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Soon-to-be new owner and winter routing question (was Re: coldest outside temperatures while still r

Good Morning to all you folks in Forum land.

We have taken the plunge and purchased a 1998 36' u270 from MOT. We will be picking it up in mid Jan. Then heading home, home is 30 miles north of Bangor ME. This thread has been very helpful with the suggestions for winter travel.

MY big question is on our trek north. Should we stop, say in Penna, and have the coach winterized for the remainder of the trip? In PA we are about two days out. As most of you know Maine does get rather cool in Jan.

The other question is the route home. Goggle and Tom Tom both say rte I-81. Hmmmmm. Not so sure 81 is a good way this time of year due to its path through the VA mountains.  Would I-95 be a better route? I would also say we will avoid NYC no matter how much it adds to the trip.



This will be our first long (over 700 miles) in a MH, which will be very comfortable in our new (to us) FT.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Re: Soon-to-be new owner and winter routing question (was Re: coldest outside temperatures while still r

Reply #1 –
OOPS.

Just read the RV abbreviations list. We will not be FT. Silly me. Thought FT was short for Foretravel.

Re: Soon-to-be new owner and winter routing question (was Re: coldest outside temperatures while still r

Reply #2 –
Quote from: sawdust316 –
Good Morning to all you folks in Forum land.

We have taken the plunge and purchased a 1998 36' u270 from MOT. We will be picking it up in mid Jan. Then heading home, home is 30 miles north of Bangor ME. This thread has been very helpful with the suggestions for winter travel.

MY big question is on our trek north. Should we stop, say in Penna, and have the coach winterized for the remainder of the trip? In PA we are about two days out. As most of you know Maine does get rather cool in Jan.

The other question is the route home. Goggle and Tom Tom both say rte I-81. Hmmmmm. Not so sure 81 is a good way this time of year due to its path through the VA mountains.  Would I-95 be a better route? I would also say we will avoid NYC no matter how much it adds to the trip.



This will be our first long (over 700 miles) in a MH, which will be very comfortable in our new (to us) FT.

Thanks in advance for your help.

                                    Sawdust, Fellow Mainer here from Sebago Lake area. Congrats on your new to you coach. I think you will find Foreforums to be a huge help with any questions/issues as we have since we bought our U270 in March.

                Others may chime in on winterizing but I would think you could make it back home as long as you winterized soon after arriving and kept heat on in the meantime. From what I have read here some folks have had their Foretravels in some pretty cold temps without much issue.

          As far as the route goes the weather will dictate travel routes in Jan. We typically would take 81 to 78 just North of harrisburg, 78 to 287N in New Jersey, then 287 to 87 (New York Thruway) to 84 East or 287 to the Tappenzee/695 to 84. Again, weather and traffic usually chose our route. I would avoid driving on snow days or slick roads. Much better off to pull over and wait it out.
              Like you said, the other and possibly easier but much longer option would be to head due East to 95.

                Of course you could always hang South until the snow fades which is what we try to do.

                Anyway, enjoy your new coach and let us know how the trip goes,

                          Dean
Dean & Deirdre

2012 Arctic Fox 22GQ
Was 2003 U270

Re: Soon-to-be new owner and winter routing question (was Re: coldest outside temperatures while still r

Reply #3 –
Quote from: sawdust316 –
OOPS.

Just read the RV abbreviations list. We will not be FT. Silly me. Thought FT was short for Foretravel.
Norm................ ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ................FT is Foretravel.
WELCOME to Foreforums and the FoFums Crew!

Quote from: sawdust316 –
....................MY big question is on our trek north. Should we stop, say in Penna, and have the coach winterized for the remainder of the trip? In PA we are about two days out. As most of you know Maine does get rather cool in Jan.

The other question is the route home. Goggle and Tom Tom both say rte I-81. Hmmmmm. Not so sure 81 is a good way this time of year due to its path through the VA mountains.  Would I-95 be a better route? I would also say we will avoid NYC no matter how much it adds to the trip.


Norm,
We have lived in and traveled New England, during the winter, for many years (since 1998). 
We have traveled many times in below freezing and even sub-zero temperatures in your "twin" coach.  The '98  U270 coach has heater ducts in the basement, a single, reliable, propane furnace and thermopane windows.  We never had any "freezeup" issues, unless we tried to winterize ours and then "deadlegs" or "trapped pockets" of pure water froze and ruptured components (usually valves....Uline ice maker, toilet, Splendide washer).  It mostly has to do with using common sense and not exposing small volumes of water to cold, moving air or larger volumes to longer durations (hours) below freezing.
I would have MOT clean and tuneup the furnace and then use it frequently (both sitting and underway) before you get into low temps.  Have them (or you do it........to establish familiarity) pull each propane furnace spade lug connection, clean and put a little dielectric grease on each.  That will help establish reliability and confidence.
Make sure the basement ducts are distributing hot air when the furnace is running and plug the utility bay opening (an old bath towel works fine) if you're staying overnight and have the shore power cord out.
We use (and prefer) 81, to 84 to 90 to 495 to 95.  That route is very little further and is far more relaxed and friendly.  The key (as you well know) is to watch the weather and to not drive into a storm or during the day or two immediately following a storm.  If you do get caught, just "cuddle down" and sit for a day or two. 
If we use 95, we use the NJ Tpke and then in Edison NJ, we use 287 N and 87 to get up to 84, in order to avoid the NY congestion.  We use 695 S and the Francis Scott Key Bridge to get around Baltimore and 95 around Washington.
Give me a call:  six oh three seven seven zero seven four five nine.  Glad to have more New Englanders aboard!
Neal
ET1(SS), USS SAM HOUSTON SSBN 609B, 7 patrols
The selected media item is not currently available.
Neal (& Brenda) Pillsbury
'02 U320 SPEC, 4200, DGFE, Build #5984
'04 Gold Wing
'07 Featherlite 24'
'14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
MC #14494
Exeter, NH & LaBelle FL
Quality makes the Heart Soar long after Price is Forgotten

