Can I Drive my Viper in The Snow

[FrankBarba]

Is it possible to drive my viper in the snow? Do you think that it would
be safe? Do you also think that all the chemicals that are laid down
on the road would hut the car? Does driving in this winter type of weather
bring down the value of this car?

 

[Viperfreak2]

I have driven my Vipers in the snow. Stuck at work, couldn't get out before a storm hit.....would NOT recommend this to anyone, anywhere, anytime. The wider the tires, the more a car becomes a big sled. BUY A SUBARU.

 

[Magicboy2]

No offense but you own a Viper and you're asking that question???

If you're in VW/PA I would hope you have another car. Your Viper will not do well in the snow for a multitude of reasons. I'm sure someone will respond with "I've done it and I lived blah blah blah", but I'm sure I speak for the majority when I say <b>don't try it</b>.

 

[SapphireGTS]

You can drive your viper in the snow.

 

[SUN RA KAT]

You can drive your viper in the snow.

The biggest problem with driving in the snow is cleaning the dirty slush out afterwards - the Viper has many nooks & crannies where the slush accumulates. I drove my Viper once in a surprise snow - and it drove like a champ - but never again if I can help it.

 

[knuk]

I think as long as you have a good set of tire chains you should have no problem. I take mine on all the logging roads etc. in the winter...I even strapped the ski's to the roof and took it skiing - have fun.

 

[ViperGTS]

YES - at least once.

 

[YouWish]

The Viper is excellent for off-roading also. The fact that the ground clearance is 1 inch makes it an excellent choice for snow/off-roading.

 

[SapphireGTS]

You can drive your viper in the snow.

Maybe the question should be. How well?

 

[Viper Specialty]

I'll answer this question like this:

I have gotten stuck in my DRIVEWAY, just MOVING the car.

I see a towtruck in your near future.

 

[Gus Strakes]

Frank, shame on you (LOL) ! I think you guys have been had! Frank is a long time Viper Owner, and one of the best Road Racers around. At one time he campaigned the lime green RT/10 that has been in the Viper Quarterly from time to time. He knows as much as anyone the capabilities, and the limitations of the Viper.

 

[JBenko]

Last year I was moving my RT/10 from the garage to the pole barn and I got stuck in my driveway. There was less than 1/2 inch of snow and it was very close to level ground. I ended up having to tow it with a strap attached to the front tow hook. Short of chains 13" rear tires aint goin' nowhere...

 

[Steve-Indy]

Frank asked:
1."Is it possible to drive my viper in the snow?"

May be possible(on level ground) but NOT practical or wise.

2. "Do you think that it would
be safe?"

NO !!!!

3. "Do you also think that all the chemicals that are laid down on the road would hut (hurt) the car?"

YES !!!

4. "Does driving in this winter type of weather
bring down the value of this car?"

VERY MUCH SO !!!

Living in a state that uses salt, sand, etc., we try NEVER to drive if there has been sleet, snow, sand, salt...though AFTER snow disappears, and AFTER a good rain that CLEARLY washes salt/sand away, we can occasionally get the Vipers out for a cold season drive.

Good Luck !!

 

[ACELLR8]

Frank How did Bonkers get a hold of your Login?

Give me a call and we can go for a cruise.

 

[FrankBarba]

149 reads within 1 hour. Not bad. I thought i'd ask before a "Newbie" came on board asking. Actually i was thinking of COBRA48. Seems to ask lots of questions.

Gus: Thank you for the kind words. The Lime Green Machine is still tearing up the circuits. Took 2 Divisional point championships (in different regions) this past year along with many Podiums & Champaign Bottles in other Sanctions.

ACCELLR8: Great to hear from you. GTS is tucked away (winterized) no other street cars at the present time.

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

Darn. I was hoping for more driving tips, like go two gears up from normal, time your annual state inspection (i.e. time for new tires) in November, where to find those skinny wiper blades, how to install aftermarket rear window defoggers...

 

[Supercharged Vipermad]

I just perused this and thought Frank might have had an accident and bumped his head. Might have forgotten he has owned more Vipers than me and MarkO put together.

 

[RedEnuf93]

Hah, Haa!!! That is a good one Frank!!!

What? Are there no snow track time at Summit Springs in January???

Lauri

 

[VENM8R]

Living up here in the extremes of the north means you have to often make do with what you have and adapt it for more than one use.
Here is what my viper does for me:

(1) I use it during the winter after a particularly deep snow fall, to pull out stuck motorist's in their pathetically skinny tired automobiles. Due to my extremely wide tires, I don't sink and actually float on top. This enables me to move about much like a snowmachine would, but at the same time be much warmer and more stylish.

(2) For parties: After a hard day of skiing doesn't a beer sound good? Of course it does! That is why I use the door latch to open beer bottles - then open the hood and voila - you have a HUGE warmer for all the hor'dourves!

(3) Livestock: I keep chickens in the back during the winter. The cold would kill them you know? (what a waste of space that trunk is otherwise) Anyways, they really like the view from the rear window. What a fantastic sight it is: the auroa borealis, dancing about during the cold, clear arctic night.

Sure, you can drive your viper in the snow, but why limit it to just that? There are many more things it can do. Why, with just a little fore thought, I bet the possibilities would be endless.

 

[jimandela]

i had to move my car from one garage to another.
about 100 yards in the snow...

only 3 gear was practical to even get it moving forward without spinning the tires.

 

[SylvanSRT]

see how hard the guy at tire rack laughs when you tell him "I need snow tires for my Viper"!

 

[Mopar Steve]

No snow tires just get 4 donut spares! Not too wide and should be able to find 4 that have never been used. Not to mention that chains would be more availabe in this size.

 

[JDR]

Just do it!

You must be registered for see images

(Actually, after I took this shot for the kids, I drove it right back in the garage.)

 

[slaughterj]

Sure you can, and you can drive it on ice too!

You must be registered for see images

 

[Toronto_ACR]

I take my Viper hill climbing. It goes better than 4*4's.

 

[GR8_ASP]

I agree. Wide flat and non aggressive tread makes the Viper great in the sand. Just make sure you route the intake through the hood speakers before fording rivers and such.

For snow I installed studs. Couldn't find acceptable chains for the 335's. They kept loosening and hitting the fenders

 

[ViperJoe]

Absolutely freakin NO!
Frank you OBVIOUSLY need help. You need to be confined to a rubber room. Get off some samolians and buy a POS ****** to drive in inclement weather.

 

[Qualitywires.com]

Frank,
I give you permission to drive it in the snow.

 

[BADVENOM]

guys, get yourself a snowmobile and leave the viper for the dry pavement..

 

[Bonkers]

Frank How did Bonkers get a hold of your Login?

Ooh, another cheap shot 8? So be it...

Snow? Of course you can (****, when I bought it I drove mine home in the snow and ice.) Be careful, there are plenty of posers who are scared of the snow and rain and will tell you the car will melt (or some other horrific thing) when in reality they are merely afraid of getting their garage queens dirty (or they just simply can't handle the car - your call.)

Our European friend is right though - you have to try at least once.