Ouray, CO trip next week, snow chains?

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LonghornLX

LonghornLX

10 Year
Joined
Jun 9, 2015
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4
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152
Location
Austin, TX
Going on a winter get away and heading up to Ouray,CO for the first time next week. I am heading from the south through ABQ, New Mexico off of HWY 550. (unless there is a better way)

I am running 285/75/R18 Toyo RT's great tire but this would be a first on snow with the set. Any advice for snow chains or is it overkill ?

Also if anybody has been around the area around this time please share your experience.

Thanks for any advice given.
 
Road Conditions, Speeds, Travel Times, Traffic Cameras, Live Streaming Traffic Cameras, Road Closures and Road Work Information provided by Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) a branch of Colorado Department of Transportation

This is a great resource for anyone traveling to CO. I just checked the weather for Ouray next week – it'll be snowing, but nothing CDOT shouldn't be able to handle. CDOT does a great job of plowing and staying ahead of storms by putting down rocks/salt. Unless it's a major storm coming through (doesn't look that way next week), the roads should be clear and you'll be fine with your Toyo's. That being said, Colorado can implement passenger vehicle chain laws (code 16) as a last measure before shutting down highways.

Just as a precaution, I'm always over-prepared in the mountains. Not just for my safety, but for others. Weather/conditions can change on a dime and it won't be forecasted (mountains cause their own micro-climates). I know I likely won't get stuck in snow with my LX, but I can't tell you how many times I've pulled sedans and SUV's out of snow. It might not be forecasted to snow, but wind can cause snow-drifts and a road can now have a couple inches of the white stuff. Buy a set of chains, you never know when they'll come in handy. And if you've got room, bring some recovery gear (not likely for you, but for others).

Bottomline: You should be more than fine, but an ounce of prevention yada yada yada....

Have fun! Ouray is one of the most beautiful mountain towns in CO.
 
Just came back from there in July. No way I'd be driving on those roads when there's snow/ice! Not worth it. Good luck.
 
It's better to have them and not need them, rather than need them and not have them right?
 
I just ordered a set of chains for the front and back along with a shovel and other survival/recovery gear in preparation.

I am definitely keeping an eye on the weather.

Thanks @LXColorado
 
In the event you need them, run them in the rear to start and see if you can't get where you need to go. There are a few more risks with running chains on the front for ifs suspension, but if you reallllly need to then you can put them on and just take it slow
 
I was sold on the 100 series first time I drove in heavy snow. It's amazing, even with good (8/32" tread or >) stock tires.

That said:
Keep speed down as these rigs are so comfortable in bad weather they blow everyone else off the road, literary.

With any car or truck give plenty of distance between any car you're following, and drive like Granma.

Don't freak-out on ice, keep all movements very gradual. Just letting off gas peddle can put you into spin, just keep slow and steady.

Watch out for deep snow, as you can become high centered, taking weight off tires. AHC would be great in this situation.
 
2001LC said:
Just letting off gas peddle can put you into spin
Click to expand...

This is not the first time I've read on MUD that the 100-series rear end has a tendency to want to come around, especially on slippery downhill grades. I haven't driven the LX in snow yet, anyone else here experience this?
 
KINGER said:
This is not the first time I've read on MUD that the 100-series rear end has a tendency to want to come around, especially on slippery downhill grades. I haven't driven the LX in snow yet, anyone else here experience this?
Click to expand...
No, not really specific to the 100 series. In fact it does better than any vehicle I've driven. But on ice nothing does well, without fresh studded snow tires.

I've driven many different cars in the mountains going up to ski, over past ~45 years. From Datsun 240Z, tiny Datsun pick-ups, GTO, 4 wheel drive Subaru's & Pathfinders' to old Buick's and other rear will drives. The 100 series is far better than any other I've driven even Subaru which is a very good snow car.

I learned to drive in rear wheel non ABS or A-Trick! I don't like that stuff. Driving properly it's never even activates. Biggest problem I have is not pumping brakes. I've often considered putting a kill switch in for ABS. But have just learned to drive so it never comes on.

I've had many terrifying experience driving in Colorado, but never in the 100. I just have to remember to slow down and it's all good.

