***Official 2025 Weather Thread***

[nfrine]

I lived in a house for 19 years with a vacant house right next to it for all but the last four months we were there. The owner didn’t neglect it, he’d mow the yard, fix it up, put in on the market from time to time, but he wanted too much money for it. Anyway, he would clear the snow, but he wasn’t very quick about it, so I’d usually do his sidewalk - just like you said, no reason to make it harder on people walking, and since I was out anyway, it was no big deal.

I also never used a snowblower - I had a thing called a Snow Wolf, a big scoop on a long metal bar with a huge wheel in the middle. It was a great lever to push and then toss the snow out of the way. I could clear my driveway and sidewalk in hardly any longer than it would take a snowblower (plus no gas, spark plugs, or snow packed augers to deal with). I used that sucker for over 15 years, getting replacement scoops and other parts occasionally. Unfortunately I think the company stopped making them sometime after 2010 or so …

Heart Attack Shovel was the real name...

 

[BoxsterCy]

I planned to take the kids to a Brunch with Santa event in Des Moines on Sunday. I made the mistake of taking my FWD minivan and ended up getting stuck on a hill on Merle Hay between Urbandale Avenue and Hickman. Multiple cars were sliding and couldn't get up the hill. I had my wife take over driving while I got out and pushed, when switching spots, she slipped and fell on the packed snow and messed up my driver mirror. I eventually got it up the hill with the help of some others. Multiple cars were sliding in the intersection of Merle Hay and Hickman so I decided to just go back home. Urbandale's streets were fine, but Des Moines roads were terrible (even the main ones).

Is it worth it to get some snow tires for the front wheels? My kid's daycare is down a hill so I end up having to do pick-up/drop off anytime there is snow because the van can't make it up the hill if it has snow on it.

The tire guys will highly recommend NOT doing snows only on the front tires of FWD. Not even sure a good tire place would do. Google it up. It's not like the old days where people might only put snows on the rear wheels of RWD, was not an uncommon practice back in the day.

 

[iahawkhunter]

The tire guys will highly recommend NOT doing snows only on the front tires of FWD. Not even sure a good tire place would do. Google it up. It's not like the old days where people might only put snows on the rear wheels of RWD, was not an uncommon practice back in the day.

Right. You don't want the back end coming loose. Lose traction on the front and you slide (mostly) straight ahead. Lose traction on the back and you're facing a new direction real quick.

 

[ScottyP]

i probably just need to replace the tires with some new all-weather tires. I just looked at the tread and probably time to get new ones.

 

[jsb]

i probably just need to replace the tires with some new all-weather tires. I just looked at the tread and probably time to get new ones.

I actually do snow tires. It’s a bit of upfront costs, but both sets end up lasting a long time. I can really tell a difference.

 

[Entropy]

I actually do snow tires. It’s a bit of upfront costs, but both sets end up lasting a long time. I can really tell a difference.

This.
My spouse had to go to a funeral on Saturday SW of Iowa City, and she took my car with the snow tires.
It's a FWD car, but it makes a big difference, particularly with traction control.

 

[CYEATHAWK]

Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, when radials were just starting to become big they had these things called bias ply tires. Growing up rural all we had were RWD cars. Everyone had two sets of rims, one with regular tires the other with snow tires. And every October you switched. I don't remember anyone ever getting stuck. Our biggest fear was freezing rain so the tires also had studs. Living gravel and only driving hard surface maybe 60% of the time, one could get a couple seasons before the studs lost their usefulness. Fun times.

 

[AgronAlum]

Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, when radials were just starting to become big they had these things called bias ply tires. Growing up rural all we had were RWD cars. Everyone had two sets of rims, one with regular tires the other with snow tires. And every October you switched. I don't remember anyone ever getting stuck. Our biggest fear was freezing rain so the tires also had studs. Living gravel and only driving hard surface maybe 60% of the time, one could get a couple seasons before the studs lost their usefulness. Fun times.

Back when wheel and tire combos weren't 2000+ dollars. I've got a 93 2WD F250 and it's not great. I have to plan my route to avoid uphill stops when I'm out having some fun in the snow. If I'm not just ******* around my car has AWD and I take that.

Side note: Holy hell are they proud of sand tubes now. Menards wanted 5 bucks a piece for 45 lb bags. I'm not sure what it would really take to make a difference in the truck but I'm guessing quite a few.

 

[flycy]

Usually all-weather radials are fine on FWD unless they're worn. Most people only need the AWD a few days a year.

Snow tires on rear only are fine, never put winter tires only on the front as it can lead to loss of control when the back slides around a corner. I find winter tires to be very valuable, far more so than awd or 4wd. You go just as well even with just FWD and you corner and stop far better.

 

[Cyrealist]

Back when wheel and tire combos weren't 2000+ dollars. I've got a 93 2WD F250 and it's not great. I have to plan my route to avoid uphill stops when I'm out having some fun in the snow. If I'm not just ******* around my car has AWD and I take that.

Side note: Holy hell are they proud of sand tubes now. Menards wanted 5 bucks a piece for 45 lb bags. I'm not sure what it would really take to make a difference in the truck but I'm guessing quite a few.

Back in the day, when I had a 2WD pickup, I ran snow tires with about 300 pounds of old tractor weights in the back. I almost never got stuck.

 

[somecyguy]

I had summers on the old Audi and replaced them this spring with new all-seasons. Being brand new, like 2k on them, they have been really good in the snow so far. Got caught short with the early snow and didn't get the snow boots on the car and now thinking I'll just skip it.

