Road Trip in 200 with potential ice/snow. Which tires/chains?

[liv2bike]

I’m heading to Colorado. What’s the chains requirements through the Rockies like?

And just confirming, just running changes in the rear tires?

Have you ever used chains before? Do you know how to install them? If you’ve never used them and won’t know how to install them, I would caution you. At least practice at home before you actually need them. I go up and over Teton Pass in the winter. I run true winters. Never needed chains before.

 

[poppe]

Have you ever used chains before? Do you know how to install them? If you’ve never used them and won’t know how to install them, I would caution you. At least practice at home before you actually need them. I go up and over Teton Pass in the winter. I run true winters. Never needed chains before.

Yes. Born and raised in the Midwest. Run my CT200h up to Oregon quite often with chains.

If I lived in the Midwest or somewhere cold, I’d have snow tires - no question. Where I live the coldest it’ll get all year is high 30’s low 40’s and that’s maybe one or two days. Most of the winter will be 50 at night and 70 in day.

I’m literally setting myself up for less than one week trip in which I’m visiting family for Christmas. So I’ll really only be driving to the house and then when we leave. I’m not going over landing or multiple stops across Colorado. I’m just asking because I’ll be driving to Denver and back and want to make sure I’m covered with dogs and family through the Rockies, should they require chains.

Ideally I won’t need them. I have not run chains on the LX which is why I was asking for confirmation on just the rears.

 

[LX4x4]

I noticed usually when starting R2 there will be vehicles spinning out within an hour then they will close the whole highway, by the time it opens it is plowed fairly well. I would keep the chain in the vehicle (I have sock type but never had to put them on) if there is chain control they ask if it is 4WD or AWD.

Better make sure the highest tread depth from your tires, 11/32 to 13/32". Worn down AT tires with snow flake symbol is no good.

The one time I try to cut through Tahoe to because I80 was closed, although stopped around emerald bay and turned back,
vehicles were spinning out in the opposite lane, I thought even if I could make it the risk of someone bumping into me is high. If I remember correctly (biked that a few times) were a few hairpin and 10% grade off a cliff. That is sketchy if unplowed.

Always stick with the interstate / wait for it to re-open. Fuel up, and have food and water. It is not as bad as it sounds, usually there is gas station and fast food. Horror stories are because drivers went off route, do not let your navigation / phone / AI take you off to some mountain road.

 

[coleAK]

I was born and raised in Tahoe. Living there through undergrad (skied for Sierra Nevada) I ran dedicated studded winter tires. When I was in my postgraduate professional program at UC Davis I still ran dedicated winter tires, studless blizzak, even though 90% of my driving was in the Delta and Bay Area. All that said, if you do decide to run all seasons in the winter many AT tires suck, what you want is a tire with a lot of siping like Michelin defender LTX m/s or nokian outpost apt.

Now I’m 17 years in Alaska I run studded Nokian Hakkas on all the vehicles. Another thing to consider. 200 series aren’t all that great in the snow and on winter roads, they are tall and heavy. Of our vehicles (LX570, Subaru legacy, MB e 4matic, Lexus NX, Colorado ZR2, Tesla model 3) the 200 is the worst (but I consider it a tie with our Tesla model 3) and I rarely drive it in the winter.

Also dealing with chains sucks. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.

 

[coleAK]

To your point, traditional 4x4s can be bad in on-road type snow. I know you know this but nerding out more for others, we're full time 4WD with the center diff. Important as that let's each tire track individually. When we lock the center, that makes us equivalent to 4x4. In this mode, it can force slipping of tires, particularly in turns. For those that remember back in grade school, sliding friction can be considerably lower than static friction, which is why unlocked is advantageous in this type of use.

Airing down incrementally can also help find more traction on-road.

To this point, with going on 35 years of winter driving I will never own a 4x4 (non-all-wheel-drive) vehicle that I drive on winter roads.

The only time you ever want any locked differential (front, center, or rear) on winter roads is if you are stuck.

 

[bloc]

Yes. Born and raised in the Midwest. Run my CT200h up to Oregon quite often with chains.

If I lived in the Midwest or somewhere cold, I’d have snow tires - no question. Where I live the coldest it’ll get all year is high 30’s low 40’s and that’s maybe one or two days. Most of the winter will be 50 at night and 70 in day.

I’m literally setting myself up for less than one week trip in which I’m visiting family for Christmas. So I’ll really only be driving to the house and then when we leave. I’m not going over landing or multiple stops across Colorado. I’m just asking because I’ll be driving to Denver and back and want to make sure I’m covered with dogs and family through the Rockies, should they require chains.

Ideally I won’t need them. I have not run chains on the LX which is why I was asking for confirmation on just the rears.

My use case isn't unlike yours. Dry roads, usually texas heat 95% of the year, other than a couple trips to or through colorado for skiing. Great snow tires could be extremely convenient one day, but just aren't worth the investment the rest of the year.

