Moving from Vegas to Northern Minnesota

[red/green hawk]

Already have the wife convinced that we need some kayaks and working on the snowmobiles. We are visiting right now and learned all about the mosquitos today! Gonna have to learn to fish again, haven't done it since I was a kid.

Haha, I bet the locals told you the mosquitoes are as big as sparrows.

This was in northern North Dakota, but still somewhat close...

I'm actually jealous of you.

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[AlphaCluster]

As someone who already lives in northern MN (in fact Winnipeg is closer for me the Fargo or Duluth) pretty sure the engine heater is probably the biggest thing. It’s pretty hard to buy wiper fluid once you get up here that isn’t winter rated. Also pretty sure chains are illegal (have never needed them either). Personally I buy good blades at the end of winter since no matter what you do the winter seems to kill them. I’m actually pretty excited to see how my new Mojave handles the winter up here.

 

[Dakota Kid]

Greetings to the Great White North!

While I just bought my Willys 3.0 yesterday in Fargo (not joking)…..I grew up even further north (20 miles to MN and 30 miles to Canadian border to be exact).

My brother has had a Wrangler for 3 years + and the Falkens have been FANTASTIC in ND / Northern MN winters. He won’t buy anything else at this point and runs them year round.

I’m actually bummed I had to take BF tires that come with Willys package as all I’ve heard about is those Falkens.

You’ll want a block heater and good diesel treatment that is actually for the current dry fuel with a good pour point suppressant. Verify the diesel treatment is specific to the new diesel formulations and not a legacy treatment that hasn’t reformatted in the last couple years minimum. That stuff will be worthless.

I’ve had a Volkswagen TDI previously in the Dakotas and full synthetic oil and good diesel treatment was a winning combo!

 

[Dakota Kid]

As someone who already lives in northern MN (in fact Winnipeg is closer for me the Fargo or Duluth) pretty sure the engine heater is probably the biggest thing. It’s pretty hard to buy wiper fluid once you get up here that isn’t winter rated. Also pretty sure chains are illegal (have never needed them either). Personally I buy good blades at the end of winter since no matter what you do the winter seems to kill them. I’m actually pretty excited to see how my new Mojave handles the winter up here.

I almost bought Mojave yesterday just because I figure the high speed 4 Hi calibration and Wild Peak tires would be perfect! But the bookkeeper wanted diesel so that killed that thought?.

You must be in that Thief River Falls/Hallock area?

 

[Ohio JKU]

A winter kit: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots/educational-materials/Documents/Winter-Survival-Brochure.pdf

getting stuck, breaking down is no joke in sub zero temps

 

[lcoff]

You’ll want a block heater and good diesel treatment that is actually for the current dry fuel with a good pour point suppressant. Verify the diesel treatment is specific to the new diesel formulations and not a legacy treatment that hasn’t reformatted in the last couple years minimum. That stuff will be worthless.

Any recommendations on a diesel treatment?

 

[lcoff]

You must be in that Thief River Falls/Hallock area?

Yes, we will be in Thief River Falls.

 

[lcoff]

A winter kit: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots/educational-materials/Documents/Winter-Survival-Brochure.pdf

getting stuck, breaking down is no joke in sub zero temps

I hadn't thought of that. Thank you!

 

[stickshifter]

I live at 8,500 feet in the Colorado Rockies - our winters are different, but still long, cold, and snowy. It’s -20 to -30 F almost every morning in mid-winter.

I gave up on chains about 30 years ago. No one who lives in the mountains here runs chains. You only see chains on big rigs on the highways - and that makes sense for them, since they are just passing through. Almost everyone else has winter tires: school buses, delivery vans, emergency services, and most regular folk.

You can find true winter tires up to 35 inches (no one I know of makes a 37-inch winter tire). If you have never driven on winter tires in snow and ice your mind will be blown. Traction, braking, and cornering are MASSIVELY improved. Costs a little if you need a shop to swap your tires, or get two sets of wheels and do it yourself. Tire cost is a wash after the initial expense since each set (summer and winter) will last twice as long as you only run each six months per year.

You, your family, and those around you on the road will all be safer. And as we say in the mountains, even in June, winter is coming... ?

The smartest thing to do though, is wait until you get up there, and see what the locals do in the Fall. Talk to your co-workers and neighbors. And if there is a line at Discount Tire every morning of people waiting to swap their summer tires for their winter tires, that means something!

 

[aldo98229]

Yeah, I remember when I lived in Northern Ontario: real winter drivers don’t use no stinking tire chains...!

Back in the day, we would cover the grille to help the engine retain heat.

If you were a poor student, you cut a large cardboard box and attached it to the grille with zip ties!

Don’t forget the jumper cables!

 

[LadyLightning]

Buffalo, NY here ?? We’re notorious for getting blasted in the winter with cold and snow. Definitely get the engine block heater. As a former diesel owner, I highly recommend! And as a Falken Tire factory worker, great choice! ??

 

[Rocksalt]

I have a seasonal cabin bear Ely MN. I go up every winter. No need for chains.. just a good set of winter rated AT tires. As was mentioned a winter emergency kit and def engine block heater. oh, and good qaulity winter clothes, especially warm boots.

 

[NHyde]

I live in Northern Wisconsin with my Gladiator and Falken M/T 33” - The Jeep does great, even w/ the MT tires. If you have not driven in snow before, just take your time until you get some practice. Go to an empty parking lot and learn how it handles.

I toss it into 4H often, just because I can and it helps make life easier.

Biggest thing to know; 4-Wheel Drive does not mean 4-Wheel Stop. Give yourself extra stopping distance.

Welcome to the true Midwest.

Also the Vikings suck.

 

[lcoff]

I live in Northern Wisconsin with my Gladiator and Falken M/T 33” - The Jeep does great, even w/ the MT tires. If you have not driven in snow before, just take your time until you get some practice. Go to an empty parking lot and learn how it handles.

I toss it into 4H often, just because I can and it helps make life easier.

Biggest thing to know; 4-Wheel Drive does not mean 4-Wheel Stop. Give yourself extra stopping distance.

Welcome to the true Midwest.

Great advice!

Also the Vikings suck.

I think it would be safer if I don't repeat that.

 

[AlphaCluster]

I almost bought Mojave yesterday just because I figure the high speed 4 Hi calibration and Wild Peak tires would be perfect! But the bookkeeper wanted diesel so that killed that thought?.

You must be in that Thief River Falls/Hallock area?

Yeah funny part of people have given me more flack about the desert rated. I don’t see why they don’t think that most of the addons for that should work great for snow and forest roads (there aren’t much rocks to crawl over out here).

Yes, we will be in Thief River Falls.

Welcome to the region! One of my coworkers has a rubicon gladiator and said the tires worked great last winter.

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