Converting Class B to 4 Seasons

Bailey Travis wrote:
Is it difficult to convert my Class B (Airstream Interstate) to a 4 season RV? I'm concerned that I may someday be traveling in northern US and encounter unexpected cold weather for a prolonged period. Thank you for your responses!

Contact Pianotuna. He is the resident guru on RVing in subfreezing temperatures.

I spend a lot of time camping in cold weather. The term "cold" is somewhat relative. I would say that most people consider anything less than mid 40's as cold since some kind of auxiliary heating is needed. For me, temps down to the low 30's can be pretty easily handled with a small electric space heater (1500 watts), particularly if the sleeping area can be isolated at night to keep it warm. Without electricity, you are forced to use the furnace some. At this temperature range, I don't worry about water freezing. Once the night temps get below the high 20's I start to think about potential freezing and if the night temp gets below about 28 and the day time temps are in to low 30's or less, then I'll drain the fresh water lines and rely on water from a 5 gal. water jug. Finally, if the temps are not going to be above freezing for an extended time, I'll drain all tanks and put RV antifreeze into all drain traps. At this point, a small space heater is no longer enough and the furnace needs to be used with increasing frequency as the temp. drops through the 20's, teens and single digits. I've camped down to the minus single digits, but for the most part I give it up if its colder than about 10 degrees. From a comfort perspective, wear some wool socks, long johns, long sleeve t shirts and a vest. this keeps you comfortable in fairly cool conditions. Put some heavy rugs on the floor and line your back windows with winter insulating film. In short, camping in cold weather isn't difficult or complex, just keep and eye on the temps. I think the worst part (by far) of cold weather RV use are problems with snow, ice and worst of all, road salt. (If you are from a way warm area, then also be sure your antifreeze up to speed, tires have proper inflation and crankcase oil is the correct viscosity for both your vehicle engine and generator.)

If your water lines are inside and not hanging under the floor they should be OK if you keep it heated inside. Water tanks and holding tanks ect become a problem for most.. I got my tank and plumbing heaters here. Clicky
We are good to about 0F. But you will need to stay where you can plug in at night to not run your batterys down. They do not use a lot but need to be kept on any time you are in cold weather. They really do not heat the tanks but they will keep them warm but you need to turn them on before it gets to cold.