driving in snow

[islandmomma]

I am already getting apprehensive about the likelihood that I will encounter some snow driving down the west coast in January when I leave BC. How difficult is it to do in a 34' motorhome that weighs 7.5 tons? I had thought it might be easier than driving a car because of the weight but thought I would ask those with experience if I should do anything differently. I had especially wanted to take a detour to Yosemite as the first hit on my bucket list but could postpone that until I come back this way another time...Is that best--to avoid snow altogether? Thanks everyone for your input. I figure if I push it I can get through the risky areas and into California in maybe two days and there, surely I am safe if I choose my routes carefully...??

jan

[rvgrammy1953]

Jan....we have no experience in driving a MH in the snow....just the truck, but we grew up in the Snow-Belt off the Great Lakes.....I am sure that there is someone here that can help you.....they'll chime in soon....

[Getupngo]

I drive between storms, during the daytime, when the roads are plowed & dry, and preferably temps are above freezing. I run the furnace in my rig while driving to keep all comfy. As you live in BC, I'm assuming you have a cold-weather package in your rig. It's one thing driving in the snow, it's another keeping the rig warm in sub- sub-freezing temps (like Yellowstone).

You call yourself islandmomma. Do you live on Vancouver Island or one of the other offshore BC bailiwicks? I summered on San Juan Island.

[mtngal]

Hi Jan, I can't really speak to driving a motor home in snow on the highways, BUT I can tell you NOT to plan on Yosemite this trip. You don't want to drive into the Park during the winter in a motor home. If there is any snow (or chance of snow) and ice on the road they will put up the chains required sign at the Park entrance. That said, if you wanted to rent a car and drive in for a day or two, the Park is awesome in the winter and not so many people as in the summer. Good luck on your adventure!

[islandmomma]

OK thanks all. I bought the rig in AZ so no cold weather package I am sure and we have little snow on Vancouver Island (the lee side is temperate) so I have little winter driving experience except with a small 4 WD vehicle for brief periods various places I have lived... I will postpone Yosemite then ... presumably it is not going anywhere and I will be back that way in spring 2010 I expect. I love the San Juans, Getup, and have often vacationed there. Bet you had a great summer there!

I knew it was safe to drive with the generator going and the A/C on as the AZ dealer taught me that little nugget. I thought moving with propane and furnace on was not a good idea? Boy, do I have a lot to learn...!

jan

[AlmostThere]

Hi, Jan,
The only advice I can share is that in Oregon they require snowchains on your tires on some of the passes when they get bad. Not snowtires, snow chains.

[avalen]

well having driven a 40' bus for 12 years in the snow storms of Colorado I can say it is
exactly the same principles as driving your car, you know, no sudden movements on
ice, easy on the brakes, etc. Use the same precautions you would when you drive
your car in the snow. I always felt safer in the bus than in my car but I can honestly
say putting chains on is NO fun, and you only put them on the outter dual, at least
that is what they taught us. One other thing, I learned the hard way, if your brakes
are not adjusted properly you can skid without realizing what you did. If you test
your brakes (on dry pavement of course) and it jerks your steering wheel one way or the
other then they are not adjusted properly. I hope that makes sense to you and I hope it
helps. My best suggestion.........head for Arizona

[soisew]

I agree with the rest of the gals -- I'd not advice going into Yosemite, any mountain passes unless you are 100% certain all snow & ice is cleared and the chain law is not about to be enacted, avoid wind & ice (a deadly combination). However we made a trip from Seattle to Colorado in January a few years back. For the most part the Interstates will be fine if they are dry. I'd suggest taking the most southern route you can to avoid the highest passes. Storms can move in quickly and dump huge amounts of snow just as quick. Keep an eye on the weather and only go when conditons are good. Be sure to call ahead for any RV parks you may need along your route as many do either shut down in winter or if they are open, may not have water. Some don't clear their snow either so...it can be a problem. We learned to not set jacks down or they will freeze to the ground and be hard to bring up without hot water! If you should run into sub-zero weather keep propane furnaces running high enough to keep pipes from freezing (it will be tough). It's easeir/safer to keep slides pulled in at night to avoid frozen slides & pipes and have less space to heat. Speaking of propane -- in really cold weather it will be hard to keep tanks full (propane usage will be very high). (we are now hooked up to a 300 gallon tank) In really cold temps keep all windows very insulated.

Winter travel is tough but can also be very rewarding if you like snow.

Very few motorhomes made in the USA are really winter hardy. Like my hubby says -- you don't want to go bobsledding in a motorhome! The worst as I mentioned is driving in high winds with the possibility of ground blizzards or ice on the road. RV don't respond well to windy anyway but on ice....it is much worse than driving in a car.

You must travel with your propane heaters running while you are driving unless you have hyoheat or aquaheat (in the floor heat). Dash heat alone will not keep the coach warm enough to keep from freezing pipes. Driving creates wind and that cold wind will be forced around water pipes and bays no matter how sealed they are therefore freezing comes on quickly. Keep the heaters set for a normal comfortable temp. And, keep your water heater turned on all the time and run hot water through the various faucets now and then.

Like I said -- we did it once across country in winter but -- to tell ya the truth -- I would not do it again. It was just too challenging and nerve wracking! We are fair weather travelers now. We'll sit out the winter in our cold weather zone but not take the rig out on the road in winter again. If you hit one patch of ice just wrong...the resulting accident could be a rollover. We drove in ground blizzards in late evening with 75 mph winds...that is a life changing experience.

If you decide to travel in winter -- also have a weather radio on at all times, listen to local radio stations and just use your best common sense.

Safe travels~~

[Getupngo]

Soisew (love that name!) gave some great advice. Yes, you can drive with your propane appliances on ... as a matter of fact, your fridge will be on propane while you are driving.

BTW, what kind of rig do you have? And just because you bought your rig in AZ doesn't mean it doesn't have a cold weather package. AND -- Does anyone here know what to look for to see if you DO have a CWP? I was told my Holiday Rambler MH had a CWP when I bought it used ... but I couldn't tell you from looking.

And Soisew is right ... you burn through a LOT of propane in cold weather. So I also use an electric space heater. That way I can set my thermostat lower and keep the space I'm in warmer.

[Cedar518]

my fridge is a three-way,.... so when on the road it works on 12v.

[Bethers]

You've already been given excellent advice. I bought my motorhome from folks in IL when I lived in WI - when I went to see it - it snowed. When I took delivery it snowed. When I drove it from WI to AL, yep, day I left WI it snowed, then further south I hit ice which luckily quickly warmed to rain. I handled it, but will avoid drving in snow, especially in mountains, whenever possible.

A couple falls ago, I ran into snow heading through Colorado in Sept/Oct - so it happens, but I wouldn't recommend driving in any more snow or ice than absolutely necessary - just because it does cause more problems - roads are more slippery, etc.

Enjoy your trip, and yep, I think you're smart planning to visit Yosemite another time. Of course, check the weather predictions when you are going to be near there - you might get lucky.

[Getupngo]

He everyone!

I got curious about cold-weather packages, so I ran a thread on RV.net on how to tell whether you have a cold-weather package. Got good info ....