Re: my previous post, Hanson is one of those in the larger eastern part of the state. He knows of what he speaks. 

Karl Wolz
Sent from my electronic umbilicus

> On Nov 10, 2014, at 9:03 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
>  You may want to re-think no studs.   Here in the Northwest we frequently
> get precipitation that freezes after it hits the pavement, yet it still
> appears to be just water..  We also get freezing fog at times and my all
> time favorite, very thick black ice, interspersed with melted
> potholes..This last road condition sometimes causes closure of the
> interstate because it busts up vehicles and causes multiple crashes.
> 
>   If I were commuting daily all winter I'd have studded tires.   If I
> drove a Vanagon all winter in snow I would certainly have studs in the
> tires....
> 
>> On Mon, Nov 10, 2014 at 7:44 AM, Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:
>> 
>> Thanks Dennis.  If we do make the drive (and I will know/decide soon) I
>> will put on a set of Blizzaks before, and keep them on to use in Spokane.
>> I've read several reports from state DOTs and independent engineers, and I
>> am convinced that studless winter tires are preferable to studded ones.
>> The only condition under which studded tires are preferable is smooth ice
>> at or very near to the freezing point.  Washington DOT in its reports
>> states that that condition represents <1% of winter driving conditions in
>> Washington, and that dry/wet pavement represents >50%.  Studded tires are
>> the worst alternative on either dry or wet pavement.  "All season tires"
>> are no better than non-studded winter tires even in dry cold conditions.
>> 
>> We may ship the Prius and fly up.  That will cost a bit more, but not a
>> great deal more.
>> 
>> Dave
>> 
>> ---- Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>> The Prius equipped with real winter performance tires does surprising
>> well in winter conditions like most front wheel drive cars. If looking to
>> stay with an all season tire look at some of the Nokian offerings. The new
>> WRG3 are performance winter tires with all season capabilities and low
>> rolling resistance rating which the Prius benefits from.
>>> 
>>> Dennis
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
>> Of Dave Mcneely
>>> Sent: Sunday, November 9, 2014 4:25 PM
>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>> Subject: winter driving to Spokane
>>> 
>>> I may need to drive to Spokane, Washington from Edmond, Oklahoma in
>> December, maybe late December.  I have been trying to work out the safest
>> (meaning least likely to encounter serious winter weather) route.  I may
>> have settled on driving a long way  around route involving taking I-40 to
>> California, then up I-5 to Portland, then from there back NE to Spokane.
>> Or even dropping further south to hit I-10 and I-8 to get into California.
>>> 
>>> These are likely to involve at least 5 days of driving,  more if I do
>> hit winter weather on I-40 (quite possible anywhere along that route until
>> dropping off the plateau at Kingman, AZ) or even on I-20 in Texas.
>>> 
>>> Anyone have anything to suggest, including taking my chances through the
>> plains and mountains rather than one of the these long way around routes?
>>> 
>>> Of course we would be winter prepped, with proper tires, emergency gear,
>> food and prepared for multi-day stops if necessary.
>>> 
>>> My apologies, but this drive will not involve my camper, which has
>> already been moved to Spokane, but rather my Prius.
>>> 
>>> Thanks, Dave McNeely
>> 
>> --
>> David McNeely
>>