New to RVing we are thinking of going south from Chicago in Jan.

[skigramp]

I live in Oshkosh, WI ... for the past 6 or 7 years we have headed south after Christmas.

1. When I return from my last Fall outing I do not fill my fuel tank ... then in November I go to a place I know has winter blend diesel and fill the fuel tank.
2. I buy 3 or 4 gallons of "purple" windshield washer fluid and store the jugs in the shower ... we use this to flush the toilet until we have dewinterized
3. We buy 24 bottles of drinking water for drinking and brushing teeth and making coffee
4. I map out two or three alternate routes so that if a storm rolls in I can avoid the storm ... one year I had to modify my route twice because of approaching winter storms ... and last year I had to hunker down in an RV parf for two days because the storm was so wide there was no way to escape ... I locate a place to overnight the first night along each of the routes .. you don't need reservations ... you just need to know they are open
5. I generally dewinterize whenever I think the low overnight temps will be in the mid teens or higher ... I also carry two trouble lights that I put in a couple of compartments when the temps will in the teens or lower (water pump & water inlet bays)
6. If your heat supply depends on LP ... check your supply frequently ... you will burn LP rapidly when you are travelling into a 30 mph headwind with the temps in the upper teens because of the extreme heat loss. My wife rides with her jacket on and a robe over her lap because there is so much cold from that big windshield ...
7. When you put down your jacks make sure there is no snow or ice under them ... the pressure will temporarily cause some melting ... and then it will freeze ... it is not fun trying to break you jack pads loose ... I carry some plywood blocks that I put under the pads if there is any doubt ...
8. Never leave your fresh water hose out ... fill your water tank and stow the hose ...
9. Never leave your sewer hose out ... dump and stow the hose ...

[skigramp]

If you will have your computer with you (and access to the internet) I suggest that you find the winter roads website for every state that you might be travelling through ... these and weather.com ... will help you avoid storms and snow packed roads ...

We have a laptop and a MiFi which enables us to check roads and weather whenever the need arises.

[DAN L]

Originally Posted by comealong

i hope that i have not offended you. i asked my question to get opions. your advice about the weather call number is very important to know. also i had no idea that chains were still legal (no laughing).
after getting everyones opion we decide which will suit us.

i THANK everyone for their advice.
comealong

check this free allstays website for free and inexpensive places to stop overnight.

Walmart Store Locations Map - Wal-Mart Guide