We are leaving this coming Wednesday on a trip from WA State to North Carolina. Currently planning on taking 5 all the way down to 40 and shooting across on 40.
We were thinking of cutting the angle but after this past weeks weather I'm thinking crossing the mountains down south might be worth the extra days drive.
But thought I'd pull on the communal knowledge of this board before we make our final plans.
Let me know what y'all think.
Thanks!
-Sean
Well, take this for what it's worth (or rather what you paid for it), but keep in mind, I'm not afraid of the snow and weather and my bus is equipped to handle it.
If it were me, I'd take 84 to Salt Lake, cross Wyoming on 80, drop down to Denver and pick up 70 and work my way across the country from there.
But, you need to do what you are comfortable with. I also don't know the current weather condition in any of those states, and this time of year, you might
need to have good snow tires or chains.
It seems hard to beat for good weather on 40, though I might take a bit of Craig's idea with 70 to St. Louis anyway then southward several se routes but heck thats next week.
Its cold here now and clear roads but have to re look Sunday as something new is in the works they say. Never know in Ohio these days its pretty cool by the lakes they were talking.
Good travels there
Floyd
Sean, a dozen years or so ago, I drove the 4-wheeler from west Los Angeles leaving at about 11AM on Monday, to the western end of I-40 near Barstow, then I-40 to Wallace, single handed, arriving about 11PM on Wednesday night. I stopped first night in Albuquerque, second night in W. Memphis, Arkansas, then across the Mississippi River at 8AM and on to North Carolina. I can be done like that but never again by me! (Oh, and this was June, too.)
Good luck with your trip. BH
Quote from: gumpy on December 09, 2016, 07:24:40 PM
Well, take this for what it's worth (or rather what you paid for it), but keep in mind, I'm not afraid of the snow and weather and my bus is equipped to handle it.
If it were me, I'd take 84 to Salt Lake, cross Wyoming on 80, drop down to Denver and pick up 70 and work my way across the country from there.
But, you need to do what you are comfortable with. I also don't know the current weather condition in any of those states, and this time of year, you might
need to have good snow tires or chains.
Craig,
We've done that route before. Probably the quickest route for sure. And not a bad drive either. But we've done that drive in the fall and there was snow in the passes. I also remember seeing miles of fence like structure along 80. When we asked about it, they said it was there to keep the snow drifts from piling up on the road.
We really aren't made for cold weather in this bus. It would be generator running and electric space heaters to keep warm. Plus we are pretty slow in the hills.
I'd just hate to get snowed in and loose a day or two. With the storm we just had its the first time our little town has seen an accumulation of snow in 3-4 years. And we got close to 4 inches of it.
I know white pass was closed for a little and has chain warnings up for all vehicles. I also don't want to spend the time getting out and chaining up and down every couple hours.
Thought it might be a longer drive down 5 but could do 70 all the way through.
Bruce - That's a crazy drive from LA. I'm hoping we can make it in 7 days and that's a long shot. Wifey and I will have to do some team driving. Its encouraging though!
-Sean
Sean,
FWIW I drove cross country for 17 yrs and for 4 of those we ran CA-FL all summer long and then in the fall/winter we'd run FL/CA deadhead up tp WA or OR reload back to FL.
Why might you ask? (go ahead everyone else did!)
Because that was where the $ was. Companies an drivers both were afraid of the North and North West in the winter and didn't like going there. So load rates went up and we went where the bigger $ was!
Trust me yes those states get hit hard by snow and bad weather. But those states ALSO have the equipment and knowledge to handle it too!
If the roads aren't safe they "SHUT 'R' DOWN" they have gates to close off the highways until it is safe to travel.
I'm guessing you'll be doing most of your driving during daylight hours.
If so there is not a lot to worry about.
Now you don't say where in WA you are starting. OK So I'm going to use Seattle and the first rest area in NC on I-40 as an example. If it it were me I'd go I-90 to I-82 to I-84 to I-86 (in ID) to I-15 to US 30 to I-80 to US 77 on to NE 2 (Lincoln) to I-29 to I-70 to I-64 to I-24 to I-40 and across.
It's 2670 miles (38 1/4 hrs) from Seattle to the Gorge rest area on EB I-40 about the 10 mile marker in the Tar Heel!
Now if you go I-5 to 99 to 58 to I-40 all the way across. it's 3306 miles (47 1/4 hrs) across and you have CA's high fuel prices, slow speed limit and still could get bad weather/roads from Grants Pass, OR to Redding, CA over Tehachapi (between Bakersfield and Mohave) from Seligman to Flagstaff at Albuquerque and all the way across TX from NM to OK gets really screwed up weather this time of year. (UP North the road crews and the LOCALs all know how to handle it. On the South route NOBODY knows how to deal with it!)
Your call but US 30 across from Pocatella, ID to Green River, WY is a beautiful drive and well maintained road!
The view is much better than UT and in my opinion a much better route just simply by avoiding Utah period!
Sorry Sean you an I were both typing at the same time.
Yes those are SNOW FENCES out WEST and they work pretty dog gone good!
Again if you travel in the day time after the morning rush hour there won't be a problem with the passes.
Chain up laws hardly ever last long during day light hours. After the first rush of chained up vehicles goes thru they chew up the ICE (the reason for the chains in the first place) and with that and the sun the road crews can get it pretty cleaned up for the rest of the day.
