What are your tips for touring in icy conditions?
The arrival of snow across the country seems to the the hot topic this week... I definitely had a hard time getting to work this morning!
What are some of your tips and tricks to driving/towing safely in the winter?
Comments
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We are in the fortunate position of not needing to get to work, so when caught on a site a few years ago by several inches of snow, we booked an extra couple of nights until the roads cleared. Not normally a problem as there are always cancellations in these circumstances. Personally I think even if still working, I would have preferred to leave the van and pick it up later, rather than tow in thick snow.
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Agree with the above. If you have optional 4 wheel drive then use it. Brake gently well before you need to and 'feel' the road condition. Snow not as great a problem when fresh but what lies beneath it!!
I have towed safely on snow and ice but still would not recommend it. We drove 50 miles and the compacted snow/ice was for the last 4 or 5 miles on a fairly straight road with gentle curves.
Also towed a few miles on fresh snow in a built up area on another occasion.
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I have drove many times in Denmark and Sweden in the winter, and people in those country's cope a lot better than here in the UK, a lot use winter tyres which help a lot, but if you use chains or whatever you must still be very light with your right foot, and more so on bends and no sharp braking, the only way is less speed.
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Have driven in bad winter conditions. In areas where it can get severe be prepared, take warm clothes and a hot drink etc, and keep your distance from other vehicles. Don't expect your brakes to work on ice, anticipate and slow down well in advance.
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Drive slowly, don't change gears on a corner, light brake usage if any, better to let the car slow you down by stepping off the accelerator, lots of distance atwixt you & the vehicle in front, Snow isn't the hardest driving condition-ice is(frozen slush too) 4wd is no good on ice. If I need to be out early in the morning in severe icy conditions then it's chains on the tyres. Drive safely.
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As a AA supervisor told me "Chelsea 4x4 Tractors" are one of the worst in slippery conditions, as they normally only have standard road tyres, and the difference is most drivers think they are "better" but end up getting into trouble more often, and the result is usually more spectacular than a front wheel drive only saloon .And rear wheel drive only vehicles are the first to get stuck
After driving in some really poor winter conditions when working on the Woodhead Pass, when the only 4x4 was a Landy, I learnt Slow speed in Highest gear ,give plenty of space to the one in front,and keep Off the Brakes ,and a tow rope comes in very handy + shovel and thermos of hot drink
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I was surprised a few years ago when there was a lot of snow, we were staying at Southport over Christmas and drove some 20 miles or so to visit OH's relatives. The road that they lived on meant going up hill on thick ice and then turning left at the top of the hill. I did a three point turn and parked outside their home. The road was that icy and treacherous that I walked around the car to help OH out. I say walked but in reality I held the rail at the top of the car and pulled myself along so that my feet just slid over the ice. It was safer than walking. We did the same reaching the footway and then did the same using the wall in front of their house. Thankfully their drive was clear.
With having just the original tyres I thought that I would struggle but not in the least. Tyres are just original Dunlop ST20 Grandtrek
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A lot of good advice given on here, let's hope lot's of CT members read this and learn from it.
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As well as vehicle safety - I think it's important to have "tread" on my footwear - its far too easy to slip up and spoil a holiday. or everyday life for that matter. It amazes me seeing people expect to walk on ice wearing impossible footwear.
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If you have to ask the question.............. Don't risk it!
If drivin you have to take a spade to dig yourself out, rug to keep warm, food, fluids for drinking torch, fully charged phone.
Don't risk journeys without checking weather\road reports and Act on that information.
If you're on site hibernate!
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Stay at home or escape to Spain or Portugal.
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Stay at home or escape to Spain or Portugal.
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Stay at home or escape to Spain or Portugal.
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Sorry about the multi posts, I seem to have a dodgy micro switch in my mouse.
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When on site it is advisable to bring your water pump inside last thing at night to prevent it freezing up. I always use insulation pipe tubes around my water hoses and keep them off the ground with Y shaped fishing stands at a graduated height to ensure water runs away from the caravan.I always lag the water container as well and that usually doesn't freeze up it is only where the pipe comes into the caravan so taking out the pump prevents this happeneing. Good Luck and enjoy.... Sg2.
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Some Good Advice There BUT :--
I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the one vital bit of
advice I.E. If you really Must go out in the slippery stuff
never, never, never do it without a full fuel tank !!
Being able to run the engine when/if you are stuck for longish
periods can be a life saver -- No Fuel means no engine and
that means No Heat !
B
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And always remember antilock brakes have no effect on ice and snow. Always keep your distance and slow down.
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Winter tyres from October onwards. Drive gently on the gas and brakes.
If you feel a skid coming on, hit the clutch ! The vehicle will soon adopt a straight line and you are quickly back in control again .
Learned this on a skid driving course. If you can find such a course locally - do it, it really is worth it and will get you out of jail, believe me !
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That's o.k if your manual.BUT by dipping the clutch eliminates the drive potential !! You should still be in gear to control the vehicle.!! By gentle acceleration on the drive wheels if possible.in a straight line,steering into the skid therefore controlling the direction of the vehicle !!Otherwise ,with an automatic ,a low selection could achieve the same result !!Staying OFF of the brakes and steering as necessary ,as before !!0 -
If you start to lose control the best way to regain control is to come off the power and let go of the steering wheel..i.e foot off the accelerator and loosen your grip on the steering wheel.
You stand a better chance of regaining control of your vehicle using this method than trying to fight with the steering wheel.
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You can find basic winter driving tips on Youtube, this one doesn't address skids but offers general advice.
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I followed the advice given when I had to make a journey. I took a shovel, warm clothes, blanket, food and a flask. I was fine but I got some funny looks from the other people on the bus.
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or younger of us
