Sacramento over 80 to Salt Lake in winter?

[bellolove]

What is the general consensus on driving over I80 from Sacramento to Salt Lake City Utah? We are looking to make the trip in the next couple of weeks. This year there is practically no snow. And while we know weather can change, I'm just curious if this is ever adviseable in the winter months? Our Class A is not winterized. What is involved in winterizing the motorhome? I read you must start it and run it at least every 12 hours and that the propane tank can freeze?? Any other tips. I'm thinking we'll just drive our 4WD SUV for the trip and stay in a hotel but dang we like to use our motorhome when we can. Thoughts?

[bellolove]

ha ha no offense taken.. I actually read that online today about the propane.. it's not anything I had ever heard of before. I am trying to educate my husband and have been wanting a reason NOT to take the RV. I'm just not comfortable with the idea of it in the snow for various reasons. I found another good website on winter camping and the people blogged about all the problems they've had and how they worked around it. I don't think we want to invest the time and money it would take for one trip although I will miss the convenience of having it this trip. Thank you everyone!

[nevadanick]

Please dont take this wrong, but if you think propane freezes and you have not winterized and dont know how, you dont know enough about taking your rv in the cold. Take your suv. It is best to travel when there are no active storms but the roadway can still be snow and ice covered. I went to Winnemucca today from Elko and the road was snow covered in several places this morning but was clear coming home. I would carry chains but i have never used chains outside of California.

[MPcolonel]

Know before you go.
Many RV parks in that area close for the winter.

[Islandman]

Leave the RV at home, take your SUV and be prepared to chain up if required, but I'm not sure of CA and NV laws regarding this issue.

[naturist]

If yer propane tank freezes, that will be the least of your problems. At those temperatures, I'd think diesel would freeze solid and gasoline would be about as flammable as an oak log.

(-306.4°F (-188°C) = Propane, Freezing point)

[the_bear_II]

CalTrans is pretty good about keeping the roads clear unless it's a massive storm. If the advance weather forecast for the week you plan to travel shows chance of snow or freezing temps, I wouldn't take the MH. If the weather looks OK then you shouldn't have a problem unless a freak storm pops up (not very likely). The forecasters are usually right on for the I-80 corridor over the Sierras.

Here's an example... I had two of my employees in separate vehicles heading up to Reno for some work. A storm was forecast for late in the day. One decided to go up 395, he got through before the storm hit. The other decided to go across I-80 from I-5, he had to wait out the storm in Auburn until the next day. The guy using 395 had paid attention to the forecast and calculated he could make it before the storm hit the eastern side of the mountains.