- Joined
- Jul 27, 2019
- Messages
- 11,572
- Location
- Midlothian, VA
- RV Year
- 2017
- RV Make
- Newmar
- RV Model
- Ventana 4037
- RV Length
- 40' 10"
- Chassis
- Freightliner XCR
- Engine
- Cummins 400 HP
- TOW/TOAD
- 2017 Chevy Colorado
- Fulltimer
- No
...or a SANE rv'er!
As some know many went south, I prefer to go north, okay, that's not entirely true, I had business in Yakima, WA and due to covid elected to drive instead of fly and make it a journey. Journey it sure was, adventure not so much. I thought I'd escape Yakima without the joys of winter, at least the white stuff or clear stuff. The seas parted from a recent snow and cleared, it was in the 50's, unusually mild. Snow wasn't supposed to happen until Saturday and I was leaving Friday. For the first time in a long time the weatherman was wrong, yeah, I know...it snowed Thursday. As I wasn't expecting much I didn't react to it "properly" such as closing my slides. So Friday came and we have several inches on the ground and of course I can't get my full wall slide (FWS) closed as the slide topper, wonderful design, is folding up on itself instead of rolling up. I tried getting up on my stick ladder which is a death trap in itself and sweep off the snow, no luck, won't close. I then try my wand I got for this, it did help to spray hot water but now I have compacted slush. I had to then use my telescoping ladder, with no one around to hold the ladder, placed on the snow, to get up and clear with my hands (soaked gloves). I got the slide closed 99% of the way and I'm ready to drive. I put my AutoSocks on to get me to the Interstate which was about 10 miles and that worked fine. Whew!
About 20 minutes away the roads cleared, ahhhh, home free, let's get out of here. Then an hour later snow cover again...crap! I'm fine, taking it carefully then as I get into OR I see trucks lined up on the side of the road putting chains on. WHAAAAAAT?? What is up ahead? The roads don't look thaaaat bad. Is there something I don't know about? Well major CRAP, I better pull over and put on the AutoSocks again, thanks God I bought them before venturing north on this trip! THEY WORK and are a lifesaver, literally! I can tell you that had I not had the AutoSocks I would have not been able to get off the side of the road where we "chain up" as I had to roll forward to get the otherside of the AutoSock on and I didn't roll, the tire slid in place. AutoSocks on I pulled right out and on my way. AutoSocks have a 30mph max speed which I adhered to.
On the other side, maybe two hours later I removed the AutoSocks and continued into ID to Meridian/Boise KOA where I stayed a week ago. Thinking I was home free...wrong! Cars everywhere in ditches and cops forcing the interstate to slow down to 25mph. BLACK ICE! Yaye, just when I think I'm almost there, 30mi away took over an hour to complete. I made it. And now I sitting here in 6 inches of snow but after boondocking a week behind a maintenance facility I at least have full hookups, although my FWS is frozen shut due to the wet folded slide topper but that's fine.
On this trip I decided next year I'm going to lead a caravan into northern Canada for those that want to join. I can't imagine how boring Florida must be. I realize the 30 slots I'll make available will probably be sold out in seconds but I'll let you know when registration opens. I know many of you want to go north with me next winter, your dream will come true.
autosock.us
As some know many went south, I prefer to go north, okay, that's not entirely true, I had business in Yakima, WA and due to covid elected to drive instead of fly and make it a journey. Journey it sure was, adventure not so much. I thought I'd escape Yakima without the joys of winter, at least the white stuff or clear stuff. The seas parted from a recent snow and cleared, it was in the 50's, unusually mild. Snow wasn't supposed to happen until Saturday and I was leaving Friday. For the first time in a long time the weatherman was wrong, yeah, I know...it snowed Thursday. As I wasn't expecting much I didn't react to it "properly" such as closing my slides. So Friday came and we have several inches on the ground and of course I can't get my full wall slide (FWS) closed as the slide topper, wonderful design, is folding up on itself instead of rolling up. I tried getting up on my stick ladder which is a death trap in itself and sweep off the snow, no luck, won't close. I then try my wand I got for this, it did help to spray hot water but now I have compacted slush. I had to then use my telescoping ladder, with no one around to hold the ladder, placed on the snow, to get up and clear with my hands (soaked gloves). I got the slide closed 99% of the way and I'm ready to drive. I put my AutoSocks on to get me to the Interstate which was about 10 miles and that worked fine. Whew!
About 20 minutes away the roads cleared, ahhhh, home free, let's get out of here. Then an hour later snow cover again...crap! I'm fine, taking it carefully then as I get into OR I see trucks lined up on the side of the road putting chains on. WHAAAAAAT?? What is up ahead? The roads don't look thaaaat bad. Is there something I don't know about? Well major CRAP, I better pull over and put on the AutoSocks again, thanks God I bought them before venturing north on this trip! THEY WORK and are a lifesaver, literally! I can tell you that had I not had the AutoSocks I would have not been able to get off the side of the road where we "chain up" as I had to roll forward to get the otherside of the AutoSock on and I didn't roll, the tire slid in place. AutoSocks on I pulled right out and on my way. AutoSocks have a 30mph max speed which I adhered to.
On the other side, maybe two hours later I removed the AutoSocks and continued into ID to Meridian/Boise KOA where I stayed a week ago. Thinking I was home free...wrong! Cars everywhere in ditches and cops forcing the interstate to slow down to 25mph. BLACK ICE! Yaye, just when I think I'm almost there, 30mi away took over an hour to complete. I made it. And now I sitting here in 6 inches of snow but after boondocking a week behind a maintenance facility I at least have full hookups, although my FWS is frozen shut due to the wet folded slide topper but that's fine.
On this trip I decided next year I'm going to lead a caravan into northern Canada for those that want to join. I can't imagine how boring Florida must be. I realize the 30 slots I'll make available will probably be sold out in seconds but I'll let you know when registration opens. I know many of you want to go north with me next winter, your dream will come true.
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