Winter Camping Survival Kit - RV-Dreams Community Forum

MPMomof3 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Winter Camping Survival Kit

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just for a bit of clarification, are you referring to something like items for personal use or are you interested in features of the RV and its construction and additional "appliances?"

Terry

MPMomof3 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Both. Thanks for asking. :)

The Restless Youngs · RV-Dreams Family Member

From a construction point, double pane windows is key and also a rig that is rated for four seasons. Not sure there is a consistent standard for what constitutes four season though. Our coach has a various ways to heat it (from heated floors, heat pump (not so great when it's really cold) and then forced hot air from the the aqua hot.) And since we are hunkered down in PA for the winter, we have used all the heating sources....and a couple of space heaters at times!!

We also have a very small personal space heater in the belly keeping things from freezing. (Lasso #100 my heat personal ceramic heater). Doesn't draw a ton of energy and seems to work a little better than the light bulb that many use. (Think it depends on how cold things really are!!)

A heated hose has also been very important to keep the water flowing!! Many people use various ways to keep the hose heated, whatever the preference--you need something!!

A shovel to keep your steps clean and a path to your car and also a way to keep your roof clear. A little salt for the steps, etc.

I'm sure there are some more things and will add to the list as I think of them. (It just started snowing here, so my memory will probably be jogged sooner that I would prefer!!)

Diana and Jim · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree with byseaandbyland. Also, if you aren't moving, skirting is very helpful. We are skirted this winter, and have a small heater under the rig. Also, crack open a vent and get a small dehumidifier. Run a vent fan when showering and cooking.

Also, find a cheap source for propane! :)

Jim

-- Edited by Diana and Jim on Saturday 21st of February 2015 12:00:31 PM

MPMomof3 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Awesome advice! Thanks. :)

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you're winter camping in, say, the NH to ME corridor this winter, you might want to lay in a supply of sustenance... with all that snow, you could be stranded for a long time. confuse I salute the winter-over crowd for their hardiness... When Cindi and I go FT, we will be running from the cold as fast as we legally can. wink biggrin

Here's hoping Lucky Mike is safely holed up somewhere up there, haven't heard a peep from him on here for over 2 months. I see he has at least checked in on the forum fairly recently so we know he's still kicking.

Brian

MPMomof3 · RV-Dreams Family Member

The hubby and I have dreams of going full time one day. We share your sentiment. Our goal, at least in the beginning, is to live and work six months in Florida and six months in Tennessee. We hope to eventually explore more as the budget allows. I hope we never get caught anywhere cold, but I like to think ahead because you never know.

Millie · RV-Dreams Family Member

I know how cold it gets in an RV in the middle of the winter.

One of these will warm things up...

...yes, yes, 'ventilation' and all that.

-- Edited by Millie on Saturday 21st of February 2015 07:13:00 PM

-- Edited by Millie on Saturday 21st of February 2015 07:14:15 PM

MPMomof3 · RV-Dreams Family Member

LOL. We have one of those in the garage of our sticks and bricks. It does make things toasty. But then again my cat likes toasty things. I wouldn't want her getting too close to one of those. That could be bad.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Meredith,

We have wintered in cold locations that have gotten down as low as -6 degrees (so far), and in addition to the coach's heating systems (furnace and heat pumps and electric fireplace), we also have two Lasko electric space heaters that are two different sizes. The largest is kept in the living room and the smallest is on the dresser in the bedroom. Both are thermostatically controlled. We use the electric heaters to supplement when we are up and being in the coach. They are all off when we leave for any reason.

Our coach has what is called a Canadian Package, which is made up of two 30,000 btu furnaces instead of a single 40,000+ btu furnace. It also has tank heaters for the holding tanks and extra insulation around part of the sewer line in the underbelly. During the periods that the electric heaters are running, the furnaces don't run much, thus saving on LPG. When I go to bed at night, all the electric heaters in the living room are turned off so that the furnace for that area can heat both the interior of the coach and the underbelly, where the water manifold and plumbing is located.

With our move to Colorado and seeing the zero to -6 degree temperatures, we have added a smaller thermostatically controlled electric heater in the underbelly.

The brand of coach we have (Mobile Suites by DRV Suites) has thicker walls than most RV's and better insulation R-rating factors. Even in the -6 degrees and a high once of 115 degrees, we have been comfortable inside the coach.

Good luck with all your research.

Terry

MPMomof3 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Wow, Terry! It sounds like you guys have this all figured out!

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

It is a learning process, and I learned a lot of it from the folks on the three different RV forums on which I participate. I'm sure I still have a lot to learn. For instance, while we've never had to skirt our Mobile Suites, I'm thinking it might not be a bad idea for next year. That is primarily because we might could experience colder than -6 temperatures in the future, and we may very well be in the Colorado Springs area for another couple of years.

Terry

MPMomof3 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Brr. That's cold. I've heard the skirt idea before. I think that wouldn't be a bad idea if you are parked for a while in that kind of cold.