Driving a Class C on Snow and Ice

[Bordercollie]

I have never driven a Class C on snow or ice but the idea sounds scary. Here in Socal it is possible to get into snow and ice in local mountains. Driving a Class C on icy mountain curves and grades doesn't look like fun. Where can an RV'er get how-to info on snow and ice driving, choice of and installing chains, etc.?

[jeffengle]

We run studded tires on all 6 wheels & carry chains also. We travel to various ski hills & camp in their parking lots. Nothing like walking out of your camper, snap on your skis & head downhill.

[Dakzuki]

I know lots of folks that use their RVs for skiing. They keep chains aboard but rarely use them. Go to the mountains here and you'll see all kids of RVs including camper trailers at the ski areas. Biggest issues they have is digging out after being snowed in.

[pconroy328]

I've also lived in Snow and Ice country for most of my life. I've reached the age that if I need chains to get somewhere, I just stay put.

Remember, unless you're all alone on the road - more than half the worry should be about the other guy.

Having a motorhome, I'm at a bit of a loss on why anyone would push thru bad weather? Pull off, wait it out.

[pnichols]

Harvey51 wrote:
It is prohibitively expensive to buy winter tires for a motorhome and a waste to use them on hot summer pavement.

What winter tires would you be referring to?

A lot of Class C motorhomes already run Michelin M&S (Mud & Snow) tires year round ... like we do. Class C motorhomes with these tires probably already makes them more ready for snow driving than many other vehicles.

FWIW, these tires seem to provide a safe, silent, and smooth ride both summer and winter - not counting ice/frozen snow of course. They're warranted for 60,000 miles (old M&S) or 70,000 miles (new M&S2) too ... even with their more aggressive mud & snow tread.

[Harvey51]

We normally do not go camping in the snow but it does surprise us sometimes. In fact, on our first trip with the MH quite a little blizzard caught us. We stopped at a rest stop and enjoyed our new house until the storm ended. I was surprised that the MH felt slightly more slippery on the snow covered highway than our minivan. Physics says the friction force (traction) is proportional to the weight so you would expect deceleration from braking to be the same for a vehicle of any weight, other things being equal, but some tires have more grip than others per pound. It is prohibitively expensive to buy winter tires for a motorhome and a waste to use them on hot summer pavement. So avoiding driving when it is slippery unless willing to chain up and driving slowly and carefully are the only alternatives. If you get a chance to practise driving on ice and snow, grab it. We do it six months of every year here in the north and some get pretty good at it. Big mall or truck stop parking lots are a good place.

[garyhaupt]

mlts22 wrote:
I'd sooner use a wench

I'd sooner use a wench too, for lots of things..but not for snow driving. They get all skittish.


Gary Haupt

[Gene_in_NE]

Bordercollie wrote:
I have never driven a Class C on snow or ice but the idea sounds scary. Here in Socal it is possible to get into snow and ice in local mountains. Driving a Class C on icy mountain curves and grades doesn't look like fun. Where can an RV'er get how-to info on snow and ice driving, choice of and installing chains, etc.?

I was born and have spent all my life living where snow happens every year. It is not as scary as some have answered. We were on a trip from Omaha to Las Vegas for Christmas. We passed through Denver and headed West on I70 when we encountered snow. We continued and watched some of the semi's pull over to the side and put on chains, the overhead warning signs were not mandating that. I was surprised how stable the 9,000 lbs felt. We took it up and over the mountains.

The secret to driving in the snow is to slow down and constantly pretend you have an egg between your foot and the brake pedal and the same with the accelerator pedal. That extra weight just kept us moving. When you first encounter the snow or ice, slow way down and watch for traffic on a level stretch, then test what happens if you touch the brake to slowdown then try accelerating and see what it takes to loose traction. Then drive accordingly.

[tpi]

Personally as southern Ca resident I try to do avoidance thing. I'm retiree so camping is often flexible. There are generally long periods of high pressure during the winter when it doesn't rain or snow. I try to slot the trips into those windows. If there is meltwater running across roads, it tends to refreeze at night. Traveling later in day tends to melt it.

Have good weather apps/websites linked and ready to go. Keep an eye for updates.

To me freezing level is very useful in area like ours (although it can snow below the freezing level)

http://www.aviationweather.gov/adds/icing/frzgnav

[ksg5000]

I don't recommend driving on ice to anyone - regardless of vehicle. No way I would drive my rig on ice .. dumb move which won't be rectified by training. With that said - my Class C does OK in snow - it's heavy and the tires have great tread --- I carry chains and haven't had to use them yet (fingers crossed). Putting chains on isn't all that hard and anyone familiar with snow knows that trucks with chains often lead the way.

[Eyegor]

pnichols wrote:
The nice thing about driving a Class C in slippery conditions is ... the tremendous weight on all six tires gives them better driving traction, steering traction, and stopping traction than lighter weight vehicles. (i.e. My unloaded 4X4 pickup in slippery conditions can wind up being downright scary and dangerous.)

The bad thing about driving a Class C in slippery conditions is ... the tremendous weight on all six tires makes them insanely more dangerous than lighter weight vehicles if things get out of control.

It's can take a delicate balancing act to drive a Class C in slippery conditions.

Now ... driving a Class C in soft-surface conditions is a another ball game all together.

+1. My 24ft Class C handles very similar to the Type 3 modular ambulances I've operated for over 25 years. The weight is your friend, until it isn't. If the DOT is recommending chains, GET THEM. Otherwise, don't be afraid to use your weight, wider stance, and torque to your advantage. Crawl over the ice and you will be fine. Don't stop. Now, if we are talking soft snow, you won't be going to far. The dually will want to float instead of dig in and you will spin easily. Ice vs. snow are two completely different animals.

[Islandman]

mlts22 - Are you referring to a winch either mounted on the front bumper or if you have a flatbed truck possibly facing the rear. I don't think a winch will have much use in driving on icy or snow covered roads, could possibly come into use if you slip off the roadway into the ditch or whatever, then you'll need something stable to hook up to and pull yourself out. That's if a wrecker or tow truck isn't available. Best solution is to use regular tire chains or cable chains on outside rear wheels driving on icy or snow covered roads if traction is a problem. Actually probably the best idea is to stay off the road if at all possible until conditions improve to where you can drive safely and with confidence.

[mlts22]

I'd sooner use a wench with a larger "C" than try driving a two wheel one on icy surfaces.

[Community Alumni]

Don't attempt to drive an RV without chains on our mountain roads, it's a recipe for disaster even if they the roads are plowed. Caltrans does not use road salt to melt the ice so the roads will be icy.

During our last winter storm, all the mountain roads in the San Bernardino mountains had to be closed due to numerous vehicles being stuck without chains, including a fire truck that slid into a ditch. Several people had to be evacuated from their stranded vehicles on Hwy 138 by a fire department cat and taken to a shelter in Crestline.

Get yourself some chains or cables if you are planning on visiting the mountains during the winter. They'll keep you AND other motorists safe.

[pnichols]

The good thing about driving a Class C in slippery conditions is ... the tremendous weight on all six tires gives them better driving traction, steering traction, and stopping traction than lighter weight vehicles. (i.e. My unloaded 4X4 pickup in slippery conditions can wind up being downright scary and dangerous.)

The bad thing about driving a Class C in slippery conditions is ... the tremendous weight on all six tires makes them insanely more dangerous than lighter weight vehicles if things get out of control.

It can take a delicate balancing act to drive a Class C in slippery conditions.

Now ... driving a Class C in soft-surface conditions is a another ball game altogether.