winter driving w/ salt on roads

Bob RV · 02-17-2006, 02:05 PM

Hi everyone! We've been getting the bug to go out in our motorhome with the crazy weather we've been having here--very warm for Feb.!

I'm a little timid about taking the rig out though because of the salt on the roads.We did go out for Thanksgiving and while we were camping we saw the damage that salt can do to a rig--our good friends rig is rusted (not positive this is due to salt). What are some opinions about taking the rig out on salty roads?

Bob RV · 02-17-2006, 02:05 PM

Hi everyone! We've been getting the bug to go out in our motorhome with the crazy weather we've been having here--very warm for Feb.!

I'm a little timid about taking the rig out though because of the salt on the roads.We did go out for Thanksgiving and while we were camping we saw the damage that salt can do to a rig--our good friends rig is rusted (not positive this is due to salt). What are some opinions about taking the rig out on salty roads?

FrontRangeRVer · 02-17-2006, 02:22 PM

We take ours out all the time in the snow....Just make sure you wash the undercarriage when you arrive back home....

We live near Pikes Peak in Colorado....

Flintstones Adventurer · 02-17-2006, 03:40 PM

Hi Bob;
A friend of mine is an avid snowmobiler. He bought a class A motorhome to pull his double snowmobile trailer and have a place to stay at the end of long day riding. He used it for 6 years straight before he noticed the damage that was caused by the salt.
Two years ago I helped him replace the metal straps that held, or used to hold, the holding tanks. It was a small miracle he didn't loose the tanks going down the road. I was taken back at the amount of rust under his rig. He had to loose at least half the value of the rig by the damage that was caused.
Bob...I can't be convinced that these rigs are made to withstand the harshness of road salt. You probably know how the salt seems to get in all the nooks and crannies.
After a trip on salt covered roads, there will be times when it just won't be convinient for an undercarriage wash. You can just imagine how fun it has to be to get out a semi frozen hose, crawl around on hands and knees, spraying the undercarriage down in below freezing weather! Then the question arises...did I get a good rinse in all those nooks and crannies?
Bob, for the amount one has to pay for these rigs, I personally don't think it's worth the risk of the damage that will be done.
Living up here just north of Detroit, (Salt City USA) this is just my humble opinion. My rig stays parked all winter.

DonavonP · 02-17-2006, 03:43 PM

I won't drive on salty roads OR park within 50 miles of the ocean.

Trek-Cyclist · 02-17-2006, 04:01 PM

I would never take mine out in the snow! I have no reason to do so! It's not just the salt it's the ice melt chems that play havoic on the undercarrage! I've seen to many RV's that where used in the winter and believe me they look it
NO way! Josse'

rebelsbeach · 02-17-2006, 07:21 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DonavonP:
I won't drive on salty roads OR park within 50 miles of the ocean. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

FIFTY miles? Really?

I live probably ten miles from the ocean and there's a lot of neighborhoods between us and the ocean....That's a long way isn't it Donovan?

Lorna · 02-17-2006, 07:55 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Flintstones ...After a trip on salt covered roads, there will be times when it just won't be convinient for an undercarriage wash. You can just imagine how fun it has to be to get out a semi frozen hose, crawl around on hands and knees, spraying the undercarriage down in below freezing weather!... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

In my teenage years, I used to have a little Volkswagon squareback (station wagon). At the time, I lived on the East coast of FL. I would put that volkswagon in all kinds of places. Down the roads that ran thru the mangroves (high tide left saltwater puddles in the muck), down the beach roads and down the mud flats at low tide in the Indian River (tidal river). I would put a water sprinkler out in the yard (turned on full blast) and drive the VW over the sprinkler really slow and the back up and do it again. The VW had a "plate" that ran under the car for most of the underside that kept alot of stuff from damaging it, but the VW dealership had the plate off more than once and I always looked for underbody rust while they had it up on the lift.

You could do what they did on our Eagle bus... there is a belly pan that runs from the front to the rear engine.

ichn2go · 02-18-2006, 02:34 AM

Donavan, I really like most of your posts and answers however 50 miles is a long way from salt water...
There are many many dealers who are not 50 miles from the ocean and lots and lots of folks who live and park their RVs closer than that.
They all can't have salt damage. If you parked by the ocean and let your coach sit for 10 years you probably would see damage. Who does that? Besides, you are not seeing some of the most beautiful parts of the USA.
I do agree about the salt on the highways and a pain to rinse the coaches underside in the winter.

Lorna · 02-18-2006, 04:49 AM

Why don't you get your RV undercoated?

DonavonP · 02-18-2006, 06:46 AM

I haven't had much luck with undercoating. You need a near perfect job before it hits the road from the factory and after the box company welds brackets onto the frame.

I wish I had a scientific response for the 50 mile rule but it's based on about 5 old f@arts talking at an RV park in San Antonio, TX and then ignoring their advice and parking out on Padre Island
east of Corpus Cristi TX. The ocean breeze and the location was beautiful but when I go home, I discovered the salt was everywhere inside and out. Much worse than just driving through a stretch of salted roads.

I'm sure the 50 mile thing is overkill and I would like to hear what the real distance should be.
I know salt in the ocean wind will fall away because it's heavy but ?? . Anybody know??

Do those of you living near the ocean notice any accelerated corrosion?

Thanks for starting this thread Bob RV.

Bob RV · 02-18-2006, 06:48 AM

Thanks everyone for your input. I'm still undecided as to what to do

. It definatly would be a pain to get underneath and spray it down. Something for me to dwell on!

**Hitchhiker** · 02-18-2006, 06:51 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Do those of you living near the ocean notice any accelerated corrosion? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I lived on the east coast of FL for 44 years, my observations were that after you get a couple miles inland, the rust and corrosion issue diminishes dramatically. I'm not saying it's entirely a non-issue at that distance, just that it's so minimal it's usually not a major issue.