Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Power Equipment & RV => Topic started by: bornhunter on August 02, 2019, 09:23:13 PM

Title: Cold weather rv use?
Post by: bornhunter on August 02, 2019, 09:23:13 PM: When an RV is advertised as "all season" such as a lance trailer, can the rv really make it through a winter without freezing up? Some say as long as the temps dont go below low 20's. Wondering if anyone knows through experience?
Title: Re: Cold weather rv use?
Post by: 92xj on August 02, 2019, 09:35:56 PM: If it's got power and the heater is running through the below floor ducting and the tanks are wrapped with warming blankets that are powered up, it will do fine to low temps. The problems arise when there is liquid in the system and it's stored or not powered, battery or land power
Title: Re: Cold weather rv use?
Post by: bornhunter on August 02, 2019, 09:48:52 PM: Quote from: 92xj on August 02, 2019, 09:35:56 PM
If it's got power and the heater is running through the below floor ducting and the tanks are wrapped with warming blankets that are powered up, it will do fine to low temps. The problems arise when there is liquid in the system and it's stored or not powered, battery or land power

Makes a lot of sense. Thank you.
Title: Re: Cold weather rv use?
Post by: lee on August 03, 2019, 06:48:09 AM: Hi,

Also consider AC powered warming pads for the LP gas bottles. They will prevent the LP regulator from freezing up.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I8TQD6/?coliid=I16ISV8TG843R1&colid=3U3PVBFS5FJXG&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Last years elk camp,.. one Fella in our group said his furness stopped working over night and he was positive he had a near full LP bottle. The regulator was frozen.

Lee
Title: Re: Cold weather rv use?
Post by: bornhunter on August 03, 2019, 08:52:57 AM: Quote from: lee on August 03, 2019, 06:48:09 AM
Hi,

Also consider AC powered warming pads for the LP gas bottles. They will prevent the LP regulator from freezing up.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I8TQD6/?coliid=I16ISV8TG843R1&colid=3U3PVBFS5FJXG&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Last years elk camp,.. one Fella in our group said his furness stopped working over night and he was positive he had a near full LP bottle. The regulator was frozen.

Lee

Good to know. Thank you.
Title: Re: Cold weather rv use?
Post by: ALLTERRAIN on August 03, 2019, 09:50:18 AM: I have a 2012 adventurer camper all season. Late buck hunt outside of colville 3 or 4 years ago it was hitting 7 at night!!! Stayed nice n warm and nothing froze up except the regulator as said above. Key is to have heated tanks and valves that an all season unit should have.
Title: Re: Cold weather rv use?
Post by: bornhunter on August 03, 2019, 06:30:03 PM: Quote from: ALLTERRAIN on August 03, 2019, 09:50:18 AM
I have a 2012 adventurer camper all season. Late buck hunt outside of colville 3 or 4 years ago it was hitting 7 at night!!! Stayed nice n warm and nothing froze up except the regulator as said above. Key is to have heated tanks and valves that an all season unit should have.
Good info. Thank you all.
Title: Re: Cold weather rv use?
Post by: bornhunter on August 03, 2019, 06:32:25 PM: I may be spending the winter in an rv waiting to find a home to buy or while building. Trying to find out as much as I can now before I purchase an RV. Then I have to find a place to park it?
Title: Re: Cold weather rv use?
Post by: Mudman on August 03, 2019, 06:40:17 PM: Propane freezes up. Poop tank freezes. Water etc. Also you will go through propane quickly, get a bigger tank! Alt source of heat? Electric heater? Skirting? Pipe insulation/heat tape? In Wa its not that cold wetside but if it is its a PIA with temps below 30 for continued periods.
Title: Re: Cold weather rv use?
Post by: bornhunter on August 03, 2019, 09:24:02 PM: Quote from: Mudman on August 03, 2019, 06:40:17 PM
Propane freezes up. Poop tank freezes. Water etc. Also you will go through propane quickly, get a bigger tank! Alt source of heat? Electric heater? Skirting? Pipe insulation/heat tape? In Wa its not that cold wetside but if it is its a PIA with temps below 30 for continued periods.

:tup:
Title: Re: Cold weather rv use?
Post by: 92xj on August 03, 2019, 09:34:05 PM: What 12v heat blankets/pads are folks running inside the propane tank cover thing that will keep them above freezing and not kill the batteries throughout he night. Assuming no hookup and no generator running.
Title: Re: Cold weather rv use?
Post by: ALLTERRAIN on August 04, 2019, 01:29:25 PM: After I had my valve freeze I’ve started to just cover the tanks and valve with an old torn wool blanket to keep the temps up a little better. Never had an issue since even out snowmobiling for a weekends.
Title: Re: Cold weather rv use?
Post by: trophyelk6x6 on August 04, 2019, 05:39:22 PM: I have an Adventure truck camper and a newer 25 ft travel trailer and they both have a switch that heats your pipes for winter to prevent freezing. It,s low voltage. If you are staying in it, running the water and using the inside heat should keep it from breaking pipes. It's when they get stored people screw up.

You can drain all lines, remember you have to pull your hot water plug ZINK tube to fully drain your hot water tank. (usually outside access). Opening your drain lines doesnt get rid of all of the water. To properly drain all water you run air thru the system, just use your compressor and push it thru.
Title: Re: Cold weather rv use?
Post by: huntnfmly on August 04, 2019, 07:16:41 PM: Glad I seen this thread looking to get one that will make it thru the West side winters.
Title: Re: Cold weather rv use?
Post by: bornhunter on August 04, 2019, 09:53:22 PM: All this is very good info. Not so apprehensive now about getting an rv to live in through the winter. Was thinking about renting but geez louise rent is expensive now and when you move out you have nothing. By buying an rv you have something you can use or sell.
Title: Re: Cold weather rv use?
Post by: smittyJ on August 05, 2019, 08:45:25 AM: Quote from: bornhunter on August 04, 2019, 09:53:22 PM
All this is very good info. Not so apprehensive now about getting an rv to live in through the winter. Was thinking about renting but geez louise rent is expensive now and when you move out you have nothing. By buying an rv you have something you can use or sell.

Don't forget heat tape for sewer and city water lines!
Title: Re: Cold weather rv use?
Post by: returnofsid on August 05, 2019, 09:33:18 AM: Skirting, pipe tape and tank heaters will help. DON'T forget about your outdoor shower. Might be best to winterize that particular piece. I've had to replace an RV Water Heater, due to not winterizing soon enough. That's a $900 mistake I'll not make again.
Title: Re: Cold weather rv use?
Post by: birddogdad on August 05, 2019, 10:15:19 AM: also grey water is really no big deal to leave draining, make sure hose is graded down hill
Title: Re: Cold weather rv use?
Post by: trophyelk6x6 on August 05, 2019, 05:56:32 PM: no better way than talk with an RV dealer (service dept guys/gals)
Title: Re: Cold weather rv use?
Post by: bornhunter on August 05, 2019, 09:27:55 PM: Quote from: trophyelk6x6 on August 05, 2019, 05:56:32 PM
no better way than talk with an RV dealer (service dept guys/gals)
:tup: