What makes a storm chasing vehicle?

[Shawn Gossman]

Hey all,

We all have different views on the storm chasing vehicle... some of us see the fuel and miles per gallon aspect, some of us see what sort of environment it can drive through, some of us see how many lights and decals we can put on it and even some of us see if we can make it ready to drive into hail cores or tornadoes at that!

My question to YOU, is how YOU see a storm chasing vehicle? Why does that make more sense than another person's view of their vehicle used for chasing storms?

Discuss and debate

 

[Terrence Cook]

A chase vehicle is nothing more than a mode of transport that someone uses to actually go out and chase thunderstorms outside of their own county or state.

 

[Zach Young]

My view of a storm chasing vehicle is one that is reliable enough not to stall or die when you're in a dangerous situation.

 

[Stephen Levine]

I once chased and intercepted a kick butt storm by subway in Boston. About 6 stops out of downtown, I got off in time to witness an exploding line of storms that within 15 minutes brought 50 MPH winds and prec. starting as hail, not rain (something rare in the East). In addition as I stood outside on the subway stop, the thunder sounded so loud that it seemed to pass right through me - my body literally felt transparent. After this storm, I found another chase vehicle (subway train car) and resumed chase all the way to the end of the line where I was greeted by a full double rainbow.

 

[Scott Weberpal]

A vehicle that gets me to a storm, nothing more, nothing less.

 

[Shane Adams]

The only important component to any vehicle regarding its ability to successfully aid in pursuing severe weather is/are the chaser(s) inside it.

 

[Bob Hartig]

If it will get me to a storm, it's a storm-chasing vehicle.

 

[Timothy Finn]

I can appreciate everyone's viewpoint on their vehicle, but I'm kind of the forward-thinking type. I chose my vehicle (2002 Dodge Ram Quad Cab) for several reasons.

1. Parts are easy to source, and reasonably priced. Putting vehicles in a more extreme environment than normal usage tends to break things faster, making repairs, some of them while on chase, a more often occurrence. A good example would be the windshield - mine is $125, installed.

2. Rugged off-road capability. My truck is only 2WD. However, it has the ground clearance needed to get across a small mud pit on a back road without much trouble, and it runs the dirt roads comfortably and easily, without fear of damaging suspension parts. We've run dirt roads for a LONG way, and honestly, it's not something I would be comfortable doing in a midsize front wheel drive car.

3. Spacious, well appointed interior. I know, cars have this too, but I find it important, as if it's not comfortable for long, long stretches at a time, it can make a chase day a LOT less appealing.

There's other reasons, but as this point, they border on superficial. Yes....any vehicle can get you to the storm....but I figure this is about what you like about your chase vehicle, and why you prefer it over something else you can use.

Tim

 

[Donovan Gruner]

I like my 2005 Honda Civic because it gets 37 mpg and it is the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned. It has it's downsides, but the gas milage outweighs those by making driving to targets cheaper, which equates to more chasing.

 

[rdale]

The only important component to any vehicle regarding its ability to successfully aid in pursuing severe weather is/are the chaser(s) inside it.

Well, obviously it needs a lightbar. And as we saw in MS just days ago, you need a siren to clear intersections.

 

[Joshua Nall]

My chase vehicle has to be able to pull a trailer loaded with equipement most of the time. Haul a lot of stuff and go down muddy roads when hunting or camping. And be large enough I can stretch out and sleep in the back seat. That limits what I can use as a chase vehicle.

 

[Adam Lucio]

Im a tall man (6'4'') with bad knees so interior room and being able to stretch is important to me. I prefer larger vehicles with good ground clearance and 4x4 capabilities for those nasty dirt roads, tree and other various debris you may encounter when things get crazy. I've also seen many chasers days ruined by an unwanted collision with an animal as small as a pheasant that wrecks their front end, so I like to have a grill guard to hopefully improve my chances of being able to keep driving (as morbid as that sounds.)

Fuel economy is the only downside to such a vehicle, but being able to fit more people comfortably and splitting fuel costs can greatly make a difference there. 4 people chasing in my ford Expedition will equate to about the same as 2 people in your average car...with lots of room and comfort to go around.

 

[Dennis Sherrod]

Sirens. Must have sirens.

 

[Terrence Cook]

I need lot's of floor space, that way trash accumates evenly and is less noticable. Subaru is good for this.

 

[Marcus Diaz]

Whatever I take, I want people to say "what a whacker!". If I don't get that reaction, I cannot technically consider myself a storm chaser. I'm merely a newb that actually has to work for a living ):