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Topic Closedcold (below freezing) weather camping
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lblevins67 View Drop Down
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Posts: 22 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: cold (below freezing) weather camping
    Posted: 03 Nov 2015 at 5:34pm
Anyone have suggestions/advice for a first time cold weather camper? We are travelling from KY to Oregon right now via I-40 and we're thinking about stopping at the Grand Canyon, but I am worried about the cold. We'd only be staying 1-2 nights.

Anyone know how long a tank of propane will last, running the heat for 6-8 hours? If it is 15 degrees outside and we set the thermostat to 55, will it last all night?

Also, what about the water lines, the water/grey/black tanks and the toilet? What do we do to combat freezing during a trip without doing a winterizing, or is this a must-do, even if it's just for a day or two?

We are first time rv owners with a year's experience and I am concerned that the cold will damage our RPod and that's the last thing I want!

Many thanks to anyone who has experience/suggestions,
Lisa
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john in idaho View Drop Down
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Posts: 613 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Nov 2015 at 5:54pm
Water lines are the most important.  You might try draining the low point valves, the hot water tank and the main tank.  The drain on the hot water tank is a 1 1/16th socket.  We have gone dry camping - dry as in water in jugs - and it is doable.   If the propane is full you can go 2 or 3 or 4 days - just shut the heat off as you turn off the last light.  Once you get to Bakersfield you should be fine to refill.  However it can freeze in No CA  and So Oregon.
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podderfj View Drop Down
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Posts: 61 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Nov 2015 at 6:37pm
Will you be in a campground where you will have access to electrical power or will you be boon docking?  
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lblevins67 View Drop Down
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Posts: 22 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Nov 2015 at 1:47pm
Originally posted by podderfj

Will you be in a campground where you will have access to electrical power or will you be boon docking?  



We will be in a park with full hookups, electric, water, sewer.
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furpod View Drop Down
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Nov 2015 at 4:31pm
If you have full hookups, use an electric space heater, you are paying to use their electrons after all. A 1500 watt heater will keep the pod warm and comfy down to about 10F.
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lblevins67 View Drop Down
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Posts: 22 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Nov 2015 at 5:22pm
Originally posted by furpod

If you have full hookups, use an electric space heater, you are paying to use their electrons after all. A 1500 watt heater will keep the pod warm and comfy down to about 10F.



Thank you, what a great (and simple, and cheap) idea! We will pick one up soon. Right now we are in Tennessee and it's 75 degrees and about 200% humidity, guess there's no need to rush just yet.   
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Nov 2015 at 6:52pm
I've camped many times at 10 F with a small cube heater, no problems.  Even with a window and the vent cracked open for moisture control (always keep both cracked open unless the A/C is on).  But, that was with the camper winterized, only using the toilet and flushing it with RV antifreeze.

As mentioned above the stuff outside is what you need to deal with, although inside you will also need to keep the cabinets and bathroom door open.  At those temps I always advise to just winterize it.  But if you are sure it will stay above freezing later in your trip, you might be able to get away without doing it.  You won't be able to use the water system.  Drain the fresh water tank, black and gray tanks.  Open ONLY the low point drains and then recap them, you should only get a little bit of water out of each but that is the water that is exposed and you don't want to freeze.  Leave the water heater on even though you can't use the hot water - you are just keeping it from freezing up.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Unclewillis View Drop Down
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Posts: 101 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Nov 2015 at 8:26am
We camped high in the mountains and it was around freezing the whole time. We were boon docking so we used propane for fridge, cooking and heat. After five days we maybe used 3/4 tank. it did warm up during the day to about 50 but with wind and dry conditions it was still chilly.
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GLBCamper View Drop Down
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Posts: 274 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Nov 2015 at 4:54pm
Originally posted by techntrek

I've camped many times at 10 F with a small cube heater, no problems.  Even with a window and the vent cracked open for moisture control (always keep both cracked open unless the A/C is on).

I've seen a couple of posts suggesting keeping the vent and a window cracked, regardless of how cold it is. I understand that condensation is a problem and I always dry the windows in the morning. But it seems counterintuitive to run a furnace constantly in cold weather, running down the batteries and propane, while keeping the vent open. Am I asking for trouble?
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Nov 2015 at 9:32pm
Not as much heat is lost as you think.  At 10 F my cube heater was still set on its low heat mode.  Venting the condensation is even more important in colder weather or you'll wake up to rain in the pod.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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