Night time is when you have the problems with chain up, but again if it gets to where they put the "chain up law in effect find a place to fix breakfast, play in the snow with the kids a little come in warm up and take off!
BTDT too many times never chained up more than 6 times in 17 yrs and never had a late delivery because of it either.
;D BK ;D
Quote from: Seangie on December 09, 2016, 09:42:29 PM
Wifey and I will have to do some team driving. . .
Yes!
(. . . says the present that was better than a vacuum cleaner!)
;D
Shanks, you're probably aware of winter storm "Cayly" that is hitting tonight and tomorrow. It will be dropping 6-12" of snow along the corridor you are talking about. By Wednesday they should have it cleared but watch that system closely. It's supposed to drop substantial snow out west. We will be driving tomorrow directly through it as we head north to Port Huron. Right along our drive, we will have 5-8" falling. Going to be fun. But I love snow and driving in it is a no brainer for me. We don't ever let it stop us even in the coach. Done many many miles in lots o snow. Just pull out your northeast instincts.
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I 40 gets nasty some times they close it often around Seligman Az,then fighting the wind across NM and Texas, 40 is cold and windy but probably be your best route .That is a tough trip to make in the winter on any highway we would drive miles out of our way from Boise to drop down and cross on I 10,BTW those fences are Jack Rabbit bleachers to watch the drivers sliding around. No way would I cross 80 in WY and Elk Mountain this time of the year -20* and a wind chill of 44 below are common in Dec.
FWIW I used to drive from Indiana to Seattle in the winter a lot, until Washington got really nasty about over length. I took the northern rt, 90/94, it was colder, but less snow problems. In the really cold, even if there is snow blowing across the road it doesn't get packed down into a sheet of ice like in the warmer states. Many times I would arrive a day or two earlier that drivers using Nebraska and Wyoming.
Then there was that winter that if there was a blizzard anywhere in the US I was in it. ???
Sean, I have driven buses and trucks professionally, and when you need to go, you go. Just be prepared to have to wait a few hours with lots of fuel in the tank for idling, lots of food and water on board for yourselves and the car ahead of you that doesn't have any. A week is a lot of time to shoot across the continent if you have two drivers. You need good tires. And carry chains, even if you don't use them, I think some places requires them to be on board. Practice putting them on before you leave. I can put on a pair of coveralls and have the chains on and be back in the bus in 10 minutes. A bus is the best vehicle to drive in the winter: lots of traction with the weight of the engine on the drive axle, and all the comforts of home upstairs. Have fun.
JC
Quote from: somewhereinusa
Then there was that winter that if there was a blizzard anywhere in the US I was in it.
Dick I can relate to THAT!
I based myself & truck out of Fargo, ND for a little over a year. Out of 28 Blizzards across MN/ND & SD that year I was in 24 of them! Come winter the next year I packed up and moved my operation to OK!
The Blizzards I experienced up in MN, ND & SD are the one and only reason I HATE the northern route!
But I put many many miles on that route from Portland/Seattle to FL across ID, WY, NE, MO, IL, KY, TN, & GA very rarely did I ever get held up because the road was flat out closed!
Quite a few times I pulled off and took a couple hour nap or whatever to let the "DIEHARDS" chain up and chew up the ice and then strolled on down the road.
Daylight and patients are the key to traveling that route during the day!
I have seen as many trucks in the median and turned over across I-40 in TX alone because of ice and HIGH winds as I have all the way across from WA/OR to FL on the route I described.
Drivers get too relaxed thinking
"Ah it's TX (or I-40). How bad can it really be?" Yup they figure it out real quick and most often just a little too late!
;D BK ;D
Getting across 40 thru Oklahoma and Arkansas sometimes can be a adventure too with the friggn ice
This is true too. BTDT
Honestly I would take the shorter faster route less fuel and not really any MORE chances of delays than I-40!
At least those states up in the North West that get hit often have the equipment an knowledge to get it back open again fairly quick!
I've seen AR & OK crippled for a week before due to not enough equipment and too many fools out getting stuck in the way for what little equipment they have to be able to properly do the job.
Just saying "It ain't rocket science, trucks been goin' that way for years and I used to do it on purpose because the loads paid better an I was greedy back then!"
;D BK ;D
Personally if I were in a hurry, I would fly. The reason I have a bus is so I can take my time and smell the roses along the way. I like taking the red roads whenever I can and love reading the Hysterical Markers along the way. I also like stopping in the small mom & pop gas stations and grocery stores when there is a place to park my bus and avoid the large rest areas in favor of the smaller small town ones or stopping at roadside attractions so I can see the largest ball of string or dinosaurs that live(ed) beside the road. But then again I am semi-retired and can spend a few extra days on the road. Just call me Charles Kauralt. :D :D
Some things amaze me like the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles. If you didn't travel you would miss all of these things. They were created 50,003 years ago. They told me in the tour it was 50,000 years ago, but that was three years ago when I was there. What amazes me is that the dinosaurs lived so close to the big cities. :D
::)What amazes me is that the dinosaurs lived so close to the big cities.
ok Gary
now! its interesting hearing that secret
have a good day
Floyd
Sean If you can believe the weatherman they say it is going to get cold here toward the end of the week ( 13 below) If you do come the I25 / I70 way you are welcome to stay here we are 3 mile off I25 about 30 mile north of Denver.We have 50 amp should be enough to keep you warm.
Wayne
Sean,
Been there done this several times. When you are rolling on a schedule the rules change.
