Community Forums

Wendsong · 10-21-2015, 02:23 AM

We plan to go to the Canadian artic circle in March to see the Northern Lights (on the bucket list) in a soon to be purchased MV or ME. Should I get anything done to the coach or truck to make it ready for subzero weather? How does the Greyhawk do in the cold?

Up North · 10-21-2015, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wendsong

We plan to go to the Canadian artic circle in March to see the Northern Lights (on the bucket list) in a soon to be purchased MV or ME. Should I get anything done to the coach or truck to make it ready for subzero weather? How does the Greyhawk do in the cold?

Sub zero temps? I think you're screwed. The Forester has heated tanks but it's not going to keep up with sub zero temps for any length of time.
I would guess your furnace is going to struggle to keep the inside warm as well. These units aren't insulated for those kinds of temps. Leave the rig home and get a hotel. Good luck!

Wendsong · 10-22-2015, 01:22 AM

Is the Forester a Jayco Greyhawk model? I was particularly interested in the Greyhawk. But I think you may be correctly giving me advice for any of these motor homes. The only mfr that specifically heats their pipes, etc., is Lance. How cold can these coaches stand and still maintain good interior temps, do you think? Hopefully I could do some winter camping.

Up North · 10-22-2015, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wendsong

Is the Forester a Jayco Greyhawk model? I was particularly interested in the Greyhawk. But I think you may be correctly giving me advice for any of these motor homes. The only mfr that specifically heats their pipes, etc., is Lance. How cold can these coaches stand and still maintain good interior temps, do you think? Hopefully I could do some winter camping.

Sorry didn't know you meant the Jayco Greyhawk. They don't heat their tanks at all other than I think a 12 volt heated pad is a option but that certainly won't keep them from freezing up. Their dump valves and pipe are exposed and mounted outside underneath the frame.
enjoy your trip and stay warm in a nice hotel.

Rocky Larson · 10-22-2015, 03:44 AM

Curious on where/how you plan to access the "Canadian Arctic Circle" in a motorhome?

Steve Ownby · 10-22-2015, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky Larson

Curious on where/how you plan to access the "Canadian Arctic Circle" in a motorhome?

I'm guessing you are going up the Dempster Highway out of Whitehorse. A number of years ago, a young woman in her 20s did that highway solo, in a little class C on a sprinter chassis.

Here is one of her blog postings:

http://livinginmycar.com/blog/2010/0...arctic-circle/

Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

BankerCajun · 10-29-2015, 02:33 PM

Got back from an Alaskan Cruise in July. Saw a lot of Class C RVs to rent..
I would suggest you fly to Alaska and rent an RV, let somebody else deal with the problems...

bobmac · 10-29-2015, 04:56 PM

Suggest you look at typical temperatures and snowfall info for the location you plan to visit if you plan to visit outside the July/August period. Highly doubt you would get very far in the Canadian North in the Nov to April period. All the Canadians that can, head in your direction at that time of year!!!! Good luck,

msturtz · 11-01-2015, 11:26 PM

It is possible to make a Greyhawk work in subzero temperatures I have done it. However I strongly recommend against it. In short Jayco puts heat pads on the tanks but that is it. They leave the piping exposed to the elements. The Greyhawks are very poorly insulated with single pane windows. It only has a single group 27 battery which is also exposed to the elements. All of these items are resolvable. You can purchase and install supplementary UltraHeat pads on the exposed plumbing and then install insulation over the top of the plumbing that has had the UltraHeat pads installed. You can tie into the Jayco 12V wiring for the UltraHeat pads. You will also want to carefully insulate the area around the rear storage compartment because the plumbing is above that area. I would also recommend carefully insulating the rest of the exposed tanks and underbelly. You also will likely want to invest in a mechanical dehumidifier to keep the interior humidity down to a reasonable level. I would upgrade the batteries from the Group 27 to a AGM group 31 which will conveniently will fit. Finally you should also have Ford install a locking or limited slip rear differential. You don't want to make that trip with a "one tire burner" RV. You will also want to carry tire chains. I did all of this. It wasn’t inexpensive and required a significant expense. In the end for me it was a waste due to the poor quality of our unit.