Perentie in snow/ice - how to?

[dranoweb]

So I have plans to do my regular crossing of Mt Hotham/dargo high plains in a few weeks, and I'm a little gun shy after my last attempt in the Nissan X trail.

Had fitted road tires after wearing out the A/T's before my budget. Almost ended very badly

I plan to avoid ice and snow but the mountains can throw a curveball at any time of year.

Any experienced snow drivers out there with a perentie that could lend some advice?

I'm still new to to the landy, as a driver at least.

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[87County]

Only limited experience in snow - but enough to know that chains are your friend.

[dranoweb]

Chains are a mandatory thing on this particular passing in snow season. Having trouble finding ones big enough.

Perhaps this means I'll have to stick to low roads for now?

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[87County]

I forgot to add, if you only have one pair, they go on the front, and engage the CDL.

Two pair are better than one pair if it is really bad.

They are only for slow going, take them off as soon as you can. Drive very steadily so you don't rip the track.

When I see youtubes of people slithering about and trying to climb on wet slippery offroad tracks I'm reminded of what a difference chains would make.

There would be chains around unused in people's garages - you could try putting a up a wanted ad. There's some for sale on gumtree in NSW - surely would be in VIC - you have to check sizes etc.

[rangieman]

I have done this crossing in a D1 in the snow one Queens b/day weekend .
I had twin lockers winch all were not needed simply engage your cdl and drive accordingly stay in the wheel ruts if there are any and all will be fine ;)

[Blknight.aus]

fill up with alpine diesel a couple of times before going or tip in 50% kerosene tyre pressures up + 10 psi,
CDL in.
heater on
blanket in front of the radiator and take a weighted tarp to throw over the hood and front end for when you stop. Take another one to throw over the roof doors and windshield if you have to stop overnight
make sure the battery is correctly topped up and the terminals and connections to the starter are all micky mouse.

take a pair of small hair driers, if you have to stop over night and cant garage it an hour before you goto start lift the battery box lid and point one in there on low heat. point one up from behind the drivers wheel into the engine bay and turn it on high.

[dranoweb]

That's all pretty standard procedure for me in the area. Will be doing a complete fill at dargo - knowing several of the local store owners there, I know they put additive in the desiel, I also have a bottle in my emergebcy kit along with a few ex swiss military wool blankets.

Stopping is not on the itinerary, but the proverbial does happen I know.

I have a second deep cycle battery with it's own solar panel and I have jumpers made from 1000a welding cable.

Preparation is not my problem, knowing the vehicle is.



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[dranoweb]

Also on my day of travel, i'm informed that there are 200+ vehicles comubg the other way as part of th s**tbox rally.

$1000 vehicles - 2wd only from mackay to hobart.

I expect to be helping some hypothermic queenslanders out, so I'm going prepared.

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[Blknight.aus]

oh ebay is listing tyre chains to suit the stock 7.50R16 profile rubber for a 110.

[dranoweb]

Ill check that out, but cost of pinion shaft seal repair has seriously eaten into my chain budget. Was not confident to handle that particular repair myself.

I haven't needed chains in past years, and I normally travel a few weeks later in the season.

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[Blknight.aus]

you could just make a set.

at the end of the day its just long link chain, a shacklet some split loops and bungy straps.

takes maybe 25 minutes a corner if you have the spare off.

[dranoweb]

Time is also a valuable commodity - I'm investigating hire options as we speak.

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[Blknight.aus]

Trade in your sleeping time....:cool:

if you hire them make sure you check the length of all the ones they give you.

Ive been caught out with 2 different sizes in the same box once before.

[dranoweb]

As have i.

I already trade in sleeping time. I work 7 days a week.

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[Chris078]

pressures up + 10 psi

I know nothing about driving on snow, but everything I've been let to believe about driving on soft stuff(mud/sand etc) is that you reduce pressure, not raise it.

Is is different for snow?
Does it depend on what pressure you are running to start with? I know on my Perentie, it references 3 different tyre pressures, none of which I've found to be particularly useful.

[Vern]

You may be being a little to cautious! Engage cdl and drive.
I used to live at hotham, and drive a ****box cortina at the time, only on really bad days chains where needed. Never needed them in the work hilux (4x4), and we used to work into the wee hours of the morning.

