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Vans in snow!

54K views 51 replies 31 participants last post by  FRAME2FINISH 
#1 ·
I'm considering buying a cargo van for my next work vehicle. The problem is, I live in a relatively rural area of Wisconsin and we get quite a bit of snow/sleet/ice. I'm worried that a 2wd van won't hack it. I also don't know if a 1/2 ton awd Chevy van can handle enough weight for me and those 4x4 conversions are a little out of my price range.:rolleyes:

Any how, every time I ask another local contractor how their van works in winter I get the old, ah it works fine. The thing is most guys around here (myself included to some degree) tend to just make things work and I want the vehicle to work WELL.

Anyone have any personal opinions to share about using vans in snowy areas? Thanks!
 
#35 ·
I believe the opinions of what vehicle is good in snow and what tires are good in snow will vary by location, how the vehicle is set up and how good the driver is. I myself have driven in snow all my life and i also like to think i know how to drive. My old Dodge van was a tank in snow because it had a posi rear, short wheelbase for better balance and i always ran aggressive mud tires on the rear and weight in the back. Pushing snow with the bumper was a common occurrence going to and from work. Same went for all the Honda's i have owned, put aggressive tires on it and lug the engine in the hills and the junks would chug everywhere you wanted to go. I had a Dodge Dakota 2X4 with a cap, bed full of tools and aggressive snows on the rear that would chug around in 12" of snow with no issues. My ECSB diesel i run Cooper Discovery M/S for the winter, i can plow most driveways in 2X4 and no weight in the bed. I put the loaded sander on and it is almost unstoppable in 4X4. Chains are good for emergencies but i personally do not use them, but for some locations it is mandatory to run them.
 
#36 · (Edited)
I'm sure every area is different. Last year here they had trouble plowing all the roads. The massive plows the DOT used couldn't even plow the roads well. They even had them massive graders trying to move the snow from the road but with no luck. i think they called it verglas. I couldn't find them pics from last year on the interstate but it's the worst I had ever seen a road. Hundreds of cars at the side of the road and only 2" of compacted snow on the road but it was like an ice rink. I was the only vehicle on that 5 mile stretch that was moving and had my normal summer tires on. I didn't even miss my normal sat visit to chik-fil-a. Even our brand new chevy 3/4 ton got stuck a few weeks ago in just 3" of snow. Guy pulled around a car that was sideways on the road and the truck hit the soft mud and got stuck. They do pull trailers with the trucks though so getting stuck is pretty common.


it was like this

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1077j_route-tres-glissante-verglas-portla_auto
 
#37 · (Edited)
In Vancouver we're not allowed having studded tires, unfortunately, but then again we don't need it most of the time.

I'm originally from New Brunswick (east coast) and I've driven in snow my whole life. There is a huge difference with or without snow tires.

Your stopping distance with snow tires is very good compared to without.

Traction is a huge difference. Snow tires have much softer rubber so when they're cold they have better traction. Normal tires when they get cold, the rubber gets hard and you might as well be driving with blocks of ice as your tires.

You can easily see the difference pulling up to a snowy intersection who has snow tires and who doesn't. (hopefully the guy behind you does). And good luck going up a hill without them.

If the snow is well compacted on the road and hasn't been salted or sanded then it might as well be ice and unless you have studded tires your life will be tough either way.

There are highways here in BC that they have inspections in rough conditions. If you don't have snow tires you're not goin through.


Before buying snow tires it's good to read reviews, if buying used it's important to check the wear. Since the rubber is softer they wear out much faster, especially if driven during warm weather. I like tirerack.com for buying tires and reading reviews.

However, some people just can't drive in snow no matter what tires they have. :laughing:
 
#44 ·
I have a 4wd suburban for when the going gets tough but also an 08 170" Sprinter and I was surprised at how well it acted in the snow after last years blizzard (not IN the blizzard!). It's loaded with electronics and the electronic traction/abs system did surprisingly well but snow tires would be in order for snowier climates. The 4wd Quigly Chevy conversion vans look like a nice mix but you can't load 16' long trim in them :)
 
#45 ·
my van would pull that trailer anywhere anytime,

my van alone weighs 8000# loaded i grew up in the snobelt so i can drive in any climate.

i had a wagon that was a tank,i should also add it had 4' of snow frozen onto the roof rack[wifes car] she was a moving snobank when she dare venture out.

i can make my van spin if i want, but 1/2 the time she just pulls away,

i will take some vid in the snow it should be here anyday.

oh and for the sake of argument. the only option i dont have is mirror turnsignals, because i have them heated. and it was still cheaper than a truck, with less options.
 
#50 ·
Just to add to the conversation...all the Ford passenger vans I've had in the past have have had posi rear ends. They drive way better in snow. I suspect the posi has to do with a safety issue, but I can't be certain.

I also found that under powered vans/trucks are much easier to keep from breaking loose. The best one I've driven was a stick with an in line 6.
Short shifting is also a big plus.

Posi + weght + low power + stick + short shifting + snow tires = traction
Joe
 
#51 ·
Never new what posi traction was. Just had to do a google search. LSD :thumbsup: problem is LSD can only do so much. If you have one wheel with no grip they ain't much use. Almost as bad as having an open rear end but they do help. Your better of with a locker. Does anyone make a locker that functions as a LSD when it's not locked. That's the only down side I see with having a locker.
 
#52 ·
my van has a locker in the rear, as soon as the tires rotate 1/2 a turn as if its slipping the front end locks in,

so its never in awd unless it needs to be. i never drove my trucks in 4x4 anyway, waste of gas imo.

i use it for offroad and if i am in a yard or bad driveway /site.i have a fourwheeler to beat up i found its way cheaper lol
 
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