Winter towing Seattle to Eastern Montana

[ModestMonk]

We’ve been on the road since June 5th. In July we had abandoned part of our trip after enduring three weeks of heavy smoke laden air in Alberta, BC and Montana. We had planned to go to Olympic National Park and work our way down Washington, Oregon and California.

Now the thought of heading north after finishing GC, Zion and Bryce has come up for discussion. Since we traveled through Yellowstone NP’s multiple passes while in route to Grand Teton, in August, with each having an inch or two of snow on the road, how difficult could it be?

Seriously we have no interest in traveling on icy roads. We can patiently wait for clear weather. However I remember reading about certain passes that are not worth risking, and certain police agencies issuing $600.00 tickets for no snow chains? What would be a good strategy for making our way east?

We are in the Sierra Nevada mountains now so we only have cell coverage at certain Visitor Centers. I will respond it just may take a day or two.

[BFlinn181]

Interstate and U.S. highways will most likely be cleared off first. I'd wait until the chain requirements are lifted from those roads and then proceed. Also, bookmark state DOT road condition websites and pay attention to their advisories. No real predictions can be made of road conditions from past history, you might have clear roads, you might get snowed in for a day or two. It will be an adventure either way.

[coupevilleDF]

Also, many states (Oregon for sure) require you to carry chains even if you don't use them. Typically the period is Nov 1 to March 31. On one January trip, we bought chains for both the MH and toad, then returned them for a full refund at the end of the season.

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by ModestMonk

We’ve been on the road since June 5th. In July we had abandoned part of our trip after enduring three weeks of heavy smoke laden air in Alberta, BC and Montana. We had planned to go to Olympic National Park and work our way down Washington, Oregon and California.

Now the thought of heading north after finishing GC, Zion and Bryce has come up for discussion. Since we traveled through Yellowstone NP’s multiple passes while in route to Grand Teton, in August, with each having an inch or two of snow on the road, how difficult could it be?

Seriously we have no interest in traveling on icy roads. We can patiently wait for clear weather. However I remember reading about certain passes that are not worth risking, and certain police agencies issuing $600.00 tickets for no snow chains? What would be a good strategy for making our way east?

We are in the Sierra Nevada mountains now so we only have cell coverage at certain Visitor Centers. I will respond it just may take a day or two.

Watch the weather - Best Trip WE ever had to Yellowstone was one year with an Indian Summer - Last week of October - First week of November - Never saw SNOW - Except on the top of the Tetons.

Up from Dino/Flaming Gorge to Jackson Tetons/Yellowstone - out the Beartooth to Chief Joseph - down to Cody - Wind River Canyon - Steam Boat - Back to Golden With Snow starting at Eisenhower - but now we are into the Second week of November.

So - just keep an eye open and remember the weather can change more than once during the day.

Best of Luck,

[Tuquala]

Head up to the Olympic Peninsula!! Mostly just rain there!! We'll be going there on Thursday for a couple of weeks!!

As to heading back east, I guess you could stay to the south and travel through Nevada and Utah on the freeways, and wait out any surprise early snowfalls. Only a real severe fall storm would stay on the roads for any sort of time. Also, early morning and late evenings are more prone to icy roads out here in October.

[ModestMonk]

Originally Posted by coupevilleDF

Also, many states (Oregon for sure) require you to carry chains even if you don't use them. Typically the period is Nov 1 to March 31. On one January trip, we bought chains for both the MH and toad, then returned them for a full refund at the end of the season.

Is that a requirement throughout Oregon or just in the mountain passes?

[BFlinn181]

Originally Posted by ModestMonk

Is that a requirement throughout Oregon or just in the mountain passes?

Here's the regulation:

https://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/Chain-Law

[Bob_C]

Be aware if you need chains, and you're around Portland and headed south or east, prices and availability would be better

[RRR]

Originally Posted by ModestMonk

Is that a requirement throughout Oregon or just in the mountain passes?

Passes.

In my past life I drove trucks for 44 1/2 years in OR, WA, ID, MT, BC, UT, and Northern CA. I never saw a private vehicles stopped for chain check. That doesn't mean it can't happen. You could very well be ticketed if you are running barefoot when chain requirements are in effect, as should be.

My self I do carry a set of singles cables only if by some unlikely chance I need them, plus Amazon Warehouse Deals had them at half price.

[ModestMonk]

Originally Posted by RRR

Passes.

In my past life I drove trucks for 44 1/2 years in OR, WA, ID, MT, BC, UT, and Northern CA. I never saw a private vehicles stopped for chain check. That doesn't mean it can't happen. You could very well be ticketed if you are running barefoot when chain requirements are in effect, as should be.

My self I do carry a set of singles cables only if by some unlikely chance I need them, plus Amazon Warehouse Deals had them at half price.

Cables = Chains?

[BFlinn181]

Originally Posted by ModestMonk

Cables = Chains?

From my link in Post #7:

""Chains" include link chains, cable chains, or any other device that attaches to the wheel, vehicle or outside of the tire that is specifically designed to increase traction on ice and snow conditions."

While Oregon's law says you must have chains, I'm sure they'd only check an RV if conditions required having chains on and you got stuck in the snow without them.

Have plenty of LP, water, and food onboard, keep your black and grey tanks near empty, and wait until conditions improve before traveling. -- One of the great advantages of an RV over a car or pickup, you've got room to move around, eat, sleep, and read a book or watch TV.

[RRR]

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

From my link in Post #7:

""Chains" include link chains, cable chains, or any other device that attaches to the wheel, vehicle or outside of the tire that is specifically designed to increase traction on ice and snow conditions."

While Oregon's law says you must have chains, I'm sure they'd only check an RV if conditions required having chains on and you got stuck in the snow without them...

Not totally true. I have been pulled over for a chain check and there hadn't been any moisture for at least two weeks. But then again I was commercial.

[OLYLEN]

I shopped garage sales and found a set that fit my rig at a really good price. Said I'd take them and was informed that that was both pair "what a deal". Have carried in the DP and the C, never say never, but never plan to put them, but I am legal. I would advise to be lawful, just because I've never been asked the fines are just not worth it, or the possible consequence of things going bad.

LEN

[BFlinn181]

Originally Posted by RRR

Not totally true. I have been pulled over for a chain check and there hadn't been any moisture for at least two weeks. But then again I was commercial.

Many more regulations and requirements for commercial than a private RV.