What winter upgrade did you think you'd need… but didn’t?

[electruck4x4]

Every winter there’s at least one piece of gear we buy “just in case” that ends up staying untouched.

What was yours, and why didn’t it make the cut?

— Team Electruck

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[Cycliste]

Winter socks—I got them to comply with chain control regulations, but I doubt I will ever have to show that I have them or drive where I would actually need them.

 

[Hereforthesnacks]

Winter socks—I got them to comply with chain control regulations, but I doubt I will ever have to show that I have them or drive where I would actually need them.

Eh those are actually good to have. Nothing worse than having highway patrol force you off the road.

 

[Newtonrj]

Down Jacket, electric down blanket and a couple power bars. The food goes bad every year.
The one item I’ve had in the trunk for decades and have finally ditched — cigarette plug driven CB radio. The reason is my car no longer has a cigarette plug!!!

 

[HaveBlue]

Yea i and 4wheeling cadre switched to 2M 440 instead of cb. If you don't have a license you can chat on gmrs frs and murs.

I ditched the included 5-15 adapter for mobile charger.

 

[BigSkies]

Snow tires.

I do need them for snow, but apparently that weather phenomenon was a pre-Anthropocene thing in Colorado.

Seriously, where is the snow this year?

 

[CrazyOne]

Down Jacket, electric down blanket and a couple power bars. The food goes bad every year.
The one item I’ve had in the trunk for decades and have finally ditched — cigarette plug driven CB radio. The reason is my car no longer has a cigarette plug!!!

I purchased a 110v to 12v converter. They are cheap.

 

[ThumprMN]

Laser canon.

 

[tragicmonkey049]

I have one of those windshield covers with loops that hook around the mirrors. That thing was fantastic for my old winter adventure car, a Subaru Outback. Almost never had to scrape. Now I just turn on climate control from my living room.

 

[andrewgrhogg]

A note to those in california - if you have 4-wheel drive and snow rated tires (M+S), which almost all all-season tires are, then Chain Control will NOT make you put chains on. And in fact they legally cant. The 3rd tier of chain control, where they force all cars to put on chains, never ever happens in CA. So buying chains or snow socks for a Rivian is a waste of time and money. Spend you money on a 2nd set of tires and wheels for snow/ice weather.

 

[CharonPDX]

Winter socks—I got them to comply with chain control regulations, but I doubt I will ever have to show that I have them or drive where I would actually need them.

For me the opposite. I had hoped the Pirelli AT tires would be sufficient for Portland winters, but the icy days proved too much. I had to put snow socks on after one incident of tree-hugging.

 

[Sgt Beavis]

Snow tires.

I do need them for snow, but apparently that weather phenomenon was a pre-Anthropocene thing in Colorado.

Seriously, where is the snow this year?

Snow, heck where are sub 50F temperatures? Wasn’t it just over 70F on Christmas day?
Climate Change can go back to being called Global Warming. We’re so screwed.


For me, it’s recovery gear like traction boards. Well, actually I do use them but thus far I’ve only used them to help others.

 

[Hopper]

Down Jacket, electric down blanket and a couple power bars. The food goes bad every year.
The one item I’ve had in the trunk for decades and have finally ditched — cigarette plug driven CB radio. The reason is my car no longer has a cigarette plug!!!

The 12v port is one of the things I miss after upgrading to a Gen 2

 

[Pilot-R]

A note to those in california - if you have 4-wheel drive and snow rated tires (M+S), which almost all all-season tires are, then Chain Control will NOT make you put chains on. And in fact they legally cant. The 3rd tier of chain control, where they force all cars to put on chains, never ever happens in CA. So buying chains or snow socks for a Rivian is a waste of time and money. Spend you money on a 2nd set of tires and wheels for snow/ice weather.

Dedicated winters FTW(I'm running cooper winter claw 20", can't suggest enough for snow and ice. Negligent efficiency loss compared to my ATs). Minneapolis on the stock pirelli 20" were a real eye opener the to weight of these vehicles with Regen braking making things ... Different.

 

[BigSkies]

Snow, heck where are sub 50F temperatures? Wasn’t it just over 70F on Christmas day?
Climate Change can go back to being called Global Warming. We’re so screwed.


For me, it’s recovery gear like traction boards. Well, actually I do use them but thus far I’ve only used them to help others.

Summit county is wild right now. I went for a hike with the hills and mountains bare of snow except for the highest peaks and some shaded northern slopes. I took a break and read a book over lake Dillon. It looked like a beautiful 55 degree sailing day.

My pictures from a similar weekend last year involve snowshoeing across at least 2-3 feet of snow and careful consideration of avalanche risks. Lake Dillon was being used for ice fishing and nordic skiing. Last year was still not a great snow year, but the comparison is stark.

Most people don't appreciate how f-cked the Colorado River basin is. The Bureau of Reclamation doesn't even have a commissioner right now. I don't know if 2026 is the year the river compact fails, but it certainly wouldn't surprise me if the weather doesn't change dramatically.

These mountains are going to be a tinderbox this summer too. Conditions will be ripe for the type of firestorm that is literally unstoppable. Now is probably the best opportunity to sell mountain / rural property for the rest of your life. Even things that don't burn won't be insurable for long.

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