Would you drive in the snow?

[holstein13]

I am supposed to travel to Panguitch, UT tomorrow to stay at the KOA there. Unfortunately, they are expecting 1-3 inches of snow. It looks like temperatures will be above freezing most of the day.

I'm driving a 45 foot, tag axle motorhome weighing 45,000 pounds and towing a 6,500 pound Ford F-150 behind me. My route would take me across I-70 and down SR 89.

The question is, should I chance it? Or should I wait until Saturday to travel? Has anyone driven in the snow when temps are above freezing?

[2lazy4U]

I mentioned this above, but nobody seems to consider that this storm has HIGH WIND WARNINGS through Sat. You're smart to stay put, snow or no.

[Executive45]

Good decision to wait. Something else to consider. While I have driven in snow/rain/slush/wind etc. and do ok with all of them, you MUST consider OTHERS that may not have. It's the OTHER guy you have to worry about....IMO....Dennis

[wa8yxm]

Several part answer:
1-3 Inches if you are in a class A with 22.5" tirs is a "light dusting" for a car with 14" tires. BUT... It is still slippery at speed. so SLOW DOWN.

Second: While the snow is falling and visiblilty is limited you need to slow down even more,, in fact the one time I was in such a position (About 4-6" total) I slowed all the way down.. Found a rest area where I could spend the night and continued on in the AM after the roads had been cleared.

THIS is the best advice.. If the snow gets too white and scary PARK for the night. NOTE you will need to protect some systems. like the ice maker.. TURN off the water supply disconnect the line from the shut off valve (if outside) and cycle the thing to drain the solenoid, cost me a new solenoid.

Oh, next morning at breakfast (local diner to lot, walking distance local) I was watching TV... News was all about all the cars in the ditch... Yup, they were not kidding, not at all, they were lining the ditches starting about 1/2 mile north of where I parked.

[obgraham]

It played out just as I suggested: the forecast and conditions degenerated to snow during most of today, but tomorrow looks pretty good.

I'd have done the same as you: put it off till tomorrow. Good plan.

[Pop-Pop_C]

"NO"!

[holstein13]

UPDATE: The forecast worsened to 3-5 inches of snow beginning at 11:00 am and peaking at 3:00 pm. The temperature was lowered as well to a high of 39 degrees. I called the Panguitch KOA and changed my arrival to tomorrow. I simply see no need to risk it. I hadn't even considered the salt on the road as many of you pointed out.

Thank you to those who responded.

[msgtord]

Wait to depart until one hour after the sun is out and has time to melt the snow on the road.

If you have a smart phone, check with Utah's DOT website for current road conditions. Your route should have cameras to see real time road conditions.

[gonesouth]

Good decison, Holstein....It's pretty clear those of us used to snow see no real issues with driving a coach in snow. As long as you slow down and make sure you can stop, and there are rust issues if they use salt on the roads.

If you don't drive normally in snow, don't use a $200,000 coach as a test bed.
Earlier in my life I commuted weekly from NB to Newfoundland which involved driving through 60 miles of the worst winter highway stretches in the world. My rule then was that if the police closed the road to trucks, and it was actually snowing ( blizzard) I didn't take the pickup. The last 10 winters I've been Down South and I have no intention of driving in snow unless I'm getting somebody to a hospital.

[mowermech]

No. Even with the M&S tires on the back of the coach, no.
When I was younger and more foolish, probably.
Now, no.

[Blaster_Man]

No, unless some type emergency and you had to travel...why risk it?

[Bill_Satellite]

I have driven in the snow and I am sure I will again. Getting in and out of campgrounds can be challenging but the worst part is the effects of the salt on the coach. I had never seen any rust in the engine compartment until I spent some time in Detroit and needed to drive back and forth to the dump station. I would not avoid driving in those conditions if possible to keep my RV healthy longer.

[MarkTwain]

Driving in the snow:)
When I bought my Dodge Diesel truck, I had the optional "snow alert" system installed.
If I drive within 1/4 of a mile from any road that has snow on it, my engine stops and won't start again for 1 min. This gives me time to turn around and go in the opposite direction.
"The Calif. sunshine kid"

[rcmiller32]

The last three years we have driven in snow, either on the way to FL or the way back to NY. 1"-3" is a dusting here in WNY. Freezing rain and ice now that's fun. They don't stop delivery new units just because of snow.

[Dale_Traveling]

1-3" and above freezing temps isn't a show stopper in Utah and isn't going to be headline news unlike where I live in south eastern Virginia. Without a compelling reason and it's just the next stop on the adventure I would just delay a day or two.

[holstein13]

Tom/Barb wrote:
What is UT's laws on carrying chains?


http://www.udot.utah.gov/main/f?p=100:pg:0:::1:T,V:1673,64441

I looked at that page and am not traveling on those roads requiring chains.