Could use advice from people in cold climates.

I would not spend to much on the 4runner. After the first couple months of frigid weather you will be ready to get the heck out of there. I grew up in Ohio which is not as cold as where your going and would never move back to a cold climate.
 
03_4x4Runner said:
I would not spend to much on the 4runner. After the first couple months of frigid weather you will be ready to get the heck out of there. I grew up in Ohio which is not as cold as where your going and would never move back to a cold climate.
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After Nam I was stationed in Tennessee for 2 years. I'll NEVER move back to the HOT climate weather again. Inside 3 months out of the year because the heat is so oppressive.
 
Studded winter tires make the world of difference. Duratracs are ok in the winter, they do have a slightly softer rubber which is why they wear out quicker than say BFG A/T's. I would stud the Duratracs though. Studded isn't at all a necessity but it sure is nice when you find yourself in that sketchy situation this winter. You will have one, or two. Even being cautious, **** can go south real quick.

In the back of your truck keep a tow rope (Lots of the time its to help others), shovel, warm gloves, emergency blanket, bag of nuts, candles. Im sure you can think of other things.

Wax your car now as others have mentioned. Any mods you want to do, do now unless you have access to a heated garage.
 
One important one, which I have heard of some people doing - DO NOT air down your tires!

If anything, overinflate a bit. You want your tires cutting through the ice/snow, not floating on top.
 
TRDCal said:
I might get flamed for this because I really don't know what winters are like in Sun Valley (they don't sound cold :D). Personally I wouldn't drive in the winter with Mud/All-terrain tires. Even if there "rated" for snow.
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Seriously? Duratrac's are more than adequate in the snow, plain and simple. I agree on the 4500lb rig issue though, most people think because they can get moving fast, they can stop fast.

Most important thing, don't complain about the cold weather and snow to the locals. If you decide you don't like it, move.

Sun Valley / Ketchum is a great area! Learn to ski or board and have fun!
 
I think the MT issue is more geared towards those us running non-siped tires. The AT's are fine in the snow/ice. Those of us with non-siped mud tires have zero traction on ice.
 
KingPrat said:
Not flamed, but more curiosity. I had ATs on for years now, and was never unhappy with traction in the snow, even if my Jeep spent the night outside. How much colder is it up in Ontario than upstate NY? I've never used a snow tire, either.

Now, they were Nokian's, which is a solid winter tire manuf, but not sure what difference the compound could be between different types of AT tires.
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Well I sense are hard head with MtnBkr so he's not worth my time but Ill reply to you KingPrat.

Firstly, at home I have the same climate as upstate NY, hell i'm 30mins from the border. But I do travel to more northern locations that would have slightly more severe condition, nothing crazy tho.

I'm not saying that if you have ATs your going to crash. But I am saying that if you took two identical 4runners, one with AT's and one with a dedicate snow tire and you did a brake test, the one with winters will stop sooner.

And sure you could drive around for years with AT's having no problems and thats because you could also drive around for years and never be in a panic braking situation. The problem with not having a proper winter tire is, by the time you realize you need them, its too late.

Bottom line, there's a reason why many insurance companys offer discounts to drivers with winter tires and also why its the law in Quebec to have winter tires on your vehicle from December to March
 
TRDCal said:
I'm not saying that if you have ATs your going to crash. But I am saying that if you took two identical 4runners, one with AT's and one with a dedicate snow tire and you did a brake test, the one with winters will stop sooner.
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I won't argue with you here, but I don't believe shelling out another grand for snow tires is worth it. Are Duratracs as good as snow tires? No. But I don't agree with making the guy feel like he needs to run out and buy snow tires to be safe. I've owned plenty of vehicles with snow tires and the Duratrac's are damn near as good.

Not trying to flame, I just don't feel like snow tires should be a priority for the guy, given the expense.

And for what it's worth, Sun Valley winters are not as extreme as what you experience up north.
 
Ok, so everyone advice seems to be different here, but I guess you'll just have to average it all together.

Here is my thoughts, when I first learned how to drive a few years back my father when the winter hit told me to go out and find an empty parking lot with the least amount of obstructions in it and while using common sense, explore the vehicles limits and lose control and attempt to regain control and to also learn how to safely stop it. I do this for each vehicle i drive so i can safely control each of them and also so i can learn how each one handles in the conditions. IMO its safest to drive a vehicle in the snow if you understand and know its limits, and to the best of my knowledge there is no real way to know the limit is if you push it to beyond its limit (in a safe environment).Now I run all season tires and have driven in many 18-24" storms with no real issues, I have no intention upon buying or using snow or snow rated tires ever.
 
