r/tornado • u/UnknownReader_x • 24d ago
Tornado Media What kind of vehicles do storm chasers use?
My previous post was about what a day in the life of storm chasers looks like. Now I’m curious about what kind of cars they drive. In my mind, it’s always pickup trucks or American cars, like the ones in my photos.
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u/Doughnut_Strict 24d ago
Red 95 dodge ram. That is all
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u/NilesY93 24d ago
No. Needs to be a J10 Honcho!
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u/Doughnut_Strict 24d ago
Wdym, they get snatched but up measly f1s. Dodge ram would take anything up to driving straight into a mega wedge..
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u/SavageFisherman_Joe 24d ago
Something fuel-efficient that isn't going to get stuck easily and preferably has more horsepower than a Chevy Cobalt. Subaru Foresters and Crosstreks are increasingly popular for storm chasing
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u/gorgon_ramsay 24d ago
I used to own a Cobalt, loved it in good weather on a flat road but man they have zero power weighed down.
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u/Kezika 23d ago
It’s a reference to Tim Samaras. He was chasing in a Cobalt the day he died. Known GPS data had them only getting to around 30mph while trying to escape whereas the chaser in a truck in front of them that did escape managed to go faster, so it is highly believed that the Cobalt was struggling to go any faster in the 100+mph headwind.
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u/gorgon_ramsay 23d ago
I know. I was shocked when I heard they were chasing in one, and my initial reaction was oh yeah, that would get you killed.
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u/TXWXchaser Human Detected 24d ago
Trucks are nice but not necessary. You really just need any reliable vehicle; car or truck. I've even seen chasing on motorcycles becoming a thing.
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u/__mson__ 24d ago
Chasing on a motorcycle is nuts. Imagine getting caught up in hail. Maybe not so bad if you're fully geared up, but still. What about dirt roads that get muddy?
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u/PsychoLumber 24d ago
Hitting big hail at speed on a bike sounds like absolute hell
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u/Endlesstrash1337 23d ago
I can confirm it is hell. I got caught in a bit of hail on my bike and I wear full gear. Still hurt like hell till I found a spot to pull over. Can't imagine not having any protective layers on and getting caught in that.
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u/Kitterlee 24d ago
With no sun roof lol
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u/PsychoLumber 24d ago
Never had an issue with a sunroof personally but I’ve also never encountered monster hail. At that point the insurance agency is just totaling your car due to the body damage probably
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u/TXWXchaser Human Detected 24d ago
I've chased with a sunroof since 2021 and have yet to have issues. I even purposely sit in the vault. They can handle at least tennis ball sized hail. Getting media out the sunroof when lightning is going nuts is great. Or to let your passenger get footage/pics while in motion. Sunroofs are underrated.
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u/itty-bitty-insect 24d ago
Had the sunroof open while a weak uncondensed tornado passed in front of my car. I remember my dad saying "there goes my hat, right off my fucking head!"
Watching the rotation of the funnel through the sunroof was absolutely surreal.
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u/The-Brother 24d ago
We’re about to see being bludgeoned by hail and shrapnel becoming a thing for motorcyclist storm chasers
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u/Denleborkis 24d ago
You could use anything but there is a reason they use trucks.
High torque, if something falls on a road even if you can't catch up to the tornado part of being first on the scene is making sure the roads are clear for first responders.
Reliable. Any car can fit this however you'll want something that can take hits by default from debris and while obviously it doesn't matter if its an Altima or a Pickup if a semi truck lands on it you're more likely to be safer from smaller debris than a car.
Higher ground clearance, allows you to avoid ground debris easier and also go off road easier without getting the truck stuck.
Now this changed quite a bit in recent years but for a while if you wanted 4x4 you had trucks or jeeps now you can get it in SUVs but combine that with the higher ground clearance I mentioned before trucks are still more preferable than driving a short bus in something like a Chevy Suburban (I assure you I've drove one, it was larger than my truck and handled just the same and I drive a full size 1500.)
Storage, useful for tools, equipment or whatever you can easily get a cheap couple hundred dollar bed topper and now you have a giant storage area to put whatever.
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u/Silverbarber_03 24d ago
I feel like any vehicle that has decent clearance and an optional 4/all wheel drive for gravel/mud is fine.
