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11-13-2012, 10:31 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 601
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cold weather camping
It appears that we are going to have to do some cold weather camping. Cold as in near Chicago soon as we can get there for an unknown period of time. It may be for 2 or 3 months. I know I will have electricity, but no no sewer. water is a possibility. I know I will have to wrap and use heat tapes on all the outside lines. I am in a Montana Moutaineer 5th wheel. Will the solar panels (4 panels times 140 watts each) keep the batteries from freezing or do I need to use a light bulb or heat lamp? I assume the tanks will get enough heat from the interior to keep from freezing. Is that right? What can I do to protect the interior pipes? Or will they be ok? If anyone has some tips or pointers for cold weather camping, I would really like to have them.
My mother-in-law is going into hospice care and my wife naturally wnats to be there. We are looking at setting up in my sister-in-laws driveway.
__________________
Jim and Darlene Wright
plus Ryder,Poodle and
garbage disposal cross
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11-14-2012, 05:46 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Almond, Wisconsin
Posts: 1,512
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Don't want to sound to negative but you are a lot braver than I am. It can get real cold at times there. You might be better to winterize and rent a apartment. I do wish you the best of luck though, maybe the winter will be like last year. Jim
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2006 Monaco Camelot 40 PAQ 400ISL - Toad Jeep Grand Cherokee - DW is the Nagivator. Retired to travel and everything revolves around the price of diesel.
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11-14-2012, 05:59 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 601
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It is not a matter of brave. It is closer to foolishness. But, we are faced with a lack of options due to not being rich, just extremely good-looking.
__________________
Jim and Darlene Wright
plus Ryder,Poodle and
garbage disposal cross
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11-14-2012, 06:01 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: The Bluegrass State
Posts: 8,882
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Quote:
I know I will have electricity, .... Will the solar panels (4 panels times 140 watts each) keep the batteries from freezing or do I need to use a light bulb or heat lamp?
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According to the Trojan website Trojan Battery Company
Quote:
Can a battery freeze?
The only way that a battery can freeze is if it is left in a state of partial or complete discharged. As the state of charge in a battery decreases, the electrolyte becomes more like water and the freezing temperature increases. The freezing temperature of the electrolyte in a fully charged battery is -92.0oF. At a 40% state of charge, electrolyte will freeze if the temperature reaches approximately 16.0oF.
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If your unit has battery charging capabilities and you are plugged in you won't have a problem. I don't think even Chicago gets down to -92 degrees!
But no sewer???? How do you plan to handle that stuff in the freezing weather?
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Good Luck, Be Safe and Above All, Don't Forget To Have Fun
Pete
Central Kentucky
2006 Fleetwood Discovery 35H, 2014 Honda CR-V, M&G Engineering Braking System
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11-14-2012, 06:08 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 601
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I was hoping to handle it the same way as warm weather---leave it in the tank until it was time to dump. Will that work or will there be a freezing problem with it in the tank? I have always tried to stay away from cold weather when camping, but have no choise this time.
__________________
Jim and Darlene Wright
plus Ryder,Poodle and
garbage disposal cross
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11-14-2012, 06:31 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: The Bluegrass State
Posts: 8,882
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You can do that, but is really cold high wind conditions dumping gray/black tanks can freeze your ...... well lets just say you get really really cold. What about snow and trying to get your rig to a dump station?
Now all of these considerations can be overcome and you can have a very memorable experience, but just be aware and plan plan plan.
Parking the rig with thoughts about prevailing wind directions is also something to consider. Even have a door ripped right out of your hand when a strong gust of wind hits?
Its critical you keep the batteries fully charged, and get a large propane tank delivered. If a storm hits and electricity goes out you will need those batteries to run the furnace and stay warm.
Quote:
I assume the tanks will get enough heat from the interior to keep from freezing. Is that right?
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Don't assume this. Get a couple of trouble lights and a 60 watt bulbs in the compartments where the tanks are. Also get one of those remote thermometers where you can put a sensor in that compartment and monitor the temperatures.
