cold (below freezing) weather camping
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Topic: cold (below freezing) weather camping
Posted By: lblevins67
Subject: cold (below freezing) weather camping
Date Posted: 03 Nov 2015 at 5:34pm
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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 |
Replies:
Posted By: john in idaho
Date 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. |
Posted By: podderfj
Date 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? |
Posted By: lblevins67
Date Posted: 04 Nov 2015 at 1:47pm
We will be in a park with full hookups, electric, water, sewer. |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 04 Nov 2015 at 4:31pm
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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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Posted By: lblevins67
Date Posted: 04 Nov 2015 at 5:22pm
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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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 04 Nov 2015 at 6:52pm
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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 ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Unclewillis
Date Posted: 05 Nov 2015 at 8:26am
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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. ------------- Daddy, Mommy and Daughter. BlackJack & Keno (boston Terriers) Rpod 176T 2015 Nick: ouR-pod |
Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 05 Nov 2015 at 4:54pm
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? ------------- Old: 2014 177 HRE 2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 05 Nov 2015 at 9:32pm
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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 ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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