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Topic ClosedFall/Winter Camping - Event Date: 12 Sep 2012

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Lulie View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Calendar Event: Fall/Winter Camping
    Posted: 12 Sep 2012 at 2:58pm

We only do dry land camping and live in Alaska. It is currently getting cold and often drops in the 20’s F. at night, warming to above freezing during the day. We typically don’t run the heater at night and are not inside for most of the day. Usually the heater is only turned on in the morning and evening. Is there danger of our water lines freezing or otherwise harming something? We plan to winterize at the end of Sept. or previous to freeze up during the day.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Sep 2012 at 4:38pm
If you are getting into the 20's at night you are already at risk of damaging external parts.  Interior is ok for now, but if I were in your position I would winterize.  I do it once the temps get into the upper 20's at night, for at most a few hours.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Lulie View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Sep 2012 at 7:42pm
Thanks, I had a feeling that would be the case. Time to put it away.....
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Sep 2012 at 9:13pm
No need to put it away, just alter how you camp.  I camped this past January when it got down to 10 F.  I put a dish pan in the sink to catch water I used there, like brushing my teeth, which I emptied into the bushes.  Took several gallons of water from home in jugs.  Kept a bottle of RV antifreeze in the bathroom so I could flush the toilet with it for the middle of the night bathroom visit.  Daytime I used the heated campground bathroom and shower.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2012 at 2:40pm
I think that could work for us. We'll winterize it first and use it as a tent so to speak...only we'll have heat, stove, fridge, and lights.....Thanks for the encouragement!!!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2012 at 2:57pm
Great!  If you have electric hookups I recommend using a small $15 heater.  Quieter than the furnace and it saves lots of propane.  I had no problem staying warm in January.  The floor was cold even in socks but a throw rug will help with that.  And even though its cold out I would still leave the roof vent open an inch and maybe even slightly crack a window, to prevent humidity and window condensation.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2012 at 5:38pm
+1 on tech's reply! We were there with him! With the electric heater we were quite cozy. We spent also Thanksgiving camping - only in the thirties, but about 6" of snow and were snug and warm. Have to keep the fan going and a window open, because the pods are quite tight and from humidity the windows will start to cause waterfalls! We actually made some HD curtains from upholstery fabric and velcroed the bottom edge to the wall to keep our tootsies and noses warm from cool air falling off the windows, works well!
Have fun!
Walt
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2012 at 5:40pm
Oh, one more thing, I made some panels from rigid pink foam insulation boards and fit them around the base of the pod to keep the breezes from cooling things off too much. Looks a little slummy, but it was effective.
Chris and Walt
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'13 Dodge Durango Crew 5.7 L Hemi V8
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2012 at 6:27pm

My bad, yes there were 3 pods there that weekend!

LOL on the pink foam board looking a bit white trash.  Functionality trumps looks when its 10 F outside.

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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