How secure is the campground?
You can do this if you want, just think of all the angles.
__________________
Good Luck, Be Safe and Above All, Don't Forget To Have Fun
Pete
Central Kentucky
2006 Fleetwood Discovery 35H, 2014 Honda CR-V, M&G Engineering Braking System
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11-14-2012, 06:41 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Pond Piggies Club Appalachian Campers Forest River Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 547
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Sending good thoughts your way and hope you and your wife are successful in being there for your MIL.
Since you are in the driveway, could you just use a porta-potti for during the night and SIL's bathroom during the day? Even a 13 gallon trash bag and kitty litter in a bucket would be preferable to black tank issues from freezing weather.
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-Laura
2016 Shasta Oasis 18BH and 2004 Aliner Expedition towed with a 2015 Ram1/2 ton Hemi
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11-14-2012, 06:44 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
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We've winter camped, but here in the Pacific Northwet we really don't get cold temps. My wife is from MN so it's nothing to her. Once in a while the temps dip below freezing for a week or so. But you could be talking about really cold temps there.
If you have elec. enough to run some heaters and bulb or two in the wet bay then you'll probably be OK. It depends on how well your rig is constructed and set up for cold weather.
Wind chill ONLY affects warm blooded creatures and not inanimate items like pipes. The only effect wind has on chilling is that it occurs faster due to the heat transfer. Inanimate objects and cold blooded animals never get lower than the actual air temp.
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2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
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11-14-2012, 06:45 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 366
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I have done a few freezing temp winters in a RV. I am in a Mh though. but i have been in a TT. what i did with my tanks is poor RV anti freeze in them. I dont do that in my MH though as i have a heated basement now.
you need to wrap your water hose with heated tape or buy a heated hose. I have been through some hard times in the winter. frozen black tank, frozen pipes, frozen hose. These are not good times.
I do not know really nothing about FW's? is your underbelly expossed?
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Fulltiming since May 2012
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11-14-2012, 06:50 PM
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Greer, SC
Posts: 670
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Some folks put the RV antifreeze into their tanks. Not sure how much it takes to keep the rest from freezing. Is the underbelly of your RV enclosed? Is it ducted heat? If so, you'll just need to get an external propane tank and keep the furnace on. Last winter, I used a 100# tank and refilled it every 6 weeks or so. There are lots of other tips on here - putting plastic on the windows, using those insulated covers on your vents, etc.
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11-14-2012, 06:53 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 366
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wincrasher
Some folks put the RV antifreeze into their tanks. Not sure how much it takes to keep the rest from freezing. Is the underbelly of your RV enclosed? Is it ducted heat? If so, you'll just need to get an external propane tank and keep the furnace on. Last winter, I used a 100# tank and refilled it every 6 weeks or so. There are lots of other tips on here - putting plastic on the windows, using those insulated covers on your vents, etc.
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I would put 5 gallons in. I believe my tank was a 40 gallon. Rv anti freeze is about 4 bucks a gallon, 20 bucks per tank. It was alot better than the tank freezing.
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Fulltiming since May 2012
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11-14-2012, 06:56 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Surprise Arizona
Posts: 1,994
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If the furnace heats the tank area through ductwork it should not be a problem just be ready to burn some LP.
__________________
Harold & Linda
2009 CT coachworks siena 35V
W22 Workhorse 8.1L. Explorer Sport toad,
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11-15-2012, 11:55 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: South West Michigan
Posts: 466
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Fulltimer here in Michigan so I'm a bit farther north but i have sewer and water.
Were do you want to start.
Are you going to be someplace that you will have a full 50 amps.
I can make your life liveable
In a driveway how close to the house.
can you get a garden hose to drain your tanks via pump to a toilet or sewer line
Heated water line no problem
You can PM or just keep this thread going and you'll be cozy all winter
Just give me an idea of what you have to work with. if your east of the city i could give a hand . West not so much
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11-16-2012, 08:20 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,204
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You also might want to check out the class A forum on space heaters
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