Living in 30-19 degrees in a 5th wheel question

[RayJr]

Unless you like the cold Your going to freeze!

[Jeff6146]

i have a 2014 Forest river sierra 370RDOK 43 foot and love it.

[Kurtsara]

Originally Posted by Jeff6146

i have a 2014 Forest river sierra 370RDOK 43 foot and love it.

So it is comfortable at 19°?

[Searching_Ut]

I’ve helped the kid set up his fifth wheel in both North Dakota and Wyoming while he was working the oil fields. It a well insulated 4 season rig, but still has issues staying comfortable on cold windy days. He has an external 500 gallon tank, which in North Dakota needs refilled at least once to get through the winter.

My 35 foot fifth wheel gets used in the shoulder seasons but so far no brutal cold. With nighttime temps dropping to the teens, and daytime temps in the 40’s I tend to burn through 30 gallons of propane in 3to 5 days. We turn the heat down a fair bit at night and use heavy blankets on the bed. You can’t turn it clear off though as you need enough heat going to the belly to keep the tanks and plumbing from freezing.

[rampowerwago]

Originally Posted by RayJr

Unless you like the cold Your going to freeze!

This does not have to be true. We have a new RiverStone that is not skirted. We use supplemental electric heaters along with the propane furnace. We have been very comfortable at temperatures down to -10 degrees F. No freezing issues in the trailer and no more than $3.50/day for propane. They refill our 100 gal bottle every 20 days and so far no bills higher than $68.

It really is important to pay attention to how your unit is constructed!

[tuffr2]

I would at least consider a tiny house built on a trailer so it could be moved. There really are no great insulated 5th wheels. With the thin 2" maybe 2.5" walls it just does not keep the cold out.

Like others have said, use electric heaters and electric fireplace if equipped.

To use the propane furnace it will use a lot. By a lot a 30 lb propane might last 2 days. One thing that really surprised me is you have to always have a heat source running full time. Day and night 24 hours. As soon as you turn off the heat it gets cold in 10 minutes.

Again, for your use, at least think about a tiny house on a trailer. They will be insulated and built better for cold weather.

[Gray01]

You might investigate a “Cheap Heat” system.
CheapHeat


You will also want holding tank heat pads.

[Jeff6146]

Originally Posted by ralphie

As others have stated, it depends on the RV. Generally, two 30lb tanks will probably get used up in 2-3 days in avg. 30 degree temps which is what we experienced in a 38' FR Wildcat FW, a typical mid-level priced FW. It did have a heated basement but not a lot of basement under the rear so the floors would get cool. We've never used the Montana, a "4 season" FW, in any cold weather so I can't state that it would be better than the Wildcat. If you're going to winter over, it would be advisable to look into skirting and hay bales, and lease a large propane tank so that you won't have to lug 30lb bottles around.

i have 2 30lb tanks and got one out of a field, cleaned it up and put new nozzle on it. it’s a 100lb. i think i’ll be good on my propane for an extended time and i have a fireplace that’s electric and one of the electric heaters from Lowe’s. i really think i can find a solar system that will accommodate me. i just need to make sure i get enough. i’m pulling a 16 foot enclosed trailer also behind the 42-43 foot camper. i’m pulling that with a 16 F350 dually lariat. i really appreciate all you helping with calculating my KW’s

[Gordon Dewald]

It has been noted but keeping the wind from blowing under the unit goes a long way to staying warm at a reasonable price. Plywood around the exterior will pay for itself really quickly.

[U-me]

Originally Posted by stevebxl

I'm getting back into a RV and it's going to be a big 40' 5th wheel. I want to live in the Cleveland/Helen GA area where it can get down below freezing, (even 19 degrees or less sometimes) at night in the winter months. So here's my questions:
1. With only 2, 30 gallon LP tanks for heat about how long will they last?
2. Do the floors get cold? I know in my 40' motor home, they got cold! Do ANY 5'vrs have heated floors? I can't find one.

I won't have a truck so I'd have to pay about $1,300 ( $2.50/mile) to have someone haul it south for me to get out of the cold so I thought I'd just stay there in the winter.

Thanks in advance

I have a 415 amp Xlr Thunderbolt toy hauler that we live in year round. U don’t need a heated water hose just fill the on board water tank. All the tanks are heated if need be. Everything is insulated ( some what ) you could add bubble rapp to windows if need be.
I have been using 2 ceramic heaters with the furnace as a backup.
The 12’ garage is our main lounging tv room. Stays pretty toasty with one of the small ceramic heaters,,, also has a 1/4 bath back there.
The main thing is—— the wifey is very happy.

[Hit_the_Rhod]

Originally Posted by U-me

I have a 415 amp Xlr Thunderbolt toy hauler that we live in year round. U don’t need a heated water hose just fill the on board water tank. All the tanks are heated if need be. Everything is insulated ( some what ) you could add bubble rapp to windows if need be.
I have been using 2 ceramic heaters with the furnace as a backup.
The 12’ garage is our main lounging tv room. Stays pretty toasty with one of the small ceramic heaters,,, also has a 1/4 bath back there.
The main thing is—— the wifey is very happy.

Happy wife, Happy LIFE!