Driving in snow

[Gardner Yeaw]

I plan trip this weekend and may run into a little light snow. I
have lots of time so I am in NO hurry. Aside from the obvious, slow
and steady, are there any tips for handling air brakes in slippery
conditions. I know excessive pumping will kill the preasure and may
result in the spring brakes commng on, so that must be done with great
care.

How does an FC handle in the snow? Anyone have experience?

Gardner
78FC33

[davidkerryedwards]

I have a good friend who was a school bus driver in upstate NY for many years.
He did not
like FC's in the snow. With the engine in front of the front wheels, it left
the driving wheels
too light in his opinion. He much preferred a traditional driveline with the
engine over the
front wheels. His situation may have been different due to different loadings
on
schoolbuses and motorhomes, but it is worth keeping in mind.

Kerry
82 FC 35
Denver

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gardner Yeaw" wrote:
>
> I plan trip this weekend and may run into a little light snow. I
> have lots of time so I am in NO hurry. Aside from the obvious, slow
> and steady, are there any tips for handling air brakes in slippery
> conditions. I know excessive pumping will kill the preasure and may
> result in the spring brakes commng on, so that must be done with great
> care.
>
> How does an FC handle in the snow? Anyone have experience?
>
> Gardner
> 78FC33
>

[Gardner Yeaw]

Kerry,
Thanks. I haden't considered the rear as light, but snow has a
great way of exposing these things.

Gardner
78FC33 (Wondering if this is a good idea)
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards"
wrote:
>
> I have a good friend who was a school bus driver in upstate NY for
many years. He did not
> like FC's in the snow. With the engine in front of the front
wheels, it left the driving wheels
> too light in his opinion. He much preferred a traditional
driveline with the engine over the
> front wheels. His situation may have been different due to
different loadings on
> schoolbuses and motorhomes, but it is worth keeping in mind.
>
> Kerry
> 82 FC 35
> Denver
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gardner Yeaw"
wrote:
> >
> > I plan trip this weekend and may run into a little light snow.
I
> > have lots of time so I am in NO hurry. Aside from the obvious,
slow
> > and steady, are there any tips for handling air brakes in
slippery
> > conditions. I know excessive pumping will kill the preasure and
may
> > result in the spring brakes commng on, so that must be done with
great
> > care.
> >
> > How does an FC handle in the snow? Anyone have experience?
> >
> > Gardner
> > 78FC33
> >
>

[Tom Warner]

Have read the other comments gardner and the FC models do NOT drive
like a school bus. Big difference in the suspension and the weight
distribution. My 1982 FC 35 for instance had 265 gallons of fuel over
the rear wheels in addition to a lot of other stuff distributed
throughout the coach. I travelled in some really nasty weather one
winter thru Pennsylvannia, trucks in the ditch, really really bad. I
was amazed at how well it not only drove but never slipped a wheel.
Finally stopped at a Walmart, closed up and slept as snug as bugs in
a rug all night. Next day just kept on going.

Amazing machines and nothing in my opinion to worry about.

tom warner
vernon center,
1985 PT 40

At 08:51 PM 12/6/2006, you wrote:
> I plan trip this weekend and may run into a little light snow. I
>have lots of time so I am in NO hurry. Aside from the obvious, slow
>and steady, are there any tips for handling air brakes in slippery
>conditions. I know excessive pumping will kill the preasure and may
>result in the spring brakes commng on, so that must be done with great
>care.
>
> How does an FC handle in the snow? Anyone have experience?
>
>Gardner
>78FC33
>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

[fwernlein]

We have driven in snow...take your time and keep your speed
reasonalble...no anti-lock brakes on these tanks. My biggest
challenges have been ice on ramps and turnoffs, watch for that, as
well as concealed soft terrain...be very careful if going off
pavement...might be frozen only on the very top, quaigmire below.
Also due to keeping the bus closed up you may find a lot of mostiure
in the cabin...and your windshield defroster may be weak...we got anti-
fogging wipes - they work great for the windshield.

Frank
85FC33
Woodbridge, Va.

