Rivershver
Waddington, NY
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Joined: 03/26/2008
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We finally took the plunge and we are in the process of buying a 2004 Lexington 210 (Forest River). The main reason we bought this model was a) we knew the people b)it only has 5,100 miles on it c) the old owners are willing to teach us (they suggested that we go to the local campground and they would come and help us set up, and the next morning when we wanted to leave, they would come help us tear down).
We are going to take a few trial runs to learn about RVing. But our plans are to drive from our home in upstate New York (I mean on the Canadian border just south of Ottawa) to see our son in Seattle--in January. (Please tell me if we are out of our minds!)
a) does anyone go RVing in January other than in Florida?
b) how far south would our route have to be to un-winterize the water (though this model has an Artic ______ which you turn on to keep the water warm-er)
c) any idea how long we should plan to go out there and come back?
I have always enjoyed these forums, and I appreciate any advice you can give us. Thanks!
Christy - enjoying the Great St. Lawrence River
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NavyChaps
Bartlett, TN
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Joined: 12/08/2006
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You are way north of me but I camp all year long, I don't see why you can't use your RV in the winter up north, I would think you may have to winterize your system for travel as the water may freeze while underway (this depends on your configuration though). I use a heat strip on my hose when I am parked and hooked up to the park water and it seems to work for me.
2004 Four Winds 5000, Ford E450 6.8l V-10 Master Tow, Tow Dolly Toad:2004 Saturn L-300.
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PapPappy
Wilmington, NC
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Rivershver wrote:We finally took the plunge and we are in the process of buying a 2004 Lexington 210 (Forest River). The main reason we bought this model was a) we knew the people b)it only has 5,100 miles on it c) the old owners are willing to teach us (they suggested that we go to the local campground and they would come and help us set up, and the next morning when we wanted to leave, they would come help us tear down). Congratulations!! Sounds like a good deal, and the training is invaluable.
We are going to take a few trial runs to learn about RVing. But our plans are to drive from our home in upstate New York (I mean on the Canadian border just south of Ottawa) to see our son in Seattle--in January. (Please tell me if we are out of our minds!) Yes, you are slightly out of your minds, but I guess it can be done.....but do you really want to? I hope there is a great reason? New baby, marriage, mid-year graduation, etc?
a) does anyone go RVing in January other than in Florida?
b) how far south would our route have to be to un-winterize the water (though this model has an Artic ______ which you turn on to keep the water warm-er)
c) any idea how long we should plan to go out there and come back?
I have always enjoyed these forums, and I appreciate any advice you can give us. Thanks!
a.) Lots of people go RVing year round, though I don't know how many will try and cross the Rockies in mid-winter (think Donner Party!!). There will also be the question of chains for the RV...some places require them. As you mentioned, you can go south, but you'll about double your miles to avoid the cold, and I still wonder if it's worth it.....though I'd love to make that trip in the Spring or Fall!!
b.) The Arctic package is great to have, but it's not made for sub-zero temperatures either. The heater helps keep the water tanks from freezing, in freezing temps, but you could get caught in sub-zero temps, and that would be trouble. Heading south to about the middle of the country would probably help avoid the cold, but one never knows when the south will have a deep freeze, and you could really be tacking on the extra miles and gas expense to try and get around it. Maybe figure to take I-70 across.....I-80 may be OK, but it's quite a bit north....you might get snow!! And, while about the size of a snow plow...these RVs aren't great in the snow!!
c.) Since I'm not sure of the total miles...or the routes you plan to take, I can only suggest that you figure about 350-400 miles per day. You really aren't going to want to drive more than 6-7 hours anyway...even if you can do that standing on your head in the family car !! It's different in an RV, and especially in what may be the worst weather you have ever traveled in.
Besides, you want to set up camp when you get to where you want to stop each night. You will also be leaving a bit later each morning...after breakfast (hey, that's why you're buying it, right?), so 3-4 hours...lunch...another 3-4 hours and then stop for the night.
Get the maps out....figure where you will be each night. See if there is anything of interest that you'd like to sightsee at while you are in certain areas....again, isn't this why you are buying it?
At the minimum, figure a week or so each way. You can rush it, but why bother?
Have fun...after all, isn't that why you are buying it?
DH Bill / DW Claudia / DD Jenn / DS Chris
The Paps! Sophie, Abby, Brandy, Kahlie and Annie
2000 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C, Ford V-10
Purchased April Fools Day, 2008
The Pets
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welovecamping07
Indiana
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Joined: 09/22/2007
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PapPappy wrote: Maybe figure to take I-70 across.....I-80 may be OK, but it's quite a bit north....you might get snow!!
I think it's I-70 that we took from IN to CO, and I know they do close the road ALOT because the blowing and drifting of snow is horrible. I will say that we took this road in February and we were lucky because we took the trip between 2 snow storms (missed one on the way there by 2 days and beat the one on the way home).
Good luck and Happy Camping!!!
