Driving south in winter. Winter tire dilema.

[Old Ironmaker]

I put the wifes new winters on a few weeks ago. We were planning a trip to Florida after the New Year. Since this will be her 1st post retirement road trip we don't have a time line. 3 weeks at least. We/I have driven this many times before. The last time was a nightmare with the so call All Seasons, yea right. We got hit with a storm from Buffalo to Pittsburg, then ice all the way to Georgia. It took me 3 days to get from Niagara Falls to Ft. Myers, it should be 28 hrs driving time. By the time we got to Savanah I was ready to tap out . I wished we had snows on. Now that there are snows on once we get to warm weather I will destroy those tires driving in Florida. I don't intend on bringing 4 spare summer tires we have or buying All Seasons. If I take the Chevy Silverado V8 4X4 we might as well fly and rent but then it won't be 3 weeks plus renting a car unless I can get a super deal. I haven't priced a rental car in Fla for 12 years. I need to do that. What do other Snowbirds do that drive? Thanks all.

edit: It was usually Fall and Spring when I drove down. Many times. I would drive Mom and Dads car to the condo in Oct. and fly back then fly down in April and drive back. It was January when we got caught in the storm.

Car rental 23 days, Lauderdale, $1000.00 Hyundai Sonata with Budget. Best deal advertised, wowza.

 

[alldodge]

Only tire that really works on snow and "ice" are those with chains installed. I installed Toyo open country AT last year and do like them for all around. Going to install Toyo QT on the wife's Caddy this week

 

[southkogs]

Best I can offer you is the "mid-field" report from Tennessee: I expect a colder and "snowy-er" winter than normal, as our temps have below normal, and the almanac is telling us we'll have a rougher one. Most of the snow fall we have in this state happens between mid-January and the beginning of March. So, you'd be right in the target bullseye.

That said: I really don't think it matters what tires you have on your car down here. Snow on the roads is gonna' slow you waaaaaaaay down for two reasons that are very different from "up North:" 1) we ice up faster. Our snow is a much wetter snow, and we like to keep a layer of ice close at hand. It's usually only on the ground for a day or two, but when you have hills like we do ... it's a flat out mess. And 2) we don't have the clearing equipment to properly clear roads from snow and ice. For the amount of time we have it on the ground, and the amount of snow/ice we get, the cost of the equipment to really clear the roads like up North is not really worth it. (Repeat the part about a mess and hills) Snow tires would help you some when it snows, but not enough to keep you rolling quick and easy. If you roll a Yahtzee on the way down and meet a snowstorm south of the Mason-Dixon ... you're gonna' be crawlin' even in a 4x4.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

During that ice up from Pittsburg all the way to Georgia we had the entire I-95 to ourselves, for many miles I followed the only car on the road. A few had pulled off on those run away hills they have on 95. It was strange. It didn't register until I talked to someone in W.Virginia. They weren't going out in those conditions. Smart. I grew up with it but still not something I recommend. That's why we took our time, my wife refused to drive after she was the one driving on I-90 when we got hammered with snow coming off Lake Erie so hard we couldn't find the exits at Erie. I'm having a flashback. I'll take the truck and eat the fuel bill. And take our time. There's much of America to see between here and Florida. What's a gallon of gas going for now on average? Guaranteed to be much less than here in Ontario. $1.30 for less than a US quart a few weeks ago. Snow I can deal with, wet or dry, it's the ice that will kill you. And I will take the hill free, flat boring I-75 over the picturesque hilly 95 from now on, or fly. I can probably buy a car down there for the price of a rental and sell it before we leave.

 

[alldodge]

Gas is around 2.30 something
Use gassbuddy.com to have a look

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Gas is around 2.30 something
Use gassbuddy.com to have a look

A quart? I know a gallon, I just can't bring myself to say it. But don't y'all forget, Health Care is free here. Thank you AD. How's the back? Better I hope.

 

[Scott Danforth]

What brand of winter tires?

are they heavily siped?

the softer compounds wont be a problem, however heavily siped winter tires will feel like your driving on pudding down here.

Gas in St Pete is as low as $2.29 a gallon. I filled up this morning at $2.31 in Bradenton.

Check priceline on car rentals. you may get as low as $10 a day.

 

[alldodge]

How's the back? Better I hope.

Getting better, thanks
Been walking around the yard a few times a day and things are better. Going to see a Gastro tomorrow and just picked up my Med records from the hospital to take with

 

[aspeck]

Gas here in PA is anywhere from $2.59 - $2.75 a gallon thanks to our $0.53 (or there about) a gallon state tax.

As for tires, nothing is good on ice. A good all-season is fine in the snow. I just came from Colorado to PA in snow through Missouri and Illinois and again in West Virginia and PA and rain and freezing rain in Ohio. Vehicle I was driving had nearly bald all-seasons and we did just fine. Made the 22 hour drive in 32 hours with a 7 hour stop for sleep and food where it was the worst.

I would just plan on all-season. The ice storm you are referring to was an exceptional mess. Most are not that messy.

