It looks like we will be going to Lake City, Colorado after Christmas for about a week. They have been getting some snow up there this week and it looks like conditions could be a little snowy-icy. It is my first time up there and I dont have any real experience driving in snow other than the few little "snow" events we have gotten in College Station in years past.

We will likely be driving the Tahoe up there and it is not 4 wheel drive. We have been wondering if we should maybe get a set of snow chains for the tires. A relative recommended something called a tire sock.

I understand the safety risk of not driving too fast and giving yourself plenty of room to stop and to avoid slamming on the brakes.

I was just curious what those of you who regularly travel in snow in non 4 wheel drive vehicles think?

Denver resident here. You'll love the Lake City area, so I hope you have a good time.

I drive a 4WD truck with oversized tires. I do not carry chains, but my truck is very capable becuae of the 4 wheel option and my tires.

A 2WD Tahoe absolutely needs chains. I wouldn't buy the tire sock. I would buy self-adjusting chains and learn how to put them on in Texas.

Then, when you get to the mountains, if you even think its time to put them on, put them on.

Rent a capable AWD vehicle for your trip.

Socks are for cars/CUVs without clearance for chain. You cannot drive socks on dry/cleared roads as you'll destroy them in minutes,

I would not want to rely on 2 wheel RWD in snowy conditions.

Also, LOL at this entire thread. It's Peak Texas Guy.

People in Colorado are having aneurysms as we speak.

Just got back from Colorado...I rented a Tahoe and headed into the mountains. With snow on the road and snow coming down, I needed the 4 wheel drive pretty quickly.
The RWD is not going to get you up a grade make control in general easy for you.

Would recommend chains, buy/practice install/use/return if you are taking your personal 2WD Tahoe up there.

Coming from a Texas guy who spends a fair amount of time in Colorado if you think you need chains, stay where you are and wait it out. They are very good at plowing the roads , just wait for them to get the roads cleared.
Chains should be used for emergency situations only, and used to get your out of trouble not let you drive into it.
Watch the weather, the forecasters are very good at predicting what's going on and plan your travel around the weather. If you get snowed in, then relax and enjoy it. If there is something back home that you can't miss then leave early and get out ahead of the snow.

Rent a 4WD for your trip. We go every year and I'm thankful I drive one.

Look up Colorado traction laws. At the least you need good M+S rated tires. Chains could help, but usually the roads shut down before you're legally required to run them on passenger vehicles. However, if it's gonna snow a fair amount then they could come in handy if it dumps and for nothing more than the peace of mind. Doubt they will be necessary, generally only in emergency sort of situation.

You can make it pretty dang far in 2WD with some sense, good tires, and proper weight balance. I'd guess a suburban loaded down would be pretty good. 4WD helps, but it's not a cure all.

Edit: if you're thinking of spending money on chains, just use that money to rent a 4WD/AWD and be done

Our old 2007 Tahoe with 20" tires had insufficient clearance for chains, so we took cables the time we took it to Colorado. Not sure if that would be an issue with your Tahoe, but might be worth confirming. It snowed quite a bit so I was surprised we never needed them. Still, was glad to have them as insurance.

https://texags.com/forums/34/topics/3074899/replies/55368558#55368558

Similar thread from a month ago. Lots of good responses. What I got from it is that dot keeps the roads clear unless it gets really bad. If it gets really bad and dot can't keep the roads clear it's probably best not to be out there.

I have a set of snow chains that will likely fit your vehicle. They fit my 275/55/20s on my silverado.

You are welcome to pick them up and borrow them for your trip. I am in Dallas.

IMO, 'all season' rated tires give people who don't know any better a sense of false confidence.

There is really no substitute for dedicated winter tires a/k/a snow tires.

The main difference is that the rubber on winter tires is a different formula that stays softer under freezing conditions.

Theres a huge difference in drivability and safety.

My old 2wd truck was useless in Oregon snow when I moved up there after college... It didn't take long to understand why every truck was 4wd. I had to get chains and use them to get over passes there.

Next truck with 4wd and good M+S tires has been far, far better. Extra weight in the back helps too.

I agree with getting chains or just renting a 4wd vehicle (with good tires!) for the trip, or drive to Denver and then rent a better vehicle. Real snow tires plus extra weight might be good, but overkill for one trip. Or be prepared to stay extra days and wait for roads to clear if needed.

Alaska resident here. We have a 4WD Jeep and a FWD SUV and drive just fine. If your car is RWD and you've never driven in snow I'd do what others have said and just rent something with AWD.

