Driving class A in winter conditions

i have been caught in a mountain pass in snow and it became a white knuckle trip. We now head south in the Winter.

Haven't seen much snow in our DP because we moved South....But 80s and 90s we had class C motor homes and routinely took them skiing every weekend in the winter. 7 Springs Pa and Wisp in MD mainly + local trips some nights to Liberty and Roundtop.....Got caught in the snow often and twice got caught in a rut and lost it. Once just got stuck in a ditch the other time laid it over on its side. Both times on the local roads.....The brake lines rusted off of the 93 model twice and had to be replaced but everything rusted. Doors froze shut once, ran out of propane once, but those were the good times with the kids when they were young and it was all good fun---even the roll over!

This is our third motorhome and we have used all of them for winter camping as we would snowmobile in the winter. The motorhomes served as our cabin as well as towing the enclosed trailer to the mountains. The first motorhome was not insulated as well and we didn't run water in the domestic system but rather used jugs of water, PITA.

Our second coach was a 38' Beaver Contessa and although it was an older unit it was much better insulated and we were able to use the domestic water system. In the seven years we had the coach we only froze up once and the temperatures that night got down into the single digits.

This coach has never frozen up on us in the six years we have had it but we have not used it in the winter for the past three years as we sold our sleds and changed hobbies.

I have driven in the******towing the trailer but prefer not to mainly because the road grime, slush and******that gets all over the undercarriage is a pain to clean off. Generally when we have a storm within a day or so the roads are clear again and good to go.

We did get caught in one storm a few years back where it came in much earlier than predicted and we ended up having to drive home in it because the wife and I both had to be to work the next morning. It wasn't bad other than the coach getting filthy. Luckily you have weight in your favor and just make sure to keep good tires on it and take it easy and pay attention and you should be fine.

My son still remembers one trip coming home from the Las Vegas drag races in early spring and getting caught in a nasty storm. We pulled off into a rest area and waited it out for about six hours. Just fired up the generator and popped in a couple of movies and relaxed. Funny what kids remember, he doesn't remember the races, just the stop in the rest area.

Mike.

wny_pat wrote:

Billinwoodland wrote:
When I have asked about cold weather packages in MHs, the salesmen usually give me some sort of BS answer, like "they are all made to handle cold weather." I did not realize that MHs had R values like stick home insulation, so that is very helpful info.

Not cold weather packages. Just plain some brands are much better when it comes to cold weather temperatures. Usually the high line brands. You want to camp in the cold, find a Foretravel with Aqua Hot Hydronic Heating and Hot Water System. There are other brands out there that will stand up to the ice too. But most will not.

My experience having winter camped is that our Holiday Rambler is really a great 3-season camper as I suspect most are. Although we've been very comfortable in 15-20F temps, the furnace will simply run a lot and it doesn't take long to run through many pounds of propane.

Billinwoodland wrote:
When I have asked about cold weather packages in MHs, the salesmen usually give me some sort of BS answer, like "they are all made to handle cold weather." I did not realize that MHs had R values like stick home insulation, so that is very helpful info.

Not cold weather packages. Just plain some brands are much better when it comes to cold weather temperatures. Usually the high line brands. You want to camp in the cold, find a Foretravel with Aqua Hot Hydronic Heating and Hot Water System. There are other brands out there that will stand up to the ice too. But most will not.

My owners manual says you cannot use chains. They will damage teh wheel wells.

I've drove my RV in the snow without chains (I had the chains in storage compartment) with no problems. RV's are very heavy on the drive axle and do quite well in the snow IMHO. Ice is a different condition, I had to drive down Tehachapi Pass, Hwy. 28, CA. (3,800 in elevation)
October 2011 and it was icy. I had no problems going downhill with my toad in the frozen rain. But, you have to drive accordingly (slow gentle and easy)! The two biggest problems that I have in countered winter camping is 4" to 6" of snow on the slide out toppers and I didn't have a portable folding ladder and had to use the motorhome ladder to get up on a icy snowy roof to brush off the snow so I could retract the slide out. And the other was a winter rainstorm followed by a freeze. I didn't check the slide out toppers for water pockets! A little pocket of water froze on top of the topper, and when it was time to leave I retracted the slide and a piece of ice cut a hole in my slide out seal. I hope this info helps someone!

Oh ya :) :)








Good times .... If the snow gets too bad, pull over and you have your house with you :)

One thing I discovered by accident is the outside water line going to your ice maker can freeze as you travel in cold weather. If it doesn't break, count yourself blessed.

Billinwoodland wrote:
Lot's of great info, thanks. Even though I am CA born and raised, I consider myself as safe as you can driving a 4 wheeler with 4x4 in the snow. When I have asked about cold weather packages in MHs, the salesmen usually give me some sort of BS answer, like "they are all made to handle cold weather." I did not realize that MHs had R values like stick home insulation, so that is very helpful info.

A lot also depends on your comfort level. Since we are both from Florida, we prefer to leave the Sunshine State when the snowbirds arrive. Deep snow usually means that I may wear socks with my slip on loafers. For us, comfort in our coach is anything in the upper 50's and warmer, day or night. An electric blanket is there if we need it. Our dog is also a mountain dog so snow and cold temps are great for her. If you or your wife require upper 70's for Winter comfort in your house, then you may have to invest in some auxiliary heaters for your RV. You may also need extra closet space if you pack a lot of Winter gear.