Florida owner driving north, need advice

[bushrat]

I'm planning on making a road trip from Orlando to Memphis for the Liberty Bowl on December 29. GO UCF! Anyways, I'm hearing about how the stock tires suck in snow, so I wanted to get some advice from those of you who know the ways of the white stuff... What should I do? I have a couple ideas:

Drive as is and get snow chains. Will they scratch my rims? How do they attach?
Swap wheels and tires with a buddy with a regular 3 with all season tires.

Obviously, I'm looking for the economical solution here. It would be silly to buy a set of tires just for one trip.

Another question, with the summer tires, when do I really start to lose traction? When it's just really cold out, or when there's actual snow on the road?

There's no way to tell what the weather's going to be like that weekend, either.

 

[Rumblestiltzkin]

I wouldn't suggest chains at all. If they start to come undone say goodbye to your wheel well. I live in Utah and its been snowing for the last 12 hours. I am just kicking it with the stock tires for now but would suggest getting some snow tires since the stockers really do suck in snow. I lose traction when the roads actually have snow on them. and ice. Your right it would be silly to buy tires for one trip. maybe for the same amount you could just rent a 4 wheel drive vehicle and save the miles on your own car. I dont know the weather in memphis but that is just my two cents.

 

[Rumblestiltzkin]

Also I have heard about Auto socks. They are similar to chains. Its like some kind of fabric that you stretch over the tire. You could look into that too. They are just for temporary use.

 

[Sacrilicious]

ooo...the auto socks idea sounds really good. keep in mind that snow chains are illegal in some states because of how they tear up roads, so they might not even be a usable option!

 

[Hirudin]

Swapping wheels/tires with your buddy sounds like a good idea to me. It might be fun for your friend too...

 

[xtrememps]

I say just go up there and take your chances...you're not going THAT far north. IF the temps are real low you'll notice a difference in traction but as long as there's not a major snow storm you'll be fine

If you wanna play it safe though just swap with your friend though.

 

[ispypsi]

rental rental rental.

my brother just got back from kansas on business and said it blows driving in the ice and stuff, even in FWD.

he is getting a rental again when he goes to memphis i think. but i think it's more of the fact he needs a rental suv because he's going with alot of people.