Community Forums

Mcpics · 12-01-2015, 02:36 PM

We are looking to camp around Christmas up in Tennessee. Being from Florida, we have never camped under 55 degrees. Just curious if there is anything to prep for. We have two ceramic heaters for our 33 foot MH. Could use our furnace if it gets really cold. Is it necessary to run furnace to keep pipes warm in holding bay. Any suggestions to the Florida newbies would be most helpful.

ChasA · 12-01-2015, 04:51 PM

Use your propane furnace if outside temp is below 32°. That will put some heat into your basement. Fill your fresh water tank and then drain and put away all your hoses. Use the pump and water from your onboard tank. Make sure to start out with your propane tank full. The furnace will use a lot of propane. Keep your water heater on (on electric if available to conserve propane).

ChasA · 12-01-2015, 04:54 PM

Another tip. Slightly open a window to help keep the condensation down. You won't believe how much moisture you put into the air.

jacwjames · 12-01-2015, 07:36 PM

I accepted a new job back in March 2011 and moved up to Northern Michigan. 10 times worse then TN where I had lived. I lived in the motorhome until September before renting a house.

I survived, it would get into the low 30's at night IN the motorhome.

I had limited electric power so I used 1 radiant type heater in the living room. On a separate extension cord I used 1 ceramic type heater in the basement. I used a thermostatic type plug that kicks on at ~38 and off at 50F. I would leave the cabinets doors open under any sinks to make sure they got heat.

During really cold days I kept the slides in. I put extra window shades in the front to retain the heat. I didn't have water and sewer hooked up. I was able to take showers in a community shower hose to conserve water.

The weather in TN can get cold but it seldom dips much below freezing. Watch the forecasts and decide whether you think you want to try.

spritz · 12-01-2015, 11:49 PM

We stayed last February in Northern Minnesota Valentines day. We used the furnace and a small space heater. We didn't have water or sewer either but we were across from the Bathhouse/Restrooms that are open year round. They have heated water lines but the MH had already been winterized. We brought our 5 gallon water container.
It was fun,
Enjoy it,.
Tim

PattyP · 12-03-2015, 05:56 PM

We just got back from a trip to Branson, Missouri. We were there for 5 days and 4 of those days it rained all day and night long. It was very cold, 30's at night. We had alot of condensation on our windows, heat on inside using gas to stay warm. So much condensation on the windows it was running down the inside walls under each window. We had no idea what to do about it and I had to keep towel drying the windows. Our bed head is right up against a big window. What a mistake that was. Have to keep pillows from touching the wall under the window or they get wet. We would put the electric heat on but it would not keep the RV warm enough, needed to use the propane heater.

spritz · 12-03-2015, 10:17 PM

^^^^ I found to leave a widow or roof vent open by just a sliver, same goes for steamed up windows. I also have a air cleaner running on #2 out of 4,
24/7
JMO,
Tim