I would say POR 15 the under carriage. Its a fairly cheap way to make sure it stays nice and tidy under there. Those salt roads are a real b***h to cars
 
Glad OCMEDIC posted this topic. Just moved from the south to the midwest couple of months ago & was thinking the same thing. It was 50 degrees this morning & I saw people waking around in shorts & t-shirts...crazy! I was in jeans & a hoddie & was made fun of at work. I already know I am going to freeze my ass off. :(
Saw some posters saying that they wash their truck in the winter. I understand the concept, but won't it just freeze.
Do I need antifreeze?
I know, probably stupid questions. But I am use to 80 degrees year round. I'm going to miss that.
 
I have one thing to point out and then I done arguing my point. I run a dedicated set of winter tires, as does 70% of the population up here. It's just what we do. I'm not going to get into cultural difference, I already went there in a "do you drive with a gun" thread which didn't turn out as planned. Its your rig and your life, do as you please.

As for the "I drive in 30inches of snow in my summer tires with no problem" comments. Congratulations on your large penis, but guess what? Driving in large accumulations of snow is about as predictable as driving on pavement. Ice is the killer, I'm taking about when you only see the stop sign at the last minute (we've all done it) and have to slam on the brakes or when your going 60mph on a dry paved highway but them you come up to a bridge that is a sheet of ice. Thats when you'll want winter tires.

Just my theory...But as MtnBkr (who turned out to not be hard headed, I retract my comment :D) said, maybe the severity of Sun Valley winters doesn't warrant them. I don't know I've never been there. I'm just giving my opinion as I'm a "person from a cold climate"
 
TRDCal said:
I have one thing to point out and then I done arguing my point. I run a dedicated set of winter tires, as does 70% of the population up here. It's just what we do. I'm not going to get into cultural difference, I already went there in a "do you drive with a gun" thread which didn't turn out as planned. Its your rig and your life, do as you please.

As for the "I drive in 30inches of snow in my summer tires with no problem" comments. Congratulations on your large penis, but guess what? Driving in large accumulations of snow is about as predictable as driving on pavement. Ice is the killer, I'm taking about when you only see the stop sign at the last minute (we've all done it) and have to slam on the brakes or when your going 60mph on a dry paved highway but them you come up to a bridge that is a sheet of ice. Thats when you'll want winter tires.

Just my theory...But as MtnBkr (who turned out to not be hard headed, I retract my comment :D) said, maybe the severity of Sun Valley winters doesn't warrant them. I don't know I've never been there. I'm just giving my opinion as I'm a "person from a cold climate"
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I can relate man! There was a thread debating which 4WD system was the best. I said I would take the full time 4x4 on the V8 and I got attacked, people saying the V6 was better because it is the same 4WD with the addition of 2WD option. I just said that in my opinion full time 4WD was the best because of the unpredictable road/ice conditions that you won't have time to switch. I hate when people ask for opinions and then jump on you when you voice yours.
 
i live in edmonton, alberta canada. our streets get plowed when it snows, but the problem is not so much the snow, it's the packed remelted snow aka ice. this is where tires r important. it gets to to -40c in the winter, that is without the windchill. i was running the bfg t/a ko all season snow rated and i was scared shi"a"tless last yr during winter. i have an awd 04 4x4 as a winter vehicle, and that 4500lb weight was slipping and sliding like crazy. i was scared enough that i got dedicated winters this yr for my safety and the safety of my family b/c my driving distance does not change during the summer to winter. (2000 km/month x 7 months). AND the only way u r going to slow down safely is dedicated winter tires. think of it as a safety/life mod.

as for gear: flashlight, extra pair of warm mitts, shovel, toque, recovery gear to help people, winter washer fluid, ice/snow scraper.

if i am missing anything, just flip through your walmart flyers when winter rolls around and u will know.
 
syb65 said:
i live in edmonton, alberta canada. our streets get plowed when it snows, but the problem is not so much the snow, it's the packed remelted snow aka ice. this is where tires r important. it gets to to -40c in the winter, that is without the windchill. i was running the bfg t/a ko all season snow rated and i was scared shi"a"tless last yr during winter. i have an awd 04 4x4 as a winter vehicle, and that 4500lb weight was slipping and sliding like crazy. i was scared enough that i got dedicated winters this yr for my safety and the safety of my family b/c my driving distance does not change during the summer to winter. (2000 km/month x 7 months). AND the only way u r going to slow down safely is dedicated winter tires. think of it as a safety/life mod.

as for gear: flashlight, extra pair of warm mitts, shovel, toque, recovery gear to help people, winter washer fluid, ice/snow scraper.

if i am missing anything, just flip through your walmart flyers when winter rolls around and u will know.
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I live in Edmonton too. I can definitely confirm what syb65 has just said about road condition over here when snow start melt and freeze in one day. So, should not be as bad in Sun Valley i guess but proper driving technique and no rush is the most important with any type of tires.
Remote starter - for your comfort.
Get all fluids changed for appropriate.
I got my 4runner last fall, decided to run with all season tires - got some stress over winter. Gonna get something more suitable this year.
Still undecided what to choose - studded Duratrac (nice off road look) or winter tires.
Taking in account that my wife will also drive this winter, most likely have to forgot about Dura. :)
 
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