Help FL boy with COL snow tire question please

[Stratmeister]

I need my brothers/sisters advice here cause I’m in uncharted territory.

I live in Florida, drive a 2021 2WD Expedition and am headed to Colorado for Christmas.

On I70 in Colorado at that time of year since I don’t have 4WD I’m required to have some form of additional traction like snow tires or chains, etc… not a fan of chains…

So I’m thinking of getting new tires that would be CDOT-acceptable for winter I70 driving but would also be good Florida-hot weather good. Ideas?

I’m looking at Michelin Defender LTX M/S which I think are CDOT acceptable due to the M/S designation and supposedly would help with a smoother ride also in non-winter driving.

Anybody have advice or experience with a situation like this? Anybody in Colorado know if these tires are acceptable to CDOT? Are they good snow and all weather/season tires?

Thanks for any help, I appreciate you.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

2WD vehicle + Colorado in the wintertime = recipe for disaster...

Yea the Defenders may help a little, but even in PA in the winter, I would not be caught dead without my 4WD Expy

But looking at the tread pattern, they should be ok for floweedia drivin under normal conditions....

And fyi, chains do suk, and were outlawed in a lot of states years ago (along with studded tires), mainly because they destroy the road surfaces, as well as being extremely dangerous for those drivers who don't know how, or stupidly refuse to, adjust their driving habits when using them

 

[JasonH]

I've looked into this before myself while planning trips to snow country, but only dealt with it in light snow in northern New Mexico. Why not rent a vehicle for the stay in CO? Probably cheaper than buying a set of winter tires just for snow. There are many three-peak rated AT tires (My three-peak Coopers did well with a few inches), but by all accounts you really want a snow tire for extended driving on those types of roads. There are multiple videos on YouTube that compare performance of Snow, All Season, and Three Peak tires on snowy roads. I've seen TFL do that testing repeatedly.

 

[LegalBrief]

The requirement is 4wd with snow tires, 2wd drive must be chained up. I’d get cables not chains. Maybe time for a new 4wd truck. CO is brutal in winter, you don’t want to be the guy holding up traffic at 35mph, they aren’t nice to flat landers.

 

[Stratmeister]

Thanks for your info. My update: buying a new 4wd isn’t in the cards though it sounds great! Rental 4wd for a 3 week trip is possible but a way more expensive option to new tires, and I’m getting a set of chains/cables no matter what, cheap insurance to keep around.

I was wondering LegalBrief, why cables instead of chains, ease of use?

 

[LegalBrief]

Thanks for your info. My update: buying a new 4wd isn’t in the cards though it sounds great! Rental 4wd for a 3 week trip is possible but a way more expensive option to new tires, and I’m getting a set of chains/cables no matter what, cheap insurance to keep around.

I was wondering LegalBrief, why cables instead of chains, ease of use?

Cables roll smoother and are a bit easier to work with. You will have them on a lot in CO…. Instead of paying for a rental upgrade your rig.

 

[ColoExpdn]

Here are the requirements: reference CODOT.gov (https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/tractionlaw)

 

[ColoExpdn]

2 wheel drive will work fine on the major roads especially I70. The roads are kept clear except in very bad weather hence the traction laws. Keep abreast of the weather forecasts and plan your trips. Some say Colorado has on average 300 days of sunshine a year; probably closer to 250 depending where you are.

 

[chuck s]

Note in post #7 the word Either. Choose one (1) you don't need them all. #2 and #4 seen appropriate.

(A 2WD Expedition?! What were you thinking? )

Snow can hit any-where and no-where. And it's not constant even in Colorado. Read the road signs in the photo below. And, no, I don't have show tires here in Richmond nor did I in the snow belts (lake effect) of OH or NY.

-- Chuck

 

[Grizguy]

Good luck driving in snow.. ice the first time. I grew up pre 4wd. pre radial tires in NW PA when we still got ALOT of snow. 2wd expy will do well for an EXPERIENCED snow driver. New snow driver. go slow. don't jam on the brakes and expect to stop. Don't make sharp turns at speed. Be careful when you attempt to change lanes. the snow ruts will grab you and place wherever they want!

 

[Grey ghost]

I learned to drive in Minnesota and driven alot in snow all over the country. A good set of M&S rated tires are fine. Does your expedition have the electronic locking differential like mine ? If it does use it. Just use some sense and you will be fine. I can't tell you how many jeeps I've pulled out of ditches with a 250 Econoline with a limited slip rear. 4 wheel doesn't do anything for idiots. Slow methodical steering and braking, lots of distance between the car in front and you should be fine. You will get a feel for it.
Ever notice the cars that flip over on the grass on the sides and center of Florida interstates? It's because people swerve on to the grass and stab the brakes rather than slowly steering and braking and not paying attention.

 

[GlennSullivan]

(A 2WD Expedition?! What were you thinking? )

Snow can hit any-where and no-where. And it's not constant even in Colorado. Read the road signs in the photo below. And, no, I don't have show tires here in Richmond nor did I in the snow belts (lake effect) of OH or NY.

-- Chuck

As a long time 4WD SUV owner, I was surprised when we started to spend winters in Florida and noticed that many Pickups and Full size body on frame SUVs were 2WD there. If you go on a dealer lot in Florida the vast majority of these type vehicles will be 2WD. Like you, I personally, would never purchase one of these vehicles in 2WD configuration, but even with all the sand and mud in the state, many Floridians buy 2WD.

 

[mr_dave]

I'm from MN. What you want is a 4x4 vehicle with dedicated snow tires. My wife's Jeep GC has this setup and it's unstoppable in the winter.

My truck is 4x4 and I have very good "three peak" tires, but they are not dedicated winter with the softer rubber compound. They are definitely better than normal all-season tires but they don't come close to a dedicated setup.

There are some newer "all season" snow tires (like this one from Nokian) but I don't have first had experience.

 

[chuck s]

No need to buy snow tires for a week visit at Christmas.

Regarding 2WD Expeditions in Florida I get it. My Dad almost bought a car from Florida years (and years) ago -- no rust! -- but found out it did not have a heater which was actually an option in all cars up until the 1960s. Probably saved the original owner $25 by not getting one.

-- Chuck

 

[Peter L]

Here's the link to Colorado DOT traction requirements....

Passenger Vehicle Traction & Chain Laws — Colorado Department of Transportation

www.codot.gov

Lived here all my life and have driven all sorts of vehicles in the winter over the last 45 years. Rear wheel drive is a real challenge if the roads are icy and snow-packed, especially given the long hills that you'll encounter. As the link will show, look for M+S or Mountain/Snowflake icon (winter tires) as a starting point. Ford is funny about chains, claiming that their use will void the suspension warranty which I think is a bunch of hooey. Cables are easier but not quite as good. In either case, you need to keep your speed WAY down regardless of what anyone else might say (like 10 - 15 mph) - a broken link will at the very least beat the daylights out of your wheel well/fender and at the worst, wrap around the axle and lock up your vehicle. Towing during a storm is: a) very slow to arrive, b) really expensive and c) you'll be the subject of several hundred really ticked off other drivers. The fines for blocking traffic are also no joke.

Get some decent tires (I run Falken WildPeak AT3s that have a wear warranty and are reasonably quiet). My best advice - if you are on your way and there is heavy snow forecast for the mountains, either leave early or hole up at a hotel for a night - it really is different driving in snow, especially with the light back-end of the Expedition (only slightly heavier than a pick-up which in 2WD, is about the worst vehicle for winter driving (okay maybe an Econoline van is worse....). Enjoy your time here and just plan for heavy traffic, especially if you are heading up the hill the day before Christmas or any Friday at all.