Michigan to California this December

[OldDoggy]

Greetings,
Planning a winter round trip from Michigan to California this November-December. Going to take the best route out and back the weather allows. How many forum members winter travel through the rockies and what precations should I take. Driving 2004 30Q Hurricane Mhome on a F53 with the V-10. Plan on renting a car when we get there for local excursions around southern CA. Our first time with a motorhome, not our first time taking this trip. Apreciate any advise and hard learned leasons you want to share here.

Best regards, just another Old Doggy, Don

[OldDoggy]

Been both ways in winter with my car, this will be a first for wifey and me with our motorhome. One year we waited awhile on I40 while the snow melted between Flagstaf and Kingman. Another year we had ice from the Mississippi River to New Mexico had to make a left at I25 and go 100 miles to thaw out. How many carry chains for the MH?

[msmith1199]

Goldencrazy wrote:
No but it does go thru the Eisenhower Tunnel at 10,000 feet and a number of other steep climbs thereafter and a lot of snow overnight is not unusual in fact there are some great ski areas that count on it. Gorgeous area to come through in summer and wonderful area to ski in winter but I prefer my Jeep not moho.

msmith1199 wrote:
I-80 does not go through the arctic circle!

No it doesn't. That's 70.

[chili_s_trip]

Goldencrazy wrote:
No but it does go thru the Eisenhower Tunnel at 10,000 feet and a number of other steep climbs thereafter and a lot of snow overnight is not unusual in fact there are some great ski areas that count on it. Gorgeous area to come through in summer and wonderful area to ski in winter but I prefer my Jeep not moho

I think you are talking about I-70?

msmith1199 wrote:
I-80 does not go through the arctic circle!

[Goldencrazy]

No but it does go thru the Eisenhower Tunnel at 10,000 feet and a number of other steep climbs thereafter and a lot of snow overnight is not unusual in fact there are some great ski areas that count on it. Gorgeous area to come through in summer and wonderful area to ski in winter but I prefer my Jeep not moho.

msmith1199 wrote:
I-80 does not go through the arctic circle!

[MrWizard]

Best route
Go south
Don't take anything further north than I 40
The further south the better
I would take I65 south then angle down 44? And take I-10 across to Calif

[msmith1199]

I-80 does not go through the arctic circle!

[chili_s_trip]

SRT wrote:
Drop down to I20 which turns into I10 in Texas and go west on I10. This way you will avoid the worst winter weather.

X2 I travel Grand Haven to San Diego via Dallas and Yuma every November and find this route the best way to beat the weather. Even than I have seen I-10 closed in New Mexico twice. Have gotten to know Deming very well!
Good luck.
Jack H

[Dale_Traveling]

The first few days consider keeping the coach winterized and live off bottled water. Keep the holding tanks as empty as possible also. The exposed dump valves can freeze and cause problems. Keep your propane full also. Nights can get cool even in Arizona and California. You may need to winterize on the way home. I prefer a blow out but not a simple matter on the road if you don't have a compressor so consider pumping RV antifreeze into the system.

As other have already mentioned head south before turning west. I10 is an easy drive across the southwest until just east of San Diego with a couple of long hill climbs and descents thru the Cleveland National Forest. The coach should handle it without problems but just go easy on the brakes and down shift to control your speed. The 30Q is a light weight coach with the same engine and transmission of it's heavier cousins.

Have fun and enjoy Christmas on the beach in California.

[Goldencrazy]

Remember if you take the northern route you have chain laws.

[J-Rooster]

Goldencrazy wrote:
I go from WI and take 40. Watch the weather and generally OK. If big storm coming and you prefer not to sit cut down to 10. I would not do northern route in Winter.

X-2, this is the route I would take!

[John_S_]

Crazy if you plan for anything other than I 10/20. You get ice mostly on I20 but 10 is usually clear. Go to visit the inlaws at Christmas and usually everything north of 20 is closed or will close. 10 makes the trip easy.

[summerhouse]

Definitely would only consider the southern route. I wouldn't even consider the northern route. Who knows what the start to winter weather will be this coming here? Pick up a few jugs of antifreeze if needed on the return trip. You sure don't want to get stuck on the interstate if they decide to shut it down and not be able to take precautions as much as you are able.
We got stuck in Tucumcari, NM one year in Dec for 13 hours on the highway. It's definitely doable. Just have to be prepared for the possibilities.

[Executive45]

I'd go the I-20/I-10 southern route...weather is more predictable and it's an easy drive..you may get some rain but no snow......Dennis

[Executive45]

I'd go the I-20/I-10 southern route...weather is more predictable and it's an easy drive.....Dennis