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gardner Yeaw"
wrote:
>
> I plan trip this weekend and may run into a little light snow. I
> have lots of time so I am in NO hurry. Aside from the obvious, slow
> and steady, are there any tips for handling air brakes in slippery
> conditions. I know excessive pumping will kill the preasure and may
> result in the spring brakes commng on, so that must be done with
great
> care.
>
> How does an FC handle in the snow? Anyone have experience?
>
> Gardner
> 78FC33
>

[adieu2y]

Gardner, We had a great experience 5 years ago with our 01 LX in snow
country. We left our daughter's home in Boulder, Co. late October for
a few days in Rocky Mountian National park. We drove to Moraine Camp
ground approx. 8,500 ft with clear roads. We were prepared to dry
camp for 2-3 days. That same aftenoon it began to snow. By late that
afternoon we had a lot of snow on the ground and we were being
entertained by 100's of Elk migrating down from higher country. We
knew we were pushing hard on the end of the season. There were 2 or 3
others in the camp so we felt safe to settled in for the night. The
next morning we woke up to beautiful snow capped mountains. The park
snow plow made a quick pass through the park so we thought we could
leave when ever. The Elk continued to entertain ...you talk about big
racks!! That afternoon I saw the plow coming back through the park
(still snowing) and I stopped him to inquire about being able to drive
out. He offered to drive by twice the next morning with snow melt
chemicals to clear the way. When we left late morning we were able to
drive carefully down into Estes Park on steep grades and snowy roads.
The coach handled beautifully. We would not have wanted to miss the
experience for some snow on the roads. Just keep your speed down when
the roads turn white. Jack VanDenBerg 05 LXi Glenn, Mi.
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gardner Yeaw"
wrote:
>
> I plan trip this weekend and may run into a little light snow. I
> have lots of time so I am in NO hurry. Aside from the obvious, slow
> and steady, are there any tips for handling air brakes in slippery
> conditions. I know excessive pumping will kill the preasure and may
> result in the spring brakes commng on, so that must be done with great
> care.
>
> How does an FC handle in the snow? Anyone have experience?
>
> Gardner
> 78FC33
>

[Tom Warner]

You can turn the defrosters, the A/C blowers and the heater blowers
into a hurricane by taking all of the current out of the dash and
transferring it to bosch relays in the overhead compartment. Open up
your dash and inspect your switches and wires and connectors and you
will see why.

tom warner
vernon center,ny
1985 PT 40

At 12:00 AM 12/7/2006, you wrote:
>We have driven in snow...take your time and keep your speed
>reasonalble...no anti-lock brakes on these tanks. My biggest
>challenges have been ice on ramps and turnoffs, watch for that, as
>well as concealed soft terrain...be very careful if going off
>pavement...might be frozen only on the very top, quaigmire below.
>Also due to keeping the bus closed up you may find a lot of mostiure
>in the cabin...and your windshield defroster may be weak...we got anti-
>fogging wipes - they work great for the windshield.
>
>Frank
>85FC33
>Woodbridge, Va.
>
>--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gardner Yeaw"
>wrote:
> >
> > I plan trip this weekend and may run into a little light snow. I
> > have lots of time so I am in NO hurry. Aside from the obvious, slow
> > and steady, are there any tips for handling air brakes in slippery
> > conditions. I know excessive pumping will kill the preasure and may
> > result in the spring brakes commng on, so that must be done with
>great
> > care.
> >
> > How does an FC handle in the snow? Anyone have experience?
> >
> > Gardner
> > 78FC33
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

[Jeff Miller]

Agreed.

I've driven them in snowstorms, driven through un-plowed field from
storage barn, driven in a bad ice storm, very predictable just use
the same caution that you'd use with any other vehicle in slippery
conditions.

