Using rv during travel out of cold climate

[hokeypokey]

We were first-timer Snowbirds in 2014.

We traveled 4 days down/back with a winterized travel trailer and spent $360 on motels. This year we're going to save those bucks for "fun" things and utilize the trailer during the trip.

Any tips/advice traveling this way would be appreciated.

[John_Joey]

We always try to get out prior to the real cold, but we did leave a little latter this year. What we've found out is that most Casino's that have RV parks will be open and have HU's for at least electric. We use two heaters and maybe even the furnace to take the real chill out. We stay nice and toasty.

As others have said the trick is to keep an eye on the weather and wait for a warm snap. First day drive as far as you safely can.

This year we even spent a night in a St. Louis hotel because I couldn't find a good safe place to park, and it was a gray cold rainy day. The hotel upgraded us to a Jacuzzi suite. I didn't think I would ever get the DW back in the rig. :B

[Cobra21]

Be like a trucker, stay at wayside rests and use the bathrooms there until
you hit warm climate.
Have fun and enjoy, Brian

[rockhillmanor]

We were first-timer Snowbirds in 2014.
We traveled 4 days down/back with a winterized travel trailer and spent $360 on motels. This year we're going to save those bucks for "fun" things and utilize the trailer during the trip.Any tips/advice traveling this way would be appreciated.

$360 on motels?! Yikes! Use CAN use your MH!
My first trip down south I didn't even know that the CG's closed Oct 1 until I hit the road!:S
Snow birding was a learning curve for sure!

Snowbirding from Wisconsin to Florida with a winterized coach, no motels required! :C

1. I found that there ARE many CG's open in the Midwest that have just their water hookups shut off. Electric hookups are on.

2. I also figured out that All the CG's that are close/visible from the interstate all stay open just no water hookup. So that takes care of eliminating the motels.

And no reservations ever needed just pull in! Watch your exit signs. They will have a designated sign for if there is a CG off that exit. Once on the exit ramp you will see another sign that says how many miles it is to the CG. Too far? Get back up on the interstate and wait for another one to come up.

3. Most have heated shower/bathroom buildings that they keep the water on to, so that takes care of where to shower.

4. And the most important thing I did was I bought one of these for the trip south. You can find them at most Walmart for around 50 bucks.

It's identical to the RV toilet. I placed it right next to it. No smell, easy to dump. When you get to CG just dump it at your site. The bottom comes off and it looks like a suitcase. So you can also take it into a rest stop bathroom and dump it. It uses the same black tank chems you use in the MH one so there are no smells.
http://www.thetford.com/products/toilets/portable-toilets/Many models to choose from!

Hope some of the tips help you!

[homefor2]

We've travelling in freezing weather several times. Arctic Fox Camper has good insulation, good furnace and we use RV anti freeze to flush. Never had an issue.

[B_O__Plenty]

I just use a gallon jug with water to flush the toilet. It won't freeze solid if you are moving and even if you are it won't hurt the tank. There will be plenty of room to expand. and it will thaw when it gets warm. We travel like this every Winter. No problem.

B.O.

[joebedford]

old guy wrote:
unplug the rig from the truck leave rig hitched up and go to bed

Reminds me of a (relevant?) story. We stopped in the Mount Pleasant TX Walmart where it went down to 20 overnight. I woke up in the middle of the night quite cold. Furnace was blowing very cold air. Enough power from the single battery in the RV to run the fan but not ignite the furnace. Not enough to start the generator. So I went outside and plugged in the truck which had enough juice to start because it was unplugged. After 20 minutes there was enough recharge to start the generator. 5 minutes later, the furnace lit up. I went out and unplugged the truck again. After an hour, I shut off the generator and was toasty warm for the rest of the night. Said to DW the next morning "Wasn't that a nasty problem with the furnace, the truck and the generator last night". She said "What problem?". I guess I'm more sensitive.

Anyway, don't leave your truck plugged in - you don't want to run your starting battery flat!

(I have 2 batteries now).

[old_guy]

your rig has a furnace doesn't it. basically all you need to be comfortable on the side of the road or in a walmart parking lot. unplug the rig from the truck leave rig hitched up and go to bed. you have full tanks of propane and a good battery, the travel the next day will recharge the rig battery. you may have a few minor inconveniences but it is still better than a motel room with all it's germs.

[Randu]

A lot depends on your specific rig. I have furnace on night before as its packed with food and can goods that may freeze. Depending on outside temp, I turn furnace off as residual heat will be good for next 4-6 hours or if real cold like 20's then I just leave furnace on at 50. Makes it nicer when stopping for lunch. Randu

[joebedford]

Don't put your slides out if there is a chance of snow. The tops could turn to blocks of ice and then you have a real problem. Ask me how I know.

[portliz]

No problem travelling. Check for campgrounds open all year. WE leave rv winterized. Use bottled water. Flush toilet with antifreeze. Check to see if washrooms are open. WE have a fireplace, furnace and electric blanket. Electric blanket is a must. Those beds get real cold!!! We don't open slides but all our furnace vents are exposed. Pull in. Plug in. Don't unhook. Sleep. Pull out. Save those hotel $$$.

[eichacsj]

Why wouldn't you? Although I do have Northwood product which is built from ground up as 4 season, but can't all RV's handle cold weather for short terms? Not using the tanks, worried about dumping, antifreeze, I can't figure that out, how full can your tanks get between home and destination? Questions are rhetorical.

Most of our travels across the US are during the Thanksgiving and Xmas season. Difference is we travel from AZ to CO, WA, NY.

[2oldman]

I don't know where xxx is, but if it's north, get out soon!

[Tom_N]

hokeypokey;

Watch weather predictions for your route. Leave when temperatures are favorable, if possible.

[coolmom42]

Drive south. Fast. Check the forecast for the fastest route south. Un-winterize when your lowest temps hit upper 20s.

Before that point, use bottled water for everything. Flush manually. Flush with antifreeze if it's cold enough to worry about the black tank freezing. Dump an extra gallon of antifreeze in the gray tank if you are worried about it. Wait until you get above freezing to dump, so the dump valves don't freeze up.