Moving from SC to MA in the winter towing TT

[theheather1]

I will be moving to MA from SC early to mid December. Even though I'm lusting after a Winnebego Minnie, I have a 16' 2013 Starcraft AR-one and am pulling it with a Chevy Silverado. I'm not very experienced in driving in the snow (being from southern CA and all) and will be travelling with two young kiddos and two cats.

I'd like to save money and live out of the camper on the way up there. Driving more slowly is a given for safety but beyond that I'm here to mine your collective wisdom on tips, tricks and advice on staying safe and keeping us more comfortable on the trip.

[Dutch_12078]

If you come up I-81, the Jonestown, PA KOA is also open year-round.

[Padlin]

Greenfield is not in Northeast Ma. It's on the VT border, off I-91. Snow country.

[jplante4]

There are year round campgrounds in Clarksboro NJ (Timberlane) and East Lyme CT (Aces High). You'd better winterize before you get to Mass in December. Our normal first cold snap happens the week of Christmas.

In a normal year, the first flakes fly the week around Thanksgiving, but usually doesn't stick to the roads. 2 years ago, our last trip f the season (Halloween) we came home with snow on the bus.

[theheather1]

I'm doing a complete 180 and switching from military desk jockey to the agricultural program at Greenfield Community College. I'm counting on the NE to be different from here...I'm not built for hot weather!

I just st don't have the resources or time to store the tt here and come back for it later.

[Crowe]

Store the TT until you can safely get it. I wouldn't call December snow "rare"-Boston has a white Christmas about 25% of the time but Worcester is closer to 60%. And it's New England, so all bets are off. For the safety of your family and your own sanity I would not tow the tt or drive a mh. I understand your want/need to save money but you must put the safety of the family first. There are many inexpensive but nice hotel chains you can stay at. If you are military or an AAA member you can get some decent discounts.

What school are you attending? The northeast is going to be very different from SC. Feel free to ask for cold weather "survival tips"!

[BarneyS]

Moved to General RVing Issues forum from Towing.

[BarneyS]

My advice is to stay in motels all the way. Very few, if any campgrounds will be open during that time of year and your RV is certainly not designed to be used in below freezing weather without extensive planning and possible modifications. Add in young kids and the idea is just scary to me. I would plan on just towing the thing carefully and staying in motels the whole trip. Might cost a few bucks more but would be much safer and more comfortable.
Good luck. 🙂
Barney

[theheather1]

I don't have a choice on when we're able to move, otherwise there's no way I'd do this craziness! I'm moving to the northeastern part of the state to go to school there.

[ChooChooMan74]

December Snow is possible, but rare. What part of Mass determines what route. But, for the most part, I would take 81 to avoid Metro Areas of DC north, and avoid most tolls. Once you get to Pennsylvania, what route to take is a little dependent on where in Mass. SE Mass, Take 78 to 287 to 95. Boston area, 84 to 90. Western Mass, 84 to 91 or 84 to 87 to 90.

[2oldman]

Inexperienced towing in snow, with kids and cats? Sounds like a nightmare.