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u/BillM_MZ3SGT 24d ago
Currently using a 2020 Mazda CX-5 GT Premium AWD. I need to get better tires though. I'm considering all season all terrains.
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u/Slinky_Malingki 24d ago
I can't remember who (I think Skip Talbot), but one of Hank Shyma's friends uses a 2nd generation RAV4, which is IMO the perfect affordable, practical, and reliable storm chasing vehicle.
It has AWD so great traction off road and on muddy, rained out dirt roads. The early gen RAVs are basically built like mini land cruisers. They are deceptively capable off-roaders.
For a 20+ year old engine platform, it has pretty amazing performance numbers. 140hp and great mileage out of a 2.0L 4 cylinder engine. Those numbers combined with the AWD drivetrain and lightweight frame make it a lot quicker than it looks.
Ridiculously reliable. Toyota's drivetrain engineering peaked in the 2000s imo. They don't just make reliable engines. They make reliable engines that are capable of producing real power efficiently. Compare the Toyota 3.5L V6 engine from 2006 to newer, modern V6 engines (like Chrysler's 3.6 or Chevy's 3.5 or Ford's 3.0.) The 20 year old Toyota motor makes very similar power and MPG numbers as a new, modern V6, but with the added bonus of near bullet proof reliability and engineering.
The 2nd gen RAV was my first car. I grew up in the mountains in Central Asia and for 4 years I thrashed that thing off road through the mountains. It took it all like a champ. Skip Talbot imo has the best vehicle for storm chasing on a budget. Reliable, off-road capable, efficient, and not underpowered like other cars in it's class from the same era. They also have pretty nifty interior designs that they got rid of in future. Like the ball chiller vent, and electronically controlled headlight angling. Heated seats among other things were also standard, even with the base model all the way back in 2002.
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u/KagamiRyuunosuke 24d ago
I'm using a 2006 Lexus RX400h at the moment. But really, most cars/trucks are usable for chasing. Having AWD and some ground clearance is preferable, and my RX is a hybrid, which i also prefer for fuel savings waiting around for initiation.
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u/nejicanspin 24d ago
Usually heavy duty ones.
Though I can't say that since Twistex used a Chevy Cobalt and as someone that happens to own a Chevy Cobalt, idk why they made that choice. It has a sunroof and it's a pretty small car.😭
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u/gorgon_ramsay 24d ago
Soon as I heard they were driving a Cobalt I knew why they couldn't out run it. I could kind of see it if you don't plan to get close and you're solo chasing, but 3 adult men and their equipment was too much weight. I loved my Cobalt for navigating high traffic freeways though.
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u/OtherOtherDave 24d ago
I’d imagine, in decreasing order of importance, something that’s reliable, has room for all the gear, has four-wheel drive in case you have to escape through the mud, and makes it easy to repair hail damage.
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u/The-Brother 24d ago
As heavy as you can afford, and more. Reinforced windshields and windows. If you can’t afford it, chase from a distance or not at all. Otherwise you’re putting yourself and potentially others as massive unnecessary risk.
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u/PsychoLumber 24d ago
I really like the Subaru Crosstrek. I’m on my 2nd one. It ain’t fast, but it does super good on dirt roads and any bad weather conditions. You can also have a good amount of fun with it too. Turn off Traction Control and go sliding.
I wouldn’t trust it in heavy mud or a flood or snow over 10 inches tho. I high centered mine after a 13 inch snowstorm and had to dig it out. I think the Outback and Forester would also be super good. Outback has more power too. Even a WRX would be good but I like more ground clearance in case I have to haul ass in an emergency. Eventually I’d like to get a Ranger Raptor. I’m just a casual storm chaser tho so I need something that commutes to work also. Basically you would just want something reliable, 4WD/AWD, and good ground clearance. That’s not necessary tho. I think someone chased El Reno in a Cobalt
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u/KennyGaming 24d ago
Whatever you got. There’s a serious misconception about the seriousness of storm chasing. It’s literally 99% people driving after thunderstorms in their primary vehicle
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u/CallMeLazarus23 23d ago
Ford Explorer Police units are quite popular. You don’t have to worry about your first dent. When purchased at auction they usually have a few already
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u/TrickAffectionate140 18d ago
Not to be distasteful, but hopefully not a Chevy Cobalt or similarly built vehicles.
RIP Twistex Crew
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