- Jeff Miller
in Holland, MI


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Tom Warner
wrote:
>
> Have read the other comments gardner and the FC models do NOT
drive
> like a school bus. Big difference in the suspension and the weight
> distribution. My 1982 FC 35 for instance had 265 gallons of fuel
over
> the rear wheels in addition to a lot of other stuff distributed
> throughout the coach. I travelled in some really nasty weather one
> winter thru Pennsylvannia, trucks in the ditch, really really bad.
I
> was amazed at how well it not only drove but never slipped a
wheel.
> Finally stopped at a Walmart, closed up and slept as snug as bugs
in
> a rug all night. Next day just kept on going.
>
> Amazing machines and nothing in my opinion to worry about.
>
> tom warner
> vernon center,
> 1985 PT 40
>
> At 08:51 PM 12/6/2006, you wrote:
> > I plan trip this weekend and may run into a little light snow.
I
> >have lots of time so I am in NO hurry. Aside from the obvious,
slow
> >and steady, are there any tips for handling air brakes in slippery
> >conditions. I know excessive pumping will kill the preasure and
may
> >result in the spring brakes commng on, so that must be done with
great
> >care.
> >
> > How does an FC handle in the snow? Anyone have experience?
> >
> >Gardner
> >78FC33
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
>

[Gardner Yeaw]

Jeff, Tom,
Thanks for the input. I hoped it would handle reasonably. I don't
expect serious snow or I wouldn't go. But flurries and maybe slightly
more are in the forcast for the Lake George area. I will leave on
Friday and stay near the Gore Mountain Ski Area (power but no water
or septic)and return on Sunday. Sunday is supposed to be sunny and in
the 40's. Salt and some pink stuff in the holding tanks should keep
them from freezing, I hope. From Ernies experience I plan to put pink
stuff in the shower drain after every use. I also plan to bring a
heat gun to thaw the tank drains if needed.

Gardner
78FC33

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jeff Miller"
wrote:
>
> Agreed.
>
> I've driven them in snowstorms, driven through un-plowed field from
> storage barn, driven in a bad ice storm, very predictable just use
> the same caution that you'd use with any other vehicle in slippery
> conditions.
>
> - Jeff Miller
> in Holland, MI
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Tom Warner
> wrote:
> >
> > Have read the other comments gardner and the FC models do NOT
> drive
> > like a school bus. Big difference in the suspension and the
weight
> > distribution. My 1982 FC 35 for instance had 265 gallons of fuel
> over
> > the rear wheels in addition to a lot of other stuff distributed
> > throughout the coach. I travelled in some really nasty weather
one
> > winter thru Pennsylvannia, trucks in the ditch, really really
bad.
> I
> > was amazed at how well it not only drove but never slipped a
> wheel.
> > Finally stopped at a Walmart, closed up and slept as snug as bugs
> in
> > a rug all night. Next day just kept on going.
> >
> > Amazing machines and nothing in my opinion to worry about.
> >
> > tom warner
> > vernon center,
> > 1985 PT 40
> >
> > At 08:51 PM 12/6/2006, you wrote:
> > > I plan trip this weekend and may run into a little light
snow.
> I
> > >have lots of time so I am in NO hurry. Aside from the obvious,
> slow
> > >and steady, are there any tips for handling air brakes in
slippery
> > >conditions. I know excessive pumping will kill the preasure and
> may
> > >result in the spring brakes commng on, so that must be done with
> great
> > >care.
> > >
> > > How does an FC handle in the snow? Anyone have experience?
> > >
> > >Gardner
> > >78FC33
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >Yahoo! Groups Links
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>

[Gardner Yeaw]

I want to again thank everyone for their responses. I feel much better
about the bird will handle a 'little' snow if it happens to get in our
way. Very slow on the exit ramps and stay on the pavement seem to be
the main issues. I have a 200 mile trip, mostly on interstates and
have a good 6 hours of daylight to do it in. I should be parked and
electrified before it gets dark. If not, I am very familiar with the
roads as I have been going up there since I was born, and that was 61
years ago.

Gardner
78FC33 (looking forward to another trip before hanging it up for the
winter)


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gardner Yeaw"
wrote:
>
> I plan trip this weekend and may run into a little light snow. I
> have lots of time so I am in NO hurry. Aside from the obvious, slow
> and steady, are there any tips for handling air brakes in slippery
> conditions. I know excessive pumping will kill the preasure and may
> result in the spring brakes commng on, so that must be done with
great
> care.
>
> How does an FC handle in the snow? Anyone have experience?
>
> Gardner
> 78FC33
>