Maine to Florida in Winter: Crazy?

[getaway1]

Hello I've read the replies about winter towing and no one mentioned slowing down during any trip. The road conditions will change very quickly, bridges freeze faster than roads do, shaded areas will too. These are things that affect any vehicle with or without a trailer in tow. I see many accidents here in New Brunswick ,Canada during the first storms each fall just because people don't remember not to drive like it's summer time. This applies to experienced older drivers as well. Defensive driving will be of great help if you practice it. My daughter took driver training and told me that you must maintain the speed limit. I suggested slowing down in bad weather this way."Would you rather bump into something or smash into it ! She agreed with my caution then and has been accident free for more than 20 years!

Drive safely ! We've all seen that now haven't we ! Safe travels, Duane

[Joe MacDonald]

since it was east coast, i didn't mention winter tires, in Northern Ontario, we are finally able to use studded tires again, I wouldn't drive without them in the winter

[Perryb67]

Originally Posted by theresa p

We have done this trip over a dozen times. For us, the secret is timing and weather watching. If you place yourself in a "have to go today" situation, you could really be in trouble. However, if you watch the forecasts and can be ready to go when the weather shows clear for at least until you get south of PA, you should be good to go.

It is necessary to stop when there is any weather....regardless of time of day. You can always start up again but you will find it hard to progress in bad weather...it's not worth it.

We have overnighted at truck stops and never had an issue. We use bottled water and usually purchase our nightly meal where we stay.....easier for us plus a way to pay for our overnight stay.

Don't stay home afraid of the trip----go! Just heed to Mother Nature's warnings.

:

Interstate 35, going south in Minnesota, is loaded with campers in January. Pick your time you leave. Last winter we saw a short good-weather window to start driving to Arizona. When we reached Des Moines there were cars/trucks/semi's in the ditch because they didn't heed the icy weather the day before. The roads were perfect when we drove by those vehicles in the ditch because delayed our start by one day to avoid those icy roads. While commuters and business trucks have to work at those times, we're retired and factor at least two extra days to get south.

We never take off early in sub-freezing weather when black ice will get you. We usually wait until 9 am after the commuters cars eliminate the black ice.

We only drive at 60 mph or less on Interstate highways pulling our camper in less than ideal conditions, and 50-55 on two lane roads when I even "think" there might be a problem.

If you'd rather not stay in a motel, we find Passport America a great buy and always get full hookup sites for half price when near Interstate highways.

Slow down, drive carefully, drive in daylight, and get off the road if you think there may be a problem. Great time to see a movie!

Enjoy,

Perry