RV Autumn Travel Safety Alert

RV Autumn Travel

RV Autumn Travel Safety Alert

Before I share the drone video and pictures from our respite with Monte and the girls at his mountain retreat, I must issue this RV Autumn Travel Safety Alert.  If you are thinking that late October might be an excellent time to drive north, I have two words for you – DO NOT!  The weather is insane and services diminish as you near the polar icecap which at this time has apparently relocated southward to the Nebraska/South Dakota border.

Autumn RV traveling tips for those heading north for some inexplicable reason at this time of year

  1. Northern RV Parks often offer “off-season” rates during the month of October/November.  “Off Season Rate” is apparently a code word for “we will charge you marginally less for a site since we have turned off the park water, stored the picnic tables, removed the fire rings and dumpsters and closed the office.”   Most parks do provide a self service drop box so that you can leave them money which I assume they collect when the weather permits them to return.  Check before you pull in as you may find yourself paying a premium price for a parking place only. 
  2. Many northern RV parks, city sites and state park campsites close for the season in mid-October.  Be aware that camping with services becomes more and more limited the further north you travel.  With night temps falling to below 20 in South Dakota, 50 amp service becomes a requirement for us.  We prefer running our heaters with park power rather than running our generator all night to prevent frostbite.
  3. The weather can change drastically!  We went to sleep in Valentine, NE after enjoying a 90 degree afternoon washing the RV.  At 4:00am the next morning, 50 mph winds pummel the RV threatening to shred slideout toppers and my nerves.  Overnight the temps nosedive like a kamikaze over a PT Boat.  At 42 degrees, frosty fingers of air finagle through hidden exterior cracks to rudely force us out of bed and into action.  The winds and temps here make Cape Blanco seem like a tropical island and we still have 150 miles further north to ride.
  4. Try to find a park with some windbreak.  Being rocked to sleep by a gentle breeze is one thing, but having white caps in your dishwater while the RV is parked can be alarming!

Sunny’s Report from South Dakota

About Sunny Weathers

Pilot, motorcyclist and full time RVer. Follow me as I travel all over the US in my Country Coach RV volunteering, making new friends and pursuing a constant outdoor temperature between 70F and 80F. I'll share the fun and the tribulations and any great survival tricks I learn!

6 Replies to “RV Autumn Travel Safety Alert”

  1. Lol. You always make me laugh. Keep warm. Safe travels. Well see you later in warmer SUNNY weather.

    1. Sunny Weathers says: Reply

      I am hoping that laughter will keep me from freezing! Looking forward to seeing you in warmer weather too!!

  2. Dear Mr. Stormy Weathers,
    Our firm represents the American Pheasant Association, and in particular members thereof who reside in North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska. Please be advised that most of my clients have flown northwest into Montana. Those who remain are armed. Having been advised of your intentions, they whereof, herewith and hereby we give you notice that they intend to shoot back.

    Very truly yours,
    Pheasant Feathers Frozen & Foche
    Attorneys at Law
    North Pole, South Dakota

    1. Sunny Weathers says: Reply

      Hahaha! I warned Stormy this would happen!

  3. I feel your pain. It only got up to 92 today here in Havasu and the forecast for tonight is a low of 61. I filled-up the propane tanks and made sure the furnace is in good, working order. No one said life on the road was going to be easy.

    1. Sunny Weathers says: Reply

      LOL – glad at least one of us is prepared. Wintry weather coming back so we are getting ready to bug out. Wish we were headed your way!

Leave a Reply

I accept the Privacy Policy

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.