That being said, you would be very wise to take the south route. It adds about 8hrs to the trip. However, a snow storm (which is forecasted) can kill your time in a heartbeat. If your bus is not setup for winter, there is nothing more stressful than having your whole family in a bus, that you are having a hard time keeping warm and cannot drive.
Relax, and take the south route. You still might get some snow on 40, but nothing like I-80.
I hope the drive goes well either way.
John
I have driven I-40 this time of year and see a slew of cars and trucks off in the ditch with yellow caution tape around them. No kidding. Dozens. I've also seen a nice handful of semi trucks rolled over cause of wind. That hwy is no joke and it closes all of the time due to snow and ice or high winds. Frankly I love driving in weather. It's always been a fun adventure for me. I'm careful, slow, and give people a lot of room and just enjoy the ride. But you'll need heat. Do you have dash heat?
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I drove truck for 21 years. I worked out of Kent Wa for 4 years. Many times, I drove south on I-5 to 58 east to I-40 east many times. Yes it is further, but one, or even two days (have had that happen in Wyoming) stopped with closed roads isn't fun-especially in snow. I-40 is always good. Good Luck, TomC
I-5 S to 7th Standard (East) to 99S to 58E to i-40E and gone.......
Dave5Cs
Quote from: Scott & Heather on December 10, 2016, 06:55:25 PM
But you'll need heat. Do you have dash heat?
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Scott - No. No heat. The only heat is the engine keeping the bedroom warm. We are truly a warm weather coach. There is currently zero insulation in the front. When it rains really hard my feet get a little wet.
So seriously we would struggle in temps below 15 degrees. Honestly if we had the webasto hooked up and running and were well insulated I wouldn't be worried so much but Cliffs mention of 20 below with wind chills below that certainly makes me want to go the southern route.
The other thing is getting the bus to start in temps below 30 degrees. We do have a block/coolant heater but I would hate getting out of the bus in -20 weather to go in the back in plug it in overnight and hope the 30mph wind and snow don't take the heat out of it. Thats if our door doesn't freeze shut.
I totally understand the snow and ice across 40 but I think ice storms would be somewhere at a much higher temp than 15 degrees. And we can pull over and stay warm in those temps.
I just looked at the weather for Rawlins WY which is highs in the 12-14 degree range for our drive if we went north and Flagstaff is looking at highs in the 30's and lows in the 20's/Teens.
So south it is... might take a little longer but we will stay warm.
Where is BCO (Don)? Is he near OKC? I'd love to swing by and see him.
-Sean
Quote from: Dave5Cs on December 11, 2016, 04:10:43 PM
I-5 S to 7th Standard (East) to 99S to 58E to i-40E and gone.......
Dave5Cs
Dave - is 7th Standard in Sacramento?
I would stay off of 80 in WY if it is bad. Did it last Jan in a auto, their idea of winter road care is to light a sign saying it is icy. Saw trucks stuck in road side rests, cars slid of the road. They put nothing down.
Quote from: Seangie on December 11, 2016, 04:18:41 PM
Dave - is 7th Standard in Sacramento?
Sean -7th Std Rd is S of Kettleman City and about 4 miles N of the Buttonwillow exit off I-5. It cuts straight across the valley and joins Hiwy 99 near the little community of Shafter, just N of Bakersfield. Eliminates all the traffic and construction on 99.
If you've got genset 120vac available while rolling, stop and buy two/three little 1500w cube space heaters. You'll be amazed at how well they'll keep you warm - I saw 18 degrees outside while it was 55 inside using two at my daughter's last winter. Buy an extra to put down in the water bay to keep everything warm down there, too. Roughly $20-$25 each.
Consider a interior switch for your block heater - saves going outside at Oh Dark Thirty! Just another project, eh?
BCO is in El Reno, OK. Text me and I'll share his number with you.
Give the turtlettes a Holiday Hug from me!
FWIW & HTH. . .
;)
Ok. Yep in that case then I'm with you 100%. We just drove six hours today in a winter storm. This week the low will be 1°F :) we are staying toasty with dash heat
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Sean I'm sorry I didn't realize that you have NO HEAT! :o
In that case it changes my strategy 200%! Hire a drive-a-way service have him drop you and the family at the airport and let him know what hotel to deliver the bus too in FL, TX, AZ, or So. CA (or even Mexico) and get on a plane and enjoy a nice warm flight! ::)
; BK ;D
Quote from: RJ on December 11, 2016, 04:41:41 PMSean - ... If you've got genset 120vac available while rolling, stop and buy two/three little 1500w cube space heaters.
If you go that way, be sure that each one if plugged into a breaker circuit separately from the others. Also, watch for things like hair dryers, coffee makers, etc. that may be on a circuit with one. Those little heaters (which work great BTW) will pull almost 15 amps each and two of them on a 15 or 20 amp breaker will keep you miserable chasing tripped breakers, etc.
You may need 2-3 in NC. This weekend, we had overnight temps of 25 degrees in Wallace. Of course, being NC, a couple of 70 degree days are forecast this week, then we get a Christmas present from the Great White North, there, eh? Go figger.
Have a safe trip! BH
You might just want to go all of the ways down to I-10 and across.....i would keep a close eye on the weather and temps. And no matter how good a driver someone is, all it takes is one other person to screw everybody else up!
