Winter trip

[Sparky87k5]

We're planning on an 8 week trip this December and January from Lynden, WA to Biloxi, MS via Flagstaff, AZ. From Biloxi we would head to Orlando, FL, then onto Washington DC, New York City and then to Zanesville, OH. After Zanesville we would head for Springfield, MO, Denver, CO, Gillette, WY and then home to Lynden. About 8000 miles in my TC visiting kids, grandkids and sight seeing. Why in the winter, because that's the only time I can catch everyone home and we want to spend Christmas with our daughter in Biloxi. Suggestions? Am I crazy to be doing this in wintertime? I'm a very experienced snow driver having lived for 33 years in Montana and Wyoming before retiring from mining. My truck is a dually 4x4 and drives very well with camper loaded. I would be carrying a set of chains as a precaution.

[jefe_4x4]

If your Eagle Cap 850 has not the 4 season package, you will burn a lot of propane. I have the same size Lance and it has poor non-summer insulation. No basement, no double pane windows, no extra insulation besides the 1" batting they put in the side walls. What's that? R-6? Nonetheless, we are planning to do a Sept to end of Dec. trip around the boundary states and it will test our resolve to 'rough-it' using gobs of propane to push back the winter. We have camped in the single digits with Cabeza de Vaca, and it can be a challenge. Listen to BKA. Read his full-time TC story. It sounds like you will be moving a lot, which is good to keep up the batteries. And with a gasser, V10 a better winter engine.
Interesting, this very topic is one I posed in December of 2003, just before I joined Club TC here on the forum about a Jan/Feb trip across the northern tier in an 8.5' Lance. We were fresh off a 32 day trip to Alaska that year.
regards, as always, jefe

[Sparky87k5]

I used this camper last year on a trip to Biloxi, MS in April and ran into a blizzard in Montana and Wyoming with 11 degree temperatures and 15" of snow. Nothing froze up (heated basement) and we were toasty inside. If possible, I do like to plug in so I can use my electric heater.

Biggest hassle I ran into was the campgrounds were almost all closed for the season. Dry camped many nights and took on water and dumped holding tanks at Pilot and Flying J's truck stops.

I thought about a new set of front tires with studs for the trip. Not sure I need them though.

[Buzzcut1]

go for it. I love camping in my TC in the snow. Flagstaff and Sedona are great in the winter, so is everything out through 4 corners. You may need to makes some simple mods to keep things warmer but nothing really extraordinary. PM about my winter mods or just look at my Hope Valley and 2013 Yosemite trip reports

[bka0721]

That is going to be a busy trip, stopping and visiting with family. From Missouri to Wyoming area, you can expect many nights to be below 0*F during December and January. That can be challenging in a truck camper, traveling or camping for long periods, in below 0*F temperatures. Having a TC for a few days use, then not using it allows it to rid itself of humidity. Plus dealing with freezing food supplies, water. But you obviously know this, by the route and time of year chosen to travel. Also, plan ahead too in where you are going to stay, as many campground locations will be closed for the winter season, if you plan on plugging in during your overnights.

Suggestions of what you might be interested in seeing and locations would be a help too.

Have a great time!

b