Moving to Colorado Springs

Jmjnewbold · Aug 21, 2015

So, I'm moving to Colorado Springs right before this winter. My wife has never driven in snow and is frankly scared to death. She drives a FWD Hyundai SUV and thinks she needs to trade in for something AWD/4x4. I think she is overly afraid, and I feel that FWD with a good set of studded snow tires will work just fine. Is 4x4 that important in the Colorado Springs area, specifically the Peterson AFB area?

Dopey84 · Aug 21, 2015

I would say front wheel drive with studs are good... All wheel drive is better but 4x4 is best just depends on her confidence level in the snow.. It gets really good snow falls in the spring area so having extra ground clearance does help and so does 4x4/all wheel drive. But most importantly just giving yourself time to get to where you need to be.. Don't rush...

rob_p · Aug 21, 2015

I agree, it's definitely all about the tires, this video is a good demonstration....

CastleRockJeep · Aug 21, 2015

Fwd with good tires will be fine. Just take her out after first snow so she can feel what the car will do, teach her to turn into the slide ect. It's Colorado there is pretty good snow removal on major roads anyway.

Jmjnewbold · Aug 21, 2015

CastleRockJeep said:
Fwd with good tires will be fine. Just take her out after first snow so she can feel what the car will do, teach her to turn into the slide ect. It's Colorado there is pretty good snow removal on major roads anyway.

I appreciate everyone's response. I have a 2015 JK with rubi wheels and tires (Willys package) would you recommend I get a separate set of snow tires as well or just throw it in 4-hi and let the BFGs do their job?

JeepJeep75 · Aug 21, 2015

Being a native Californian I don't have a whole lot of experience in snow. But I have been in Colorado during the winter several times, and had as many opportunities to wheel in the high mountains in a JKR rental that had BFG mud tires. It was nearly unstoppable. Not the best on pavement, but off road in deep snow I was amazed at its abilities with the BFG's.

shadowpaige64507 · Aug 21, 2015

Moving from white sand to white snow. Think I would rather have the sand. We vacation in Fort Walton Beach each summer for a week. Mother in law lives there.

Shantz · Aug 21, 2015

Take her to an empty parking lot during the first snow and let her feel the car. It's the best way to learn winter driving. Over exaggerate breaking, steering, and pulling out. A good set of snow tires will do the trick.

Zstairlessone · Aug 22, 2015

There are a few places you can take a winter driving class in Colorado. When I lived outside of Steamboat we hired a bunch of out of state people and the first snow day two wives took off road trips unintentionally on the same day. Also if you plan on heading west (into the mountains) in the winter a set of chains may still be required if you don't have 4WD on major roads.

Make an emergency kit with -15° sleeping bags, sterno, water, 'space food' jacket, gloves, batteries and good boots - in the mountains you might get snow any day of the year.

Zstairlessone · Aug 22, 2015

shadowpaige64507 said:
Moving from white sand to white snow. Think I would rather have the sand. We vacation in Fort Walton Beach each summer for a week. Mother in law lives there.

I still try to get there as often as I can to see family too.

Jmjnewbold · Aug 22, 2015

shadowpaige64507 said:
Moving from white sand to white snow. Think I would rather have the sand. We vacation in Fort Walton Beach each summer for a week. Mother in law lives there.

I would rather stay as well, but duty calls and my family and I have to go.

Jmjnewbold · Aug 22, 2015

Zstairlessone said:
There are a few places you can take a winter driving class in Colorado. When I lived outside of Steamboat we hired a bunch of out of state people and the first snow day two wives took off road trips unintentionally on the same day. Also if you plan on heading west (into the mountains) in the winter a set of chains may still be required if you don't have 4WD on major roads.

Make an emergency kit with -15° sleeping bags, sterno, water, 'space food' jacket, gloves, batteries and good boots - in the mountains you might get snow any day of the year.

Thanks for the info. I have a bug out kit in my jeep, but I'll ad to my list and make sure the wife has the same!

Wildland · Aug 23, 2015

Front wheel drive will be just fine. I have lived in the Springs my entire life (45 years) and we haven't had a decent snow storm here in years. The city does a good job of clearing the road and you won't have any trouble getting to Peterson at all. Your BFG's will be perfect!

RMC2 · Aug 23, 2015

Good luck on the pcs. I have tried to get to the springs for years. My oldest two grandkids were born at Peterson.

Snow driving: remember that it is far easier to go than it is to stop. FWD will do fine most ofthe time. Usually better than RWD or 4x4 in 2WD (for rear driven vehicles like a JK). Just remember to accelerate slow, brake slower, and don't follow close. Good tires too. For a car, I would look at a set of tire "cables" over chains, but I don't have experience with them.

I love the mountains and miss them.

Linebacker · Aug 23, 2015

Wildland said:
Front wheel drive will be just fine. I have lived in the Springs my entire life (45 years) and we haven't had a decent snow storm here in years. The city does a good job of clearing the road and you won't have any trouble getting to Peterson at all. Your BFG's will be perfect!

X2. I lived in The Springs many years ago when the population was much smaller. The city is right on the edge of a semi-arid prairie and it doesn't get lots of rain or snow, but every once in awhile AWD or 4WD is a very nice thing to have. Enjoy your new hometown. It's a great place to live.:yup:

Jmjnewbold · Aug 24, 2015

Wildland said:
Front wheel drive will be just fine. I have lived in the Springs my entire life (45 years) and we haven't had a decent snow storm here in years. The city does a good job of clearing the road and you won't have any trouble getting to Peterson at all. Your BFG's will be perfect!

I'm not worried about my BFG's at all, more about the wife and her FWD summer tires. I am looking into dedicated winter wheels and tires. My wife will be driving from the springs into Aurora maybe as much as once a month. Should she have a set of studded tires? Any idea on what we can expect to pay for a set of studded tires?

Dopey84 · Aug 24, 2015

That's quite the drive once a month id say just a decent pair of winter tires no real need for studs but I'd get the snow cables as a back up option

Jmjnewbold · Aug 24, 2015

Dopey84 said:
That's quite the drive once a month id say just a decent pair of winter tires no real need for studs but I'd get the snow cables as a back up option

We hope it is not that often or maybe even at all. It all depends on where the medical specialists are, and what they recommend for visits. It would be great to go once and then just return as needed!

Dopey84 · Aug 24, 2015

Most common mistakes with driving in the snow is not leaving enough time to get where you need to and not leaving enough space between you and other drivers around you.. Also making sure you have plenty of gas and a emergency bag as well always be prepared.. But yall will love Colorado Springs and Colorado in general.. I miss it and when I visit I always hate leaving..

Jmjnewbold · Aug 24, 2015

Dopey84 said:
Most common mistakes with driving in the snow is not leaving enough time to get where you need to and not leaving enough space between you and other drivers around you.. Also making sure you have plenty of gas and a emergency bag as well always be prepared.. But yall will love Colorado Springs and Colorado in general.. I miss it and when I visit I always hate leaving..

I will remember that for sure!

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