Do we really need an SUV for winter driving?

[boyblue]

I've been unable to find a large SUV in the Boston area for rental this Christmas and with 6 people with luggage I'm not sure if a regular SUV (Durango) is going to be big enough.

A minivan would give us more room but I've been advised that the SUV's traction is necessary.

Are there situations where a SUV is absolutely necessary?

 

[AwayWeGo]

S. U. V., Ess Me Vee.

Are there situations where a SUV is absolutely necessary?

A few. Not many.

4WD vehicles will go (via added traction) some places where 2WD vehicles might spin their wheels.

The weenie, however, is that 4WD vehicles won't stop any better than 2WD vehicles.

Plus, the minivans are all front-wheel drive & many if not most of'm are equipped with all-weather & all-season tires, so traction won't be an issue except on icy pavement so badly glazed over that nobody should be out there driving around, period, regardless of vehicle type.

The main reason folks like SUVs has nothing to do with traction or off-road capability. It's mostly just that SUVs are way cool. (Not that there's anything wrong with that.)

-- hotlinked -- ​

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[boyblue]

We had an issue a couple years back, our nav system sent us down a wrong road. When we turned around and tried to go back we could not make it back up the hill. The road was steep and not plowed. It was starting to get dark fast, needless to say the ladies were getting restless.

Someone in a nearby home noticed our dilemma and came out to help. We all got out and he backed as far as he could into his yard (it was flat) and came forward with as much speed as he could manage safely. I think he made it up on the second attempt.

Would a SUV have made this exercise easier?

 

[dmbrand]

We requested a large SUV rental on our ski trip in Utah a couple of years back. They gave us a Durango(we thought we were getting a Suburban); not the roomiest vehicle. We were a party of six: 2 adults, 2 teens, 2 seniors. We had 4 bags, 4 carryons, 2 snowboard bags, and almost couldn't get it all in. We all had bags on our laps for the ride to the condo. I think we would have liked the roominess of a mini-van.

We live in a snowy state ourselves, many people drive mini-vans here. As long as you are on major roads, I think you would be fine, due to salting and general traffic. SUV's are great if you think you may be going to rural and/or hilly regions.

 

[hdmass]

Hi, I live just outside Boston. We rarely have significant snow around the
Holidays. I admit, both my husband and I have all-wheel drive on our cars, but we also have a steep driveway. Unless you are planning on going very far north (i.e. northern VT has gotten snow already), you may not need it.

 

[falmouth3]

SUVs are a fairly recent type of car/truck. They were not needed for the previous 75 or 80 years of driving in the snow. An all-wheel drive vehicle is more preferable for driving in the snow. However, I've gotten around with my front wheel drive vehicles in Rochester, NY (which gets much more snow than Buffalo) Maine and now Boston for the last 20+ years with no real difficulty.

And it's true, we don't have all that much snow around Christmas.

Sur

 

[ricoba]

I just did a random search on enterprise.com and see they have large SUV's, a Chevy Tahoe or a Ford Expedition, but they don't mention that they are 4WD or AWD.

If they are only RWD, then I would chose the minivan for the room and the front wheel drive. A RWD V8 may have a lot of room and power, but you will get more in snow traction in a front drive (or AWD) vehicle.

I have seen lots of folks who think they can go anywhere in their AWD or 4WD truck and end up stuck, simply because they over push the limits on the vehicle. I have always found that in snow or ice, that consistency of speed and watching your speed is the best precaution.

About 2 hours from our home in Los Angeles, we have the Big Bear resort ski area. Every year, they show people from the city driving a big 4WD or AWD SUV, getting turned around on the road by the highway patrol for not having chains. They think just because the have the SUV they are OK, when in fact they just like everyone else need chains.

 

[ctreelmom]

In my experience, you have to choose either 7-passenger seating OR lots of cargo room; it's hard to get both unless you have a Suburban, Expedition XL or Excursion. With a Tahoe, Expedition, Durango or mini van, you have to remove the 3rd row seats to get any kind of cargo space, but then you're down to 5 passengers (4 if it's a mini van with 2 captains chairs in the 2nd row). What you might want to do is rent a van for passenger comfort and request a roof-top carrier for your luggage.

 

[stmartinfan]

I've driven my whole life in MN and only owned a four-wheel drive SUV for about 3 years. Yes, it went a bit better in snow than our front wheel drive vehicles - mini vans and sedans - but not so much that it made a huge difference for us. Of course, we're experienced winter drivers and know how to handle a car in snow and slippery roads. And we don't live in an area with many steep hills, and our streets usually get plowed pretty promptly.

We used to life on a fairly steep street that was a one-block long culdesac. About once a year, if the plow hadn't come through yet, we would have to back our front wheel drive car all the way down the block to the flat area of the cul de sac to get enough momentum to make it all the way up the hill.

I've decided now that if the snow is deep enough that I can't get around with my van, it's probably bad enough that I shouldn't be going out anyway! Especially since I risk getting hit by all those guys with four-wheel drive who forget that they still can't stop any faster!

 

[Twinkstarr]

I've decided now that if the snow is deep enough that I can't get around with my van, it's probably bad enough that I shouldn't be going out anyway! Especially since I risk getting hit by all those guys with four-wheel drive who forget that they still can't stop any faster!

I'm with you, if it's so deep I can't get my AWD Audi sedan through I shouldn't be out. Anyway if it's that bad school will be closed and you really don't want to be on the rode with all those HS students heading to the mall.

Will be turning off my ringer on bedroom phone tonight, as we are expecting the 1st really measurable snow tonight. Don't need the automated call from our district at 5:30 am telling me school is delayed 2hrs. :annoyed:

 

[CSB]

A couple of pointers for driving in snowy conditions.

When you have to stop and it is a bit slippery, do not press on the gas too much at first when you want to start. Many people just sit and spin their wheels because they can't get traction. Go slowly at first and then increase speed.

If you get stuck in heavy snow and wheels start to spin, do not push on the gas. Go into reverse and then again in drive. You may have to do this a few times to "rock" the car back and forth and it may get you out of being stuck.

In bad conditions, I try not to stop at all. I will not completely stop at stop sign (sorry this is the one time I disobey the law) and I will time the traffic lights so that I do not have to come to a complete stop.

Make sure that you leave enough room in front of you so that if you slide a little when needing to break, you do not crash into the car in front of you.

Just my two cents. I am no expert.

 

[boyblue]

Thanks Guys, I think we're gonna be ok. I called Boston, Logan National/Alamo and a rep promised that although I am not able to book a Premium SUV, she would be sure to have them there when we arrive and upgrade us.

 

[Jbart74]

Thanks Guys, I think we're gonna be ok. I called Boston, Logan National/Alamo and a rep promised that although I am not able to book a Premium SUV, she would be sure to have them there when we arrive and upgrade us.

And you believed her? Really? Honestly, though, I wish you luck.