Just because winter is here doesn’t mean you have to stop traveling with your beloved Airstream! While driving in snow, ice, slush and cold temperatures is more challenging, you can stay safe on the road with some preparation and caution. You certainly don’t want to end up having an accident because of negligence or inattention.
Airstream of Montana in Missoula, Montana, is your local Airstream dealer. We want you to be safe during all of your winter RVing adventures, so here are some tips for driving with your Airstream in tow in winter weather.
Monitor Tire Pressure
Your Airstream’s tires hold up its weight and maintain contact with the road, so it’s important that they’re in peak condition all year round. You never want to drive on bad tires! Check the tire pressure before you depart and air up tires accordingly; cold temperatures can lower pressure, so this is something you’ll have to keep an eye on. You can even install a tire pressure monitoring system if you don’t want to worry about it. Also check your tires for signs of uneven wear, bald patches, embedded objects and cracks in the sidewalls that may necessitate repair or replacement.
Slow Down
It’s advisable to never go faster than 55 or 60 miles per hour when driving or towing an Airstream. However, you may need to go much slower than this when the roads become wet or icy. Don’t be afraid to slow things down significantly, even if other cars and trucks are going much faster. Stay in the right-most lane to avoid holding up traffic and go at a pace that feels comfortable to you.
Turn On Your Lights
Reduced visibility is a hallmark of winter weather, so turn on your low-beams to help you see and be seen on the highway. Your brights are likely to blind oncoming traffic, so don’t use them if it isn’t strictly necessary. Keep your lights on during the day if snow or fog are clouding your view.
Increase Following Distance
When driving or towing an Airstream, it’s good to increase your following distance by a few seconds to allow yourself additional room to bring the vehicle or towing set-up to a complete stop. This becomes even more necessary in the winter, when slick roads and reduced visibility can slow down traffic and make it harder to brake. Add several seconds of following distance and be vigilant about cars that might take advantage of the cushion you’re trying to create.
Carry Emergency Supplies
You should always stock your Airstream with necessary supplies, but this becomes even more important during the winter, when you could be waylaid at any time by poor weather. Make sure that you have a tire repair kit, a spare tire, a first-aid kit, an emergency radio that’s powered by hand or battery, extra warm blankets and clothing, additional stores of food and water, a hatchet, a means of starting a fire and extra propane on hand. Winter driving supplies like rock salt, a snow shovel and an ice scraper for your windshield will all be very useful to you as well.
Pull Over When Necessary
Finally, if push comes to shove, don’t be afraid to pull over to the side of the road or park your Airstream at a truck stop, gas station or roadside attraction to wait out the storm. If you feel that conditions have become too difficult to drive through, then don’t attempt it! It’s better to be safe than sorry, and chances are good that you’ll be able to continue driving once the weather clears up a bit.
Come see us at our dealership in Missoula to check out our full stock of new and used Airstream RVs and trailers for sale. You can also talk to our staff about our financing options if you need them. Airstream of Montana proudly serves the cities of Bozeman and Kalispell, Montana.
