Winter Driving from Alberta To Arizona in January

[Janie_Ryan]

Hi All. We are driving our 24' tow trailer with a 4x4 half ton from Alberta to Arizona in January 2016. I know driving a motorhome over snowy or icy roads is different because only "one" vehicle can slip. With a truck and trailer there are "two" vehicles that can potentially slip. Other than the obvious (avoid severe storms and driving in icy and snowy conditions) are there some tips or experience from others who have done it. What would you suggest our best route to be. Thanks in advance.

[FULLTIMEWANABE]

We used to head down to LV every easter for many years in the late 90's 2000's. If easter was earlier some years then we might hit a bit of snow around Cedar City to St George Utah, one year huge flakes and settling but just kept going real slow till came out of it in less than an hour. Then we were towing a 33ft fifth wheel with a Ford F350 Dually (dually's are not kind on snow or gravel!). All was well just knuckles white for a wee while. Be conscious in Montana around Prickly Pear and those many bends in real cold weather if going down I15, this side of Helena if I recall. Beautiful in the summer but treacherous in the winter if icy.

We will likely be doing what you are in the very near future, travelling in our MH down from DeWinton Alberta to AZ,NM,NV,TX as snowbirds in Januarys after spending Christmas with our family here. We will just check the farmers Almanac and weather forecast in deciding when to leave after Christmas, waiting as long as we have to, and if we hit concerning weather enroute will for sure stop and take some shelter with our Mr Buddy heater for as long as it takes. We never dewinterize until after we hit Mesquite, carrying canisters of water for strip washes/cooking the first two nights we are on the road.

We wouldn't leave until weather forecast is favourable for at least a couple of days, and get as far south as we can safely. We usually leave around lunch time one day and by late afternoon the next day we are in Mesquite or Zion depending on the plan.

[Tequila]

You might want to post this in the snowbirds and the Mexico sections. There are lots of people i see in Mexico that have driven from Alberta. At least if you hit snow it is the drier stuff, coming from Vancouver, if I hit it going south it's the wet slippery variety, I cut acroos to the coast to avoid it if I have to.

[Janie_Ryan]

Thanks for all the info!!

[mayo30]

I have done it many times over the years and found that all the little supposedly detours and tips were not worth it.Stay on I all the way south till you need to turn off.The Interstates get cleaned and de-iced first,have the closest facilities on the most regular basis and are the fastest flowing.

[Passin_Thru]

7000' GOSH! I'm going hunting in Co where the lowest elevation will be 9000' Just ribbing ya! Flag gets some terrible blizzards and roads will close because the stupid people will just fly down it on the ice. They don't care. Almost 80% of the time it is dry all the way. You could come over to I 25 and go down too if you need to avoid weather. Depends on your time vs money.

[Dave5143]

TucsonJim wrote:


The road from I15 to US89 is highway 20. I drive this every December/January and I've only had one time where there was any ice/snow. They clear it very quickly. However, if it's bad, you can continue south on I-15 to Las Vegas, and then head towards Arizona on Hwy 93 which is a great road.

I second the I-15 to Las Vegas route. Highway 89 in and out of Flagstaff has some steep grades and with a 7000' summit it does get a considerable amount of snow.

[SDcampowneroper]

Its no problem, just plan to travel when the conditions are good. If tou cant find a camp open where you are forced to wait for better road conditions, call the local chamber of commerce for help.

[TucsonJim]

69 Avion wrote:
Once you get south of Salt Lake City, it shouldn't be too bad. The 20 mile road from I-15 to Panguich(sp?) 89A can be bad in rough weather. Everything else in the area is just using common sense.

I pulled my Avion 34' from NW Montana to Phoenix in December with no issues. The key is if you get in bad weather, wait it out.

The road from I15 to US89 is highway 20. I drive this every December/January and I've only had one time where there was any ice/snow. They clear it very quickly. However, if it's bad, you can continue south on I-15 to Las Vegas, and then head towards Arizona on Hwy 93 which is a great road.

[Peg_Leg]

Don't hurry.

[n7bsn]

tsetsaf wrote:
And if chains are required you need them for the trailer too!

That's why you park in town until the weather changes.

That being said, I know "in season" BC requires all vehicles to have chains (including the trailer drag chains), I simply don't recall if Alberta does also.

Montana didn't when I lived there (I doubt they do now). But when Montana goes to "chains required", they mean it.

[Trackrig]

I'd put a good amount of weight the behind the cab in your truck to help control the trailer. The trailer probably outweighs the half ton truck and that's not a good combination on slick roads. You need to watch out on sharper corners. The trailer's momentum is going straight ahead as the truck turns into the corner. This can jackknife the truck pushing it off the outside edge of the corner. When the trailer weighs more than the truck, if you let off the gas, the trailers momentum will control the situation. So slow down before the corner, not in the corner.

Bill

[tsetsaf]

And if chains are required you need them for the trailer too!

[69_Avion]

Once you get south of Salt Lake City, it shouldn't be too bad. The 20 mile road from I-15 to Panguich(sp?) 89A can be bad in rough weather. Everything else in the area is just using common sense.

I pulled my Avion 34' from NW Montana to Phoenix in December with no issues. The key is if you get in bad weather, wait it out.

[n7bsn]

Head for Great Falls then follow I-15. Stay in "town" during any storms and wait.

You will have problems finding open parks. Dick's in Great Falls is open year around. But many (MANY) others are not.