I've had great experience with both Toyo AT3s and Defender LTXs, and never *had* to bust out the chains though they do come with me during the winter just in case. Through a couple really sketchy storms too. Critically.. I've just turned around and found a different route a couple times too. Yes the chains probably could have allowed me to carry on... but into what?

 

[poppe]

My use case isn't unlike yours. Dry roads, usually texas heat 95% of the year, other than a couple trips to or through colorado for skiing. Great snow tires could be extremely convenient one day, but just aren't worth the investment the rest of the year.

I've had great experience with both Toyo AT3s and Defender LTXs, and never *had* to bust out the chains though they do come with me during the winter just in case. Through a couple really sketchy storms too. Critically.. I've just turned around and found a different route a couple times too. Yes the chains probably could have allowed me to carry on... but into what?

I feel that! We are a fairly cautious driving family in that we’ll just stay an extra day if it means allowing a storm to settle and the plows out, we generally don’t push it when we strategically pick places to stop for the night so we can be adaptable.

I’ve currently got the Falken Wildpeaks ATW4. Seems like they are decent in snow - still new tire though so reviews seem to still be coming. AT3s seemed to do very well in winter driving in our type of use cases.

2 years ago we went SoCal to New Mexico to Midwest just to avoid a nasty storm in Colorado Nebraska and risking the Rockies.

 

[Heckraiser]

Thanks. I’ve got brand new Falken ATW4’s on. I live in desert SoCal so it didn’t make sense for snow tires for 1 week in CO, otherwise I’d carry second set of rims/tires. I ran nitro ridge grapplers through -25 degree Nebraska storm for 2 weeks 2 year ago and they did well. Hoping these can handle it.

I still always carry chains just for safety. Same reason I carry a bug out bag.

You'll be good to go. I know guys that run Falken ATW3's year round up here and they do pretty good.

 

[turbo8]

I didn't see it posted yet, use the start in second function. This only allows the vehicle to start moving in 2nd gear. MTS in snow mode probably starts in second too.

Also, 200's don't have an open center diff. They have a Torsen center diff with locking function.

 

[peneumbra2]

Last couple of winters I've been running fog treads.

 

[LX4x4]

Is a heavy vehicle not as good in the snow than a lighter one?

 

[sedole]

I’m heading to Colorado. What’s the chains requirements through the Rockies like?

And just confirming, just running changes in the rear tires?

You'll be fine. You already meet the requirements for passenger vehicle tractions laws here with the vehicle being 4x4 and having the falkens. Forecast leading up to Christmas looks relatively dry. I'd have zero concerns. Never run chains on a 200 series out here.

That being said, if it's slick out, just slow it down a bit and you'll be fine. These are heavy rigs and you'll definitely notice that weight when braking or cornering downhill when the conditions are poor. Outside of that, the biggest threat to your safety is the other morons out on the road. You'll see plenty of them along I-70.

 

[coleAK]

Is a heavy vehicle not as good in the snow than a lighter one?

For stopping (which is usually what causes the problems) yes, heavier is worse. My LX slides like a sled compared to the others. And all my vehicles are on studded Hakkas. The LX is ~800 lbs heavier then my next heaviest vehicle.

One of the main reasons the best winter vehicles are AWD sedans/wagons. Our old MB e320 4matic (that my daughter now drives) is an absolute beast in the winter. The 1998 Audi all road (triple torsens), and every Subaru legacy/outback (especially pre-CVT) were some of the best as well.

Torque and low gearing hindrances. 2nd start makes a huge difference. The MB is only ~200hp and 200 ft/lbs.

 

[Moby]

+1 on the 90s era Audis. I had a 99.5 A4 with a belly pan that was awesome in snow. Clearance was the only issue but the aluminum belly pan was at least a little peace of mind.

That said I have no trouble stopping my 200 on Blizzaks. I was in severe ice last year (so bad you couldn't walk) and was one of the only things moving.

 

[slipkid13]

I am in Colorado Springs and until last year had Blizzaks as dedicated winter tires. Last summer I put Yokohama Geolander G15 on. Great tire with the 3 peak symbol (for whatever that is actually worth) No issues last winter. This year during thanksgiving week we (my family and a buddy with a JDM 100 series on winter tires) drove to Moab. We hit a huge winter storm on I70 that closed parts of I 70 about an hour after we passed through. There was a lot of snow and my LX did fine. It was pretty hectic for a bit near Vail and Copper mountain but no issues.

Slowing down is key (like everyone mentioned) We did 35 most of the way in the snow and had no issues slowing down/stopping. AWD/4WD does nothing for stopping. Agree with above, no need to use the locking center diff as we never got stuck or lost traction while driving.

Moab was awesome, Thanksgiving is a great time to go, not crowded and nice weather during the day.