Driving a Class C on Snow and Ice

mlts22 - Are you referring to a winch either mounted on the front bumper or if you have a flatbed truck possibly facing the rear. I don't think a winch will have much use in driving on icy or snow covered roads, could possibly come into use if you slip off the roadway into the ditch or whatever, then you'll need something stable to hook up to and pull yourself out. That's if a wrecker or tow truck isn't available. Best solution is to use regular tire chains or cable chains on outside rear wheels driving on icy or snow covered roads if traction is a problem. Actually probably the best idea is to stay off the road if at all possible until conditions improve to where you can drive safely and with confidence.

I'd sooner use a wench with a larger "C" than try driving a two wheel one on icy surfaces.

Don't attempt to drive an RV without chains on our mountain roads, it's a recipe for disaster even if they the roads are plowed. Caltrans does not use road salt to melt the ice so the roads will be icy.

During our last winter storm, all the mountain roads in the San Bernardino mountains had to be closed due to numerous vehicles being stuck without chains, including a fire truck that slid into a ditch. Several people had to be evacuated from their stranded vehicles on Hwy 138 by a fire department cat and taken to a shelter in Crestline.

Get yourself some chains or cables if you are planning on visiting the mountains during the winter. They'll keep you AND other motorists safe.

The good thing about driving a Class C in slippery conditions is ... the tremendous weight on all six tires gives them better driving traction, steering traction, and stopping traction than lighter weight vehicles. (i.e. My unloaded 4X4 pickup in slippery conditions can wind up being downright scary and dangerous.)

The bad thing about driving a Class C in slippery conditions is ... the tremendous weight on all six tires makes them insanely more dangerous than lighter weight vehicles if things get out of control.

It can take a delicate balancing act to drive a Class C in slippery conditions.

Now ... driving a Class C in soft-surface conditions is a another ball game altogether.

Ductape Dave wrote:
That sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. Once you start sliding down a hill you can kiss your investment goodbye.:h

Double ditto. Vis a vis snow and ice one piece of advice is always appropriate: when in doubt, wait out.

You start out with winter tires, for one thing. You can go to your local tire shop, Les Scwhab, if you have one. and get someone that actually knows, to show you what chains or cables you 'could' get and if you do, have them show you how to put them on. Carry a couple bags of sand or kitty litter and a couple of those military surplus collapsing shovels.

The hardest thing about snow or ice conditions is controlling your nerves and your speed. You get traffic behind you and next thing is, you are trying to appease those drives and putting yourself at risk. Be well versed in using the transmission selector to get yourself set up for the downhills...and when approaching an obviously slippery uphill section..look ahead...all the way up to ensure the way is clear, find a nice comfy speed and keep that speed. Just loaf on up and keep your situational awareness. Is there another vehicle coming up from behind or coming down at you? Use your 4 ways if you like. And unless you are out of options, don't stop. If you do stop..out comes the kitty litter.

You have a kitchen in there..pull way off and make a coffee or tea. Something..anything, to relax a bit. We make fewer mistakes when we get that few minutes of rest. When or if, it gets really hairy, I turn the music down and tell anyone else with me to be quiet and let me concentrate. If it's going to be a long haul, then a soft conversation is good. The hardest thing is to know when you have reached your limit. Men have to keep going, eh. The driver has the responsibility. Go or stop, but the driver is the one to make the call.


Gary Haupt

Bordercollie wrote:
I have never driven a Class C on snow or ice but the idea sounds scary. Here in Socal it is possible to get into snow and ice in local mountains. Driving a Class C on icy mountain curves and grades doesn't look like fun.

Where can an RV'er get how-to info on snow and ice driving, choice of and installing chains, etc.?

I'm from up North and have to drive my personal vehicle in snow and icy conditions. And of course we all have the experience on how to safely.

That said....I would NEVER get in and drive my MH during snowy or icy conditions ever.

There is no reason to have to either. Simply wait until the plows have come thru to open the roads and make them safe for driving.

The county road crews in the mountains are very proficient in maintaining and keeping the roads open after a storm. Just pull off and wait for them to do their job if you are in an RV.

Just saying, life is to short to be in that much of a hurry to put yourself in a dangerous situation with a vehicle not meant to handle well on snow and ice. :W

You could always take a truck driving skid instruction course. I know they have one in Michigan where they teach you how to operate a truck during a skid. Otherwise, do what Pianotuna says. Also, when going slowly on the road, check the brakes to see what happens, and how far you skid.

Hi,

If you plan on mountain driving then chains may be necessary.

I've made thousands of miles of winter conditions driving my my class C. Slow down, and drive defensively. I've not had an issue yet. I have been storm stayed twice on trips. One of those was in the Canadian Rockies.

That sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. Once you start sliding down a hill you can kiss your investment goodbye.:h