Moving to Boston

[SAP2018]

Well we’re from California, our next job is in Boston (one congress building).

We have never been further than Nevada, my 2018 Fam is my DD. Any tips as far as winter driving other than good winter tires? Do our trucks handle salted roads well? (Use gravel in our mountains)

East coast guys, help a left coaster out please.

 

[mwilson]

4 wheel drive or 2 wheel drive truck?

 

[lpennock]

Your signature says you are deleted. Have you checked what emission testing/inspection laws are in Boston?

Main thing to remember in winter driving is to leave lots of following distance. When there is snow with ice on the ground, a lot of times ABS does the wrong thing. By keeping the tires rolling it insure you have no braking.

 

[DavidC]

Nothing can survive the stuff they put on roads for snow and ice if a daily driver. Before I went to Vermont for 14 Months (2 Winters) I used an air brush and repaired all the chips on the rocker panels etc. that were caused from dirt/gravel roads in Az. You may think about buying a used vehicle you do not cherish as much as your truck and use it for your DD. Keep a good wax on all your panels including the bottom of the rocker panels you do not see. Quite a few people use fluid film to try and preserve their sheet metal. There will also be some culture shock. Good luck.

 

[mwilson]

4 wheel drive or 2 wheel drive truck?

Just found your profile. So being a 4 X 4 I offer this advice...if it is slippery or you even THINK it might be slippery put it in 4 High.
A 4WD CTD running in 2WD with no weight in the rear on ice will swing around at an astonishing speed.

The Diesel by nature takes a few milliseconds before the engine will slow down unlike a gas engine after lifting your foot off the throttle pedal. So if the rear wheels have lost traction and the truck has begun to swing your mind engages and you lift off the throttle. The engine does not immediately slow down so you continue to come around. I have almost wrecked two trucks in that exact scenario...

Every CTD I have owned will do it..the only prevention is to keep it in 4WD when there is any question about traction.

Road speed does not matter, most of my driving time in 4WD High is at speeds of 70 mph or higher. Starts to look sketchy, let off the fuel and select 4WD. Give it a second and step back down on the pedal...good to go.

 

[mwilson]

What area will you be staying in?? Boston proper or out in the burbs??
You might be better off with parking and such to ride the “T” to work. From personal experience though some of the “T” parking lots don’t have much room and our trucks are a tight fit....
Or is there parking at your job site??

 

[mwilson]

You will find everything quite close together and congested, Boston is an old area so streets are tight.
No planning, just made a street wherever the goats liked to make a path.

Hence the Maine term for tiny little roads is “Goat Path.”

If it is not a “Goat Path” it is upgraded to a “Cow Path”....

 

[Cummins12V98]

I would assume treat it like a SaltWater boat and trailer. Rinse off often!

 

[kthaxton]

And just know.....a Diesel truck in 2wd is about the worst thing in the snow. Some people, for some reason, wait until they nearly crash before they think it's ok to put it in 4wd.

 

[Jim W]

I would read and follow Mike Wilson advice. The only thing I can add if you are going to use the truck as a daily driver is. I would invest in a winter front with the block heater cord installed. The engine already has the block heater in it all ready. If you do not already have a block heater cord. Why? I like a warm truck in the AM when I use to go to work (whatever that is) in the morning. Also, I winter front helps your truck run more efficiently in cold weather. My winter front is usually on from Nov 1 to March 1 and then put away for next year. The truck is plugged in on a timer with the timer on for four hours in the morning.

For diesel fuel you can get by with the winter blend that is provided in your area. But I do add Diesel Power Service to my fuel tanks, for my peace of mind to my two vehicles. It is cheap and will not harm the emissions and just adds that little bit of peace of mind for me.

I have been to Boston and the city streets are narrow in some places with traffic being heavy in the rush hour times. Very similar to any large metropolitan area. I have taken my truck in Chicago IL, only a couple of times in the 12 years I have owned my truck. Parking is crazy and most parking garages I can't get in either the truck is too large or is too tall. We either take my wife's Jetta or the train into the city, easier to get around.

 

[nukegm]

dont forget to turn OFF the exhaust brake if its slippery! good luck on your move. cheers!

 

[mwilson]

I see that One Congress is in walking distance from both North Station and South Station. Plus served by the MBTA Green and Orange lines.
I would leave the truck and come in on the “T” or the MBTA....

 

[mwilson]

And just know.....a Diesel truck in 2wd is about the worst thing in the snow. Some people, for some reason, wait until they nearly crash before they think it's ok to put it in 4wd.

All the weight in front plus pushing a somewhat cold differential that's not helping when in 2WD.

Another fact from a couple generations back.....skinny tires work waaay better than wide tires in snow....wide tires try to ride up on the snow rather than drop through it...

 

[DHayden]

In snow and ice keep the cruise control off, keep the exhaust brake off, put some weight in the bed (at least 500lbs more is better) and spray it down (underneath too) at least once a week.

 

[BillBaker]

The ugly.. originally from southeastern Pa. Partially garage kept and minimal winter driving and cleaning and still...driver's side rocker panel...

 

[JohnM45]

The ugly.. originally from southeastern Pa. Partially garage kept and minimal winter driving and cleaning and still...driver's side rocker panel...

Bill - is that picture from the '98 Ram 2500 listed in your signature? Still sucks to see it, but for a '98, you fared well. I'm in Lebanon County, PA and we drive to my inlaws in upstate NY. NY has got to be much worse than we get it here in PA. Most trucks over 10 years up there are ready for the vehicle compactor.

 

[BillBaker]

Bill - is that picture from the '98 Ram 2500 listed in your signature? Still sucks to see it, but for a '98, you fared well. I'm in Lebanon County, PA and we drive to my inlaws in upstate NY. NY has got to be much worse than we get it here in PA. Most trucks over 10 years up there are ready for the vehicle compactor.

Yes it is same truck. It was just starting when I got it 10 years ago. Area under driver's side door, area under cab and under the bed are the worst of it. I've got another rust free bed and both front quarter panels I acquired here in south Georgia for $400. Found a guy who does mobile welding who is going to do the weld on rocker panels also. My wife may never secretly know why we keep moving south...Lol. I don't have the means to do a cab swap so I'm enduring it this way. This truck is a keeper so I don't mind..

 

[JohnM45]

Yes it is same truck. It was just starting when I got it 10 years ago. Area under driver's side door, area under cab and under the bed are the worst of it. I've got another rust free bed and both front quarter panels I acquired here in south Georgia for $400. Found a guy who does mobile welding who is going to do the weld on rocker panels also. My wife may never secretly know why we keep moving south...Lol. I don't have the means to do a cab swap so I'm enduring it this way. This truck is a keeper so I don't mind..

The truck sure is a keeper! Looks like a reg cab - hope its a proper long bed, too.

 

[SAP2018]

4 wheel drive or 2 wheel drive truck?

4wd

 

[BillBaker]

The truck sure is a keeper! Looks like a reg cab - hope its a proper long bed, too.

It's a shortbed... still a keeper, I have too much invested and it's too reliable.