Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
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We will be moving soon to Soldotna, AK from AZ. My question is...Should I buy a fifth wheel from Phoenix, which looks to be cheaper or buy a fifth wheel in Anchorage? Also, I plan on installing a Quadra Fire Castille pellet stove in the rv for heat. Has anyone installed a pellet stove in an rv before. And I heard putting hay/straw bales under the RV will help with insulation. I do not want to heat it on propane or electric as that is too expensive and does not crank out the heat as a pellet stove. And which fifth wheel would you recommend for colder climates.
Hay and straw bales will also attract unwelcome rodents. Unless you also keep cats around, I'd use other skirting. As for a good RV for Alaska in the winter, that one will be a bit more difficult. We've stayed in our Mobile Suites (by DRV Suites) in temperatures as low as -6 degrees in Colorado and stayed comfortable with the LP furnaces and two electric heaters and the electric fireplace. However, at about zero degrees, the hot water line running from the water manifold to the kitchen sink froze. No breakage because of the PEX water lines, but Alaskan temps would definitely challenge any RV.
Terry
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Terry and Jo
2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3 2008 Ford F450 2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout
one........the rv will require you to open windows to replace the air....so your going to have combustion issues..
two.......waterlines are all run along the heating duct that your propane provides heat thru so get ready for frozen drains and pipes and alot of repairs in the spring......
three ........if you buy a coach up there you might want to check prices......just in transportation to get them there raises the price alone....
four .............really , GOOD LUCK........not my idea of winter camping and I spent the last 4 yrs in Maine and New Hampshire boondocking in the winter and have friends that live in homes up there that have problems......enjoy!!
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1998 ...Harney Renegade DP class A
rers1@mail.com
My Service dog and life partner " Nikki"......Klee Kia Miniature Husky....(she Runs the ship!!)
We are not lost in the Woods.....Just Extreme boondocking!!!!!!
We have some friends who stayed the winter in Anchorage in their Heartland Landmark Key Largo 5er. They did some skirting around the rig but didn't use hay. Soldotna should be about the same regarding temperatures.
I would definitely not go with a pellet stove in an RV.
Electric fireplace and a catalytic heater in addition to the RV furnace would be my choice.
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2009 Alpenlite 31CK Limited
2016 Northern Lite 10.2 CD SE
both hauled by 2015 GMC Sierra 3500HD Dually (one at a time ...)
Welcome, Daniel & Christy. You have gotten some good advice here.
The choice of buying where you are or where you are going is up to you. I'd probably lean toward buying the truck and coach where I am, and spending some time in it prior to taking off. That way any problems can be taken care of in a familiar area. Then, as you are working your way north you will be learning more about your coach and your needs/wants in it.
Once you get to Alaska, where will you park? If you're going to be in an RV park or trailer park, can you talk to someone who lives there about how to insulate the coach? You didn't say say when you will be moving, but I hope it is sometime next year, as I think it is a bit late in the year to be heading that far north now.
Definitely would not use a pellet stove in my RV. However, you may want to look into a diesel generator. They are much more efficient that propane and currently less expensive.
Enjoy the road. We sure do.
bigdon68
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2008 F350 CC 2WD LB 6.4 Lariat Auto SRW, Retrax, AirSafe Hitch, Train Horns, On-Board air, RideRites, Aux Tank, 19.5 Michelins
2007 Ameri-Camp SummitRidge Reserve,40ft, Onan, MorRyde IS, Disc Brakes,17.5 Alcoa Wheels/Michelins, Bigfoot Levelers