Snow Question

[The Critic]

I would like to take a trip up to Lake Tahoe. Which of my vehicles should I take?

2020 Ram 1500 Crew Cab- 2WD, mechanical LSD, OE Goodyear Tires with 10/32" remaining.

2011 Prius - has brand-new Pirelli P7 All Season Plus II Tires.

2007 Honda Accord - has Continental PureContact LS Tires with 9/32" remaining.

I do not own chains for any of these vehicles so I will need to purchase. However, would any of these be a better candidate for the snow (than the others)?

 

[wpod]

The Accord,,, get chains and watch the road conditions.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Two wheel drive pickups suck in deep snow. The Accord.

 

[supton]

Accord or Prius, not sure which is better. A 2WD truck in snow, meh, yes it will get it done, but it may be more fun than you care for.

 

[JC1]

I would say the accord. Unless you are driving in the middle of snowstorm then you probably don't need chains. How high are the highest elevations in that region?

 

[TmanP]

I've driven our 4wd Chevy in 2wd on some slick roads and always been surprised how light the back end is and how "not great" it is in the snow. If you do end up taking your truck, I'd for sure put a few hundred pounds of sand bags or bricks or something in the bed. Unladen, that's probably the worst option. My pick would probably be the Accord - reasonably heavy and 9/32" is still pretty darn new on the tires. The Prius likely has VSC, though, which may come in handy - does the Accord?

 

[02SE]

I've lived most of my life in an area that usually gets heavy snowfall every year. The 2wd truck would be my last choice. If I did take it, I'd have chains, and a shovel to fill the bed with snow for weight (and to dig out if necessary).

 

[atikovi]

No way a RWD PU, especially a new one you care about.
No way a Prius. Had an '02 and the traction control would kick-in on the short uphill road to my house and forward motion would cease half way up in just one inch of snow.

 

[BISCUT]

Perfect timing.....We have 14" on the ground so far and it's still coming strong. This storm is a good one! Light, fluffy, powder! We often get heavy crud and some ice mixed in.

2WD PU is a no go.
Prius is horrendous in snow, especially if you have hilly terrain to deal with.
Accord is your best bet. Tires matter.

 

[Andrew1972]

I would like to take a trip up to Lake Tahoe. Which of my vehicles should I take?

2020 Ram 1500 Crew Cab- 2WD, mechanical LSD, OE Goodyear Tires with 10/32" remaining.

2011 Prius - has brand-new Pirelli P7 All Season Plus II Tires.

2007 Honda Accord - has Continental PureContact LS Tires with 9/32" remaining.

I do not own chains for any of these vehicles so I will need to purchase. However, would any of these be a better candidate for the snow (than the others)?

It's a joke on skier sites making fun of California Prius driver who are stuck everywhere in Tahoe including at small piles of snow at intersections and high centered.

I am guessing you are not a capable winter driver given your locale. Toss up between Accord and 2WD with LSD. The pickup is best choice if you put chains on.

 

[buster]

Accord. FWD > RWD in snow. No weight in back of pickup.

 

[Ursatdx]

I might consider a rental 4WD.
That's just me.

 

[Kawiguy454]

Heavy bags of sand or salt right at the back tailgate and if you have the notches in the bed put a 2x12 across to keep them back there. The pickup will work no problemo with weight/chains on all four if it gets bad.

Two reasons the truck is best, it should have more clearance underneath in seep snow and if you do slide a bit easier to control the slide. The Cars you would need to keep more momentum in deep snow to punch through the deep stuff. And if the FWD car starts to slide steering gets weird.

 

[2EHA]

2wd pickup with weight in the back

 

[BISCUT]

It's a joke on skier sites making fun of California Prius driver who are stuck everywhere in Tahoe including at small piles of snow at intersections and high centered.

I am guessing you are not a capable winter driver given your locale. Toss up between Accord and 2WD with LSD. The pickup is best choice if you put chains on.

That's the Prius driver who pumps the brakes at the base of a snowy incline

 

[Passport1]

Rent an AWD suv.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Rent an AWD suv.

I was about to suggest the same.

 

[Al]

Rent a Subaru.

 

[01rangerxl]

I was about to suggest the same.

Yes, and pick something that will be good material for a controversial rental review thread.

 

[2010Civic]

I'd take the accord. I have all fwd cars and live in MN. Have never been stuck.