driving on snow

If you do plan on driving in a heavy snow storm, they do make Winter wiper blades that are enclosed in fabric to prevent ice build-up. Get the silicone blades for Winter and they will stay free.

Buses or MHs. Drive slower but also really take it slow on corners. Buses have a habit of going straight after you turn the front wheels. Drove the Crown busses for several years in SO CA. (hauling prisoners) Even on extremely wet roads they can surprise you going around a corner. You probably wouldn't notice it on a curve but 90 degree corners can get your attention. Cars and trucks don't do that (as much anyway) so it is a very educational experience that will immediately get your complete attention. It is more like **** **** I never had this happen before!!!!

I have driven my class A motor home in snowy conditions twice and will not do it again ever.
I am not a stranger to snow and ice. I lived in NH for 18 years and had a 112 round trip commute to the Boston area each day.

The problem I had with my motor home was ice build up on the wiper blades that was bad enough to keep them from clearing the windshield.
I had the heater on full blast defrost and the two overhead fans going and just could not get the ice to stop building up.

I was on two lane roads with narrow shoulders both times so could not easily pull over and clear the blades. The snow was heavy enough that traffic behind me would have trouble seeing me in time to stop if they were going a little too fast and some were.

When it got the point where I just couldn't see well enough to keep driving I pulled over as far I safely could, put the four way flashers on, jumped out, ran around to the front, cleared the blades and ran back and started up again.
My pucker factor was extremely high.

Try to stick to major roads where the snow is cleared or the roads are salted. When on the back roads, drive slow and try not to make any sudden changes with the brakes or the accelerator. As one that travels every Winter out of Florida I know that my coach has enough power to spin the tires on hard packed snow. Naturally ice on the roads is something different. If ice cannot be avoided, or if you have a hill that requires additional traction, tire chains are the best. If you have a slick spot where you are parked and just need to get moving, a health dose of kitty litter in front of your rear tires will help traction. I find that the roads are usually not the problems.The RV parks are where you can run in to some trouble. I have never needed my chains on the roads, except where required by law, but I have had to use them several times to get in to and out of an RV park. The best advice is to take things slow and easy and the weight of your coach will help you get through most areas.

If you have air brakes, make sure the moisture is drained from the tank and that an anti freeze is added to the system. Air brakes will freeze and not operate properly, if not serviced correctly.

Hang On

Hi,

1. slow down
2. allow extra stopping distance, and do not follow too close behind other vehicles
3. apply brakes gently
4. if the brakes are ABS in a panic stop push the pedal down HARD
5. if the brakes are NOT abs in a panic stop pump them if you feel the wheels locking up
6. accelerate gently
7. drive later in the day so the ice on the road has a chance to "rot".
8. make sure there is cold weather antifreeze in the windshield washer
9. SLOW DOWN

Snow is not necessarily your biggest problem. You can drive safely on snow if you use common sense and caution, but on ice, it's a whole new world. As long as it's just snow, you should be OK if you watch your speed and following distances. If it's ice, I'd just park it and wait.

The common recommendation is to turn off the exhaust brake, but that's my best friend on slippery roads. By using the rear wheels to slow down your coach, you can maintain steering. If you use your service brakes, most of the braking force is applied to the front which may cause the front wheels to loose traction. At that point you are just going along for the ride and are no longer in control.

If you feel the rear end loosing traction (it starts going to one side) slightly press on the accelerator to straighten the coach out, and try again.

I learned to drive on ice and snow by driving on a frozen lake. It was one of the better lessons my dad gave me as a young driver.

Do not use any type of Air Brakes