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COLD CAMPING - Event Date: 18 Dec 2022

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Brian Labor View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Brian Labor Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Calendar Event: COLD CAMPING
    Posted: 13 Jan 2024 at 9:55am
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Brian Labor View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Brian Labor Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jan 2024 at 10:00am
So, just to clarify, we are getting ready to be in sub-zero temps for a few days here in Texas and, out of necessity, we are taking our R-Pod to a campground with full hook ups.  I see a few posts saying to leave the water lines empty?  What do you do for washing dishes, toilet, etc.  We will have Mr. Buddy propane heater and an electric space heater, plenty of bottled water and sleeping bags, so all good advice from here, but just curious about the water.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote GlueGuy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jan 2024 at 11:34am
The water lines outside of the living space are not insulated. If you get below freezing too long, those lines will likely be damaged. You can cold-camp, but you will need to do it without water.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Tars Tarkas Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jan 2024 at 2:06pm
If the campground has restrooms, use those.  Use bottled water for drinking. Be careful with any grey or black water. The waste water tanks can freeze too.  A little water might be okay, but at zub-zero none is better.  RPods aren't made for full use at that temp.  They are still fine for your own nice warm place to sleep.  If necessary to use the toilet, you can flush with RV antifreeze.

With full hookups, use your electric heater as much as possible.  You will have already paid for the electricity.

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StephenH View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote StephenH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jan 2024 at 2:37pm
I would suggest in addition to TT's suggestions, get a water carrier such as a 3 or 5 gallon jug with a spigot. That will save on the plastic of bottles. Be sure to sanitize it before filling and you will have safe drinking water for a much lower price than bottled water in the long run. You can find heated fill hoses. You could also wrap the drain pipes with heat tape and insulate, but the RPods are just not made for camping in freezing temperatures. RV antifreeze is an expensive way to flush, but it  can make possible a stay in frigid temperatures. We've done it. Be prepared to go through a lot of propane if you have to use it to keep warm. Best to heat to the low 60's and dress very warm. If you do use a propane heater such as a Mr. Buddy, be sure to provide for ventilation. Opening a window a crack and raising the vent fan's cover just a little can provide that ventilation. It helps both to avoid Carbon Monoxide poisoning and with moisture build-up. Electric heaters are better as they don't generate CO.

You can survive a cold snap that way. I would not want to try camping in an RPod in a location with extended sub-freezing temperatures though. Same with our Cherokee Grey Wolf. It also is not set up for 4-season camping.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote gpokluda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jan 2024 at 4:30pm
We did a lot of camping in below freezing temps with our Rpod. Forget about using any of the ater systems in the trailer. Instead rely on restrooms at the facility. Use paper plates and plastic utensils so as to avoid having to do dishes. I know that is not great for the environment but your options are limited since the Rpod is not a four season camper. If you have to wash dishes, use a basin to catch the water and empty it appropriately at the facility. Use an electric heater to warm trailer so you use the campground electricity and not your propane. We use a Vornado we purchased at a garage sale 10 years ago. What I like about it is it has an onboard thermostat so the fan continually runs, but the heating element only energizes when the thermostat kicks on. That helps keep air moving in the trailer and mitigates condensation. Leave a couple of windows cracked to allow fresh air in.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Brian Labor Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jan 2024 at 9:53pm
All good advice.  Thanks so much, everyone.  We have a couple of small electric heaters that will be our first choice.  I installed two propane tanks right after we bought the R-Pod, so we will use that sparingly.  Trust me, if it wasn't an absolutely necessary trip, I wouldn't take it.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote gpokluda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jan 2024 at 2:13pm
Originally posted by Brian Labor

All good advice....  Trust me, if it wasn't an absolutely necessary trip, I wouldn't take it.

Maybe so but this is a great learning experience and will give you some real experience to make future camping decisions. When we had our 179, we were confident in camping all year round in the desert southwest because of the experiences we had in our hybrid Starcraft. 
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Brian Labor View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Brian Labor Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan 2024 at 9:19am
As soon as we got to our site, a generous lady lent us a heated water hose. Everything was fine until this morning when I discovered a small leak that left a small puddle on the floor. I tracked it down to a water line underneath the sink. Water is leaking where a small clamp on a water line is leaking. I don’t have any duct tape so I tried electrical tape but that didn’t stop the leak. I think I will shop for small clamps and try to reposition the hose and clamp it tight again with some plungers help.
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote StephenH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan 2024 at 10:13am
PEX cinch clamps are what was used in the RPod and also in the Grey Wolf. You could potentially try worm-drive clamps, but the PEX cinch clamps are probably better in the long term.
StephenH
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