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Driving in heavy snow

March 19, 2016, 05:44:29 pm

Well I usually do not drive in snow and I left a day early to avoid it but it got me the last 60 miles.  It was not too bad and the defroster could keep up for a while and then the flakes got big and heavy and harder and the wipers were building up a lot of snow and having an issue pushing it off the window.  We put on the furnace and put the front up to 75 and put on the diesel burner on the AH to get the heat at full strength and the front vents aimed at the windshield finally started clearing the snow. IT was right at freezing and I only had 30 more miles to do. So, if you are caught turn on the AH and push the heat towards the windshield.

IMG_4370.jpg by tinstafl, on Flickr

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Re: Driving in heavy snow

Reply #1 – March 19, 2016, 06:25:41 pm

I can't complain about the PO's decision to not install heat strips in his front AC, after all, it was a "southern coach". That being said, going into "harm's way", with the gen set running, and, if you've got the strips, all will be well. Dash defrost is usually junk, though, our PO had the the whole dash system re-built a few years ago, but we've not any plans to go that way to test it out, thank goodness. 

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Re: Driving in heavy snow

Reply #2 – March 19, 2016, 06:36:46 pm

I try to avoid it if I can but sometimes you have no choice if you want to get home and spring is around the corner too. VA is not suppose to get snow this late.

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Re: Driving in heavy snow

Reply #3 – March 19, 2016, 08:10:35 pm

We do not have the luxury of AH so instead I made a balsa box to fit the opening on the floor between the front seats--where one lifts the trapdoor to access the fresh water control valves. I close the two furnace vents that aim the warm air down the center aisle. I put two PVC pipe assemblies in the balsa box that direct the furnace air up to the windshield.
Rube Goldberg--eat your heart out!!

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Re: Driving in heavy snow

Reply #4 – March 19, 2016, 08:49:10 pm

nicely done.  I had an issue with my old 270 and I used a hair dryer.

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Re: Driving in heavy snow

Reply #5 – March 20, 2016, 01:18:52 am

We use a table fan blowing on windshield to keep it warm and clear when needed.  Can't count on regular equipment to handle real cold and snow.  Make your heat anyway you can with space heaters, Aquahot, propane furnace.

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Re: Driving in heavy snow

Reply #6 – March 20, 2016, 10:58:36 am

I have 2 fans on my dash and they keep the windshield clean when the defrost doesn't keep up. I ski and travel a lot in adverse
conditions so if I had a rig without them I would put them in. I put the aluminum bubble rap on the windshield and in the morning
I start the engine have a electric heater facing toward the window and with those fans the window is clear before the engine is warm.

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Re: Driving in heavy snow

Reply #7 – March 20, 2016, 11:20:17 am

I too have a portable small fan that I can turn on but the heat needed to keep the heavy snow off the outside can only be made by the furnace or AH.

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