[Blknight.aus]

pressures up + 10 psi

I know nothing about driving on snow, but everything I've been let to believe about driving on soft stuff(mud/sand etc) is that you reduce pressure, not raise it.

Is is different for snow?
Does it depend on what pressure you are running to start with? I know on my Perentie, it references 3 different tyre pressures, none of which I've found to be particularly useful.

it depends on what your on.

if you're on a hard track with a couple of inches of snow on it you want to reduce the foot print so the tyre "cuts" down to the track, The snow will cushion the edges some so you dont dig into the ground too hard.

the temp drop also makes the pressure drop off, if youve done the tyre pressures after a run where its warmer you'll get some drop off when you hit the snow.

if its slushy stuff and sloppy underneath and you start to dig in then you lower the pressures. its easier to lower pressure in snow than it is to inflate.


the reccomended tyre pressures for the prentie are most likely not for the tyre you have fitted but the OEM tyre thast was fitted back in the day.

[dranoweb]

I have the military supplied michelins. Just procured an identical spare.

I've been doing this pass a couple of times a year for the past 9 years, never needed chains.

But the question of "what if" always floats around my head. I've been stuck in snow in mid march near the pinacles before - on foot.

I was happy I had prepared well ahead of time.

I find that in these cases, a few gems of information from others make the world of difference.

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[Blknight.aus]

the michhies like a lower tyre pressure than the olympics.

[ReignCKD]

Hi, I have driven my perentie this winter in the states. I have done many many many miles in the snow over the past years. This was my first winter with the perentie, I was running the 7.50R16 XZL's with tons of tread. I certainly wouldn't air them up, the compound is VERY hard and you can tell in the winter. If you are running offroad I would air down to about 15psi, that was a really good pressure, and I was getting places that locked 90's and Disco's on 33" mud tires had to winch up. There is a trick to snow wheeling, and it is different to regular wheeling, you need to keep speed, you can't crawl up a hill, you will just slide down.

On road they aren't as predictable as other 4x4's I have driven, and it is due to the hard tires, maybe I was driving on-road at too high a PSI, but I was more nervous driving it onroad in snow than I am with my other 4x4's.

Bring chains, put them on if it gets deep, otherwise they are a pain if you go on road at all. I also suggest partitioning the cabin from the cargo area, the heater is ok, and the heat retention is terrible.

[stewie110]

Hi, I have driven my perentie this winter in the states. I have done many many many miles in the snow over the past years. This was my first winter with the perentie, I was running the 7.50R16 XZL's with tons of tread. I certainly wouldn't air them up, the compound is VERY hard and you can tell in the winter. If you are running offroad I would air down to about 15psi, that was a really good pressure, and I was getting places that locked 90's and Disco's on 33" mud tires had to winch up. There is a trick to snow wheeling, and it is different to regular wheeling, you need to keep speed, you can't crawl up a hill, you will just slide down.

On road they aren't as predictable as other 4x4's I have driven, and it is due to the hard tires, maybe I was driving on-road at too high a PSI, but I was more nervous driving it onroad in snow than I am with my other 4x4's.

Bring chains, put them on if it gets deep, otherwise they are a pain if you go on road at all. I also suggest partitioning the cabin from the cargo area, the heater is ok, and the heat retention is terrible.
Agree based on my experience crossing Eastern Europe in an ex MoD 90 in winter 2005. We had relatively deep mushy snow and did not require chains with the cdl and Michelin zxls that came stock from the mod. Our challenge was actually keeping the battery good. Turns out we replaced the stock one with a new one and a new starter.. Never had a problem since. Ended up doing a few good northern European winter trips with no chains. Only had to bring the chains as a formality however the tyres had to have a mud and snow rating (law said we had to have chains plus all the survival stuff)

Forgot to mention we had a heater that barely worked so we had to wear full winter gear while driving which was crap. If I was doing it again I would fit a heated liner like http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/motorcycle-heated-gear

[dranoweb]

Had a little practice today...
No need for chains but understand the feel of snow a tiny bit better.

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