Sean, Just made that trip on 40, in reverse, I live in the gorge. Just got home last week. I wouldn't even think about going I-84 its already bad here. Make sure you look at the cameras on Oregon trip check for Siskiyou or look here.
http://www.medfordfuel.com/Medford_Fuel_Roads_and_Weather.htm?http://www.MedfordFuel.com/Interstate_5_Oregon.htm (http://www.medfordfuel.com/Medford_Fuel_Roads_and_Weather.htm?http://www.MedfordFuel.com/Interstate_5_Oregon.htm)
Hopefully the rest of the trip will be free sailing. Be ready for the hill going out of Bakersfield on 58, long and fairly steep. Good luck.
LOL with no heat and time wasn't a factor I would differently be on I 10
Quote from: Ed Hackenbruch on December 13, 2016, 08:32:05 AM
You might just want to go all of the ways down to I-10 and across.....i would keep a close eye on the weather and temps. And no matter how good a driver someone is, all it takes is one other person to screw everybody else up!
Quote from: luvrbus on December 13, 2016, 09:30:39 AM
LOL with no heat and time wasn't a factor I would differently be on I 10
Yeah but unless he stays on I-10 to I95 then he has to deal with ATLANTA and I'd rather take my chances w/o heat and possible ice storms on the north route over ATLANTA on a good day!
THOSE PEOPLE CAN'T DRIVE WORTH CRAP!
;D BK :D
Quote from: sixtyseven on December 13, 2016, 09:14:08 AM
Be ready for the hill going out of Bakersfield on 58, long and fairly steep.
Joe -58's not too bad compared to the Grapevine. Nice thing about 58 is that it's not a steady climb - it levels off for a bit then climbs some more. There are stretches where Sean will be down in 2nd, but a lot of the hill he'll be able to pull in 3rd. Plus it's only 4100' at the top of the hill, not nearly as bad as any of the other Sierra passes.
Sean -With the current weather patterns, Ed's suggestion makes a whole lot of sense!
FWIW & HTH. . .
;)
Ok Sean its time to vote; Which way will you choose.
A) Will it be I-5 across 58 and I-40 Stopping to have lunch with Clifford or stopping and warming up with all of Boxcar Okie's LED lights in his bus barn on his Bus
B) or will it be I-10 cozy and warm but might be bad weather in spots and slower.
C) Or 80 all the way and watching the heat climb in the engine bay at least yu will be warm.
D) Or none of the above?
The Music is playing in the background Alex Trebeck and Vanna White are waiting..????????????? ::) ;D
Dave5Cs
RJ
Yeah, you're right about 58. I have never went up it ( the direction Sean will be going ) , only down. It just seemed like a long way with the jake on and I remember thinking...I'm sure glad I'm not that guy going the other way :)
Sean
If you do take 40 check the road conditions at flagstaff, that place is pretty high up there.
Quote from: sixtyseven on December 13, 2016, 09:14:08 AM
Sean, Just made that trip on 40, in reverse,
Wow--- I am impressed !! I can barely back into a campsite without hitting something! ;D ;D
Sean--we drove home from Florida 2 yrs ago(I think you saw us going one way or the other) without heat--In December.
We were OK till we got to Uncle Ned's and then it got cold, and the dash heat didn't do much other than take the edge off.
Steve
He must be on road.. hasn't been on since monday.. God's speed tp him & the turtles. Call us if you need help or weather update....sooner the better east of missippi river. -I 40 should be good til sunday. I-64 prob slick sunday
I-10 can get bad also. Anywhere east bound once you leave Tucson all the way across to San Antonio can get iced up. When I was driving truck, I took Dec 15th to March 15th off every year. Even with that, sometimes ran into snow. Would you believe a white out snow storm through Wyoming in June? Good Luck, TomC
Quote from: TomC on December 14, 2016, 06:58:51 AM
I-10 can get bad also. Anywhere east bound once you leave Tucson all the way across to San Antonio can get iced up. When I was driving truck, I took Dec 15th to March 15th off every year. Even with that, sometimes ran into snow. Would you believe a white out snow storm through Wyoming in June? Good Luck, TomC
Tom I remember sometime around 95-97 snow in Fontana on Memorial day!
Yeah was laid over at Truck Town on Cherry St. waiting for the holiday weekend to end so I could get my truck in the Frieghtliner dealer around the corner and we got close to an inch of snow on Memorial day afternoon.
(btw ever heard of either of those places before?)
;D BK ;D
We drop down on old highway 90 at El Paso to avoid Ft Stockton and Van Horn in the winter and pickup 10 at Junction again
Steve,
If you want to see my backing up skills, check out this video of me with my car and trailer. ;D ??? :o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxr83Vkrh00 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxr83Vkrh00)
Hi Sean, just went thru flagstaff , patchy snow, no ice, I-40 in very rough shape in spots, lvmci...
He's already on the road guys. So he will have to report to us which route he took. It will say this, driving a coach in below feeezing weather with just space heaters doesn't always keep you warm. Each space heater is about 5,000 btus. Not enough heat when all your warm air is being sucked out as you drive.
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Quote from: Scott & Heather on December 16, 2016, 04:22:23 AMHe's already on the road guys. So he will have to report to us which route he took. It will say this, driving a coach in below feeezing weather with just space heaters doesn't always keep you warm. Each space heater is about 5,000 btus. Not enough heat when all your warm air is being sucked out as you drive.
