Chinook Concourse performance in the snow ?

[treejay]

Hi all -

I'm probably buying a '94 Chinook Concourse with 7.3L diesel IDI this week.
I'm wondering how I can expect this to drive with snow on the roads. I've never owned a dually so I don't know how that effects snow performance. I anticipate putting on 4 winter tires on the rears, and maybe 2 more up front (welcome advice here).
I figure the rig is overall heavy enough to provide significant traction on the rear drive wheels, but not positive. I welcome any antecdotal experience or theoretical thoughts.

I plan to use this rig for camping at ski resorts. Ski in / ski out !
Cheers.

[chin_k]

I never drive anywhere with snow yet, but I heard the dually in the back is not digging in like the front tires, so it may not be giving as much traction on snow and ice. Many people ride it to ski resort, so I don't see that as a problem, but it is better to be more careful, even if you are riding a snowmobile.

I figured that more surface area makes it better on sand, but I did managed to dig the dually into a sand trap when I braked too hard. No matter what, nothing car save a fool from being careless

[treejay]

anybody else with insight into this? How do the Chinooks do in the snow?
Are snow tires crucial?

[chin_k]

I would worry more about the age of the tires more than anything else. you can put snow chains on them, for example. No matter how good are the snow tires intrinsically, they can't do their job if they are bald (not likely) or badly damaged due to age and UV and physical issue.

[Galaxie 1]

Hi. I haven't driven my Chinook in snow yet but I had a Winnie 24 foot class c E 350 dually and it did very well. Many trips central Oregon then over hwy 26 to Portland even in storms. The most important thing I think is your skills and slow down. Mike

[dells2000con]

Galaxie 1 I'm curios, Did your Winnie 24 have a limited slip differential?
It seems common on Chinooks but I'm wondering if that was common for RV manufacturers to spec limited slip.

[Galaxie 1]

Yep. It was basically the same chassis as the Chinook. I would not be afraid to take this Chinook on a winter trip.

[Astrodokk]

I drove mine through a nice blizzard going through Grant's pass in Oregon. It felt very sure footed but I was driving carefully as were other traffic.

[chin_k]

So far, I have not driven the rig on snow yet, but from my experience, the important thing is not speeding, keep distance (a lot more than 6 ft!), and not to make sudden movement. There is a lot of momentum on the rig when it is moving, and it is not easy to change its course once it starts to skip.

[DasKugs]

This is actually the biggest topic I've been pondering with my '97 Premiere here in Hood River, Oregon. Obviously tires are the only thing that touch the ground, so I understand they are of utmost importance. Though the weight over the rear axle will help with traction on the uphill trek to mount hood, it's more of the downhill on the return trip that gives me pause, as there is one particular curvy section in a canyon that I see as the biggest problem. Hoping to hear a few more reports from people with snow, and especially ski-hill/mountain experience in their chinook.