Community Forums

Stevetoo · 10-12-2013, 02:37 PM

Hi all, recently early retired, my wife and I and pet would like to spend most of our winter on the island. We have a 40' motorhome that we bought used last year. We have aging parents on the island and would like to spend extended time there before relocating. (permanent residence for sale). Also want to get away from harsh Alberta weather and snow shovelling. We are thinking in the Parksville - Qualicum area. Anyone have any experience/offer advice, or comments. We have so far managed about 6 weeks in our RV and it seems more than suitable for long term use. We would tow a vehicle and use it to travel between island and mainland but would actually be spending most of the winter on the island. Like the idea of a round of golf or maybe a little fishing so much more than shovelling and de-icing, lol

Dogpatch · 10-12-2013, 02:49 PM

Buy a big umbrella! You sacrifice snow for rain from what I've heard. Also take lots of pictures of the sun before you leave Alberta and put them up all over your coach so you can remember what it is. LOL.

logansrun · 10-12-2013, 02:54 PM

Come to nanaimo....living forest rv park....or Parksville.....Riverbend rv park......Qualicum....Qualicum Bay RV park......Victoria.....West Bay Marine & RV.....there are lots of good ones....depends what you like or need!!!!
PM me if you need more info...I think the further south on the island the better but thats personal preference!!!!

Stevetoo · 10-12-2013, 08:08 PM

Rain, lack of sun? Not worried about those. Born and raised in good old soggy UK, so used to spend 1/2 my recreation time fishing under an umbrella or riding off-road motorcycles in north Wales, Lancashire and Cheshire lol. It's time for a break from -30c and -40c, its starting to get old after 30+ years of it. Will I still need to winterize the water and sewer? I was told not but would hate to have it freeze. Weather is still ok here and looks to be ok until after I plan on heading out. Is there anything other that rainproofing I need to consider? Just had the chassis and the genset serviced.

Dogpatch · 10-12-2013, 08:14 PM

If I were to pick anywhere to live, it would be the Parksville/Qualicum area. We have spent a few summer vacations on the island and like this area the most. It will be interesting to here others comments regarding winter. I have only spent time there in the summer and fell in love with the area.

logansrun · 10-12-2013, 08:14 PM

Once your are on the island should be able to use most of your system if you insulate a bit or run a few heaters....don't know if you are leaving Alta. before freeze or not...what is your time frame for travel????

tom 6118 · 10-12-2013, 08:19 PM

Hello from Nanaimo. If you plan on living in you MH you probably will not need to winterize it, just watch when the temperature gets to -5 or -6 centigrade for an extended time ie two or three days. We enjoy Living Forest just south of Nanaimo and would recommend it. Snows once in a while and when it does it comes in a "dump" but doesn't last long.

Dogpatch · 10-12-2013, 08:21 PM

Here's a link to what the Almanac says Stevetoo.
2014 Long-Range Weather Forecast for Parksville, British Columbia

Abclipper · 10-12-2013, 09:23 PM

This is our 4th winter on Vancouver Island. The best place to stay is at the Living Forest campground south of Nanaimo. We have a lot of really nice snowbirds here.... Yes we do have rain,but it's a lot better then our bitter cold snowy winters in Alberta...the campground here is very family orientated,dog friendly,and the owners are extremely nice and good people. Check it out...

Abclipper · 10-12-2013, 09:30 PM

Sorry just read your second post. You will need to winterize the fresh water supply lines Incase it goes below zero which can happen usually after Christmas and January time...In 4 years years we have never had a problem.

Scout1947 · 10-13-2013, 12:43 AM

Having lived on the Island for a good deal of my life, Nanaimo to Parkville gets my vote. BTW, I was also born in the UK at a very young age. Re weather and rain, at least you don't have to shovel it. I've worked in FT Mac, Slave Lake won't be a whole lot better. -45 when I was there.
Forget Victoria West, it is too noisy with float planes taking off all day. It is one of the busiest airspaces period. FT Victoria is a decent place, I stayed there when working at Dockyard for 3 weeks.

Stevetoo · 10-13-2013, 01:43 AM

The water pump and valves etc are in a cabinet on the side of the motorhome. I know how to winterize the system by pulling in the plumbing antifreeze but not sure what is meant by winterizing the freshwater supply lines. Can somebody please enlighten me, I'm pretty new to RVing and have no experience with winter use of the motorhome.

Dogpatch · 10-13-2013, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevetoo

The water pump and valves etc are in a cabinet on the side of the motorhome. I know how to winterize the system by pulling in the plumbing antifreeze but not sure what is meant by winterizing the freshwater supply lines. Can somebody please enlighten me, I'm pretty new to RVing and have no experience with winter use of the motorhome.

By that they would mean insulate and possibly run a heat tape(recommended) for your fresh water hose from the camp service to your RV.
That line could freeze if exposed.

Abclipper · 10-13-2013, 08:57 AM

Re- the winterizing the fresh water supply hose.. At most RV stores you can buy a heated water hose that goes from the spigot to the Motorhome that's what we do they are pricy around $100.00 for 25'. We also wrap the water spigot at the campsite with insulation (the pink insulation) and the put a garbage bag over that to keep it dry that's all we do and over the past 4 years we have never had a problem. The sewer hose is just fine left hooked up as normal.
If you plan on travelling with the Motorhome after the temperatures drop below zero significantly you will probably want to winterize the unit as coach water lines,hot water heater pump etc. can freeze while driving. What month do you think you will be travelling down.???