Fall/Winter Camping
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2920
Printed Date: 25 May 2025 at 1:34am
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Topic: Fall/Winter Camping
Posted By: Lulie
Subject: Fall/Winter Camping
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2012 at 2:58pm
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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. |
Replies:
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2012 at 4:38pm
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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 ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Lulie
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2012 at 7:42pm
| Thanks, I had a feeling that would be the case. Time to put it away..... |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2012 at 9:13pm
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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 ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: Lulie
Date 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!!! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2012 at 2:57pm
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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 ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: Podsible Dream
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2012 at 5:38pm
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+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 ------------- Chris and Walt '10 RP-171 'Free Spirit' '13 Dodge Durango Crew 5.7 L Hemi V8 |
Posted By: Podsible Dream
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2012 at 5:40pm
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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 '10 RP-171 'Free Spirit' '13 Dodge Durango Crew 5.7 L Hemi V8 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2012 at 6:27pm
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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 ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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