New Dodge Durango for Sale in Silverthorne, CO
Frequently Asked Questions About New Dodge Durango in Silverthorne, CO
What kind of ski rack works on a Durango?
Most families choose between a clamp carrier for a few pairs of skis and an enclosed box that also takes boards and boots. Enclosed boxes keep gear clean from road spray, while open carriers load faster and weigh less.
Are winter tires really necessary if I drive carefully?
Careful driving cannot make up for tires that harden in deep cold. Winter tires also shorten stopping distances on ice, which helps even at low speeds around town.
What does the Colorado traction law require?
In general, it looks at the type and condition of your tires and whether you carry approved traction devices when the law is active. The state transportation department posts current details online, and reviewing them each fall is a good habit.
How much gear fits with all three rows in use?
With every seat taken, the space behind the third row suits backpacks and boot bags, so skis belong on the roof. Folding one side of that row adds floor space while keeping some seats available.
How do I keep salt and slush from damaging my SUV?
A coat of wax or paint sealant applied in the fall gives de-icer less to grip. Wiping the door seals with a rubber conditioner also keeps the doors from freezing shut overnight.
Have Additional Questions?
Picture your own gear on the Durango before you commit.
Bring skis, boards or a boot bag when you visit, and our team can show how they fit on the roof, in the cargo area or behind the third row.
Set up a winter-gear fitting with Autostar Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Silverthorne by message or phone.
A Three-Row SUV Built Around Ski Season
Families in Silverthorne tend to judge an SUV by a single winter Saturday: skis, boots, helmets, snacks and kids all loaded before the lifts start turning. The Durango handles that morning well, with three rows of seating, a cargo area that takes bulky boot bags, and a solid, planted feel on snowy neighborhood streets.
Its third row matters more than people expect. Friends and cousins often tag along on ski days, and an extra row means the whole group rides together without a second car trailing behind. When the crowd is smaller, laying the second and third rows down creates a long cargo floor for gear, sleds or a weekend of groceries.
- A third row that lies down when boot bags need the floor, then pops back up when a carpool of friends comes along
- Rubber floor liners and a cargo tray that catch snowmelt from boots and skis, keeping the carpet dry through a long, wet winter
- Heated seats and a heated steering wheel on equipped models, welcome after a cold afternoon on the mountain when fingers are still stiff
Rear climate controls on equipped Durangos let passengers in back warm up on the ride home while the adults up front set their own comfort. Small touches like these decide whether a long ski day ends with a calm drive or a chorus of complaints from the back seats.
A ski-day test drive reveals more than any brochure can. Bring the family and the gear bags when you come see Autostar Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Silverthorne.
Ski Racks, Board Carriers and Roof Boxes
Getting skis and boards off the cargo floor frees room for people. The roof rails on a Durango accept crossbars, and from there you can add clamp-style ski carriers or an enclosed cargo box that holds skis, poles and snowboards together. Choosing between them depends on how many people ski and how much gear each person brings.
A roof box has another winter benefit: wet gear rides outside the cabin, so the windows fog less and the interior still smells fresh by March. Our accessories team can fit crossbars and a carrier on the SUV you are considering, so you see how everything mounts and loads before your first powder morning.
- Lockable ski carriers that keep expensive gear secure while the family grabs lunch in town after a morning on the slopes
- A cargo box roomy enough for helmets and boots, lifting the family's gear onto the roof so every seat inside can hold a passenger
- A hitch-mounted ski rack as another option for shorter drivers who struggle to lift skis overhead, especially after a tiring day of skiing
Roof gear does change the height of the SUV. A garage door or a low parking structure can catch a cargo box if you forget it is up there, so many owners get into the habit of removing it between trips. Crossbars alone add little and can stay on all season.
Roof gear is easy to add after purchase too. Ask the team which carriers suit your family.
Winter Tires and Colorado Traction Rules on the Way to Copper Mountain
Colorado has a traction law that applies to the interstate through the mountains during winter, and when it is in effect it sets requirements for tires and traction equipment. The details can change from season to season, so checking the state transportation department's current guidance before a storm is the safe habit for any family heading west toward Copper Mountain.
A dedicated set of winter tires is the upgrade most local families recommend. Their softer rubber stays flexible in deep cold, and their tread pattern clears slush and grips packed snow, which helps both when stopping and when pulling away from a light. Mounting them on a second set of wheels makes the spring and fall changeover quick.
- Winter tires installed before the first real storm, usually in October, with the summer set stored away until the snow melts in spring
- Tread depth checked ahead of each season, since worn tires may fall short of what the traction law asks for once it is in effect
- Approved traction devices tucked in the cargo area as a backup, in case conditions worsen before the family gets back home
The road up to Arapahoe Basin can be slick on a powder morning, and good tires plus a patient right foot make that last stretch far less stressful. Leaving early also avoids the line of cars that forms once the lifts open and the parking lots start to fill.
Tires are the part of winter driving you control. Choose them carefully and replace them before they wear thin.
Wet Gear, Road Grime and Slush Inside the Cabin
Winter leaves its mark on an SUV inside and underneath. Wet boots and gloves soak into floor mats, and the chemical de-icer spread on mountain roads clings to paint and undercarriage alike. Washing the Durango regularly through winter, with an underbody rinse each time, keeps that film from settling in around brake lines and suspension parts.
At home, a drying routine helps. Pull the floor liners and let them drain, open the rear hatch for a few minutes in the garage, and hang gloves on a rack so they dry before the next morning. A dry cabin keeps the windows clear on the drive to the mountain and avoids that damp, musty smell by spring.
- Wiper blades suited to winter and a scraper kept in the cargo well, since ice builds quickly on a windshield left parked at a trailhead lot
- A boot tray by the rear hatch that catches meltwater before it reaches the carpet and keeps the cargo floor usable for groceries on the way home
- Seat covers for the third row when kids climb in wearing wet snow pants after an afternoon of sledding at the neighborhood hill
Summer brings a different kind of mess around Dillon Reservoir, with paddleboards, damp towels and sandy feet all piling into the back after an afternoon on the water. The same liners and covers handle both seasons, which is one reason families keep them in the SUV year round.
A little routine keeps a family SUV looking good for years. The service team at Autostar Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Silverthorne can suggest a spring cleanup plan.
Choosing a Durango and Keeping It Ready for the Mountain
The Durango lineup includes several versions, and the differences come down to comfort features, wheels and equipment. Our team can show what is on the lot and help order one when you want a specific combination. Trading in a smaller SUV the family has outgrown works toward the Durango, and financing through our lenders can be arranged during the same visit.
A fall service visit covers brakes, wiper blades, cold-weather fluids and a look at the starting system, and winter tires can be mounted during the same appointment. Spring visits handle the tire swap back and an underbody check for de-icer wear, so the SUV starts summer in good shape.
- A test drive over a snowy side street and a stretch of highway, so you feel how the Durango behaves on the drives you make on ski weekends
- A trade appraisal on your current SUV while you drive, so its value is ready to review when you return from the test drive
- A walkthrough at delivery covering the climate controls, the infotainment screen and phone pairing, so everyone in the family knows how things work
Families who ski at Copper Mountain most weekends put real miles on their SUVs, so staying on top of maintenance protects the Durango for many seasons of trips. A service record kept with the SUV also helps when the time comes to trade it.
The right SUV makes ski season easier for everyone in the family. We look forward to helping you find yours.
Make this winter easier with an SUV that fits the whole crew and all their gear. Schedule a Durango drive with Autostar Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Silverthorne in Silverthorne, and bring the skis you use most.