My guess is 35,000 BTU's cooling if it's really hot and the same heating if it's really cold -- and that's not to be truly comfortable but just enough to be safe. Of course, size/volume of the vehicle and condition of sealing makes a difference. Also, if it's cold but wet, the amount of cold water/melted snow and salt thrown against a vehicle will make a big difference, too. Water draws away 79 times as much heat as air of the same temp.
We finally hit the road tonight. There was a lot to wrap up. Work ate into a bit of our time as well.
We bought a new toad and had to get the base plate installed before we left. Tons of packing up and putting away.
We were originally planning on leaving yesterday but didn't get out until about 8pm tonight. We are going south. Didn't get too far. Just North of Portland. Hope to make it to Sacremento tomorrow.
Its cold tonight. Down to 17 degrees. Our water pump froze up going down the road. We have a oil filled heater and a fan heater in the bus and that's got us at about 55 degrees in the bus and climbing. We also have a cube heater in the bay defrosting our water lines.
Its cold driving. Never been in weather this cold before in the bus. So we never had to winterize. Soon enough we will be in warmer weather.
Glad we went south. High in Rawlins Wyoming is 3 degrees tomorrow.
-Sean
Sean - you ARE going south of Missouri, right????
http://www.wgem.com/story/34076373/2016/12/Friday/modot-asks-drivers-statewide-to-avoid-travel (http://www.wgem.com/story/34076373/2016/12/Friday/modot-asks-drivers-statewide-to-avoid-travel)
Stay safe out there ... (PS Ice on my car in S/e NC this AM.)
(Edit; Heard from a friend who is a nurse in southern Illinois. They had an ice storm, streets were salted and sanded but she couldn't get from her car to her front door without taking off her shoes and using her socks for traction. Stay south!)
It's about 50* here on I 40 but at Flag it in is in the 20's with wind gusts hopefully the wind,rain,snow and cold has moved out and you have warm weather
You guys think it is cold? It has been -20 to -30C up here for 2 weeks... Although returning to near freezing by Monday.
A heated seat cushion is a great thing to have when driving a bus in the winter. 12V. $30 to $50, a little more with the vibrators. Pick up 2, one for her too.
That makes me think: I should keep an eye out for heated front seats for the bus.
Stay warm, and Merry Christmas.
JC
Quote from: lostagain on December 17, 2016, 06:58:22 AM
You guys think it is cold? It has been -20 to -30C up here for 2 weeks... Although returning to near freezing by Monday.
A heated seat cushion is a great thing to have when driving a bus in the winter. 12V. $30 to $50, a little more with the vibrators. Pick up 2, one for her too.
That makes me think: I should keep an eye out for heated front seats for the bus.
Stay warm, and Merry Christmas.
JC
Wow and I am wearing a jacket at 50*F
hi Sean, in Williams (flagstaff) last night, snow overnight, just a couple inches, went thru big storm last night from Tucson, 4 counties without power, but storm going east, in NM today, I-40, I-17 to I-10 clear, sunny 27° in Williams, keep warm best wishes and merry Christmas to you and your family, Clifford are you in Flagg? tom...
Quote from: lvmci on December 17, 2016, 09:51:17 AM
, Clifford are you in Flagg? tom...
Nope we are planning on heading out Sun or Mon and going as far as Albuquerque and spend the night with friends then on to Texas maybe spending the night with friends in El Paso then on to central Texas and the Gulf Coast
In the MCI? ;D
Quote from: Dave5Cs on December 17, 2016, 11:43:54 AM
In the MCI? ;D
Nope I am waiting on you to help with the tub ;D
We had overnight wind chill warnings of -41C to -45C last night in Southern Manitoba. It sure was cool out on the ice playing hockey with the boys at 8:00 am. We had to keep sending them back to the dressing room between shifts.
Ryan.
Ok see ya the 29th my friend...We will bring our towels and Soap,LOL ;D
Quote from: MB LeMirage on December 17, 2016, 11:56:40 AM
We had overnight wind chill warnings of -41C to -45C last night in Southern Manitoba. It sure was cool out on the ice playing hockey with the boys at 8:00 am. We had to keep sending them back to the dressing room between shifts.
Ryan.
I was working on my bus today in the storage yard, wearing my usual T-shirt and shorts, but my concession to winter is to wear my slightly thicker winter-weight flipflops with the thermal straps between the toes. Gotta be prepared. Temperatures here have plummeted down to the 60s - brrrr. Only the toughest can survive this weather.
John
I know what you mean John, I have a pair of fur lined crocs that I use for running out to start the car and do quick things around the yard. In previous years I would wear them all winter even in the deep snow!
Ryan.
Quote from: Seangie on December 17, 2016, 12:17:05 AM
We finally hit the road tonight. There was a lot to wrap up. Work ate into a bit of our time as well.
We bought a new toad and had to get the base plate installed before we left. Tons of packing up and putting away.
We were originally planning on leaving yesterday but didn't get out until about 8pm tonight. We are going south. Didn't get too far. Just North of Portland. Hope to make it to Sacremento tomorrow.
Its cold tonight. Down to 17 degrees. Our water pump froze up going down the road. We have a oil filled heater and a fan heater in the bus and that's got us at about 55 degrees in the bus and climbing. We also have a cube heater in the bay defrosting our water lines.
Its cold driving. Never been in weather this cold before in the bus. So we never had to winterize. Soon enough we will be in warmer weather.
Glad we went south. High in Rawlins Wyoming is 3 degrees tomorrow.
