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Lotek · 12-23-2004, 09:42 AM

So, I leave yesterday from Long Island for Detroit.

This is my very first trip towing my 1963 Globetrotter.

Everything was just fine until I ran into a blizzard in Ohio. Then things got ugly fast. The snow got so bad it took about two hours to make the 20 miles to a service area off the turnpike.

When I pulled in, I was pleased to find an RV area. I pulled up, plugged in, and spent the night very comfortably.

When I woke up this morning I couldn't open the trailer door. The entire curbside was facing the storm and covered in a sheet of ice. I finally emerged and stepped into two feet of snow.

I went into the truckers lounge, took a shower, had some coffee- now I'm trying to decide whether to press on or stay put.

I'm towing with an F350 4x4.

Any advice?

Thanks,

Courtney

bredlo · 12-23-2004, 09:58 AM

WOW! That actually sounds very cozy from here. If you have internet, t.v., or some company to play a board game with, you may as well turn up the heat and sit until the conditions improve. Towing our '63 GT through Bozeman in a blizzard was daunting too, but we didn't have the luxury of a trailer with an interior!

Whatever you decide, take it slow and good luck!

overlander64 · 12-23-2004, 10:11 AM

Greetings Courtney!

My suggestion would be to stay where you are for another 24 to 48 hours. I believe that this is probably the same storm from which we are recovering. There will be at least one more round of heavy snow followed by wind - - the wind behnid the storm is helping to produce driving conditions as bad or worse than what was present during the brunt of the actual snow event.

You are in the middle of one of my nightmares. I have only towed my coach a few times post-October, and each time my biggest worry has been running into a snow storm. It only happened once, and I was able to find safe parking much as you have and waited out the storm for about 48 hours.

Take care and have a safe journey!

Kevin

Tin Hut · 12-23-2004, 10:16 AM

Stay put, drink Guinness, watch Robert Conrad reruns.

john hd · 12-23-2004, 10:17 AM

you are in a safe place.

stay put! much better than being wheels up in the ditch!

john

RoadKingMoe · 12-23-2004, 10:46 AM

Stay put! I-70 and I-75 are at a standstill here in Dayton. There are accidents everywhere, and emergency vehicles can't get through in places.

--
Moe (diggin' out all day today and the F250 4WD is stayin' in the driveway)

bredlo · 12-23-2004, 10:57 AM

There ya have it. Good advice from two of the most tough, experienced-looking road warriors on the forum... based on their pictures, anyhow.

The only unfortunate thing is you keep referring to "I", leaving me to think that if you stay there much longer, you'll have a blue Christmas without family. Plenty of truckers, min you, but no family.

**Stefrobrts** · 12-23-2004, 11:03 AM

Better safe at a truckstop than losing the whole rig trying to get to family! They'll understand. I say sit it out and stay safe, but then I've already rolled a vehicle in the snow, and always sit tight when there's bad weather. Either way, we'll be thinking of you and your little globetrotter - what a first adventure out!

RoadKingMoe · 12-23-2004, 01:10 PM

Might wanna be thinkin' about a motel room too... low around zero tonight, high of 10 Friday, and -10 to -15 Friday night. Hopefully, they'll have all the jacknifed trucks and pile-ups cleared and you can make it to Detroit by tomorrow night.

Lotek · 12-23-2004, 07:00 PM

Well I made it to Detroit.

I waited till Noon, threw it in four wheel drive and set out. I just couldn't stand being cooped up anymore. It took me about three hours to do the last 150 miles, but I'm happy to be safely tucked away in a friends driveway for a few days.

I took a few photos of the ordeal. I'll try to post them in a day or so.

Monday I'm off to New Orleans. I'll try to avoid blizzards this time!

Thank you all for the kind words of encouragement.

Silvertwinkie · 12-23-2004, 07:55 PM

Nice lookin' coach!

RoadKingMoe · 12-23-2004, 08:27 PM

Glad you made it okay! Stay warm.

71_safari · 12-23-2004, 09:27 PM

Yes, that is a beauty! Glad you made it Ok. Be careful pulling that little rig with the F350 so it doesn't beat it up too bad from the stiff suspension.

**Stefrobrts** · 12-23-2004, 10:21 PM

Good job. That GT looks like a nice place to be stranded in the snow! Great looking trailer! Stay safe on the roads, and have a great trip!

Pick · 12-24-2004, 07:12 AM

You certainly have the right tow vehicle for the job! I went through a bad storm like you did last January, on my way to Florida. My advice? Head South!!!

Ken J · 12-24-2004, 07:30 AM

Tell us the story on your trailer - VERY nice restoration - did you buy it that way or did you fix it up yourself - the title mentions your first trip, so I assume you bought it that way.

Ken

overlander63 · 12-24-2004, 04:56 PM

I am sure you know, but now that you are safe, you will need to go and wash the road salt off the trailer as soon as possible, as salt eats the crap out of aluminum.
Terry

Lotek · 12-25-2004, 07:37 AM

Merry Christmas everyone!

Thanks for the heads up on that road salt. I plan on running a hose from the laundry room this morning and give everything a good scrubbing. I'm so glad I didn't have it polished before this debacle.

Thanks for the compliments on my little Globetrotter. I got it about three years ago, replaced the rear portion of the floor, then got busy with other things.

Recently I reupholstered, had new curtains made, carpeted, rebuilt the furnace, water heater, all the plumbing and old bronze dump valve.

After my trip to New Orleans I may stop by Jim Weston's in Tulsa for a polishing job.

I added some photos of the storm to the web link below...

Have a great holiday!