First time traveling through Colorado and freezing temps

Fla904 wrote:
So we're from Florida and passing through Colorado to get to Wyoming for a winter vacation, I've been told that the roads might be bad in Colorado and covered in ice/snow? Does anyone here have any experience passing through? Should I be concerned of the road conditions? Also do I need to add anything to the rv for the freezing temps? I have the fresh water tank filled up and do not use the water heater as I have the propane disconnected. So water only goes through the cold water tubes. Please let me know what I should do and if you have any advice. Thanks!

First which road are you taking? the roads maybe bad but that depends on which highway, I 70 through the mountains has a traction law and when in place if you get stuck you can be charged a fine of up to $600 if I remember correctly. You will have to winterize your RV and that includes draining all tanks and water heater and putting rv antifreeze in the water lines

Colo Native wrote:

Fla904 wrote:
So we're from Florida and passing through Colorado to get to Wyoming for a winter vacation, I've been told that the roads might be bad in Colorado and covered in ice/snow? Does anyone here have any experience passing through? Should I be concerned of the road conditions? Also do I need to add anything to the rv for the freezing temps? I have the fresh water tank filled up and do not use the water heater as I have the propane disconnected. So water only goes through the cold water tubes. Please let me know what I should do and if you have any advice. Thanks!

First which road are you taking? the roads maybe bad but that depends on which highway, I 70 through the mountains has a traction law and when in place if you get stuck you can be charged a fine of up to $600 if I remember correctly. You will have to winterize your RV and that includes draining all tanks and water heater and putting rv antifreeze in the water lines

We will be on highway 114, 371, 50, and 13. Will only be staying one night in co, is the antifreeze still necessary just for one night? Can I leave the fresh water tank and water pump alone? The tank is located under the bed as is the water pump.

A winter vacation in WY ?? You will encounter tougher conditions there than you might in CO!!

Where in WY are you going for this winter trip? You should go to
wyoroad.info/
and look at conditions. Especially, snow plow priority plan, temperature map, and chain law. I realize this may be a record warm winter but I-80 can can get pretty bad with high winds. Many places in WY are on secondary roads so use "wyoroad.info" wisely. I live here and my MH is parked.

We go to Co about every 2 to 3 years to celebrate xmas, we stay in the driveway in our TT. We go to Seattle the other years occasionally we stay here at home in AZ. We did this one year in 2006/2007 when Denver got 2 blizzards in a row, went below zero many nights. With the thermostat set at 72 we went through a 30# bottle every 3 days. We traveled and stayed with full fresh water tank and filled it when it got low. We emptied the black and grey into the in house toilets with the sewer pump from Camping World. All worked fantastic and we had our space and the rest of the house had to deal with each other with lines to the bathroom :-).

We travel with chains for truck and TT, that year we got caught on I70 going through Vail, and Eisenhower in a storm that we had to chain up. Not a issue at all, just make sure you have the right chains for both TV and TT (absolutely not cable chains, find the chains with the correct weight rating for your rig). Travel with FW tank full and use your TT heater when you stop for the night, it most likely vents into the tanks at least ours does.

Enjoy your trip!

In NW WY our high daytime temps have been in the low teens and night time temps around zero. I would have my MH winterized if I was on the road. We expect some colder temps and more snow next week.

Did you drain the water heater?

Probably should run with the furnace going or if you will be below 20° you should fully winterize the RV.

We run with the furnace on in the winter. Set on low we have no trouble with anything freezing. Your rig may be different.

I carry chains, but dislike putting them on, besides, you are still a target for every other vehicle on the road. The other issue is that the wind will cut visibility down to nothing, even with the defroster on high, ice everywhere, its a fight to see.

Storms usually last a day or so, the plows will be working as soon as they can and you can move the next day, without a lot of problems.

I have learned not to launch when the weather is bad, and to get out of the way when things are going bad, its just a personal thing. Have a contingency plan and use it sooner rather than later.

Have a good trip.

Rick

I should have been more specific, going to WY for only two-three days and then after we're going to Portland which is not freezing. Basically I'm asking if I need to winterized just for a few nights.. I also do not have a heater or anything that runs off propane. Only heater I have is a space heater that plugs into the wall.

Fla904 wrote:
I should have been more specific, going to WY for only two-three days and then after we're going to Portland which is not freezing. Basically I'm asking if I need to winterized just for a few nights.. I also do not have a heater or anything that runs off propane. Only heater I have is a space heater that plugs into the wall.

Not many RV parks open this time of year. You may want to check and make reservations a day or so ahead so you can plan for overnight. Yes, I think you will need to winterize.