Hi; So as the title says I have to go to Calif in January 2020. Now I have a lot of miles pulling a big trailer everywhere as 10 years I drove back and forth East to West every week with a big rig.
I then took off 20+ years to work for the state.My trailer is just as long but the weight is less,with the truck and trailer total weight is 28,000 lbs. The truck is a 19 Ford DRW trailer is
Three(3) axle 44ft car trailer with living quarters in front. So my trailer is winterised now .. The big question is SNOW & ICE. I have not pulled this trailer in much
snow what can I expect?? Planded RT is 81s to 40w then at Little Rock stay on 40 or go farther south to ad void weather? I will give my self plenty of time to make the trip.
I know some one will ask why? I have a hot rod that is going to the Grand National Roadster Show. I know the weather can be bad this time of year if I stay on 40 but the miles will be less.

 

All any of us can say is to stay as far SOUTH going west as you can....keep an eye on forecasts....weather.com has outlook as far ahead as 10 days..... a canister of salt required in believing anything over 3 days ahead.

 

Good advise given above, travel as far south as possible.

 

I would tend to go 81 farther down then turn west. Having said that I have towed many times in snow, unless it is going to be a massive snow then you will be fine. Remember what a trailer brake is for and you will be ok.

 

I've traveled from Phoenix to Tulsa mid January in the past using I-40. The interstate should be fine unless there is a current snow event. New Mexico was an area I was worried about. When traveling through New Mexico there was snow on the ground but I-40 was clear. Stopped at a rest stop and found there was over 2 feet of snow on the ground and it was an interesting walk to the restrooms. You can probably plan to avoid a nights stay in the areas that get frequent snow. I prefer to drive during daylight hours unless I am trying to outrun a storm, which I make the decision at the time if it's worth driving into the night to get past the path of possible snow and ice.

 

Your chances of snow and/or ice events are less if you go straight south to I-20 and take I-20/I-10 all the way across. We are full-timers, have grandkids in Baltimore, and sometimes winter in SoCal and never travel north of 20 in the winter. We are currently in southern New Mexico and will be leaving for the east coast then first week of February - we'll use I-10/I-20 all the way.

Rob

 

the two ****tiest states in the country.