RV & Trailer Guide for the Trans-Canada

The RV Reality Check

Driving the Trans-Canada in an RV or with a trailer is a fundamentally different experience from doing it in a car. Everything takes longer, costs more, and requires more planning. Mountain grades that a car barely notices will have your engine screaming. Fuel stops that are "fine" for a car become critical planning points when you are burning 25 litres per 100 kilometres. And the campground you planned to reach by 5 PM is going to take an extra hour because you are moving slower than you estimated.

None of this should discourage you. The Trans-Canada is an excellent RV trip, and thousands of rigs make the crossing every summer. But you need to plan differently than car travellers.

Fuel Consumption and Planning

Realistic fuel consumption for RVs on the Trans-Canada:

• Class C motorhome (gas): 20-25 L/100km on flat ground, 28-35 L/100km in mountains
• Class A motorhome (diesel): 18-22 L/100km flat, 25-30 L/100km in mountains
• Truck towing 5th wheel/travel trailer: 18-25 L/100km depending on weight and terrain
• Van conversion: 14-18 L/100km, closer to car consumption

Manufacturer fuel estimates are optimistic. Add 3-5 litres per 100 km to whatever they claim. Headwinds on the prairies, mountain grades in BC, and the constant acceleration/deceleration through northern Ontario's curves all increase consumption beyond ideal conditions.

Mountain Grades: BC and Alberta

The mountain sections of the Trans-Canada are the most challenging terrain for RVs. Key sections:

Rogers Pass

Grades up to 8 percent with sustained climbs. The approach from both sides involves significant elevation gain. In an underpowered rig, you will be in the right lane moving slowly. This is normal and expected. Use a manually selected lower gear to allow higher RPM climbing without the transmission hunting between gears. This keeps the engine cooler and the cooling system more efficient.

Kicking Horse Pass

The descent from Kicking Horse Pass toward Golden has steep grades that require active brake management. Use engine braking (lower gear) on descents. Do not ride the brakes; they will overheat and fade. If your brakes smell hot, pull over immediately and let them cool.

Coquihalla Highway

If taking the Coquihalla from Kamloops to Hope, Snowshed Hill has a notorious steep grade. Some RV drivers avoid the Coquihalla entirely and take the Fraser Canyon route (Highway 1) instead. It is slower but the grades are more manageable.

Campground Spacing

Campground spacing along the Trans-Canada varies significantly by province:

Ontario

More than two dozen Ontario Parks are situated on or near Highway 17. Spacing between parks is typically 1-2 hours of driving. Neys Provincial Park and White Lake are about an hour apart. Agawa Bay and Pancake Bay are 40 minutes apart. Private campgrounds fill the gaps. Reservation through Ontario Parks is recommended for July and August.

Prairies (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta)

Provincial campgrounds are well-distributed but may be further from the highway than in Ontario. Private RV parks, often with full hookups, are more common in the prairies. Towns like Brandon, Regina, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, and Medicine Hat all have RV-friendly campgrounds within easy reach of the Trans-Canada.

British Columbia

BC Parks campgrounds in Glacier National Park and Mount Revelstoke National Park are scenic but often have size restrictions for larger rigs. Check maximum unit length before booking. Private campgrounds near Golden, Revelstoke, and Kamloops tend to be more RV-friendly with full hookups and pull-through sites.

Propane Refills

Propane for RV use is widely available along the Trans-Canada, but availability decreases in remote areas. Plan refills in major centres:

• Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, and Kenora in Ontario
• Winnipeg, Brandon, Regina, Swift Current, Medicine Hat, and Calgary on the prairies
• Kamloops, Revelstoke, and Golden in BC

In northern Ontario between the Soo and Thunder Bay, propane can be harder to find. Top off before entering this stretch.

Daily Distance Planning

Realistic daily distances for RVs on the Trans-Canada:

• Prairies (flat, straight): 450-550 km/day
• Ontario Highway 17 (winding): 350-450 km/day
• BC mountains: 250-350 km/day

A coast-to-coast trip in an RV should be planned for a minimum of 18-25 days one way, with rest days built in for laundry, maintenance checks, and actually enjoying where you are parked.

Weight and Wind

Two factors that car drivers do not think about will dominate your RV experience on the prairies: weight distribution and crosswinds. The Trans-Canada through Saskatchewan and Manitoba is flat and exposed. Strong crosswinds can push a high-profile RV or trailer sideways, making driving exhausting and dangerous. If wind warnings are in effect, consider stopping early. It is not worth fighting 80 km/h gusts.

Ensure your trailer is properly loaded with weight forward of the axle. Check tire pressure daily, as temperature fluctuations across the country can cause significant pressure changes.