Block Heater and other Winter Preparation (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Tom Owen
- Start date
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This is one of the glove set ups I use for extreme cold. I can operate a GoPro no problem with these liners. When it is that cold I use the toe warmers (since they have adheasive) stuck to the inside of my mittens. It’s a shame Ibex (made in USA) went out of business, I bought all they had in 3 differant sizes of these liners when they were on close out.
If you are thinking of buying a block heater and battery pad and not getting proper snow tires, your priorities are misplaced. Snow tires should be considered mandatory equipment. Driving on winter roads in Alaska without them is grossly negligent.
At that temp it depends on the camera battery more then anything. . in the northern Adirondacks we see negative 20+ almost all of february. gopro tends to works as i feel the processor keeps the battery warm enough to operate. i usually have to keep 2 or 3 extra batteries for my DSLR in a bag with a hand warmer as the one in the camera will not work for more than 20-30 min if the air temp is below zero.. Last year i tried shooting some mountain top picks in a -75 w/wind and could not even get the DSLR to turn on but go pro ran for almost an hour before it shut down.
I think you would need to keep the camera batteries warm as much as possible.
Just a word of caution on the block heaters. The USA market never approved the installation of the block heaters. These were sold out of Canada and they recently had a recall on these parts due to the potential of fire. Some people have purchased these block heaters directly from Canadian dealers or directly from the supplier. You may want to check to make sure you do not purchase a recalled part or have one in your current vehicle.
The Canadian recall is labled SRC R39. These were never authorized for sale by Toyota USA so the recall will not be valid on US spec vehicles.
The updated parts are now 200w and poss a different cord.
SRC R39– Dealer Launch Announcement
Subject: Safety Recall Campaign R39 Launch - Accessory Engine Block Heater Cord (Specific Toyota Models and Model Years)
As announced on July 20, 2017, Toyota is initiating a Safety Recall Campaign (Ref. # R39) on certain Toyota models and model years. Technical Instructions on this campaign will be available later today on TIS.
Launch as well as customer mailing will start on January 5, 2018. All affected vehicles will be visible to you on automatic campaign inquiry, consolidated vehicle service history and your owner follow-up report on that day.
Vehicle Safety and Compliance Liaison Office - Canada
The Canadian recall is labled SRC R39. These were never authorized for sale by Toyota USA so the recall will not be valid on US spec vehicles.
The updated parts are now 200w and poss a different cord.
SRC R39– Dealer Launch Announcement
Subject: Safety Recall Campaign R39 Launch - Accessory Engine Block Heater Cord (Specific Toyota Models and Model Years)
As announced on July 20, 2017, Toyota is initiating a Safety Recall Campaign (Ref. # R39) on certain Toyota models and model years. Technical Instructions on this campaign will be available later today on TIS.
Launch as well as customer mailing will start on January 5, 2018. All affected vehicles will be visible to you on automatic campaign inquiry, consolidated vehicle service history and your owner follow-up report on that day.
Vehicle Safety and Compliance Liaison Office - Canada
- Thread starter
- #31
I have been traveling for a few weeks and just returned so would like to renew this conversation. I have BF Goodrich LT285/60R18 K02 All Terrain tires and do not have snow tires. I would like to know if snow tires are absolutely necessary for this trip or if tire chains will suffice. With regard to tire chains, I understand that there are issues with using front tire chains on the 2013 Landcruiser. Can I get through this trip with my K02 tires and only rear tire chains? What brand and size chains are recommended for the rear and/or front tires. Any and all suggestions in this topic are appreciated.
Why can’t you use front chains? I’ve had chains all the way around on my ‘13 LX. Really for chains Its recommended to have them on the “drive wheels” all 4 on the LC or you will have a dramatic traction difference between axles. And if you had to have them on just 2 wheels it should be the front. I use these chains pictured and they come in your size. Also get a pack of rubber bungee cords to secure them in case you have them on a bunch. I think your going to have a harder time finding wide enough chains for 285s as skinny tires are better in winter.
KO2s are snowflake rated but are not a winter tire. Since they have the snowflake I would consider them the bare minimum.
The big veriable is what the weather will be. You could wait until about a week or two before your trip and see what is going on.
The long term forecast looks like El Niño with this persistnat high pressure over the gulf of AK. What that means most likely is precipitation off and on most of the winter. However the question is what form it will be in. If it’s snow you will be ok, fresh snow gives traction. See my previous comments that some AT and all season tires do ok on fresh snow. If it is like we had 2 and 3 winters ago with 34 degree rain followed by sub zero it will be solid ice and I would consider snow tires.
It’s hard to say at this point. You could be completely fine with the KO2s and not see much snow/ice, could be dumping snow most days and limp by, or could be solid ice and driving <40 mph white knuckled with chains on most of the trip.
KO2s are snowflake rated but are not a winter tire. Since they have the snowflake I would consider them the bare minimum.
The big veriable is what the weather will be. You could wait until about a week or two before your trip and see what is going on.
The long term forecast looks like El Niño with this persistnat high pressure over the gulf of AK. What that means most likely is precipitation off and on most of the winter. However the question is what form it will be in. If it’s snow you will be ok, fresh snow gives traction. See my previous comments that some AT and all season tires do ok on fresh snow. If it is like we had 2 and 3 winters ago with 34 degree rain followed by sub zero it will be solid ice and I would consider snow tires.
It’s hard to say at this point. You could be completely fine with the KO2s and not see much snow/ice, could be dumping snow most days and limp by, or could be solid ice and driving <40 mph white knuckled with chains on most of the trip.
- Thread starter
- #33
coleAK, I have never used chains in the past as my experience is deep desert not deep snow, so please excuse my ignorance. That said, I read in another section of this forum that there may be a problem with front chains on the Landcruiser 200 series due to limited space between the tire and the Upper Control Arm (UCA). There seems to be so controversy on this issue but I simply do not know. Chains all around only seems logical, however, I would not like to destroy my UCA on this remote road. Apparently, there is no issue with the rear tire chains. What do you think? Perhaps we should look for someone familiar with the area and conditions to either accompany us or check us out prior to this trip.....I do like your idea of taking a ferry from Washington and am checking into that option.
- Thread starter
- #34
coleAK, I have never used chains in the past as my experience is deep desert not deep snow, so please excuse my ignorance. That said, I read in another section of this forum that there may be a problem with front chains on the Landcruiser 200 series due to limited space between the tire and the Upper Control Arm (UCA). There seems to be so controversy on this issue but I simply do not know. Chains all around only seems logical, however, I would not like to destroy my UCA on this remote road. Apparently, there is no issue with the rear tire chains. What do you think? Perhaps we should look for someone familiar with the area and conditions to either accompany us or check us out prior to this trip.....I do like your idea of taking a ferry from Washington and am checking into that option.
I looked under my LX (bone stock). And I have about 5-6 cm Clarence between the tire and shock. The UCA is above the top of my tire. Chains come in all different size and thickness and mud chains tend to be on the larger end of chain diameter. I would order he ones from chain stop or pick a few similar style from amazon. Then try them all on and look at the clearance.
Yeeouch! It was 18F at my house this AM and I was bitching about the cold.
I’m headed to Mt Washington this weekend for a summit bid. The expectation is -21 and about -40 with the windchill. So, for ColeAK, a walk to the mailbox.
In my opinion when it gets much below 10F is just really cold so colder that that dosnt matter much. Until it gets below -20F then it’s no skin can be showing and goggles required extra cold and the dog dosnt even want to go out. Saturday evening when I was coaching my kids ski team it was -10 and my nostrils would freeze together if I uncovered my face.
Where were you skiing? Mt. Alyeska?
