Community Forums

Sohapi · 09-08-2012, 12:22 AM

DH and I are going to have to travel to SLC and be there till Thanksgiving weekend. We have seen that the average temps in Nov. are 50 highs and 36 lows.

We have not stayed in our Rig in weather this cold before so can use any ideas that anyone might have. Even though we are from the PNW DH job tends to be all over the place and last winter we were in Santa Clarita CA. So this will be unusual weather in our Rig for us.

Here is what we have planned so far, any help and suggestions are welcome. WE have only owed our Rig since Nov. 2011 and its our first RV/DP.

We have 2 cube ceramic heaters and our propane heater works really well too. We have heaters for our basements too and will put a light in the gray and fresh dump area. Great idea by the way.

We figured we would pull the slide in if a storm is coming that would dump a lot of snow and then put it back out. We have a great ladder that we can use to sweep off the snow from the top of our rig.

DH will be using heat tape on any water lines that he might be concerned about so that is covered.

I am putting up a shower curtain rod (tension type) and then putting up a heavy insulated curtain rod up there to help with the door drafts.

DH is going to use the 3M clear insulation on the windows (not the wind shield) the kind you use a hair drier with.

I have lots of throw rugs for the tile floors; we have ceramic tile floors and so this will help some too.

Since it is winter I tend to cook and bake a lot and I am sure that will help some too.

Skip426 · 09-08-2012, 12:33 AM

If your cooking a lot watch your humidity levels in the coach, you may end up with windows sweating and even mold in the back of some closets.
Do you have slide topper awnings, if not you need to sweep the top of the slide before you bring it in , or snow will end up on the floor.
Safe travels.

Sohapi · 09-08-2012, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip426

If your cooking a lot watch your humidity levels in the coach, you may end up with windows sweating and even mold in the back of some closets.
Do you have slide topper awnings, if not you need to sweep the top of the slide before you bring it in , or snow will end up on the floor.
Safe travels.

Great information! Thanks maybe a dehumidifier will be needed for us. I can't remember about the slide topper so will be taking a look at it in the morning.

Sohapi · 09-08-2012, 08:21 AM

Is there anything anyone knows about the way the rig is built that we might need to worry about? Like where water lines run or spots that might be exposed to the weather that would impact us.

Papa_Jim · 09-08-2012, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sohapi

DH and I are going to have to travel to SLC and be there till Thanksgiving weekend. We have seen that the average temps in Nov. are 50 highs and 36 lows.

We have not stayed in our Rig in weather this cold before so can use any ideas that anyone might have. Even though we are from the PNW DH job tends to be all over the place and last winter we were in Santa Clarita CA. So this will be unusual weather in our Rig for us.

Here is what we have planned so far, any help and suggestions are welcome. WE have only owed our Rig since Nov. 2011 and its our first RV/DP.

We have 2 cube ceramic heaters and our propane heater works really well too. We have heaters for our basements too and will put a light in the gray and fresh dump area. Great idea by the way.

We figured we would pull the slide in if a storm is coming that would dump a lot of snow and then put it back out. We have a great ladder that we can use to sweep off the snow from the top of our rig.

DH will be using heat tape on any water lines that he might be concerned about so that is covered.

I am putting up a shower curtain rod (tension type) and then putting up a heavy insulated curtain rod up there to help with the door drafts.

DH is going to use the 3M clear insulation on the windows (not the wind shield) the kind you use a hair drier with.

I have lots of throw rugs for the tile floors; we have ceramic tile floors and so this will help some too.

Since it is winter I tend to cook and bake a lot and I am sure that will help some too.

Using the ceramic heaters is a great idea when the outdoor temperature is above freezing. Below freezing it's better to use the propane furnace. The propane furnace actually warms the basement water bays a little bit. Not much, just a little bit. Enough to keep them above freezing.

I have also used an electric light (actually I hang a trouble light in the water service bay).

I don't think you need to heat tape anything.

We have also used the clean insulation on the windows. It makes a big difference, particularly when traveling in cold weather.

We use a small home dehumidifier when necessary.

You have a lot of excellent ideas. I think you will do quite well in the cold climate.

DtBt · 09-08-2012, 12:45 PM

We've had our Windsor for several years now and have been in about 20 degree temps for a few days at a time. If I know it is going to be below freezing I fill the fresh water tank then disconnect the external hose and drain it.

I have used a 100 watt bulb in the rear basement compartment but that is probably not necessary if you use the propane furnace as there is a duct to the wet compartment on the passenger side. The best investment for cold weather is a thermometer or temp sensor for the bays.
Avoid snow on the slide topper at all costs as already mentioned. It is no fun getting up there to clean off.

FW · 09-08-2012, 02:35 PM

Hi; If your coach is 50Amp, make sure your cube heaters are on different breakers and NOT on your inverter circuit.

Sohapi · 09-08-2012, 09:59 PM

So many great ideas and information, thanks!

deSanford · 09-09-2012, 12:07 AM

DtBt are you saying that if you have a slide "topper" aka awning above slide you don't want snow on it? deSanford

DtBt · 09-10-2012, 05:30 AM

deSanford,
Yes. The awning/slide topper will sag under a snow load and will jam in the slide flange when slide is retracted. Moving it in then out partially will get rid of it if the snow is powder. With the icy snow in the east that does not work as well. I think the design of the particular Carefree awning or possibly an old weak spring is the cause.

Sohapi · 11-10-2012, 04:06 PM

Just an update

Today its 32 degrees and we had added 2 small ceramic heaters in the basements, heated hose for the fresh water, a ceramic heater inside and foil insulation in all windows except the kitchen window. This is day two of snow and cold weather and we are nice and toasty in here. I would highly recommend Monaco's that are older for winter traveling.