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tonyandkaren
pennsylvania
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Joined: 05/15/2005
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Do a little research and see how much snowfall and how cold the temperatures get in January along the route you're planning on taking. We did this trip a few years ago from Montreal , dropping down into the US and traveling along the northern states to see our daughter in Seattle. It was early October. The temperatures dropped to single digits and somewhere in North Dakota we ran into a snowstorm. We're originally from Pennsylvania and used to driving in winter weather but when you get out in the relatively unpopulated western states there aren't as many snowplows and salt or sanding trucks. RVs are much harder to drive it winter weather. You may have to stop and wait out a storm.
We full time and because we have family in both Pennsylvania and Washington state we make cross country trips almost every year. Do you have enough time to drop down into the middle of the states? Getting across the western coast mountain ranges has always been the trickiest part for us. A large storm can close even the interstates for awhile so keep an eye on the weather forecasts.
With our arctic package we can have a fully functioning motorhome with water in all of the tanks even when the temperatures drop into the teens. Keep cabinet doors opened at night so that the warm air circulates. With temperatures in the single digits we have to put a small electric heater in our basement area at night and get up a few times to run water through the lines to keep them from freezing. This might not be possible if you can't find any opened campgrounds.
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Goldencrazy
madison wi
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Joined: 06/21/2007
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We are planning a trip from WI to Vancouver in Jan/Feb 2010 for Olympics. We figure the only sensible route is Hwy 10 to LA and then north. I have driven cars in the Rockies in winter and it was not easy so the motorhome with toad just seemed to be the wrong decision in winter. I assume that in areas with consistent sub freezing temps you will find no campgrounds open although I have winter camped in WI State Parks in winter. Plowed sites and electric. Winter water at one station and pit toilets but no dump stations so portable dump in pit toilet which was not real fun. Advantage is we had a giant state park all to ourselves.
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Rivershver
Waddington, NY
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Joined: 03/26/2008
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Thanks to each one of you for the good advice! Goldencrazy poses a good question -- where does someone stop to park overnight in the winter? Do you plan your trip from Wal-mart to Wal-mart?
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tonyandkaren
pennsylvania
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Rivershver wrote:Thanks to each one of you for the good advice! Goldencrazy poses a good question -- where does someone stop to park overnight in the winter? Do you plan your trip from Wal-mart to Wal-mart?
This is one of the main problems. Many times Walmart is the only overnight spot. If you're on a major snowbird route expect a lot of company especially in the RV parking at Flying J.
But even with most of the campgrounds closed we are alway able to find an opened campground or dumpstation when we need one. It takes some research and extra route planning to find the ones that stay opened in the winter.
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Westronics
Redmond, WA
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If you travel in winter, the two biggest things to watch for are:
1. Chains. You must have them, even if you don't use them. I recommend dually chains (they are sometimes required, though rarely) rather than single chains. Also, I like the ones with the extra "V" on them for digging into ice. 
2. Battery power. You house battery will probably NOT power the heater all through the night - be sure you have a good quality charger plus at least a pair of true deep cycle batteries (not dual-purpose marine batteries)
I would not hesitate a whole lot to take this drive, but you do take risk on time because, at times, you'll have to slow way down for snowy or icy conditions and you might also find a mountain pass is closed in the west (the major ones stay open most of the time, but may close during snow storms).
I have used chains with my MH, and the biggest concern when actually using them is to ensure you have enough clearance for them. I did chew up my mud flaps because on not enough clearance - next time i will be sure to pull the mud flaps back with a bungee cord or something.
As for how far to go per day - 300 miles is fairly reasonable for planning purposes. You might go further, but this allows for bad weather, too.
You'll find most northern parks are closed for the winter, I am sure, so you should not count on finding hook-ups very often.
Bottom line: It can be done and it is safe, but you will likely lose a lot of time to weather. Fresh water and dump sites will be a challenge.
Be sure to take something with you for Internet connectivity. This makes it fairly easy to identify sites along the way and call ahead as you go to find someone open when you really need it.
Other then that, I am sure you'll spend some night at Wal Mart. It is convenient to do so, and it is very handy to grab hose extra supplies you'll need.
By the way - the arctic package should let you drive anywhere without being winterized, but the heater will need to be on, most likely, as the heater is probably vented partially down into the basement where the water lines and tanks reside.
As far as how far south to drive to have no worries about freezing, I'd say I-90 and I-80 are too far north, I-70 is questionable and might be okay, and I-40 should be great.
* This post was
edited 08/13/08 10:44am by Westronics *
2002 Jayco Greyhawk 24SS, Cameras (RVCams), ScanGauge II/Blendmount, 300W Inverter, Airtabs,12' Portabote w/sail, Be kind to septic systems.
Ford motorhome customer service: 1-800-444-3311.
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burlmart
Baton Rouge
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Joined: 03/28/2005
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Another B+ owner!
If the 210 is a B+, there is no basement, so lots of your water lines are on the floor, many under the kitchen cabinet and/or near the water heater.
I was also wondering what parks are open up north. Maybe the Forum on routes and directions would help here.
A very southerly route, like I-20 might help some with open parks and filling/dumping tanks.
2005 Trail Lite 213
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