The most notable (terrifying) was driving a 240Z coming out of Eisenhower tunnel one evening, finding every car in front of me spinning out at ~50 MPH. Over 2 dozen spinning or more, with more in the ditches some over the embankment down the hill. Each one of them I'd see a tap on the brakes (brake lights), then spin. I kept my foot on the gas peddle of my 240Z without a flinch. Threaded the needle, very gently veering (steering) through the spinning cars. Only halve the car following me made it, if that, not one in front of me did.

I carried two heavy sand bag in trunk or over rear wheel and a small shovel, for many years. I've not done that ever with the Land Cruiser.
 
2001LC said:
The most notable (terrifying) was driving a 240Z coming out of Eisenhower tunnel one evening, finding every car in front of me spinning out at ~50 MPH. Over 2 dozen spinning or more, with more in the ditches some over the embankment down the hill. Each one of them I'd see a tap on the brakes (brake lights), then spin. I kept my foot on the gas peddle of my 240Z without a flinch. Threaded the needle, very gently veering (steering) through the spinning cars. Only halve the car following me made it, if that, not one in front of me did.

I carried two heavy sand bag in trunk or over rear wheel and a small shovel, for many years. I've not done that ever with the Land Cruiser.
Click to expand...

Heading west I'd assume? Cuz I'm gonna have to pass on ever ending up in that situation around there. Lol
 
There are 3 key points to driving a vehicle: accelerating, braking, and steering. I've been taught in the snow and ice to only do one of those at a time. Never brake or accelerate while going around a turn. Keep your speed steady and slow and you will be just fine.
 
KINGER said:
This is not the first time I've read on MUD that the 100-series rear end has a tendency to want to come around, especially on slippery downhill grades. I haven't driven the LX in snow yet, anyone else here experience this?
Click to expand...

2001LC said:
No, not really specific to the 100 series.
Click to expand...

Ok thanks for clarifying. As you and others have said, reasonable speed is key. Just cause it goes doesn't mean it slows. In my experience a Subaru/Audi with snow tires is only defeated by getting high-centered; shouldn't be an issue in the hundy!
 
550 is not for the faint of heart. No guardrails, massive dropoffs. You come from Durango and pull into Silverton and think "Wow, that was intense." Well, that's not even the bad part. From Silverton to Ouray is kinda spooky, to say the least. Google maps doesn't do it justice. I drove it in September of 2015, but I'm not sure I'd be real hip on driving it in the winter.
 
Sounds like a fun ride. Stay safe but don't forget to enjoy it!
 
Now if you'd like to have some back country fun, try bolting these pups on.

Perhaps you could demo while up in the area:
Mattracks Model 88M1-A1-SA, set of 4

Tacks.webp
Track on.webp
 
I made that same trip in reverse at the end of Jan 2016. I bought my 2000 LC in Boise, ID and drove it back to Dallas with my brother. I have driven 550 several times in the summer and thought it would be quite the adventure to drive it in winter. Just so happens the closer we got to Ouray the more the weather deteriorated. There were DOT signs everywhere stating snow chains or tires, 4x4, and alternate traction device required. Oddly enough we never saw a cop, trooper, of BLM vehicle on the road. We seriously considered turning around for an alternate route once we made it to the Ouray overlook because weather was getting worse as we looked up the canyon. There was snow on the ground in Ouray but we didn't encounter heavy snowfall until half way to the summit. At the worst of it we had about 4" of fresh snow on the road and visibility less than 1/4 mile. As vehicles passed us traveling in the northbound lane it would take 1-2 miles before their tracks were covered in fresh snow. We drove slow the whole time, and performed numerous "brake checks" at low speeds on strait sections of road to get a better idea of conditions. The cruiser had Yokahama Geolander all terrain tires, with next to no load in it. We has ZERO issues. Truck performed great. I could get it to kick the rear out if I tried, but as far as mature safe driving it never gave me a reason to doubt. Once we hit the summit and started down the south side the storm blew out and the views were incredible. I believe the whole trip from Ouray to Durango took just over 3 hours(?). We encountered several vehicles along the way to Silverton and Durango that looks like they had no business being out on the road but seemed to manage. I believe a trip like you're considering in winter weather falls back to the, "its not what you drive, but how you drive it." You could make the trip in a lesser vehicle (Jeep, Land Rover, Nissan, Ford, GM, Dodge....:rofl:) just stay focused on the road. If you're going thru Dallas on your way up I have a set of snow chains your welcome to borrow. Just drop them off on your way home.

I managed to dig up some pictures we snapped along the way.

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