Member Since: 30 Oct 2008
Location: Chesham
Posts: 33
Driving in New England during winter
Hi there - I am flying into Boston (from blighty) for New Year this year and will then be taking a driving trip through the rest of New England and some of upstate New York.
Currently trying to get a hire car and I am concerned that I would need a 4x4 or AWD vehicle - and none of the rental sites are particularly helpful in indicating if the SUV offerings (either Trailblazers or Eqinox's) are 4 or 2 wheel drive varients. Looking on the Chevrolet site there are options for both 2 and 4 wheel drive!
Wondering if anybody can advise on the following...
1) Driving conditions in this area - (maybe as far North as Montreal)
2) Do you need a 4x4?
3) Snow Chains?
4) Do hire companies provide winter emergency packs (flashlights, shovel blankets etc)
5) Ditto - Winter tyres (~needed? provided by hire company?)
Any other useful advice - recommeded hire companies then pleasse let me know!Club V8
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2008 V8 HSE
31st Aug 2009 12:19 pm
jm105845
Member Since: 21 Aug 2007
Location: dublin
Posts: 271
hi
spent a lot of time in the boston area and new hapmshire area several
years ago
went on lots of trips over weekends and roads had been all cleared
if it snows very heavy no 4x4 will get you around as you need to wait
untill the roads ar cleared
also they are not really into their 4x4 as we are here ie.driving them
up and down mountains
typical 4x4 are the ford explorers and i would not fancy get stuck in those
lovely area during fall and winter have a good time
regards
jj
31st Aug 2009 1:36 pm
sideview
Member Since: 02 Dec 2006
Location: in the valley
Posts: 1663
Re: Driving in New England during winter
1) Driving conditions in this area - (maybe as far North as Montreal)
It's touch and go, some years there really isn't enough snow to worry about, then sometimes there can be treacherous snow and ice storms. The DOT in the northern states have a pretty strong force on call for clearing and salting/sanding the main roads so unless there's a bad storm in effect main roads are good usually.
2) Do you need a 4x4?
A 4x4 makes a big diff in snow . Main thing though is to drive with caution - on slick roads (sometimes there's 'invisible' black ice or ice under a layer of snow) you're not going to have traction or control in whatever you're driving.
3) Snow Chains?
Chains are illegal in most states.
4) Do hire companies provide winter emergency packs (flashlights, shovel blankets etc)
Not sure if some do but none of the ones I've rented from came with emergency packs.
5) Ditto - Winter tyres (~needed? provided by hire company?)
I never used winter tires on my 4x4's but had ATs, on my autos I always went with all-weather tires. They'd be nice to have if they offer them though.I'm not so good at giving advice...may I offer you a sarcastic comment instead?
Member Since: 30 Oct 2008
Location: Chesham
Posts: 33
Excellent - thanks for your info and tips! - I've decided that your right - if it's real bad nobody is going anywhere. I have just hired a midrange SUV thing (Saturn Vue? or Similar) - and we'll just take it easy!
Cheers
JimClub V8
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2008 V8 HSE
1st Sep 2009 10:30 am
lordwinslow
Member Since: 28 May 2008
Location: Londonderry, NH
Posts: 7
A good FWD car will do you fine, we know how to plow here and get the roads cleaned. Just stay off them during the storm and venture out after. If you do that you can get a cheaper rental and avoid the extra costs to getting a 4WD vehicle.
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