Re: Soon-to-be new owner and winter routing question (was Re: coldest outside temperatures while still r

Reply #4 –
Quote from: sawdust316 –
Good Morning to all you folks in Forum land.

We have taken the plunge and purchased a 1998 36' u270 from MOT. We will be picking it up in mid Jan. Then heading home, home is 30 miles north of Bangor ME.

Welcome to ForeForums and congrats on the coach!  We will be just west of Bangor again this coming summer.

Quote
The other question is the route home. Goggle and Tom Tom both say rte I-81. Hmmmmm. Not so sure 81 is a good way this time of year due to its path through the VA mountains. 

I would be more concerned about 81 through PA between Harrisburg and Scranton, and some of 84.  It really depends on the weather - both areas can be nasty with snow and fog.  I think I would possibly consider 78 to 287, then 87 to either 84 or 90/Thruway/MassPike.

Michelle

ETA, I like Dean and Dee's suggestion best :)

Quote from: Dean & Dee –
                Of course you could always hang South until the snow fades which is what we try to do.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Soon-to-be new owner and winter routing question (was Re: coldest outside temperatures while sti

Reply #5 –
WOW!!!

I will attempt to respond to all of you with this one message.

First, thank you.

Dean

I know that route well, when we retired 9 years ago and moved to Maine we did it our selves. We made 7 trips pulling a 16 box trailer. What fun it was trying to get across that bridge. We lived in Easton, PA at the time, right where I-78 crosses the Delaware from PA to NJ. I have looked at that Rte. Problem is our daughter and family live in Lititz, PA, we have "ORDERS" to stop on our way thru, LOL. I think they want to see the new coach. If the weather turns bad we may end up there for a while. The other option is to take that right turn out of NAC and head for FLa. until all that stuff goes away. Not sure we can stay until May.

Neal

Will contact MOT and do that furnace. We have friends living in N. Conway that we visit often. Your Rte is also very well known to us. We have used it many time this last summer, the only bad thing is Hartford, YUK.

Are you north or south now? I was surface on 5 ships. We could have a lot to talk about, was RM1.

Michelle

Thanks for those pointers. Where we have to stop in PA is just north of Lancaster, not far from 78 and 81 both. Will be watching the weather closely. That will have a large factor on which rte we take.

Where in Maine will you be going, we live 8 miles east of Dexter, ME. I would say you can use my yard to park but I think you would have a problem getting a 40 footer in. Have you ever been to Moosehead Lake?


Once again thsnk you all.

Norm

PS: The sawdust comes form the days when I made custom furiture.




Re: Soon-to-be new owner and winter routing question (was Re: coldest outside temperatures while sti

Reply #6 –
Quote from: sawdust316 –
The other option is to take that right turn out of NAC and head for FLa. until all that stuff goes away. Not sure we can stay until may.

We have used it many time this last summer, the only bad thing is Hartford, YUK.

Norm

PS: The sawdust comes form the days when I made custom furiture.

                    Nac to Florida with some nice stops in Louisiana is what we did last spring. Got back home in Maine May 15th and it was too soon. I would just plan on having the time to wait for a good weather window. It can't snow everyday...(I hope).


              Hartford is pretty tough to avoid although I have done it with my prior Class C but it added time and turns so we try to time the "Nascar Race" through there for mid-morning to mid-afternoon. All part of the fun of getting to and from Northern New England!

                Dean
Dean & Deirdre

2012 Arctic Fox 22GQ
Was 2003 U270

Re: Soon-to-be new owner and winter routing question (was Re: coldest outside temperatures while sti

Reply #7 –
Quote from: sawdust316 –
...................the only bad thing is Hartford, YUK. 
Are you north or south now?.........................................
Norm,
Hartford is easy to avoid.
 
Before Brenda "retired" her business, she had product in leased locations in Lancaster and Gettysburg PA (as well as Danbury, Mystic & Orange CT, Spring Valley & Riverhead, NY), so we have been through there many, many times with the coach.  My employment headquarters was in Berlin CT, just west of Hartford, although my principal work locations were in Seabrook, NH  and Niantic, CT.  Prior to retiring in 2000, I was always on short leave from work, so it was mandatory that we know the best routes and timing as Brenda and I (coach) traveled amongst the 18 Northeast locations where her business product was located.

