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Author Topic: Snow Management  (Read 16855 times)

Offline FDNYLiberty

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Snow Management
« on: December 27, 2010, 05:26:40 PM »
Just being hit with over 2 feet of snow here in New York, one question that many folks (like myself) ask when they discuss Wyoming as a possible relocation / retirement area is, "Its to damn cold! And what about all that snow?"

It is my guess that most folks in the more rural arreas that have long driveways that lead to main roads have snow plows on 4X4 pickup trucks. Am I correct? If so, does anyone have any idea what a pickup truck snowplow hitch and snowplow cost? I figure that I would need one for my PU truck, since I am not about to use a shovel or snow blower on a mile long driveway.

If you are in a town center, I presume that roads are maintained/plowed by county workers?

Statewide / countywide, how well are the main roads maintained after a big snowfall?

Any "tips" on how or what you do to manage your snow removal (other than replying "I use a big shovel") would be appreciated.

This is a major consideration for many folks out there considering WY as a home.

Thanks.
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Offline jscottdavis04

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Re: Snow Management
« Reply #1 on: December 27, 2010, 06:26:39 PM »
What snow? We've got lots of icy ruts all around town (Rock Springs) that make intersections very entertaining. Eastern snow makes for different driving than Western snow. Snow combined with the wind makes road surfaces almost always lumpy and icy, but since it's typically a dry snow, it's not usually as difficult/slippery to drive on as out East.

As far as road maintenance goes, I saw two snow plows on I-80 last week, but other than that I haven't seen much road maintenance going on around here. I-80 is pretty miserable right now... all the way up to the Utah line, then the roads are perfectly clean. It's like magic! So, the roads aren't great but all I have is a minivan with all-season tires. I've got chains in the back, but I haven't used them yet.

I have to shovel our porch, because it's on the side of the house where the snow drifts pile up, but other than that, there's been no need to shovel and our street (outside town, in the county) hasn't seen a plow yet. I hear that we're still in for the worst in the next few months, though.

One thing I would recommend is a block heater. Even here in SW Wyo, my car has been pretty sluggish getting started recently.
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Offline Crappiewy

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Re: Snow Management
« Reply #2 on: December 27, 2010, 06:34:27 PM »
The snow is not a problem. It doesent really matter what type of car you have as long as you are careful Front wheel drive is better than rear wheel drive but not necessary. Dont use cruise control.
Ive never owned a 4x4 in Wyoming.
Jeff. I was in Rock springs the other day and it was miserable... From the freeway to Wallmart there was 3 seperate wrecks.
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Offline jscottdavis04

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Re: Snow Management
« Reply #3 on: December 27, 2010, 08:53:21 PM »
People here crash their cars a lot! I can't believe how many wrecks I've witnessed just driving the few miles from home to work recently. The owner of Ammo Shack told me it's all the people from sunnier states who don't know how to handle the snow, but I'm not sure... seems most people can't handle it when it's slippery.

Wait, you were in town???  :'(
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Offline manfromnevada

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Re: Snow Management
« Reply #4 on: December 27, 2010, 10:34:53 PM »
My snow plow for my 4x4 cost $5K installed. It's got a 7' blade.
It's my lifeline out here in the boondocks. I have 2 miles of winding steep gravel road to plow.
I also keep all 4 tires chained up with 500lbs of sandbags at the tailgate.
The truck has a 5.9L engine. When the snow gets heavy or deep I have to keep it in 4 low range

A 2WD vehicle might be fine if you live in a place where the roads are maintained for you, but not here. I put my front wheel drive van away for the whole winter season. Just last week even the AWD SUV wouldn't go up the big hill out of here and neighbor had to give me a tug with his tractor.

Depends on where you live and what you do. If you live in a place where the roads are plowed you won't notice much difference between any other place and here.

