Community Forums

TButterfield · 10-08-2014, 11:19 PM

This will be our first winter in our new to us 2009 DADP 4317. There is the possibility of some below freezing temperatures here in the PNW though not extreme. To help us have a successful and safe winter, I would like to learn how winter might affect us. Here are a few questions to get me started:

Are there any patterns of use that would make things easier, such as possibly putting a light bulb or small heater somewhere?
Are there any systems or areas I need to monitor more closely when temperatures drop?
Are there any systems I need to check on before winter arrives?

Thanks for any assistance.

Mr_D · 10-08-2014, 11:35 PM

We use our DSDP year round in the PNW. Our wet bay is heated using the furnace although I usually use a cube heater or the heat pumps inside. No heat gets to the wet bay unless the furnace is running and have never had a problem. The water heater is right next to the wet bay so there's some heat from it.
When stored I put a 200 watt heater in the wet bay running off a thermostat plug in and keep a heater inside with the cabinet doors open. Also a couple small fans circulation warm air around the washer/dryer. Been doing this for years now and no problems.

mikelm48 · 10-09-2014, 04:23 AM

We live in N Texas and get some freezing weather during the winter, but like you, not extreme. I have a 20a hookup and keep it plugged in. I leave the propane furnace set around 44 so that it heats the bays. Never had any problem. Of course you have to keep an eye on the propane once in awhile.

"007" · 10-09-2014, 08:02 AM

Here is some winter camping info along with other items.

TButterfield · 10-09-2014, 05:09 PM

Thanks for the info. I have some of the basics down as we wintered here last year in a 2004 Carriage Cameo fifth wheel. We drove that up here through the ice storm that hit west Texas last year just before Thanksgiving. Other than being parked on I-10 waiting for a jack-knifed semi to get cleared and so much rain falling in the desert, the drive up went well.

The systems in the DADP are a bit more complex and things are laid out differently than in the 5er. And, with a 32 gallon fixed mount tank, we'll have to move the RV to refill propane instead of taking a single tank for refill. Since we will be living in it, we do not want the temps inside to get too cool. Our electric is a fixed amount for the month, so we would like to use that as much as possible and minimize the propane usage. When above freezing, we can use the small portable electric heaters or the heat pumps. How low of a temperature can we use the heat pumps? Do they automatically shut off below that or do they keep trying to work?

Is the thermostat for the furnace in the bays also or just the cabin? I'm wondering how to heat the cabin on electric, but still keep air flowing through the bays. Or, is is possible to run the furnace fan without the propane burner in order to circulate electric heat from the cabin into the bays?

Is is possible/practical to replace the 32 gallon tank with a larger tank? Or, is there some way to supplement the fixed tank with portable tanks, possibly stored in an adjacent bay? WA law and/or the RV park do not allow for the portable tanks to be left outside on the ground.

Mr. D., We haven't used our washer/dryer yet. We would we need to worry about circulation there if we're keeping the cabin warm and not storing the RV?

Thanks again.

"007" · 10-11-2014, 03:56 PM

Heat pumps between 32-40, furnace fan to bays if one supplied in foil 3" tube in water bay cycles with the furnace. You would have a fan switch on the water bay panel face for the fan to work with furnace. Furnace control board works everything.
Your heat control will determine use of heat pumps or furnace.
A LP gas extender-stay line with connection to external tank will give you longer use of furnace.
If low temps out side are of short duration you may not need all this extra stuff.
Here is a Brochure and Owners Guide for your coach, not sure you have them.
Using heat fans will not heat under bays or the interior plumbing in your cabinets if it got real cold, I do not think in that area of country it gets that cold for extended periods.

TButterfield · 10-13-2014, 10:12 PM

Thanks, 007. Sorry for the delay responding. For some reason, I did not get an email notification this time. You're right. It does not stay cold here. It can freeze overnight, but will usually be above freezing the next day. That should let us use the heat pumps most of the time. I'll have to check on a fan switch in the water bay. I don't think I have noticed one of those so far.

I will check on adding the LP extender. I like that idea. But, since I am not allowed to put a tank on the ground, I will have to see about how to have the tank mounted somewhere. Putting a removable horizontal tank in the first open bay behind the fixed LP tank might work, but I'm not sure if that would be smart since it is not a ventilated compartment. If I could find some way to use a portable tank, it would reduce usage of the fixed tank to just during the refill of the portable. I wonder if they would allow me to mount two tanks on a small Radio Flyer wagon. At least the tanks would be off the ground.

I do have the brochure and owner guide and will look through them again. By 'heat fans, are you referring to the little cube heaters that can be put in a bay or to something built in?

We are also going to look into getting a small 5x5 storage locker. That would let us empty a bunch of stuff from the bays. Not being packed as tightly will allow for better air circulation.

Thanks again.

Tim

"007" · 10-13-2014, 10:28 PM

Yes the small portable heat fans.
The LP tank would be in a up right position maybe placed on a 3/4" plywood at base so no indentation would appear on hot-top or what ever the surface is.
Your heat pumps maybe your answer and the tanks and plumbing would need a extended period to do any freezing of them.
Your coach is well insulated with therm-pane windows.

Mr_D · 10-13-2014, 10:39 PM

I put a 200 watt "personal" heater in the wet bay with a thermostatic plug in. Comes on at about 35° and off at 40° but I'm sure that varies a few degrees too. I used to just put a 100 w bulb in an aluminum reflector in the bay but it was on all the time and the heater seems to work just as well. I also put a remote reading thermometer in the bay to monitor the temps from in the house.

TButterfield · 10-13-2014, 10:46 PM

Thanks, 007. As for the portable tank, it's not a ground indentation issue, but an issue with a portable tank simply being on the (gravel) ground. The RV park said it was some law/regulation. They said they had been fined for that before. Any portable tanks have to be mounted off of the ground. Maybe I could have a twin tank mount made to fit in the receiver hitch. It would be a longer run to tie into the fixed tank, but they would be very accessible.

TButterfield · 10-13-2014, 10:50 PM

Thanks, Mr. D. Did you put a heater in the main bay also or just in the wet bay? Did you still need to run the furnace when you did this? We have a twin readout thermometer on a kitchen wall, but I haven't found the second sending unit yet. I might give up and replace it just so I know where the other sending unit is. Thanks for the reminder.

TButterfield · 10-13-2014, 10:56 PM

Just to clarify... The receiver hitch mount would only be used while stationary. I would remove that and put it in storage when we are ready to travel.

"007" · 10-13-2014, 11:13 PM

Your receiver platform could do that, I would wait to do all this and see if you even need a extra tank, the one on coach is going to last with use of heat pumps and they must have a LP delivery service to refill tank in campground.
The other sensor will be in bedroom and it will be a small plastic cage will a probe wire behind it.

TButterfield · 10-13-2014, 11:37 PM

Thanks, 007. I expect additional tankage would be helpful. During summer, it only lasted 2-3 months. Of course, switching from using the LP range to a induction cook top would help duration. I have checked on delivery; the area companies won't deliver for tanks less than 100 gallons. The one that does on-site delivery to the big RV park tank won't even do our tank while they are here. I'll dig around the bedroom for another sensor.