If we are westbound near peak commuting and/or traffic is heavy on 84 in Manchester CT, we always take the Wilbur Cross Parkway (route 15 and it has no overpasses) to 91 S to 691 W to 84 W.  Same going east, if traffic is heavy in Waterbury.  It only adds a couple of miles but is very seldom congested and frantic.  Thus, one should probably always take that route, but just use the right knowledge and options.

We are south for our Nov. through April "cold, ice and snow escape".  May through Oct. we are in NH (usually with 4 to 6 week comings and goings).  Dean is right you know.  Turn right leaving Nac and enjoy yourself.  Let us know when you are in the area  http://www.riverbendflorida.com/default.aspx
Congratulations again and call if you think I may be of any help,
Neal
The selected media item is not currently available.
Neal (& Brenda) Pillsbury
'02 U320 SPEC, 4200, DGFE, Build #5984
'04 Gold Wing
'07 Featherlite 24'
'14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
MC #14494
Exeter, NH & LaBelle FL
Quality makes the Heart Soar long after Price is Forgotten

Re: Soon-to-be new owner and winter routing question (was Re: coldest outside temperatures while sti

Reply #8 –
It will depend. I live off I 81  and if there is a western storm you want to go east and 95 and if there is a nor easter coming up the coast you want to head up over the mountains.  They are not bad but you have to watch the weather and be able to wait out the weather. As such I would not winterize till I was home.  The coach will handle the weather but if you have to wait on the plows you might not be as comfy if you were winterized. Also get a nice shovel when you get to Nac or bring one with you. You will need it to shovel out the plowed snow if you do get to wait it out.

2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Soon-to-be new owner and winter routing question (was Re: coldest outside temperatures while sti

Reply #9 –
Forget Florida .... just stay in Texas!  You will get the best shrimp ever in Palacios, enjoy the Gulf Coast, wander down to Big Bend.  We leave Hickory, NC shortly after the New Year and intend to sample a bit of Florida near Pensacola ... but I am fairly sure that we will be heading west before too long.  It will be April before you know it, and then you can follow Spring northwards!
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Soon-to-be new owner and winter routing question (was Re: coldest outside temperatures while sti

Reply #10 –
One problem I had driving in cold weather was the windshield iced over on the inside going down the road.  The defrosters would only clear off the bottom 12 inches.  I happened to have a small house fan that I laid on the dash to keep it clear enough.
1996 U270
Build #4846

Re: Soon-to-be new owner and winter routing question (was Re: coldest outside temperatures while sti

Reply #11 –
Norm,
If you are new to driving a motor home check out Dick Reed's RV driving school.
http://www.rvschool.com/rvschool/Home.html
We bought our coach CA and connected with an instructor out there for a two day driving class for both of us and then drove back to MN.  It will boost your driving comfort level, improve basic skills and get you started for that winter trip home well prepared.  They have instructors all over.

If you are uncomfortable about driving conditions or anything else, find a place to pull off and wait till conditions improve.  Leave yourself plenty of time, enjoy the trip and arrive safely.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Soon-to-be new owner and winter routing question (was Re: coldest outside temperatures while sti

Reply #12 –
I can vouch for that driving school. Rockey and I both did it; they had an instructor in our home town.
Dick, '03 U320 40' Tag, 2 slides, Coach #6075
Full Timers
2009 Honda CR-V

Re: Soon-to-be new owner and winter routing question (was Re: coldest outside temperatures while sti

Reply #13 –
We can wholeheartedly endorse this driving school - in January 2010 (a couple of months after we bought our '03 - and our first-ever motorhome), we went to Yuma for a two-day (12 hour) course (just George and I... in OUR coach... and even parked at the instructor's home where he had full hook-ups!) with Dan Sheppard, an outstanding instructor!  TOTALLY worth it!  ^.^d
The selected media item is not currently available.Pat Hatfield
2000 U295 3600 #5666 WTFE (sold 1/7/20)
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
previously: 2003 U295 3610 #6228 (sold 5/29/14)
previously:  2009 Honda CRV (sold 6/9/14)

Re: Soon-to-be new owner and winter routing question (was Re: coldest outside temperatures while sti

Reply #14 –
Good Evening Roger:

Thanks for the tip. This is not the first motorhome I will be driving. We have an SOB in the yard that we used this last summer. We drove through Hartford, CN in rush hour traffic this past summer. Anyone that has done that will tell you go park till its over. (We couldn't due to Dr appointments.) Not at all fun. You could say that that is sort of a driving school.

The one in the yard will be old enough to vote next year. No air ride or air brakes on an old narrow Oshkosh chassis. Back in the late 70's I worked for an RV dealer in RI, I did drive a few back then, one to a Boston show. While still in the Navy we pulled a 24' Argosy from RI to CA in the winter, took the southern route.

So I have had some experience. But thanks for that info. I may have a little time constraint this trip so I may not be able take my time getting back. I will keep that web site for future info.

Norm