Do I needs chains for my Subaru to drive to skiing? (Seattle: eat, vehicle)

[mkarch]

Originally Posted by ctr88

I will second having lived in VT that winter driving is much, much, much tougher then most anywhere in WA State, even the passes. VT gets a lot of snow everywhere in the state and is much colder then WA State so more icy conditions. And VT is extremely hilly & mountainous. It isn't about elevation numbers at all. If you have driven in VT, you have driven in the toughest winter driving conditions you will find anywhere in the lower 48.

Tougher in that you can't drive there with a Subaru on snow tires?

[tessypooh]

Just an update - highway 2 out to Stevens Pass was not too bad yesterday. The dark and my waning night vision (am I really in my mid forties already...) were the only issue. The roads were not particularly slick. 5 degrees colder and it would have been a different story...

[ctr88]

Originally Posted by mkarch

Tougher in that you can't drive there with a Subaru on snow tires?

Most people I know in Vermont put on studded snow tires every winter and switch back to summer tires end of April. Vermont is a very rural state with a lot of very hilly country roads. And I would say a majority of the people in the state drive 4WD. There is a ton of ice and snow everywhere in the whole state, all winter long and lots of steep hills. The entire state of VT has weather similar to what you see just in the mountain pass areas of WA, except colder.

[Teckeeee]

Ironic, I was just looking at my buddy's 09 Subbie Outback wagon and I told him from first hand experience Sub has the best AWD, except maybe Audi.

I unintentionally drove in over 1 feet of fresh powder in Colorado with almost balled tires and barely lost traction. No other vehicle was out that day, except the plows.

[analogkid84]

Chains are fairly cheap compared to the price of a Subaru. Why not carry a set as a bit of insurance? Keep the receipt and return them at the end of the season if you don't use them, otherwise if this is to be a regular deal for you I don't see why you wouldn't want them. Kind of like keeping a blanket or two and some snacks and water in the car, just in case.

[mkarch]

Originally Posted by analogkid84

Chains are fairly cheap compared to the price of a Subaru. Why not carry a set as a bit of insurance? Keep the receipt and return them at the end of the season if you don't use them, otherwise if this is to be a regular deal for you I don't see why you wouldn't want them. Kind of like keeping a blanket or two and some snacks and water in the car, just in case.

It sounds good in theory but back before AWD cars were popular here it was common to see 2 things - a lot of chains laying on the road, either because they broke or weren't installed properly, and cars with the front fenders missing most of their paint from a chain that came loose.

If you're going to rely on chains, you should buy a quality set and PRACTICE installing them in the snow before you need them. The cheap sets kept for 'emergencies' are usually junk.

[Teckeeee]

Originally Posted by mkarch

It sounds good in theory but back before AWD cars were popular here it was common to see 2 things - a lot of chains laying on the road, either because they broke or weren't installed properly, and cars with the front fenders missing most of their paint from a chain that came loose.

If you're going to rely on chains, you should buy a quality set and PRACTICE installing them in the snow before you need them. The cheap sets kept for 'emergencies' are usually junk.

I have tire cables, much easier, with a zig zag pattern work very well.

[analogkid84]

Originally Posted by Colorado xxxxx

I have tire cables, much easier, with a zig zag pattern work very well.

Actually, this is what I would have opted for as well and, of course, to practice installing/removing them before you actually need them.

[Teckeeee]

Originally Posted by analogkid84

Actually, this is what I would have opted for as well and, of course, to practice installing/removing them before you actually need them.

If you have the space and weight, bring a floor jack, I have done that skiing and it saved me once.

[UrbanAdventurer]

Typically you're okay with an AWD vehicle and don't require any other special equipment, although dedicated snow tires do make a huge difference in traction. Alot of AWD vehicles expressly forbid chains or cables to be used as it may damage the AWD system.

"Chains required" usually is for semi trucks and other commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs.