Ft. Jackson/Columbia, SC to Seattle, WA

[Astrodokk]

Michele,
I've used that latrine method you describe many times in Africa out in the field during mission trips, so I'm very familiar with that concept. It certainly is something to consider.
I can understand high winds causing the Chinook to want to fly. How are they not that good in snow? I mean, just a splash of snow that others are still driving in is ok, yes? I'm sure if it's deep, I will definitely not drive in it, especially if I can't see the lanes in the road. I was told that if the truckers stop, then I better too.
If it doesn't put you out so much, photos would be nice.
BTW, I'm in Kirkland!

[Blue~Go]

I don't know if Astro is going to have connectivity, but things aren't looking too bad at the moment.

Basically, just warm rain in the Appalachians that you'd be passing through Thu night or Friday morning. Then there is some snow in New Mexico (I-40) but it will dissipate by Saturday evening. The amounts Saturday in NM look like 1-2", but Friday night they will have had more. It's localized in north central NM for the most part.

So if you wait to pass through there until Sunday morning, looks like clear sailing. Saturday....?

North of I-40 looks clear out there, but glacially cold, especially at night. I-10 looks fine if you go south (or wait till I-40 clears/keep an eye on that forecast).

Then there is also snow in Idaho/Eastern Washington/Northern Oregon so that's another point against cutting north vs. just waiting to get through on I-40 or going south to I-10 (maybe cutting down around Amarillo or sooner --- or maybe by the time you get there I-40 will be fine). There is a big rest area just east of Amarillo on I-40 that's fine to stay at.

I-5 up through California looks good, even nice and warm. Siskiyou looks fine (I'm looking at Saturday and beyond for that). Weirdly, even the route up through the Sierras doesn't look *too* cold or bad (really nice route, too). But that'd be cold at night, even in weather that's good for this time of year. But it's something to keep an eye on, as I-5 up through Cali is not the most special (warm though).

So in summary, from what I'm seeing now I'd say don't rush to head out (might need to rest up anyway), then hit I-40 west and keep an eye on that snow system in NM. Should dissipate late Saturday and be good Sunday. After that it looks very good for right on over on I-40, then at Barstow get on 58 west and go over Tehachapi, then up I-5 to home!

(This could get refined of course - I'm looking at the NOAA graphical for CONUS right now.)

See how she goes, eh?

[Astrodokk]

I’ll read above later when I have time.
Still in SC looking to replace a left blinker, but no idea how to get the lease off. How is this done???

[chin_k]

I don't know how to take the lenses cover apart, sorry.

I think urine freeze at around 20-25 F, so unless it is really that cold, it maybe possible to use the black tank??? Obviously, the freezing temperature will not be as low if you flush the toilet with fresh water. No experience with that, so don't send me the bill if the pipe/tank burst!

[Astrodokk]

I can use the black tank with my water jug, no problem. That is, if I have to. I usually stop at rest stops to use facilties if I can.
I think it’s the front blinker that’s out, maybe not the rear one. Both come on when I turn the lights on, but the front doesn’t blink... the rear does but very fast.
I tried to find a Robertson a few driver, but no one knows what it is. I think it’s a star or hex?

[Norman&Michele]

I took pictures of my insulating of the 'hook-up' compartment. Our internet in AZ is so slow, so I am still waiting for them to arrive in my email so I can upload them. Stay tuned for that.

As for driving in snow. Our 1st trip in our Chinook was in a snowstorm that was coming up the eastern coast. I drove 12 hours from VT to VA, passed dozens of accidents. Having lived in the northeast most of my adult life, I know that no matter what you drive, if you hit ice or greasy snow, you will slide when you hit the brakes. So, don't tailgate or go fast. I watch all the other idiots do this, and pass them in the ditch down the road. During this 1st trip, when I exited in Scranton, PA for fuel--on the exit ramp, I got a little off the melted tracks and hit the slushy sides, and felt the camper slide a bit until I got it back on bare pavement. Lesson learned: don't drive in crappy weather. Even if you are a good winter driver, there are many sharing the road that are not.

