Hi All. We are driving our 24' tow trailer with a 4x4 half ton from Alberta to Arizona in January 2016. I know driving a motorhome over snowy or icy roads is different because only "one" vehicle can slip. With a truck and trailer there are "two" vehicles that can potentially slip. Other than the obvious (avoid severe storms and driving in icy and snowy conditions) are there some tips or experience from others who have done it. What would you suggest our best route to be. Thanks in advance.

Head for Great Falls then follow I-15. Stay in "town" during any storms and wait.You will have problems finding open parks. Dick's in Great Falls is open year around. But many (MANY) others are not.

Once you get south of Salt Lake City, it shouldn't be too bad. The 20 mile road from I-15 to Panguich(sp?) 89A can be bad in rough weather. Everything else in the area is just using common sense.I pulled my Avion 34' from NW Montana to Phoenix in December with no issues. The key is if you get in bad weather, wait it out.

And if chains are required you need them for the trailer too!

I'd put a good amount of weight the behind the cab in your truck to help control the trailer. The trailer probably outweighs the half ton truck and that's not a good combination on slick roads. You need to watch out on sharper corners. The trailer's momentum is going straight ahead as the truck turns into the corner. This can jackknife the truck pushing it off the outside edge of the corner. When the trailer weighs more than the truck, if you let off the gas, the trailers momentum will control the situation. So slow down before the corner, not in the corner.Bill

tsetsaf wrote:And if chains are required you need them for the trailer too!That's why you park in town until the weather changes.That being said, I know "in season" BC requires all vehicles to have chains (including the trailer drag chains), I simply don't recall if Alberta does also.Montana didn't when I lived there (I doubt they do now). But when Montana goes to "chains required", they mean it.

Winter Driving from Alberta To Arizona in January

Trackrig
Explorer II
Aug 10, 2015
I'd put a good amount of weight the behind the cab in your truck to help control the trailer. The trailer probably outweighs the half ton truck and that's not a good combination on slick roads. You need to watch out on sharper corners. The trailer's momentum is going straight ahead as the truck turns into the corner. This can jackknife the truck pushing it off the outside edge of the corner. When the trailer weighs more than the truck, if you let off the gas, the trailers momentum will control the situation. So slow down before the corner, not in the corner.

Bill
tsetsaf
Explorer III
Aug 10, 2015
And if chains are required you need them for the trailer too!
69_Avion
Explorer
Aug 10, 2015
Once you get south of Salt Lake City, it shouldn't be too bad. The 20 mile road from I-15 to Panguich(sp?) 89A can be bad in rough weather. Everything else in the area is just using common sense.

I pulled my Avion 34' from NW Montana to Phoenix in December with no issues. The key is if you get in bad weather, wait it out.
n7bsn
Explorer
Aug 10, 2015
Head for Great Falls then follow I-15. Stay in "town" during any storms and wait.

You will have problems finding open parks. Dick's in Great Falls is open year around. But many (MANY) others are not.

Forum Discussion

Winter Driving from Alberta To Arizona in January

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Alberta to Quebec

Arizona Sites

Arizona Purchase

Alberta RV newbs

Black Diamond, Alberta