Places that receive snow know how to handle it and will be out plowing and maintaining their highways. If it's heavy snowing and you're freaking out then simply pull over and wait it out and get some fast food or possibly spend the night. Open up your gaps between yourself and the car in front of you, don't overreact to maneuvers on the road, and don't accelerate or brake too hard on turns. You'll be just fine.

Rent. Best advice in the thread.

El Chupacabra said:

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Rent. Best advice in the thread.

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And get the loss/collision damage waiver

AggieChemist said:

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Also, LOL at this entire thread. It's Peak Texas Guy.

People in Colorado are having aneurysms as we speak.

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I'm trying my damnedest not to be Peak Texas Guy with my move to Montana coming up.

4wd truck, bought a set of chains, also have a spare set of stock Chevy rims I'm going to put snow tires on once I make it up there. Feel pretty confident I'll be good to make the drive with my current tires and chains if needed.

rather be fishing said:

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AggieChemist said:

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Also, LOL at this entire thread. It's Peak Texas Guy.

People in Colorado are having aneurysms as we speak.

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I'm trying my damnedest not to be Peak Texas Guy with my move to Montana coming up.

4wd truck, bought a set of chains, also have a spare set of stock Chevy rims I'm going to put snow tires on once I make it up there. Feel pretty confident I'll be good to make the drive with my current tires and chains if needed.

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Throw a couple of sand bags in the bed of your pickup to weigh down the rear axle.

Just came through Lake City/Slumgullion Pass this past Saturday. I'd definitely suggest having a vehicle with 4WD capabilities, i could see it getting quite hairy with a 2WD car in that pass.

AllTheFishes said:

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Coming from a Texas guy who spends a fair amount of time in Colorado if you think you need chains, stay where you are and wait it out. They are very good at plowing the roads , just wait for them to get the roads cleared.
Chains should be used for emergency situations only, and used to get your out of trouble not let you drive into it.
Watch the weather, the forecasters are very good at predicting what's going on and plan your travel around the weather. If you get snowed in, then relax and enjoy it. If there is something back home that you can't miss then leave early and get out ahead of the snow.

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Also, snowplows are your friend. If one is ahead of you, don't be a chode and think you would do better passing it. Stay behind and thank them for a clearer path. If there are multiple plows in echelon formation, you bet your sweet buns law enforcement will pull you over.

We are headed to Pagosa tomorrow with 2wd drive Tahoe. Any advice?

leathal02 said:

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We are headed to Pagosa tomorrow with 2wd drive Tahoe. Any advice?

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I think there's a thread about that somewhere. I'll see if I can find it.

Go eat at Sage if they're open and tell Phil I said hi

4wd gives everybody a sense of misplaced security. You can have 20wd and if you are on ice you will still slide. I usually see more 4wd vehicles with issues than 2wd

I think that's because people mistakenly think 4wd means they can stop faster and it has nothing to do with stopping.

That said i couldn't get around day to day without 4wd where I live and there's a huge difference between 2wd and 4wd. Problem is what you said which is people don't know how to use it correctly.

even better, rent a front wheel drive car for your trip. Might save enough in gas to make the rental pay for itself. If you decide to make use of clearance and 4wd in the snow you are just going to get yourself in trouble.

That's why you drive around in 2WD and switch to 4WD when you get stuck. Get stuck in 4WD and you're parked. That can have life-threatening consequences for the unprepared.

leathal02 said:

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We are headed to Pagosa tomorrow with 2wd drive Tahoe. Any advice?

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Pagosa pipes their hot springs under the main roads....so no ice in town

I use opensnow.com to get an idea of snow conditions and chance for upcoming snow. If it's not going to be snowing during your trip, then I wouldn't worry too much. But if you do get caught in snow, you don't want a rwd vehicle. Not sure about all the wait it out comments; it can stay pretty dicey for quite some time during some of the storms.

When I first moved to Denver, I was looking at buying a Tahoe and I asked the sales guy which ones were 4wd and he chuckled and said all of them as no one would buy a rwd one here.

All that said, you would be just fine this weekend with your 2wd.

It's actually illegal to pass them now in Colorado

Where did you hear that?

Thought I heard it on Ch 7 news the week of the TDay week storm. But apparently I mis-heard it.

https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/bow-to-the-plow

https://www.postindependent.com/news/gov-polis-signs-new-traction-snowplow-laws-outside-eisenhower-tunnel/

There is this. So I guess it's open to interpretation if someone passes safely or not.