Pelican Parts Forums - First Snowfall.... What do I need to know?

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Start looking for a walk-behind snow thrower...if you don't already have one. :)

Go to Thiesen's, Fleet Farm or Farm and Fleet, and buy a steel snow shovel. Don't try to get by with a cheap plastic one. Don't go to Menards.

Shovel the snow before the rest of the family has a chance to stomp all over it and turn it to ice. This includes driving on it. It will come up much easier. If you are away during the day and it snows, park in the street, shovel a path for your car, then put it in the garage.

When you say mid-Iowa, I'm assuming no further north than I-80. You shouldn't get that much snow, a small snow blower or thrower is likely adequate for most snowfalls. My step-daughter lives in Davenport, we bought her a 7hp 26" wide snowblower. She's never used it.

I find that when I drive in the snow I will drift/slide/test traction the entire time I am driving. 1. It entertains me and 2. I always know where the limits are. I wasn’t completely aware of this and had a shocker realization. But it makes sense. I am a skier and you need to know what the surface offers so that you can perform the best.

Enjoy!

(Also, get a SAD lamp if needed)

You escaped too? I forget which Kevin are you, from around the Pasadena area or the Kevin with the P car bodyshop? Coming form S cal, that snow looks exciting to spend the winter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinP73 (Post 12140016)

Two garages actually. One (heated) is for the 911 and the 356 and the other will take the Equinox.

And in that order. good game plan.

Quote:

Originally Posted by look 171 (Post 12140106)

You escaped too? I forget which Kevin are you, from around the Pasadena area or the Kevin with the P car bodyshop? Coming form S cal, that snow looks exciting to spend the winter.

He's Kevin that does body and paint.

Quote:

Originally Posted by look 171 (Post 12140106)

You escaped too? I forget which Kevin are you, from around the Pasadena area or the Kevin with the P car bodyshop? Coming form S cal, that snow looks exciting to spend the winter.

With the Pcar bodyshop.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockfan4 (Post 12140078)

When you say mid-Iowa, I'm assuming no further north than I-80. .

Slightly north of the 80 in Carroll County (the 71 and the 30).

If it's yellow do not eat it.

Just remember, your antilock brakes may or may not save you, on ice if you are going too fast brace for the impact in a tight spot. You hear the chatter of the brakes while you don't seem to be going any slower. The best tires in the world can't make ice like dry pavement. Even in wet snow it can get you. Watch your following distance.
Also, watch for icy spots on walks and steps, sneaky little hazards that can get you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinP73 (Post 12140138)

With the Pcar bodyshop.

Slightly north of the 80 in Carroll County (the 71 and the 30).

Most important thing, which has nothing to do with snow. It's I-80, Highway 71, Highway 30. No definitive article on highways outside California.

SoCal to Iowa? That sounds interesting. Was born in Iowa and left the Midwest in the 90's. Anyway, snow is not nearly as bad as ice. Wind can actually contribute to the creation of ice on roads. If you think you are going to be driving at night I'd carry some road flares and extra hat and gloves in the car. If you will really be parked outside overnight you might want to install an electric block/oil pan heater. See this story.

https://www.thedrive.com/maintenance-repair/36647/engine-block-heater

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockfan4 (Post 12140161)

Most important thing, which has nothing to do with snow. It's I-80, Highway 71, Highway 30. No definitive article on highways outside California.

Noted. Thanks

One thing I've picked up over the years is that bridges will freeze before roads on the ground will.
Something to do with the cold air being on both sides of the pavement on a bridge.

Good luck!
First time I was in snow as an adult I didn't even recognize that it was snowing, I thought some trees were shedding their flower petals.

Oh then there's what we call black ice. It is a coating of clear ice that is completely transparent and so looks black like the road surface. It will fool you and do it's best to kill you. AMHIK

Awesome!!
Not far from Ames where I went to school. I have driven through there even on 30, back in the early 90’s. My family is all originally from Iowa and if I was a betting man I would say my son goes to Iowa State next year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatbutt (Post 12140214)

Oh then there's what we call black ice. It is a coating of clear ice that is completely transparent and so looks black like the road surface. It will fool you and do it's best to kill you. AMHIK

That's why i like driving on the snow:p

Tires with as many sipes/grooves as possible.
Remote start installed
Fix any windshield chips as they turn into cracks during the freeze - hot defrost- freeze cycle
Upgraded headlight bulbs
Winter weight motor oill
There will be lots of red light runners. Don’t jackrabbit out the instant it’s green
Be courteous of those that are more comfortable driving on ice and snow and let them go by

LOL, reminded me of this

Quote:

December 8 - 6:00 PM. It started to snow. The first snow of the season and the wife and I took our cocktails and sat for hours by the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down from heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses Print. So romantic we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow!