-Sean
Sean be sure to watch the weather carefully before hitting I-40 because we had 70* here today right now it's pouring down raining (coming down in buckets full!) And it's supposed to drop about 40* tonight also!
If it does there is going to be nasty roads ALL across I-40 for a long ways. |
Might be best to take I-10 across at this point!
;D BK ;D
I think we had perfect timing for our launch. Cold today but clear and beautiful for driving. We got to see some of the leftover ice from the previous few days. The sun came out and it was amazing.
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Insulated the bay door and got our water back up. In Yreka tonight. Its a little warmer here (~20 tonight).
Will be shooting for Barstow tomorrow. Weather should be good. About 10-12 hours driving.
Any reccomends for a campground in Barstow? Would like to refill/dump and laundry for a night.
-Sean
You go shanks! Winter busing is unique! Tonight it will be -3°F here in Michigan :) so far bus is toasty. But we had a lot of planning that went into keeping it warm in there. Windchill tonight here will be around -20°F. Head south brother! (https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20161218%2Fbb29c7286805168954bc23418d0e7104.jpg&hash=0dd8624298a5815b8c8d97f0ded54d0dbc69e0da)(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20161218%2Ff5cf5a879772dd3738da8e114b39ba50.jpg&hash=02646c2cee814b48ae520b60ba628dc639992487)
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Quote from: Scott & Heather on December 18, 2016, 03:05:37 AM
You go shanks! Winter busing is unique! Tonight it will be -3°F here in Michigan :) so far bus is toasty. But we had a lot of planning that went into keeping it warm in there. Windchill tonight here will be around -20°F. Head south brother!
Scott - You Crazy.
Wifey can't wait to see the FL sun. She doesn't do good in the cold.
I don't care for it much either. Wait till you hit 40, you may chafe your mind too :)
-Sean
this is a little EXTREME but the guy that bought my M C I drove it home on thursday to thunderbay ontario canada and at 7:00 pm when he got home it was -37 cel. and all ran great . the coldest I ever drove in was - 30 cel .
stay warm
dave
Quote from: Scott & Heather on December 18, 2016, 03:05:37 AMYou go shanks! Winter busing is unique! Tonight it will be -3°F here in Michigan :) so far bus is toasty.
OK, I gotta admit that I'll be happy to never see another snowflake or a picture of them -- but LOOK at the little purple snow suit and those fuzzy boots!! Scott-- that's about THE CUTEST THING I've seen in days and it sure has cheered me up! Thanks for that photo! (And y'all stay warm up there!)
Quote from: sledhead on December 18, 2016, 06:03:21 AM
this is a little EXTREME but the guy that bought my M C I drove it home on thursday to thunderbay ontario canada and at 7:00 pm when he got home it was -37 cel. and all ran great . the coldest I ever drove in was - 30 cel .
dave
Dave that is awesome and extreme! But he probably had a coach that had insulation and heat that was meant for cold weather!
The Shanks don't!
;D BK ;D
OH and btw we DID get that ICE STORM last night/this morning!
So watch out things will be ruff on I-40 all 6 of Tennessee's snow plows will be extremely busy for the next few days!
Also we are supossed to be down in the teens today an tomorrow and tomorrow night supposed to be down to 8* here!
I-10 is sounding better and better!
;D BK ;D
I hope him and the family don't need to go back till late April,lol winter starts on Wednesday
just saying they ( coach ) will run in that temperature but who in there right mind wants to drive it then . I only did it to get home . as my mom would say you can't change the weather so you learn how to live with it
dave
Good thing you didn't take the Denver route. The weather man missed it . In greeley ( 10 miles from us) it was 16 below not the 13 below they said it was going to be ;D. Last night on the way home from Denver we saw 20 below. I think it broke some records. safe travels.
Wayne
Here in VA it's going to be almost 70 today :)
And that is the cutest pic I have seen in a while as well. Time flys...mine were that size...seems like yesterday. Now one is 6'2 and 20...the other is 5'4 and 14.
That pic led me to a question. What did you use for insulation? I'm assuming foam. Did you insulate the bays? I don't see a skirt, and that beautiful smile looks too happy to be cold.
Here in Roseville 8 minutes north of Sacramento, CA it was 26 degrees burrrrrrrrrr. Covering the avocado trees with burlap today suppose to get 3 days of this and then rain again. ;D
Dave
Sierra Trails RV Park
Mojave, California
Phone: (760) 373-4950
Off 58 at hyway 14 to the north side aerospace hyway
Sean tell Don the owner Dave and Doreen Walker sent you. They take Passport America and it is only 22.00 with it.
Has Laundry and electric and water at the site. Dump on the property but not at site. Pull throughs in the eastern back area 6 and 7 are the easies to go through.
Another quick one parklot surfing is behind the station on the east side in Boron pull next to the tall bushes in the back lot of train noise at night though.
Dave
I know how you all feel. It is only going to get up to 65 here in Anaheim, CA today. Just went out for lunch, nobody was even outside today it is so cold. Walking back from Subway was a bit chilly. Glad I put on my long sleeve shirt today. :-)
Dave had a pretty nicely done 102C and I would bet he insulated it good :) our coach is insulated with spray foam, then a layer of rock wool and flooring felt with foam sill seal stuck to all the metal beams to help with thermal break. A good indicator is that we've been keeping it about 75°F inside and the roof still has snow on it. That's always a good sign. (https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20161218%2F332e4bd842b5b852b5956461d4c8d839.jpg&hash=1e75b481999a833a0043d2f00da942165c92ab07)
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Just got a text from Angie, they're about an hour out of Bakersfield (at 3:15 west coast time) where they're going to make a fuel stop at Costco (Rosedale Hwy exit.)
