Denver — A Few Notes from the Blizzard

[carterbeauford]

I agree, equipment iswhere it is at... but disagree on the vehicle...

I too have expensive snow tires on my vehicle... to the tune of almost 1000 dollars worth... they are made for snow...

but they are also 35" tall, and on a lifted Dodge Ram 4x4

the truck wears great brakes (they don't lock up, but they grab nicely)

the truck is built, engine, trans, and axles. 325 horse at the wheels, waterproofed so snow doesn't effect it...

snow chains (I carry 6, because you can easily throw one!) snap-straps, slings, tow-chains and cables, and 10,000 pounds worth of pull in a cradle-mounted winch, a pull-pal...

I have spent some time in the Colorado high country (Alma/Fairplay/Como area) in snow, and even used it in a couple of recovery operations...

Care to wager which one is a better snow vehicle, your Hondas and Super Boo-Boo's, or my Ram?

CTD or Hemi? My CTD (2500 single rear wheel) is terrible in the snow in 2wd, put it in 4wd and it just sails. The weight of the engine really helps the front tires cut through the nasty stuff. That is with 400HP/800TQ at the wheels. At any rate I'd hate to have dual rear wheels with the snow we get around here. Had 3 fullsize pickup trucks and this one is by far the best on bad roads, 'course it weighs about 3,000lbs more than the previous two.

 

[bogie]

Unfortunately, the Dodge came with the 20-inch rims, and a set of tires is gonna run $1500.00

Okay. Buy some "normal sized" junkyard rims, and put those on for the winter. And enjoy the torque.

 

[Spreadfire Arms]

good post. this got me thinking, for both SHTF and inclement weather scenarios. i was thinking about getting some military MRE's but have heard those thing constipate you like no other. the next alternative was freeze-dried foods you can get at local backpacking stores, like REI. i got online at REI's website and got 24 "meals for two" (20 ounce). if you order 12 or more meals they give you 10% off, and until the end of today (12/24) if you type in the coupon code "HOLIDAY" you get an additional $20 off if you spend over $100.

so the total for my 24 meals was $114. not bad, that is less than $5/meal. directions say you add hot water into the insulated bag, seal, and wait a few minutes and presto, you have food. if you don't have hot water, you can use any water, but the meal won't be as tasty. i figure if i'm so hungry im diving into my stockpile to eat im not going to care at that point.

the manufacturer is Mountain Home, they guarantee a shelf life of 7 years with their bagged items. they make some canned stuff too that has a 30 year shelf life. i didnt go that route because i wanted to get individual meals that i could use to trade for other things i might later need (batteries, ammo, etc). or, if i was only feeding myself, i didn't want to open a can that fed a family of 4.

i figure if i leave a few in my cars, a few at my office, and a few at home, then that certainly helps me out.

just got to figure out all the othe SHTF stuff. i have a newer model Z71 4WD. i have plenty of guns. i have ammo, but can always use some more (got to get the 1500 rounds of Monarch 7.62 x 39 i put on layaway at Academy!). probably need to stock up on bottled water (it's cheap...$5 a case?) and probably get a good milsurp sleeping bag, and maybe even some sort of small portable shelter.

 

[Clipper]

Hey Bogie...

...What makes you think I'd only use 'em for winter? We do have mud and sand in the woods in warmer weather around here, and not all the boatramps are paved...

 

[Jeff White]

Can't you guys find a 4x4 forum to discuss these things? I think we drifted a bit too far off topic for here.

Jeff