 

[garbageguy]

+1 on all-seasons for your situation. Watch the weather and plan accordingly - tight schedule isn't an issue, right?

Gasoline is about $3/gal in WNY (cheaper on a res)

 

[dingbat]

During that ice up from Pittsburg all the way to Georgia we had the entire I-95 to ourselves, for many miles I followed the only car on the road. A few had pulled off on those run away hills they have on 95. It was strange. It didn't register until I talked to someone in W.Virginia. They weren't going out in those conditions. Smart. I grew up with it but still not something I recommend. That's why we took our time, my wife refused to drive after she was the one driving on I-90 when we got hammered with snow coming off Lake Erie so hard we couldn't find the exits at Erie. I'm having a flashback. I'll take the truck and eat the fuel bill. And take our time. There's much of America to see between here and Florida. What's a gallon of gas going for now on average? Guaranteed to be much less than here in Ontario. $1.30 for less than a US quart a few weeks ago. Snow I can deal with, wet or dry, it's the ice that will kill you. And I will take the hill free, flat boring I-75 over the picturesque hilly 95 from now on, or fly. I can probably buy a car down there for the price of a rental and sell it before we leave.

No wonder it took you 3 days...dont know where you’re going.....lol.

Rt. 95 isn’t anywhere near Pittsburgh nor is it hilly......got to be one of the flattest in the country..lol

Why your taking Rt. 79 and Rt. 77 thru the mountains of W.Virginia and North Carolina in winter weather is puzzling.

Takes me 7 hrs. plus customs to get to Hamilton from Washington via Rt. 219. Taking Rt. 79 along the lake in the winter is just asking for trouble. Little to no chance of snow south of here. Just shy of 13 hours from Washington to Orlando

I have never owned a pair of winter tires. Drive long distance in the snow belt all winter long.

Gas prices vary a lot. Locally it’s $2.30-$2.50 a gallon. PA jacked the gas tax the beginning of the year. Roughly 50 cents higher than surrounding states.

 

[Scott Danforth]

As for tires, nothing is good on ice.

my experience is different. best luck with Dunlop Graspic DS1's on ice.

(even better than the Hakkapelitta Q's). they were just a bit toosoft on dry pavement. was the only vehicle left on the road even after the State troopers went into the ditch running their Blizzaks during many WI and MN ice storms. Ran those on the RX7, both Jettas and the first Audi Q for many years

then again, you could always spend an afternoon with a box of drywall screws to make ice racing tires like we did for the ice drags (stolen pic)

 

[sam60]

Heading from the Mojave to the Sonoran in the early AM. I paid $2.89/gallon to top off today. Ouch! riding on 4 new Generals with 10 miles on them.

 

[sam60]

my experience is different. best luck with Dunlop Graspic DS1's on ice.

(even better than the Hakkapelitta Q's). they were just a bit toosoft on dry pavement. was the only vehicle left on the road even after the State troopers went into the ditch running their Blizzaks during many WI and MN ice storms. Ran those on the RX7, both Jettas and the first Audi Q for many years

then again, you could always spend an afternoon with a box of drywall screws to make ice racing tires like we did for the ice drags (stolen pic)

I love the wheel chock. Just take saw to the handle and throw it the back seat for security.

 

[harringtondav]

Other than 2 yrs in TX and 2 more in NJ, we've lived in IA for 49 legal driving yrs. My read on snowy driving: Yer screwed. Good deep tread is a must. Tire brand or design doesn't matter much. Driving over 45-50 mph on a snow pack leads to the nearest ditch or into someone's trailer hitch. I own 4x4's, but that grab on acceleration disappears when it comes time for quick braking.

I buy decent all season tires. Then adjust to the conditions. No cruise control in a downpour or snow/ice. Keep big distance ahead of you. Test your snow grab frequently by testing the brakes, and slow down if you ain't got much. Keep you hand close to the trans shift and push it into neutral when you loose grab and start to drift. Shift back to 2WD if you're fast enough. That drive train drag doesn't help. And don't touch the brakes. Your pig on ice will straighten itself.

 

[Scott Danforth]

driving in an ice-rally event such as this https://www.motorsportreg.com/event...rack-central-wisconsin-sports-car-club-205069 or this https://www.fvscc.com/ brings a different perspective

 

[dingbat]

driving in an ice-rally event such as this https://www.motorsportreg.com/event...rack-central-wisconsin-sports-car-club-205069 or this https://www.fvscc.com/ brings a different perspective

Looks along the lines of the old dirt/mud racing circuit from years past. Brings back fond memories of "girly" tents and mud racing at the carnival.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Al I know is, when I head south in late Feb I'm keeping my plow tires on. Although, I'll be towing a 5th wheel....

 

[Scott Danforth]

Al I know is, when I head south in late Feb I'm keeping my plow tires on. Although, I'll be towing a 5th wheel....

Not enough siping to be useful on ice. See if your local tire center has a bandag machine to sipe the tires

 

[WIMUSKY]

Not enough siping to be useful on ice. See if your local tire center has a bandag machine to sipe the tires

Idk, there will be a lot of tongue weight over the rear axle. Had them for a few years now...