After that, they'll be picking up Hwy 58 to Barstow, their goal for the night.
FWIW & HTH. . .
;)
Was 13* this morning at 7 AM when I let the dogs out! (yes I am the one who let the dogs out!)
almost 6 hrs later we're up to a whopping 25* so it's a heat wave going on here in W. TN just 15 mins N of I-40 @ exit #108 which is EXACTLY 1/2 way between Memphis and Nashville!
Expect colder temps as you go east as you are headed into the Smoky and Appalachian Mountains!
Safe travels and stay warm!
;D BK ;D
He has some serious wind to fight on 40 from Barstow to Flagstaff today.lol I think I would drop off at Needles and head for I 10 at Quartzsite
Quote from: luvrbus on December 19, 2016, 10:55:04 AM
He has some serious wind to fight on 40 from Barstow to Flagstaff today.lol I think I would drop off at Needles and head for I 10 at Quartzsite
yup...me too.
31 here in west central Alabama...and not warming up for a week or so..maybe start my northern jog a round Mobile or so...
Quote from: luvrbus on December 19, 2016, 10:55:04 AM
He has some serious wind to fight on 40 from Barstow to Flagstaff today.lol I think I would drop off at Needles and head for I 10 at Quartzsite
Yup I hear ya there Clifford.
Hopefully he will see this in time to do so! A friend of mine that still drives trucks shared photos with me of the Tucumcari, NM exit # 329 where they were forcing WB traffic off the interstate due to too many wrecks!
There were cars and trucks tore up everywhere! He said an SUV just missed the front of his truck about mm 322 and ended up off the shoulder in the ditch because it ran up into the traffic moving about 30 mph @ about 60 mph!
He shrugged his shoulders and drove on when a young guy got out looking around like what the hell happened? And then gave him a thumbs up!
;D BK ;D
Quote from: luvrbus on December 19, 2016, 10:55:04 AMHe has some serious wind to fight on 40 from Barstow to Flagstaff today.lol I think I would drop off at Needles and head for I 10 at Quartzsite
Clifford -
Contemplated 10. But we stuck with 40. I think we are going to stick it out on 40 all the way.
Winds were pretty strong today. Was hoping to make it to Albuquerque but the climbs were long and slow and the wind was strong enough to keep me in 3rd from Needles to Kingman. Couldn't hit 55. That's a long uphill draw there.
We averaged about 50mph on the day. Most of that was from Flagstaff to Winslow. We are shooting for Amarillo tomorrow.
Driving temps have been perfect. Nice and chilly in the AM (about 16 in Barstow) and nice clear sunny skies all day. Nice and warm the last 2 days of driving. Hoping this follows us across.
Thanks guys for everything. Been super helpful.
-Sean
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Quote from: Seangie on December 19, 2016, 07:06:03 PM-Sean
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There's something about that sign that's familiar ... but, different!!! :)
It was another perfect day for driving.
Cold morning that turned into a beautiful sunny day. No traffic.
Started off in Winslow this AM. Pretty sunrise as we passed into NM. Got chilly (down to 12 degrees) as we passed through Gallop. Stopped for lunch in ABQ and then crawled up 40 over the hills there and down the other side on our way east.
Toward the end of the day we crested over a hill into a beautiful bowl shaped valley and all of a sudden the sky just seemed bigger than life and started to turn all different colors. It was amazing. 10 seconds later we passed the Welcome to Texas sign.
There is nothing quite comparable to a sunset in the Texas sky. Then we passed by our first Allsups and the price of fuel just really made me glad to be in Texas again.
Won't be long. We are headed through OKC and on the Little Rock tomorrow.
Should be passing by you in a few days Bruce!
-Sean
Sean When you come through NC you might want to stop and let Tom and Karen see what a great coach they let go. LOL
He and I are close to 40 ,just be careful and watch the NC fool drivers.
uncle ned
Quote from: Seangie on December 20, 2016, 09:09:57 PM... Won't be long. We are headed through OKC and on the Little Rock tomorrow.
Should be passing by you in a few days Bruce!
-Sean
Best wishes for smooth, easy, and safe travels; hope the family is all doing well. Let us know when you're home again!
Quote from: Seangie on December 20, 2016, 09:09:57 PM
It was another perfect day for driving.
Cold morning that turned into a beautiful sunny day. No traffic.
Started off in Winslow this AM. Pretty sunrise as we passed into NM. Got chilly (down to 12 degrees) as we passed through Gallop. Stopped for lunch in ABQ and then crawled up 40 over the hills there and down the other side on our way east.
Toward the end of the day we crested over a hill into a beautiful bowl shaped valley and all of a sudden the sky just seemed bigger than life and started to turn all different colors. It was amazing. 10 seconds later we passed the Welcome to Texas sign.
There is nothing quite comparable to a sunset in the Texas sky. Then we passed by our first Allsups and the price of fuel just really made me glad to be in Texas again.
Won't be long. We are headed through OKC and on the Little Rock tomorrow.
Should be passing by you in a few days Bruce!
