Will plumbing freeze? Toronto to Vancouver Mid-November

[Bobroham]

Hello,

I am planning on taking my first long trip with my new 5th wheel from Toronto to Vancouver in mid-November. I am planning on using all facilities once I get to Vancouver, I am just worried about freezing along the way (through the mountains and across Canada). I have also never winterized as I am a new owner.

1) Should I winterize before leaving? (I am going to Vancouver with above-freezing temps during winter)

2) Would it make any sense to travel through the US instead of Canada to avoid cold weather and winterizing? (I do not wish to have an excessive detour as it is already a 40 hour trip)

[36guy]

Two years ago, got caught in a snowstorm outside jasper in late September, my tow vehicle is a gmc duramax, trailer is a 27 foot cougar fifth. It snowed a foot, while we drove to jasper up the icefields parkway, something I will not do again. I drive truck for a living, but needed four wheel drive just to control my rig in ever deepening snow. Been pulling fifths for thirty years, I was surprised at how much the trailer wanted to push the truck around, kept the speed down, watched cars ditch several times, made it to jasper and woke up next morning to a foot of fresh heavy snow.
Don't do it, unless you're VERY experienced with this stuff.

[ToddD]

Me Again wrote:
Juneau cannot be reached by a land route by automobile from the Lower 48. You have to either fly or float in. Maybe Seward, AK???

Duh, you're right, caught the ferry in Haines. Been a while. Haines highway was a trip, snowflakes the size of quarters at night in the headlights and a super wide steep road made you dizzy.

[Me_Again]

Juneau cannot be reached by a land route by automobile from the Lower 48. You have to either fly or float in. Maybe Seward, AK???

[ToddD]

obgraham wrote:
Indeed. In my years in Manitoba I don't recall one in which there was not freezing weather in October, let alone November.

True story, but off topic:

Was traveling around North America with a buddy in a 72 VW camper van, back in the 90s, and we blew our engine in the Okanagan Valley in late August.

After we rebuilt it by mid-September we decided we wanted to check out Alaska and determined we better get going before "winter set in."

1000 miles later we arrived in Dawson City. And winter had already set in. But we had traveled too far to turn back, so we kept going up the AlCan Hiway. And winter kept setting in.

We eventually got across the border to Tok Junction, after a 3' snowfall the night before, had a couple beers at a bar, and decided mission was accomplished and turned back.

Opted to catch a car ferry in Juneau and shortcut most of the trip south, landing at Prince Rupert.

This was when a significant portion of the AlCan was still unpaved. Brutal trip in such a marginal vehicle, but worth every second. Now we know why they call it the Great White North.

Anyway, back on topic.

[DirtyOil]

Winterize, check on weather, if road conditions are bad... pull over and wait it out. When I transported RVs, two yrs ago, made many trips through the Rockies. From Indiana, through North Dakota and Sask., the heavy head winds and the ice were worse then the trips through the Rockies, making deliveries up to Prince George, BC and to the coast Langley, Abbotsford. From Oregon to Yellowknife, NWT. From November right through to April. Saw it all, like I said I would be more concerned with the winds and ice through Man, Sask and southern AB, they'll be headwinds all the way.

[SoundGuy]

Bobroham wrote:
I am planning on taking my first long trip with my new 5th wheel from Toronto to Vancouver in mid-November.

WAY too late for a trip like this, so far north - mid-September would have been more like it. As mentioned, snow in and around Calgary already. :E

[campinghut]

Would not have wanted to be pulling a trailer through Calgary yesterday as highway 1 was closed for many hours east of Calgary due to snow and bad weather. It has started lol...

[mogman]

Just a reminder that in B.C. you are required by law to use snow tires as of Oct 1 on any of the highways outside of the immediate lower mainland (Vancouver)

[Westernskies]

The prairies are notorious for getting the first major cold snap in November, and i'm talking -20 to -30C for a week. Lived it my whole life. Afraid you are going to have to winterize for the trip, but enjoy the warm weather when you arrive in Van.

[colliehauler]

Bobroham wrote:
It looks like I should definitely winterize if leaving in November. I hope it's not too difficult of a procedure.

I didn't really consider that the mountain passes in AB/BC might be quite bad in November. Is the Montana/Idaho/Washington route safer at that time of year?

I am also considering leaving now and flying back for the wedding I have in November.. just hard to justify the additional cost of flying.

Yes you need to winterize. Salt on the roads is destructive to RV'S as well. Have you ever pulled a RV on snow and ice?

[Me_Again]

Bobroham wrote:
It looks like I should definitely winterize if leaving in November. I hope it's not too difficult of a procedure.

I didn't really consider that the mountain passes in AB/BC might be quite bad in November. Is the Montana/Idaho/Washington route safer at that time of year?

I am also considering leaving now and flying back for the wedding I have in November.. just hard to justify the additional cost of flying.

That is really your best option! Chris

[darsben1]

joebedford wrote:
Sorry. For the benefit of those south of us, BC usually lords it over the rest of Canada how warm (read "rain") it is there in the winter. As an easterner (i.e. east of BC) I had to point out how mild -5C to -10C is to the rest of Canada.

I got the joke

[obgraham]

portliz wrote:
Your life is worth the additional cost. Driving through the Rockies in November is a dangerous idea.

Nonsense. These days, with all the ability to see the road conditions ahead of time, it just takes common sense and a willingness to wait out the bad stuff.

[keymastr]

I would rather pay the money for a couple flights rather than a possible insurance deductible. Not to mention the effects of road salt and sand on a brand new rig.