Community Forums

Wineman · 10-02-2013, 02:49 PM

I'm a soon to be newbie owner of a 2014 Entegra Anthem 42 DEQ and was wondering if/when we're traveling in the fall in Canada or Rockies and we get some snow is that a big deal? How do these rigs handle in the snow? I'm not planning on spending to much time in the snow but what if we get a surprise storm? Any pointers would be appreciated.
Thanks

mofa · 10-02-2013, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wineman

I'm a soon to be newbie owner of a 2014 Entegra Anthem 42 DEQ and was wondering if/when we're traveling in the fall in Canada or Rockies and we get some snow is that a big deal? How do these rigs handle in the snow? I'm not planning on spending to much time in the snow but what if we get a surprise storm? Any pointers would be appreciated.
Thanks

Bening Canadian, I'll chime in here, while I am wishing for an Entegra I currently have a National and have driven in the show several times, like anything with snow and ice, take it easy, I only got my rig slightly sideways once and it was my fault, I used the exhaust brake and should not have. If I can do it you can too, best of all you have a tag axil more contact with the road. Easy on gas, easy on brakes, leave lots of room to stop and lots of room from the guy in front.

glarnold · 10-02-2013, 02:59 PM

Strictly my opinion, but I would not risk the loss of such a rig that way. If I got caught with fresh snow, I would wait it out. Been there, and not worth the risk, for me.

GL Arnold

mccsix · 10-02-2013, 03:03 PM

Drive SMOOTH and leave plenty of room. Its all about the weight, tire contact patch and speed, whether you're driving a 18 wheeler, motorhome or SUV.

MNBob · 10-02-2013, 03:05 PM

I have driven in snow many times with our RV. If you are comfortable driving in snow in a car, you will be comfortable driving in snow with the RV. In heavy snow falls, it actually is easier to drive the RV!
I remember driving to Florida from Minnesota and in Nashville, they had two inches of fresh snow. Schools were closed down and people drove 20 MPH on the freeway with their flashers on! Those of us from the midwest, found that quite entertaining. I am sure we made them uncomfortable flying by at 70 MPH, but two inches is nothing. So, it is all in your perspective and your experience.

Skip426 · 10-02-2013, 03:05 PM

My first day of driving my Class A was in a blizzard in Montana. Coach even with toad handled better than my 4X4 with 5th wheel, in similar conditions.
Mountain passes in Canada and US may be an issue any time " Chains Required " signage is up. I don't have chains for my MH and wouldn't use them if I did, I always have food on board and would wait out any , chains restriction, or hop in my, winter tire & chain equipped, toad to get supplies.
At this point in time , I'm looking at traction tires for my MH, because , current tires are aged out and I know any replacement set will age out long before the tread is gone, and I hit snow every year going south or returning in spring , it would be nice to be legal on the traction tires required routes, for a change.

RISCKY · 10-02-2013, 03:31 PM

Live in Colorado and have drove the RV in snow more than I wanted. I can offer that traction on steep uphill slopes was the only issue I've experienced. And that loss of traction was on a side road, with steep inclines, in 4-6 inches of snow that was not plowed. And no, I had no intentions of being in that position in a 45' Entegra, but long story short...I was.

As "mccsix" offered above, we just exercised additional caution; and while doing so, I've had very few issues.

Driving the Anthem is enjoyable on dry roads. I can't say the same for driving it thru the mountains in snowy conditions. But living here (and not being retired) we are forced to do so at times.

My advice- avoid it if possible; but if you can't, be aware of what type of snowpack conditions you are dealing with (wet snow is very different than the dry snow we receive here in CO). Good luck and enjoy!

brobox · 10-02-2013, 04:01 PM

Being form CO I have a lot of experience driving in the snow. The MH handes fine in the snow, but if you do not have snow driving experience, you do not want to learn in a MH. If the MH gets away from you, you cannot spin a donut and get out of it. A 42 ft takes a lot of highway if it gets away from you.

Papa_Jim · 10-02-2013, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wineman

I'm a soon to be newbie owner of a 2014 Entegra Anthem 42 DEQ and was wondering if/when we're traveling in the fall in Canada or Rockies and we get some snow is that a big deal? How do these rigs handle in the snow? I'm not planning on spending to much time in the snow but what if we get a surprise storm? Any pointers would be appreciated.
Thanks

My opinion only. OK to go in light snow. Not OK to go on ice. Not OK to go at all if rear tires are the same steer tires as the front tires. When we put new tires on, we used traction tires on the rears. A little noisier, but safer for snow.

clyon51 · 10-02-2013, 05:43 PM

Being from Mich all my life, it's 70 mph in a ft of snow yelling eeeh haaa, past me another beer

. Sorry, couldn't help meself

Seriously, my A does fine in snow and it doesn't bother me, but no real experience on very steep grades. I do know when I encounter ice, it's off the road until it clears. I'm in no hurry and don't need the stress :thunb:

targaboat · 10-02-2013, 05:50 PM

It would the last thing that I would do because of salt on the roads. Most MHs will corrode really fast. Otherwise if comfortable, the MH will not bother you.

BFlinn181 · 10-02-2013, 06:01 PM

I've driven buses and RVs in snow, no different than a car as folks said, slow, smooth and anticipate curves, hills, stopping. Last week in Yellowstone snow closed some passes and had a few entrances closed for a few hours. The rangers had the restriction of snow tires and no trailers on a few sections, we had to drive around a little further with the toad hooked up.

Nice thing about the RV, if it snows, you can relax, eat, and sleep until the plows make it passable again.

clyon51 · 10-02-2013, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by targaboat

It would the last thing that I would do because of salt on the roads. Most MHs will corrode really fast. Otherwise if comfortable, the MH will not bother you.

I agree on the salt for sure. Being a snowbird now, I leave Mich before the snow hits and don't come back until it's gone!

hogdriver · 10-02-2013, 08:23 PM

I grew up in Colo and drove medium sized trucks, sometimes on bad roads. Other than going too fast for conditions the thing to watch out for is crosswinds on that 40 ft barn door. A strong gust can easily exceed the traction your RV has. When the snow starts falling, I'm looking for a nearby site with electricity to keep warm and beer to keep cold.