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What can I do about being stranded at home because of a blizzard when I need to work?

ironpony

By ironpony,
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ironpony

ironpony

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My work wants me to come and there was a blizzard where I live, and the entire streets around me are flooded with snow and I cannot get the car out.  I asked my Dad about it and he said it will probably be at least a week before the snow is packed down hard enough to drive over successfully.  But I don't want to miss work for a week.  Is there anything I can do, or how should I handle this situation do you think?

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ironpony

ironpony

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I did but I was told they are only good when there is some snow, and will not do any good if there is this much.  Plus I wouldn't even be able to get them transported to me as well, because of all the snow.

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Happy Lemming

Happy Lemming

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Just now, ironpony said:

 Plus I wouldn't even be able to get them transported to me as well, because of all the snow.

You live in Canada, it snows in Canada.  You drive your vehicle for a living... plan ahead. You should have ordered tire chains a couple of months ago.

You know an early snow storm is always a possibility in Canada, why didn't you plan for this type of scenario.

3 minutes ago, ironpony said:

I did but I was told they are only good when there is some snow, and will not do any good if there is this much.

With chains you may have been able to get out in a day or two, without them you are stuck in your driveway for a week.

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ironpony

ironpony

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Oh okay it's just I asked around and people said chains don't do any good, and just cause other problems.  I could try them next time I can get out.

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Happy Lemming

Happy Lemming

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When I did live in a cold weather area (in the US), I found snow chains to provide fantastic traction on both snow and ice.  They got me to work and home on more occasions than I care to remember.  I drove around many stuck cars with my chains on.

Below is an article from a Canadian source.

"Chains improve traction and climbing by 100 per cent. They also considerably improve your stopping distance, because they will bite into the snow or hard-packed ice."

Source: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/culture/commuting/chains-when-winter-tires-arent-enough/article4182748/

As an added point, the time to think about driving in the snow is before it snows.  Again, when I lived in a cold area I ordered up my snow chains in August, along with extra cross links and cross link removal tools.  I made sure the new chains fit nicely on my tires and made any adjustments before I needed them. I usually got two seasons out of a set of chains.

Moreover, there are A LOT more choices and styles that were not available when I lived in a colder climate.

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ironpony

ironpony

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Oh okay, that's interesting.  The attitude around where I live is snow chains don't help and you still get stuck, or still slide on ice, etc...

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Happy Lemming

Happy Lemming

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Just now, ironpony said:

Oh okay, that's interesting.  The attitude around where I live is snow chains don't help and you still get stuck, or still slide on ice, etc...

For me.. when I drove on ice, I used chains.  When it came time to stop, I'd push in the clutch and pump my brakes giving the chains a chance to rotate as they bit into the snow and ice. 

 

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ironpony

ironpony

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Oh okay thank you.  Actually I asked others why they told me before not to use chains and that they would not be good, and they said it's because in my job, I do highway driving, and chains are only good on streets where you drive slow, but they are not good for the car if you are driving on the highway, if that's true?

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Happy Lemming

Happy Lemming

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14 minutes ago, ironpony said:

...but they are not good for the car if you are driving on the highway, if that's true?

I think they make a highway speed capable cable style chain.  You need to do some research and read about the different styles of chains on the market (in Canada).

Again, its been many years since I drove in a cold weather climate and had to deal with the snow and ice.  A lot has changed with snow chains, etc. during that time.

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basil67

basil67

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Perhaps this is a dumb question coming from an Aussie who skis just once a year.....but do you drive a 4WD or AWD?   I've never had a problem on snow or ice when driving ours carefully.   I would have imagined they would be the standard vehicles to own when living in a snowy climate.

Regarding snow chains...my husband never swears.  EXCEPT when he's had to put snow chains on and then his language becomes particularly colourful    Chains are the very reason we have an AWD.   I'd like a smaller run-about for city driving, but we're a one car family, so AWD it is.

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Happy Lemming

Happy Lemming

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39 minutes ago, basil67 said:

Regarding snow chains...my husband never swears.  EXCEPT when he's had to put snow chains on and then his language becomes particularly colourful   

I completely understand... When I did live in a snowy climate, I would order my chains early, jack up my car and develop a system for installing them.  I also kept extra chain links, chain tools, a hydraulic jack, extra gloves, an old blanket to kneel on in the snow, etc. etc.

I am glad that part of my life is over and I will never see nor drive in snow/ice again.

 

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basil67

basil67

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52 minutes ago, ironpony said:

Oh I have a front wheel drive.

Given that you live in a snowy climate, perhaps rethinking your car choice may be wise.

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basil67

basil67

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24 minutes ago, Happy Lemming said:

I completely understand... When I did live in a snowy climate, I would order my chains early, jack up my car and develop a system for installing them.  I also kept extra chain links, chain tools, a hydraulic jack, extra gloves, an old blanket to kneel on in the snow, etc. etc.

 

That would have made it so much easier.  Our experience is driving to destination, then at the last 10kms have to lay the chains out, drive on to them, strap them on and hope you did it right.   

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Happy Lemming

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11 hours ago, basil67 said:

Our experience is driving to destination, then at the last 10kms have to lay the chains out, drive on to them, strap them on and hope you did it right.   

Yes... I never had much luck (driving onto my chains), they were always too loose and I just didn't like the fit.  I purchased a cheap $20 hydraulic trolley jack and kept that in my trunk. I could quickly jack up the car, install the chains (tightly), add the spring tensioners and away I went.

I would also make "witness" marks on the hardware with bright orange or yellow paint, so I would know I had them tight and in the right position.

I'm not saying it was a "day at the beach" installing them, but I tried to make it as easy as possible with minimal stress on me.

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kismetkismet

kismetkismet

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How are your coworkers getting to work? I realize this won't help you in the short term, but if you live somewhere where harsh winters are the norm, you need to invest in a vehicle and tires that are safe to drive in winter. Otherwise, you'll be limited in the kinds of jobs that you can apply for/successfully keep without getting in trouble. 

In the meantime, can you get a ride with a coworker, or is there public transit available? Does your dad have a vehicle you can borrow? 

 

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ironpony

ironpony

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Well each of us uses our cars to transport materials on the highway in the job, so I still need the car to do that.  Getting a ride will not do any good, because it defeats the purpose of my job, being a transporter.

Some of my co-workers have vehicles, that go higher off the ground I noticed, so that helps.  Perhaps I can heigthen the wheels of my car?  I have a Pontiac G5, but could I heighten the wheels, like a truck?

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Happy Lemming

Happy Lemming

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12 hours ago, ironpony said:

 I have a Pontiac G5, but could I heighten the wheels, like a truck?

That isn't going to work... it is more about traction, raising the vehicle isn't going to turn it into a 4-wheel drive vehicle.

The Pontiac G5 is basically a sporty coupe, it was never meant to drive in 12" of snow.  That is what your 4 wheel drive pickups/SUV's are built for.

 

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