For this trip, again, our first day, we were north of Oneonta, NY on I-88, and drove into a snow squall, and the greasy snow was starting to form on the roads, so I carefully made it to a rest stop and as doing so, saw the salt trucks starting to dispatch. Waited about 20 minutes for the salt to take action, snow melted, and back on the road I was. Glad I spent many weekends spraying chainsaw oil underneath our camper! Salt does good things, and evil things.

[Blue~Go]

Hi Astro,

There she is! That year (and all years newer) used the stock taillights from a Ford Expedition. The lenses just pull out/push in (no fasteners).

(One year previous [mine] they used stock Ford E-Series van taillights, which do screw in. But you don't have those.)

Robertson drive is also known as square drive. Most will be #2, but some of the interior screws are #1, so good to have both if you can.

Sometimes (at least back in the day) a fast blinker would be the flasher unit going out (often under dash). Not sure how/where/if we have one of those. But I think you can also get a fast blink with a bulb out though.

[Astrodokk]

Ok thanks for all the info folks!
I’ll work on it as I go.
About an hour away from Asheville.
That’s where I plan to take 40 west to Knoxville.
I’m full of adrenaline but not sure how long that will last.
It’s dark already and my circadian calendar is telling me they it’s bedtime. Will keep everyone posted.

[Blue~Go]

Hey hey! Great to hear you are on your way.

From what I saw last I looked at the NOAA graphical (middle of the night last night) you'll basically have better weather if you don't rush it, so there's your excuse to dawdle, nap, tinker, and basically just admire your new digs, should you so desire

Westward ho!

[Blue~Go]

Update on the semi-localized "snow blob" over New Mexico. Previously it was shown to dissipate sometime late Saturday night and be gone Sunday morning. Now it's showing as dissipating late Saturday afternoon.

Lows are going to be semi-glacial (even worse north of I-40), but if you can make a long run on I-40 you can mostly avoid a cold overnight (or obviously if you drop down to I-10). But it would be a looong run. Essentially from Amarillo to past Kingman, AZ you have lows in the 10's. Once you drop down just outside of Kingman life is good. But that's a heck of a run. Only worse if you go north!

Even I-10 is going to be chilly overnight, but just not as bad. If you decide to drop down in advance I think there are roads you can cut down through Texas on and avoid Dallas/Ft. Worth. (Can look that up for you.)

Otherwise, if you're in wait-and-see mode, you could cut south right at Amarillo.

So to sum up: Snow on I-40 in New Mexico until sometime late Saturday, then clear. But the big deal is FRIGID overnight temps. Obviously fine when you are running (V-10 does pump out the heat!) but a bit brisk if you stop overnight. If you do stay on I-40, maybe pick up a 1500 watt heater at Walmart ($20) and stop someplace with hookups. One 1500 watt heater on full speed is about 13 amps AC. You have 30 amps to play with, so you could do a second one on low or medium too.

The true warmth doesn't start till just west of Kingman, but note that most of New Mexico is high (cold), but once you get into Arizona there is a little bit of a low spot (warmer) around Winslow (and a Walmart just north of I-40). West of that you have to go up and over Flagstaff and between there and Kingman it's high again (cold). Clear sailing once you get west of Kingman, temp-wise (yay Mohave!).

If you are winterized and the cab gets cold while driving you could rig up a blanket behind the cab. Likewise when stopped at night --- the cab is then a window-filled icebox. Block it off!

Note: I wouldn't overnight with the generator running (for heat).

I suppose there is "drive at night with the V-10 pumping" and sleep during the "heat" of the day, but driving during the day is nicer. This time of year it's hard enough to have daylight anyway.

Oh one more important note: Since the rig has been in SC the V-10 may not be fully winterized. You may already know this but you can stop at any Autozone etc. and get a little tool that looks like a mini turkey baster with colored plastic balls inside. Slurp up some of your engine anti-freeze in that and see which color ball(s) float -- that will tell you how good your anti-freeze is. Just in case it's not low enough protected.