Driving down with a travel trailer in winter?

mombrontrent

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Mar 8, 2008
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We are new owners of a hybrid travel trailer so I am very new to this. I would like to be able to take it down to Fort Wilderness next November or December but am unsure of how easily this is done in the cold weather. Anyone done this before?
 
This is primarily a question of logistics. It is not much more difficult to tow a trailer in winter than in summer as long as the weather cooperates. I would not want to be towing in a snow or freezing rain event however. We haven't towed as far south as Disney, but have a lot of trailering experience (we are in an HTT too), including cold weather travel.

Some of the logistical questions:
  • Will you have access to your trailer to hitch it up? Where is it parked, and will it be snow bound? Ours is at a storage lot, and though the roads are plowed, the trailer is behind the accumulated snow bank from the plow.
  • You will not be able to de-winterize until you hit warmer climate zone. So no water for a good chunk of the trip. (Making an assumption here as I don't know of any hybrids with heated underbelly and tanks).
  • You will need to re-winterize before you hit colder weather. Are you prepared to do this on the road?
  • Standard issues with border crossing (regardless of time of year), careful what fresh food you are packing, no firewood allowed, etc.
I did actually consider this once when we had our old pup camper, but decided that with the hassle and extra gas for towing that it would be easier to rent a trailer there, and then DW got a killer deal on a timeshare stay, and the end result is we've been doing timeshares ever since; still haven't stayed at FW.

One bonus - just think of the size of souvenirs you can bring back with a trailer in tow! :)
 
This is primarily a question of logistics. It is not much more difficult to tow a trailer in winter than in summer as long as the weather cooperates. I would not want to be towing in a snow or freezing rain event however. We haven't towed as far south as Disney, but have a lot of trailering experience (we are in an HTT too), including cold weather travel.

Some of the logistical questions:
  • Will you have access to your trailer to hitch it up? Where is it parked, and will it be snow bound? Ours is at a storage lot, and though the roads are plowed, the trailer is behind the accumulated snow bank from the plow.
  • You will not be able to de-winterize until you hit warmer climate zone. So no water for a good chunk of the trip. (Making an assumption here as I don't know of any hybrids with heated underbelly and tanks).
  • You will need to re-winterize before you hit colder weather. Are you prepared to do this on the road?
  • Standard issues with border crossing (regardless of time of year), careful what fresh food you are packing, no firewood allowed, etc.
I did actually consider this once when we had our old pup camper, but decided that with the hassle and extra gas for towing that it would be easier to rent a trailer there, and then DW got a killer deal on a timeshare stay, and the end result is we've been doing timeshares ever since; still haven't stayed at FW.

One bonus - just think of the size of souvenirs you can bring back with a trailer in tow! :)
Thanks for your thoughtful reply. Up until now all we have done is timeshare rental besides our first trip at Pop. Absolutely love Bonnet Creek!
 














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