Craig95005
California
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We plan to take our motorhome into the Aspen area February or March. We intend to avoid snowfall while traveling but if there's no avoiding it, do motorhomes do better or worse than automobiles on snowy roads? If we screw up and find ourselves on a road where the signs tell us that chains are required, are the guys who install chains for a fee on the side of the road able to do that for RV's?
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dupreet
High Point, NC
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My 2-cents...if the roads are only passable with chains, stay put!! In fact, I'd tend to stay put if there is snow on the interstate!! 
Todd
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Jagtech
Sunny Southern Alberta, Canada
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A motorhome can be difficult in snow, but chains will help getting you going. Stopping is another issue. And if you're pulling a toad with brakes, you might want chains on it, too. Best advice is, as dupreet suggested, stay put if possible til the roads are clear.
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Goldencrazy
madison wi
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The worst part of snow is the ice when it packs. You can move through snow easily as you are heavy. That said it is not long until the heat of the tires and packing of the snow creates slippery conditions and you will be in as much trouble as anyone else. You will need chains if you are going on those conditions. You may not have ice immediately with snow but it will come and you will stop because of spinning tires. If you are heading down hill you may be in worse condition as you will not stop and your tires will not be spinning. So the advice that says stay put is best but when you can't you need chains and will also need them on your toad if you have one. I don't know about for hire chain installers. I would purchase chains and practice installing them if no other reason than being able to make sure they are installed properly if you hire it done.
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tsetsaf
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Interesting question... I guess the tire chain installers would be willing to do that for a hefty fee. As the others have stated already you would be asking for trouble if you were on chain controlled roads. I know ski resorts use shuttle buses and when they chain up they use real chains that get wrapped really good around the tires. From there it is just a matter of slow and steady.
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Son of Norway
Denver, Colorado
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March used to be the month when we had some of our biggest snows, but the past few years it was basically the start of summer. If it does snow, I agree that the best advice is to stay put. You might have no problems, but you still might wind up camping on the interstate for 10 hours because of other people that did have problems. The roads will usually be cleared within a half day or a day. Just stop in one of the towns and enjoy the attractions while you wait.
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byronlj
Arizona
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You are going to a ski town in the month with the greatest snowfall and you intend to avoid snowfall! You expect to find someone on the side of the road to install your chains!
Sounds like someone needs a reality check.
Dave
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cm
Dillon, CO USA
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I think that the someone on the side of the road who will install chains is a California or west coast thing.
In the 40 plus years I have been driving on I-70 between the Denver area and Vail and especially Denver to Summit County I don't ever recall seeing a service installing chains on the highway. Perhaps a tire shop in one of the towns might do it. But the problem is there could be 10 to 20 miles of dry road before you get to the area where you need the chains.
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Craig95005
California
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Geez, people, I already said I'd avoid snowy roads if at all possible. What happened to the attitude around here?
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rgatijnet1
Florida
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I have used chains on our coach several times. The roads are usually not that big of a problem but if you want to get in to, or out of, some RV parks, during the Winter, chains are a must. Not all parks do a very good job of snow removal so unless you want to be stranded, or unless you want to shovel your own path out of a park, take your chains.
As far as installing the chains, I used my leveling jacks to raise the rear to make installation easier than on most cars or trucks. Naturally you need to do that on a firm surface, with minimal incline.
Calling ahead, and checking road conditions with any of the numerous sources, should minimize when you need your chains. If you follow the directions that come with the chains, regarding speed and installation, they should not damage your tires. Remove ASAP when no longer needed.
* This post was
edited 08/06/12 07:50am by rgatijnet1 *
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