one year did I have winter tires-it came with the car

I'm with you, yes, its a good idea to have winter tires, but Ive had all season tires most winters, and I think its more important to be a cautious driver.

[Three Wolves In Snow]

My only concern about the driving is that I have to get up at the crack of dawn and what if the plows aren't out yet?

Sure, in towns they may have been but what about all along Route 1? All 65 miles I have to drive?

What about those hills I have to go up...what if I get stuck behind someone who is driving like a snail up those hills and I lose traction? (These people can't drive when there's NOTHING on the roads...now we are talking about adding snow and ice to the same roads?)

Those sharp curves....even going slow, throw in a patch of ice, could be serious issues. Would winter tires help in that regard? Of course one should drive much slower and use way more caution but again, those hills and some of those sharp curves on route 1...yah, they do concern me in winter time.

But, again, I am not sure I'm going to have the means to get winter tires in time. I have all season...mud and snow...I guess that's the same? I don't know, I have mud and snow tires. But they are not winter tires.

Last year, during our "mild" winter, I was at a stop light, it turned green, I was making a left turn and even though I took off slowly, I still skidded. You can see why I might be a little anxious about the hills and sharp curves.

Also keep in mind, my vehicle is VERY light even if I throw a couple buckets of cat litter in the back to add some weight.

What will this winter be like? Some have told me it will be mild, like last year, some have told me we are supposed to expect horrible conditions this year. It's definitely something on my mind.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by mainebrokerman

Besides the tire commissioner slyfox, how many on here use winter studded tires? or use all-season/3 season tires?

of course its a good idea to have winter tires,,,,,, but if you are a cautious driver, all season radials are fine

We use winter tires with studs.

However, I should add that we live along the river where we often have fog and the fog settles onto pavement forming black ice.

We were experiencing black ice 2 to 6 times, every year, before we finally shifted to studded tires. It makes a huge difference.

If it was not for the ice? We likely would not use studs.



The only option for a cautious driver [without studs] for when there is black ice on the road, is to stay home.

[lovemaine]

Originally Posted by Three Wolves In Snow

My only concern about the driving is that I have to get up at the crack of dawn and what if the plows aren't out yet?

Sure, in towns they may have been but what about all along Route 1? All 65 miles I have to drive?

What about those hills I have to go up...what if I get stuck behind someone who is driving like a snail up those hills and I lose traction? (These people can't drive when there's NOTHING on the roads...now we are talking about adding snow and ice to the same roads?)

Those sharp curves....even going slow, throw in a patch of ice, could be serious issues. Would winter tires help in that regard? Of course one should drive much slower and use way more caution but again, those hills and some of those sharp curves on route 1...yah, they do concern me in winter time.

But, again, I am not sure I'm going to have the means to get winter tires in time. I have all season...mud and snow...I guess that's the same? I don't know, I have mud and snow tires. But they are not winter tires.

Last year, during our "mild" winter, I was at a stop light, it turned green, I was making a left turn and even though I took off slowly, I still skidded. You can see why I might be a little anxious about the hills and sharp curves.

Also keep in mind, my vehicle is VERY light even if I throw a couple buckets of cat litter in the back to add some weight.

What will this winter be like? Some have told me it will be mild, like last year, some have told me we are supposed to expect horrible conditions this year. It's definitely something on my mind.

From my experience, Route 1 is especially well taken care of since it's the major highway along the coast. If you can swing winter tires, go for it. Better to be safe, especially since you have a long commute. Good luck!

[Three Wolves In Snow]

Originally Posted by lovemaine

From my experience, Route 1 is especially well taken care of since it's the major highway along the coast. If you can swing winter tires, go for it. Better to be safe, especially since you have a long commute. Good luck!

What if it starts snowing at 4am and I have to be on the road by 4:45am, (giving myself plenty of time to get there since I would have to drive like a turtle), will the plows be out that quick, all along that route?

I'm talking 1A...basically Bangor, Hampden, Winterport, etc to Route 1, all the way to Camden, Rockport, etc.

Will they really have that all plowed in 45 minutes?

I don't know if I will have enough for winter tires...is the point. If I don't...this is going to really suck.