Traveling in the winter with a TT

[Metzfamily]

We are considering traveling from Arkansas to Omaha, Nebraska in the next week or so. We are going to watch the weather, but, if the forecast is wrong. It would be nice to have some wisdom from experienced folks. Our Flagstaff 25FKS has an all season package to include tank heaters.
1. When going down the road our TT does not have heat on, how do you keep pipes from freezing while pulling?
2. Tips for if we get caught on snowing/slick roads.

[theoldwizard1]

Metzfamily wrote:
Our truck has a 220 Amp alternator so I think it will be able to keep the batteries charged. We have two batteries on the TT.

Big alternator will keep a fully charged house battery bank from discharging. It will NOT fully recharge a house bank that is below 80% SOC.

Best advice, be prepared to spend a day or two in a truck stop or other road side facility. If you don't have a generator either buy one big enough to run your charger OR buy a DC-DC charger. Running the truck will then recharge depleted house bank.

[Sjm9911]

How cold does it get down there? Just curious. It takes a bit for stuff to freeze. How long is the tow? 8 hours then hooked up again? If its only around freezing and a short 8 hours or so, i wouldn't bother doing anything special.

[Metzfamily]

Yes we have a location to park it when we arrive with 110 electricity. We pulled it in November to the same location. It was cold inside the TT when we stopped to take breaks. It would be nice if it is ok to run heat while on the road.

Our truck has a 220 Amp alternator so I think it will be able to keep the batteries charged. We have two batteries on the TT.

Is it safe to run a propane furnace while pulling the TT I guess is a big question for me.

I know the refrigerator is running on propane on the road but I would think that is a smaller flame. Still a flame never the less.

We encountered very strong winds on the last trip, but, was very fortunate that it was a tailwind. Best MPG we had ever seen. Just luck though.

So noted on the drunk buddies pulling you on an inner tube 😉 This is the advice and wisdom we are looking for.

[ppine]

Pulling a trailer is fine in the winter, unless there is snow and ice on the road, unless there is a ground blizzard, or until the roads are closed.

[profdant139]

You can run the heat while driving, but it will drain your battery.

Here is a possible solution: if your tow vehicle has an enclosed cargo space (like a truck cap on a pickup), you could put your generator in the truck and run a charging cable to the trailer's battery. Then you can run the furnace as long as there is gas in the generator.

[2chiefsRus]

Metzfamily wrote:
So it is ok to run the heat while pulling the TT?

Do you have enough battery power? Furnace is a big user of 12volt. Will you be able to stay in a campground once you get there? I would imagine most campgrounds are either closed or have shut off their water.

[gbopp]

Beverley&Ken wrote:
You are best to wait it out in a safe location,

Best advice.

[Beverley_Ken]

From JDC1, "Driving on black ice, towing a trailer, is like being pulled on an inner tube by your drunk buddies. ". Best description that I've heard, and VERY true. You maybe OK but those chances are not in your favour. Do not do anything suddenly, braking, acceleration, steering. You are best to wait it out in a safe location,

Ken

[Metzfamily]

So it is ok to run the heat while pulling the TT?

[Dick_B]

Put the heat on somewhere around 55 or 60 F.

[jdc1]

Driving on black ice, towing a trailer, is like being pulled on an inner tube by your drunk buddies. Just follow in the tracks of big rigs and hope for the best.