-Sean
Ned - I saw Tom and Karen 2 years ago at Arcadia and had them on the bus. I told him when he's ready to sell his H340, I get first dibs. It is a great bus (the eagle) no issues in the past 5 days of driving.
I'm not sure how much time we will have coming through NC. We have some friends to visit Friday in Concord and then see our daughter on Sat. And with the holiday on Sunday we are on a tight schedule.
Weather has been amazing. In Little Rock tonight. Either Knoxville or go through Atlanta tomorrow. Probably be Knoxville depending on weather. Long days of driving.
-Sean
Quote from: uncle ned on December 21, 2016, 07:34:25 AM
Sean When you come through NC you might want to stop and let Tom and Karen see what a great coach they let go. LOL
He and I are close to 40 ,just be careful and watch the NC fool drivers.
uncle ned
Great to see you back on the road and enjoying the Eagle. We would love to see Angie, you and the kids but understand your schedule. You are still first on the list for the Prevost but I hope it will be a few more years before we have to give it up.
Have a safe and great trip.
Tom & Karen
We made it to NC yesterday. Will be in Wilmington this afternoon. Totaled about 6 days of 10 hour driving.
It was a great trip. Sunshine and clear skies the whole way. Almost felt like summer in Oklahoma. Looks like we couldn't have picked a better week to drive out here.
Y'all have a great holiday and enjoy your families.
-Sean
Quote from: Seangie on December 24, 2016, 05:58:18 AM
We made it to NC yesterday. Will be in Wilmington this afternoon. ...
-Sean
Nice. Welcome home to the terrible weather. The weatherguessers are forecasting that it won't get over 68 deg in Wallace today -- it there's ice on that long hill (climbs over 3 feet in 4 1/2 miles) going into Pender county and y'all get stuck, give me a call and I'll borrow my neighbor's 4-wheel-drive pickup and come pick y'all up with blankets and hot soup and you can stay warm at my house until the tow truck pulls you out of the snow bank. Oh, yeah, you're not going to try that drive without chains, are you????
Merry Christmas, Sean (and turtles)
LOL 68* is 10 degrees warmer than the weather people are predicting for us in AZ
Merry Christmas to all !!!!!!
Depends on the part of Az that you are in.......38 now with a high of 41 and then dropping this afternoon when they say we will be getting 5-8 inches of snow. 58-68 sounds really good about now ;D
Quote from: luvrbus on December 24, 2016, 06:21:56 AM
LOL 68* is 10 degrees warmer than the weather people are predicting for us in AZ
Merry Christmas to all !!!!!!
Yeah, but we had to get in on the "Doom and Gloom" travel warnings here, too! Merry Christmas, Clifford, best wishes for a great year coming up.
Quote from: Ed Hackenbruch on December 24, 2016, 06:40:41 AM
Depends on the part of Az that you are in.......38 now with a high of 41 and then dropping this afternoon when they say we will be getting 5-8 inches of snow. 58-68 sounds really good about now ;D
Yea the front is coming through the valley right now, cold with rain and the temps have dropped 10* in the last hour
Looks like we will have a white Christmas then. :)
Well it could be worse, our weather has finally warmed up. Its forecast to be a high of -14C (4.5 F) today but we might get 30-40 cm (12 - 16 inches) of snow tomorrow for Christmas. Happy Holidays to all.
Ryan.
Quote from: Oonrahnjay on December 24, 2016, 06:18:21 AM
Nice. Welcome home to the terrible weather. The weatherguessers are forecasting that it won't get over 68 deg in Wallace today -- it there's ice on that long hill (climbs over 3 feet in 4 1/2 miles) going into Pender county and y'all get stuck, give me a call and I'll borrow my neighbor's 4-wheel-drive pickup and come pick y'all up with blankets and hot soup and you can stay warm at my house until the tow truck pulls you out of the snow bank. Oh, yeah, you're not going to try that drive without chains, are you????
Merry Christmas, Sean (and turtles)
Bruce -
It was just awful. I had to actually stop the bus and pull over to tear all my clothes off.
Woke up this morning and had to waste more battery power to turn the fans on.
I contemplated chains for that long pull over the cape fear river bridge. You know those bridges freeze first before anything else. And at an elevation of over 70' anything could happen.
I might actually have to wear shorts today. Just dreadful. (For those who have to see my legs) ;D
Glad to be back.
-Sean
Glad ya made it safe and missed all the nasty stuff that went across 40 right in front of you!
;D BK ;D
Quote from: Seangie on December 25, 2016, 05:23:44 AM.... Glad to be back.
-Sean
Welcome home! I'm glad it was a safe trip, if a long one and that you braved those eastern NC conditions OK. Merry Christmas to you and all your family.
Well That was easy!...... ;D
He got lucky I 40 is a mess at Ash Fork , Williams and Flagstaff Az they have it shut down both sides
We are 75 miles to the SE of Flagstaff and 1000 ft. lower. Got a little over 4 inches of snow and temps just below freezing.
I loved that when we lived in Colorado Springs in the early morning after it snowed it was real quit outside. All you could hear was your tires squeak on the dry snow. Not many cars out and then some idiot would be driving fast and cut in front of you hit the only black ice for miles and slide in circles until they would stop in somebodies yard....... :o
This was a dry snow, about the first thing i saw was a coyote going up the street, i went out and up the street and saw two bull elk in the yard of a house. Nice day, not a lot of people around. ;D
And a nice breakfast, Bull elk and Biscuits, Yummmmm :o ;D