quote:

Originally posted by 400m:
The sand tubes mentioned are for your trunk to help with traction and the sand can be used to throw down on ice if you get stuck on a patch.

I wouldn't do that unless you are driving an old rear wheel drive or 2WD pickup. Putting weight in the trunk cantilevers weight off of the front drive wheels on modern cars. Of course, 4WD is the best answer.

4WD can be misleading, it will get you going better but it won't help you stop.

You need to know two things to live well in the frozen north.

Where south is.

How to get there.

quote:

Originally posted by Ripley:
4WD can be misleading, it will get you going better but it won't help you stop.

I didn't say it would. Having driven RWD, FWD and 4WD over the past 45 years, I can assure you it is superior for getting around in winter.

Speaking of shovels, one to keep in the truck along a couple bags of salt and a couple bags of sand.

quote:

Originally posted by Fly-Sig:

Seriously consider getting micro-spikes for your winter boots for clearing the snow from your driveway. Falling on ice is a lot easier than you think. I gave myself a good concussion last winter by being stupid and not wearing my spikes that morning. Despite being athletic and active, it completely took me by surprise when I went down.

My dad was crossing a downtown street (supposedly well cleared) and slipped on some unseen ice. He ended up having surgery to repair his shoulder. Yaktrax Pro are the best easiest all around everyday gription aid I’ve used. Use a quart Ziploc Freezer bag to carry them in your coat pocket until and after you use them.

Seperately, take off your hoses, as noted, and use the hard foam faucet covers. Cheap insurance.

Create a winter add-on for your vehicle emergency supplies. Anything with batteries that will be used or stored outside gets lithium batteries (headlamp, flashlight). Get at least three of the long road flares.

quote:

Originally posted by Fly-Sig:

Seriously consider getting micro-spikes for your winter boots for clearing the snow from your driveway. Falling on ice is a lot easier than you think. I gave myself a good concussion last winter by being stupid and not wearing my spikes that morning. Despite being athletic and active, it completely took me by surprise when I went down.

I second this. I live in a neighborhood where not everyone is diligent about removing snow. Icy sidewalks are common for a weeks during the winter. I bought Stabilicers. They offer versions with replaceable spikes. A winter season of dog walking and driveway clearing would wear out the spikes.

Is a heated garage possible?

If not, park with the wind shield wipers off the windshield?

(TX gets cold, but briefly.)

If you can still get coal/a coal stove, I’d want one for cold weather - no need to worry about bugs/the stockpile will last millennia, TMK.

The part of me which lived on a ranch in MT as a boy, says “get a horse/team because they always start at -40” but I’m not sure if that’s practical/that WI gets that cold.

quote:

Originally posted by onegeek:
Seperately, take off your hoses, as noted, and use the hard foam faucet covers. Cheap insurance.

Or better yet, it's possible there's a Turn Off valve a few feet inside for each spigot. If you have access, Turn off and open the spigot a little to drain.

For dogs that spend a lot of time in the snow, you can do a search for "ice ball dog paws". We never had a problem as our Boston would go out, urinate, then try to balance on 2 or 3 paws cause it was so cold at night. I had to go out in a robe and pick him up and carry him back inside.

And then there's heat tape for the roof. If you have poor insulation or venting, you can get some serious ice dams and then leaking.

Deleted as redundant.

I'll admit I didn't read all three pages before posting. But my main advice is make sure you don't use diluted windshield washer solution.

quote:

But my main advice is make sure you don't use diluted windshield washer solution.

Yes. Be sure your washer fluid is rated for -20° or -25°, or you'll have a giant blue ice cube.

Drain your windshield washer fluid reservoir and put northern stuff in it. I made the mistake of having a shop fill mine in Pensacola one winter and on the way home it turned into a giant blue ice cube.

Your dogs will love the snow. They'll let you know if their feet hurt. My dog walks 3 miles a day with me in the winter and doesn't wear booties. He'd probably go ape shit tearing them off if I tried to put them on.

Your pipes ought to all be inside. Outdoor plumbing, apart from hose spigots, is not a thing up here. Hose spigots should be the freeze-proof type, but you might want to check, and be sure to detach your hose before it freezes or the water column will get back up inside the pipes and break them.

Snowblower or snowplow is a necessity if you have a big driveway. I haven't used mine the past two years, but I'm still glad I have it because when you need it you need it.

I've never bought snow tires, and I drive RWD trucks. It's just not that big of a deal. Don't drive like an idiot, leave room to stop (even if you're going to slide), and get off the gas if the rear end starts coming around. But honestly, most municipalities up here know how to deal with snow, and your Wisconsin roads will probably be better the day after a blizzard than GA roads are after a dusting.

Get a car wash membership. Gotta get that salt off your truck or it'll eat it in short order. And washing by hand in the driveway is a no-go when it's freezing out.

Honestly, I can't wait for winter. This freaking heat and humidity this summer has been awful. It's like satan's anus outside. I'm looking forward to crisp cold air, all the bugs dying, and a fire burning in the fireplace.

quote:

Originally posted by MNSIG:

quote:

Originally posted by Ripley:
4WD can be misleading, it will get you going better but it won't help you stop.

I didn't say it would. Having driven RWD, FWD and 4WD over the past 45 years, I can assure you it is superior for getting around in winter.

Of course, I just pointed out an important aspect of better traction moving forward in slick conditions.

quote:

Originally posted by DonDraper:

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:
4. I’ll check exterior pipes but shouldn’t they be made for the winters up here?

Where is "up here" ??

Remember, that unless you are planning a move to Alaska. most of CUSA is south of where live in in Ontario.

So your 'Northern 48' is our 'way down South, especially for those hardy souls in Yukon and Nunavut. Even Yellow Knife can get chilly - -40C. Edmonton? Also quite cold - -30C and ten feet of snow to help to along.

There's 'northern' and 'Northern'.

First thing I did to the truck is have the undercarriage coated. Should help with the salt in between baths.

I appreciate all the responses. I’ll start small with shovels, get an hvac inspection, put the new tires on the truck. Get some scrapers for the car.

I do have 4WD which I hope would help in a “lightly” stuck situation. I’ll put some extra essentials in the truck as well. I do need to make sure about the wiper fluid. I don’t have remote start now but I have a bad solenoid in the drivers side lock so maybe I get it installed when I’m getting that fixed.

The dogs sound like they’ll be fine.

I’ll check the spigots and put those styrofoam covers on probably just to be safe.

Worst part of all this is between buying the home and paying for the move, I’m broke.

Since I have training “in route”, even though it’s physically all here, I won’t get reimbursed for any of it, approximately 15k, until I complete the 5-6 months of training.

If you have any ground level vents from a basement or crawlspace, make sure to close them and check any adjacent water pipes for insulation. Steady cold wind can cause problems.

quote:

Originally posted by tacfoley:

-40C

That's almost as cold as -40°F

Boot trays for the doors you will be using.