Last Minute Winter Trip

[animoul]

We’ve decided to abandon the cold/freezing temps of VT and travel west for a couple months (San Diego area). We intend to travel via a southern route (81 to 40 to 20 to 10). Our winterized trailer is currently parked in about 3” of snow; avg temps have been low 20s though a slight and brief warming trend is on the way (mid-upper 30s).

My initial thoughts are to remove as much of snow & ice as possible from in/around/off of the trailer, re-install battery, check tires, load up, hook up, & pull out. I intend to keep her winterized until we stop well below the Mason-Dixon line. Likely stay in a Walmart-like lot on night one before getting to a campground in TN (w/full hookups) where temps are expected to be well above freezing day & night and then dewinterize, flush, etc.

Thoughts? Bad idea? Anything else I’m missing or should take into consideration?

 

[kenandterry]

Personally……I’d also hook up shore power (if you can) and pre test the furnace for sure. Maybe wake things up a little bit at a time before leaving. Also make sure you have full propane tank(s) for camping at this time of year. Do you have an electric heater also? Bring the inside temps up to check there’s no leaks from ice and snow. Be very careful removing snow/ice off the roof.

It looks like it’s been in hibernation for awhile, so wake the rig up gradually. It’s better to check things at home as opposed to on the trip. Checking the tire pressures and trailer brakes goes without saying……but I just did.

 

[Sunseeker16]

Sounds like you are ready to rip. I'm sure you have checking weather forecasts aong your route. Still unpredictable.

 

[animoul]

Personally……I’d also hook up shore power (if you can) and pre test the furnace for sure. Maybe wake things up a little bit at a time before leaving. Also make sure you have full propane tank(s) for camping at this time of year. Do you have an electric heater also? Bring the inside temps up to check there’s no leaks from ice and snow. Be very careful removing snow/ice off the roof.

It looks like it’s been in hibernation for awhile, so wake the rig up gradually. It’s better to check things at home as opposed to on the trip. Checking the tire pressures and trailer brakes goes without saying……but I just did.

Good call on hooking up to shore power; thanks! Have electric & propane H20 heater. I intend to 'wake' her up over the next few days. Looking to get underway just after next weekend. Thanks again!

 

[animoul]

Sounds like you are ready to rip. I'm sure you have checking weather forecasts aong your route. Still unpredictable.

Yep, always keep an eye towards wx (inherited from flight days). Thanks!

 

[breul]

Leaving tomorrow morning for the Sunshine State. Loaded most of stuff in the TT yesterday when
it was 50 degrees. Nice not to have any snow this year in Southern Wisconsin. Checked the heater, re-fridge, fireplace, slide, lights, turned valves for hot water heater on, turned all outside drain valves off. (blew out all lines last Fall) Will finish loading tomorrow early AM and be on our way. First night in Nashville where we will de-winterize, 2nd night in Northern Fla. Will spend the month of Feb at several campgrounds in Southern Fla where we have reservations.
Safe Travels !

 

[tomkatb]

We travel every Christmas. Easy. From Ohio. Usually we add water in Cave city Ky. We have tank heaters. Favorite campground.

We carry a gallon of rv antifreeze for the toilet. Not a fan of strange bathrooms.

We stock the fridge with frozen gallons of water to help the fridge. And to drink. Carry several bottles of water in the fridge.

Propane tanks full.

Check tire pressures. Watch the weather forecasts. Have fun.

 

[Bfstrysik]

We left Illinois around the middle of January as a snow storm and cold temperatures where moving. Checked everything in the days leading up to departure. Tt was winterized in the fall with water lines blown out with compressed air. Since we were going to be in freezing temperatures for a couple of days and wanted to boondock on the way to Texas, we brought a new 5 gallon pail of water with a screw on lid to wash hands and flush the toilet. Worked out great. 200ah lifepo battery performed well powering things at night and had plenty of propane to keep us warm.

 

[animoul]

We left Illinois around the middle of January as a snow storm and cold temperatures where moving. Checked everything in the days leading up to departure. Tt was winterized in the fall with water lines blown out with compressed air. Since we were going to be in freezing temperatures for a couple of days and wanted to boondock on the way to Texas, we brought a new 5 gallon pail of water with a screw on lid to wash hands and flush the toilet. Worked out great. 200ah lifepo battery performed well powering things at night and had plenty of propane to keep us warm.

Thanks! Planning to bring some jugs of water as a contingency

 

[curtiscapk]

have fun sounds like a solid plan!