I've only had all-seasons on mine and really haven't felt the need, though I am annoyed I can't seem to find Vredestein for sale any longer. Last weekend after the snow, I took my A6 out to the gas station first thing before the roads were plowed and turned off traction control. Had some harmless fun and went back home. Later that day I had to make a hardware store run and while on the way when I hit 45/50 mph the car starting shaking. No warning lights or anything, but very obvious something was out of whack.
Walked around it in the Menards parking lot and staring at it a bit, I realized that all the snow inside the wheels from that morning's drive had frozen into ice while in the garage and was throwing the balance off. Took it to a spray only car wash and good to go.

 

[AgronAlum]

I've only had all-seasons on mine and really haven't felt the need, though I am annoyed I can't seem to find Vredestein for sale any longer. Last weekend after the snow, I took my A6 out to the gas station first thing before the roads were plowed and turned off traction control. Had some harmless fun and went back home. Later that day I had to make a hardware store run and while on the way when I hit 45/50 mph the car starting shaking. No warning lights or anything, but very obvious something was out of whack.
Walked around it in the Menards parking lot and staring at it a bit, I realized that all the snow inside the wheels from that morning's drive had frozen into ice while in the garage and was throwing the balance off. Took it to a spray only car wash and good to go.

That happens to my Volvo, usually multiple times every year. I don't know if it's the shape of the wheels or what but it just sits in there and freezes. I have to pull off somewhere and hit it with a pressure washer. It was quite the shock the first time it happened but now I know I guess. It's a slightly lighter version of the death wobble from my old Jeep days.

 

[CYEATHAWK]

That happens to my Volvo, usually multiple times every year. I don't know if it's the shape of the wheels or what but it just sits in there and freezes. I have to pull off somewhere and hit it with a pressure washer. It was quite the shock the first time it happened but now I know I guess. It's a slightly lighter version of the death wobble from my old Jeep days.

I know this is a weather thread but......ever experience the death wobble in a ford full size? I've been through some stuff in my time like everyone, but if there ever was an event that made me want to soil my pants........that was it.

 

[AgronAlum]

I know this is a weather thread but......ever experience the death wobble in a ford full size? I've been through some stuff in my time like everyone, but if there ever was an event that made me want to soil my pants........that was it.

Oh buddy, I've seen some videos. lol It's the same thing that happens with the old solid axle Jeeps when you lift them and don't replace the tie rod, drag link and track bar. The first time it happened was in my old lifted ZJ right in the middle of eastbound 80 to 35 north offramp on east mix master. I had to bring the entire line of cars to a stop. Pants successfully shat.

 

[NWICY]

I planned to take the kids to a Brunch with Santa event in Des Moines on Sunday. I made the mistake of taking my FWD minivan and ended up getting stuck on a hill on Merle Hay between Urbandale Avenue and Hickman. Multiple cars were sliding and couldn't get up the hill. I had my wife take over driving while I got out and pushed, when switching spots, she slipped and fell on the packed snow and messed up my driver mirror. I eventually got it up the hill with the help of some others. Multiple cars were sliding in the intersection of Merle Hay and Hickman so I decided to just go back home. Urbandale's streets were fine, but Des Moines roads were terrible (even the main ones).

Is it worth it to get some snow tires for the front wheels? My kid's daycare is down a hill so I end up having to do pick-up/drop off anytime there is snow because the van can't make it up the hill if it has snow on it.

I've done dedicated snow tires on fwd vehicles it does help. Buy some cheap rims so you just swap out instead of breaking down your tires helps a lot.

 

[1SEIACLONE]

Back in the day, when I had a 2WD pickup, I ran snow tires with about 300 pounds of old tractor weights in the back. I almost never got stuck.

During the mid 90s I purchased a new ford ranger 2WD, and I tried concrete blocks tied down, bags of sand, anything to get a little more weight into the back end. Every time you hit the brakes whatever was back there would slide forward into the back of the cab. I finally started scooping snow out of the driveway while I cleared it out into the back of the truck. It added weight and as the temp warmed up, it would melt out. Worked great, only problem was until it got a layered crust on the top, I would leave a snow trail in the air going down the road. Had to suck for people coming up behind you. Love that little Ford Ranger, 5 speed Manuel, cab and half, just a great vehicle for a young teacher not making much money.

 

[CYEATHAWK]

Oh buddy, I've seen some videos. lol It's the same thing that happens with the old solid axle Jeeps when you lift them and don't replace the tie rod, drag link and track bar. The first time it happened was in my old lifted ZJ right in the middle of eastbound 80 to 35 north offramp on east mix master. I had to bring the entire line of cars to a stop. Pants successfully shat.

Who needs a laxative, right? Someone all bound up after a few too many steak dinners, just put them in the passenger seat and then get going on the interstate about 60 mph or so and hit a bump to get that wobble going. Problem solved.

 

[flycy]

During the mid 90s I purchased a new ford ranger 2WD, and I tried concrete blocks tied down, bags of sand, anything to get a little more weight into the back end. Every time you hit the brakes whatever was back there would slide forward into the back of the cab. I finally started scooping snow out of the driveway while I cleared it out into the back of the truck. It added weight and as the temp warmed up, it would melt out. Worked great, only problem was until it got a layered crust on the top, I would leave a snow trail in the air going down the road. Had to suck for people coming up behind you. Love that little Ford Ranger, 5 speed Manuel, cab and half, just a great vehicle for a young teacher not making much money.

You didn't just put a 2x6 or something across behind the wheel well. Only had full size, but that held all the weight in the back no problem.

 

[CychiatricWard]

Back on weather topics, what are some of our resident weather folk seeing for Christmas time in Iowa?

 

[1SEIACLONE]

You didn't just put a 2x6 or something across behind the wheel well. Only had full size, but that held all the weight in the back no problem.

Nope just the snow after awhile, I am sure it put more stress on the shocks and all, but I never had any problems, you could drive that truck through about anything when the back was full of snow. As it melted down, I would top it off with more snow when we got it.