Mac
Ps. I also have a smaller twin stage snow blower for around the house/garage.
The highways are maintained very well. They do a great job of plowing and sanding the roads. They even put sand on our county gravel road last week after warm spell had caused it to melt and refreeze.
We get much more snow here in the Black Hills than places like Newcastle or Gillette get. Microclimate means everything here.
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Offline MANUMIT

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Re: Snow Management
« Reply #5 on: December 28, 2010, 06:33:59 AM »
A lot of folks who live >1/2 mile from a maintained county road, blade out a parking area @ the county road and snowmobile in & out after mid-December...no shoveling or plowing and lots of fun commuting....FWIW we have always had neighbors who loved plowing and keeping our drives & roads open.

MANUMIT
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Offline MamaLiberty

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Re: Snow Management
« Reply #6 on: December 28, 2010, 07:20:57 AM »
First winter I was here the county plowed the road frequently, most times when I saw no need... but what did I know? The last two winters we seldom ever see a plow, but more important, we seldom see them spreading sand either. When they do plow, they never get down past the ice, and in some places that layer of ice lasts all winter. We have to be VERY careful and watch for those places, believe me!

I'm doing pretty good driving in the snow now, but when the roads are seriously icy Mama simply has to stay home. Never did go in much for skating. :)
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Offline FDNYLiberty

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Re: Snow Management
« Reply #7 on: December 28, 2010, 07:42:14 AM »
Thanks MML and MFN! That is objective and helpul information. Seems that road plowing is spotty out there. Thats MFN fro the info on the snowplow costs.
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Offline MamaLiberty

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Re: Snow Management
« Reply #8 on: December 28, 2010, 07:51:02 AM »
I should add that the roads and streets are still fairly well plowed and sanded in town and on the highways, minus the trouble spots, but it doesn't happen much out here in the hills. You either have to deal with it or stay home. I'm fortunate to be able to stay home when necessary.
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Offline biathlon

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Re: Snow Management
« Reply #9 on: December 28, 2010, 07:29:27 PM »
I lost count several years ago how many times I nearly got Tboned by some moron on a cell phone or texting and hitting their brakes at the last minute in an intersection! Leave early, pay close attention, drive slower than you normally do and don't do anything suddenly, that includes turns. One of my favorite stunts is to wait at the Fly Store engine running, hot coffee and follow a snowplow up to the ski area. Embrace the cold, wind and snow. Make fun out of it and you'll be real happy here.
 
 
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Offline MamaLiberty

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Re: Snow Management
« Reply #10 on: December 29, 2010, 04:21:07 AM »
Expecting a major snowstorm though here the next two days. When the weather forecast says 100% precipitation, you got to figure they mean business. :) Will go to the store this morning and will be all set.
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Offline MichaelNotMike

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Re: Snow Management
« Reply #11 on: December 29, 2010, 05:32:14 AM »
No snow currently in Casper. And if there were, the 65 MPH gusts we're having right now would likely blow it elsewhere!
 ;D ~W~

MWD
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Offline Stratispho

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Re: Snow Management
« Reply #12 on: December 29, 2010, 08:51:42 AM »
Quote from: MamaLiberty on December 29, 2010, 04:21:07 AM
Expecting a major snowstorm though here the next two days. When the weather forecast says 100% precipitation, you got to figure they mean business. :) Will go to the store this morning and will be all set.

that same storm is supposed to bring snow to some areas of Phoenix. Should be exciting to watch the car wrecks since no one here knows how to drive in the rain I can only imagine how they'll deal with snow.
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Offline Kelly

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Re: Snow Management
« Reply #13 on: December 29, 2010, 10:37:00 AM »
I was on the East Coast for that storm...not fun, but hey, it's the Northeast in December!  What do people expect!?!

Best footage was this scene from Brooklyn...where a city worker is trying to free a stuck loader and they just blatantly destroy an SUV in the process.

I'd turn off the sound...the guy filming is a tad annoying.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt_r-jO3lKE

Needless to say, I'm glad to be back in WY!

EDIT:  In order to stay on topic, let me add that having studded snow tires here is a big help.  ;-)
« Last Edit: December 29, 2010, 04:59:51 PM by Kelly »
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Offline HardwareHank

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Re: Snow Management
« Reply #14 on: December 29, 2010, 04:11:42 PM »
I stay off the roads until the ice evaporates... Believeing discretion is the better part of valor. I let the expert drivers have the road.
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