Winter driving

gregus73 · March 1

Hi all,

I drive back and forth to my cabin up in the Sierra Nevada foothills. I am used to 2-12 inches of snow during this time of the year. (2400 elevation)

Next week, heading to South Lake Tahoe which has a 6200 elevation.

Questions:

What do y'all recommend for snow chains for a 2500 High Country with stock tires?

The temps will be 40 degrees day/20 degrees night. Any need to plug in the diesel heater if leaving in the 30-40 degrees?

Thanks,

rjgvt · March 1

Depending on the stock size tires on your truck, tire chains may or may not be recommended. The manual states all of this.

newdude · March 1

1 hour ago, gregus73 said:

Hi all,

I drive back and forth to my cabin up in the Sierra Nevada foothills. I am used to 2-12 inches of snow during this time of the year. (2400 elevation)

Next week, heading to South Lake Tahoe which has a 6200 elevation.

Questions:

What do y'all recommend for snow chains for a 2500 High Country with stock tires?

The temps will be 40 degrees day/20 degrees night. Any need to plug in the diesel heater if leaving in the 30-40 degrees?

Thanks,

No chains on the 20" wheels for HD.

From the owner's manual:

Tire Chains

Warning: If the vehicle has LT275/65R20, LT265/60R22, or LT305/70R18E size tires, do not use tire chains. There is not enough clearance. Tire chains used on a vehicle without the proper amount of clearance can cause damage to the brakes, suspension, or other vehicle parts. The area damaged by the tire chains could cause loss of control and a crash. Use another type of traction device only if its manufacturer recommends it for the vehicle’s tire size combination and road conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s instructions. To avoid vehicle damage, drive slow and readjust or remove the traction device if it is contacting the vehicle. Do not spin the wheels. If traction devices are used, install them on the rear tires.

Edited March 1 by newdude

bruceb58 · March 1

2 hours ago, gregus73 said:

The temps will be 40 degrees day/20 degrees night. Any need to plug in the diesel heater if leaving in the 30-40 degrees?

I have a house in south lake Tahoe. No need at all to plug in the truck.

We have cables for all of our vehicles that we use there. Been many years since we have had to put them(they are all 4WD or AWD) on and that was when we were headed up to Kirkwood skiing.

Edited March 1 by bruceb58

rjgvt · March 1

31 minutes ago, bruceb58 said:

I have a house in south lake Tahoe. No need at all to plug in the truck.

We have cables for all of our vehicles that we use there. Been many years since we have had to put them(they are all 4WD or AWD) on and that was when we were headed up to Kirkwood skiing.

Do you have 20" wheels on your 2024 and have you used cables on them? Thanks.

gregus73 · March 1

Hi,

It has 275/65R20 tires. I have never used cables or chains on any of my trucks that I have had. I mostly go to Tahoe during the summer or early fall.

So, looks like no chains are needed or can be used per the manual. Would recovery boards be a good idea? They can double down for my Bronco (has 35's) if needed.

Edited March 1 by gregus73

bruceb58 · March 1

2 hours ago, rjgvt said:

Do you have 20" wheels on your 2024 and have you used cables on them? Thanks.

I have not...I am waiting on my 24 GMC Denali which is on order.

I have used cables on my F150

I have used chains with my previous 3/4T Chevrolet and I don't recommend them.

I have used both chains and cables and I would only ever use cables.

Edited March 1 by bruceb58

Pryme · March 2

Tahoe is super beautiful. California has the best natural terrain. But factor in the ppl and traffic and it’s less beautiful haha.

chwilliams · March 3

I've been running studless Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT3's since November on a '24 2500, so far so good in and around Mt Hood and Mt Bachelor.

This has week has been a blast for those of us who like to play in the snow. Drove westbound over Santiam Pass today without issue.

rjgvt · March 3

4 hours ago, chwilliams said:

I've been running studless Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT3's since November on a '24 2500, so far so good in and around Mt Hood and Mt Bachelor.

This has week has been a blast for those of us who like to play in the snow. Drove westbound over Santiam Pass today without issue.

I ran that Nokian tire on my 1500. Sold them with my spare wheels when I got my 2500HD AT4 in January. Looking to get a spare set of wheels to get the LT3’s before next winter. The K03’s that came on my truck has worked well so far as our winter has been mild.

chwilliams · March 3

8 hours ago, rjgvt said:

I ran that Nokian tire on my 1500. Sold them with my spare wheels when I got my 2500HD AT4 in January. Looking to get a spare set of wheels to get the LT3’s before next winter. The K03’s that came on my truck has worked well so far as our winter has been mild.

Keep your eye out for takeoff's, I got a screaming deal on a set off of a '20. They were basically identical to the 18" wheels that it came with the LTZ trim, just add new tires and TPMS.

rjgvt · March 3

I’d like a set of black 20” 9 spoke wheels like I have now. I see some on eBay but most have tires that I don’t want or need. I’ll keep looking.

A Chap · March 4

I run the factory Trail Runners all winter here in Alaska without issue, to include the mountains. I plug in as the manual states, 0F and below.

rjgvt · March 4

A Chap,

Are you driving in packed snow/plowed roads or just snow? I hunt in areas with class 4 roads where they are not maintained or plowed. I don't know how the KO3's would be for a full blown winter. I'd hate to roll the dice and get it wrong. I plan ahead on getting tires on wheels, getting snow tires on after the first snowstorm can be a challenge.

When I was still working, my weekly commute was 160 miles each way. The Nokians did not let me down.

Epsilon Plus · March 4

The mains are going to be plowed. The side streets will be icy around "town". This is where auto 4wd will really shine for you in that High Country. Out in the sticks in Meyers/Christmas Valley (where I was born/raised haha) you could get into a mess with all the hills, turns and elevation changes. I ended up in a few front yards there growing up and that was in light weight 80s Toyota pickups that were near unstoppable in the snow. These heavy pigs with massive wheel bases especially on garbage OEM spec rubber aren't the best snow rigs for agility situations.

Stay safe by taking things slow and calculating, have fun up there, and bring a tow rope if you have one. I live in AZ now and I still carry one. Actually used it a few weeks ago pulling a college kid out of a mess in 3ft snow Flagstaff.

Cheers.

PS: Chains are lame. I'd never put that crap on a vehicle. Maybe if you're out in the Alaskan wilderness or something but in Tahoe they are reserved for bay area dorks in Hondas that you'll be pulling out of the snow banks with that tow rope we talked about.