December 9 - We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Can there be a more lovely place in the Whole World? Moving here was the best idea I've ever had. Shoveled for the first time in years and felt like a boy again. I did both our driveway and the sidewalks. This afternoon the snowplow came along and covered up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again. What a perfect life.

December 12 - The sun has melted all our lovely snow. Such a disappointment. My neighbor tells me not to worry, we'll definitely have a white Christmas. No snow on Christmas would be awful! Bob says we'll have so much snow by the end of winter, that I'll never want to see snow again. l don't think that's possible. Bob is such a nice man, I'm glad he's our neighbor.

December 14 - Snow lovely snow! 8" last night. The temperature dropped to -20. The cold makes everything sparkle so. The wind took my breath away, but I warmed up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is the life! The snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything again. I didn't realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling, but I'll certainly get back in shape this way. I wish l wouldn't huff and puff so.

December 15 - 20 inches forecast. Sold my van and bought a 4x4 Blazer. Bought snow tires for the wife's car and 2 extra shovels. Stocked the freezer. The wife wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think that's silly. We aren't in Alaska, after all.

December 16 - Ice storm this morning. Fell on my ass on the ice in the driveway putting down salt. Hurt like hell. The wife laughed for an hour, Which I think was very cruel.

December 17 - Still way below freezing. Roads are too icy to go anywhere. Electricity was off for 5 hours. I had to pile the blankets on to stay warm. Nothing to do but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I should've bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to her. God I hate it when she's right. I can't believe I'm freezing to death in my own living room.

December 20 - Electricity's back on, but had another 14" of the damn stuff last night. More shoveling. Took all day. Goddamn snowplow came by twice. Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said they're too busy playing hockey. I think they're lying. Called the only hardware store around to see about buying a snow
blower and they're out. Might have another shipment in March. I think they're lying. Bob says I have to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me. I think he's lying.

December 22 - Bob was right about a white Christmas because 13 more inches of the white **** fell today, and it's so cold it probably won't melt till August. Took me 45 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I had to piss. By the time I got undressed, pissed and dressed again. I was too tired to shovel. Tried to hire Bob who has a plow on his truck for the rest of the winter; but he says he's too busy. I think the ******* is lying.

December 23 - Only 2" of snow today. And it warmed up to 0. The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house this morning. What is she nuts!!! Why didn't she tell me to do that a month ago? She says she did but I think she's lying.

December 24 - 6". Snow packed so hard by snowplow, l broke the shovel. Thought I was having a heart attack. If I ever catch the son of a ***** who drives that snow plow I'll drag him through the snow by his balls and beat him to death with my broken shovel. I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish
shoveling and then he comes down the street at a 100 miles an hour and throws snow all over where I've just been! Tonight the wife wanted me to sing Christmas carols with her and open our presents, but I was too busy watching for the damn snowplow.

December 25 - Merry ****ing Christmas! 20 more inches of the damn slop tonight. Snowed in. The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil. I hate the snow!
Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I hit him over the head with my shovel. The wife says I have a bad attitude. I think she's a fricking idiot. If I have to watch "It's A Wonderful Life" one more time, I'm going to stuff her into the microwave.

December 26 - Still snowed in. Why the hell did I ever move here? It was all HER idea. She's really getting on my nerves.

December 27 - Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze, plumber came after 14 hours of waiting for him, he only charged me 1,400 to replace all my pipes.

December 28 - Warmed up to above -20. Still snowed in. THE ***** is driving me crazy!!!

December 29 - 10 more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or it could cave in. That's the silliest thing I ever heard. How dumb does he think I am?

December 30 - Roof caved in. I beat up the snow plow driver he is now suing me for a million dollars not only the beating I gave him but also for trying to shove the broken snow shovel up his ass. The wife went home to her mother. 9" predicted.

December 31 - I set fire to what's left of the house. No more shoveling.

January 8 - Feel so good. I just love those little white pills they keep giving me. Why am I tied to the bed?

Do not pay too close attention to the local weather. Snowfall is not necessarily fatal. Regardless of their warnings, you do not have to hide in the basement when a 10% chance of snowfall is forecast.