Winter boondocking in a Class C
My class C is winterized about 4 months out of the year, but I use it year-round. A few notes.
I always use paper plates and bowls, so dishwashing is never an issue.
For metal cutlery, I have a tupperware filled with rubbing alcohol. As I drive the cutlery soaks in the alcohol. Take it out, dry it off, use it.
Water is carried in a dozen 1 gallon jugs. They never seem to freeze. Refills at WaterMill or Glacier water stands, which can be found at Wal-Marts and Dollar stores.
For number 1, a heavy gallon jug with cap. For those of the female configuration, a “feminine funnel” is helpful. Avoid confusing this special jug with beverage containers.
For number 2, two plastic garbage bags in the toilet with the seat holding them in place.
For cleanup and sponge baths, baby wipes work great. I just buy a case of Costco baby wipes.
I use a winter sleeping bag, and set the thermostat to 50 degrees. Otherwise it takes a long time to warm up the RV in the morning, and condensation on the windows can be a problem.
The windows in the cabover area leak cold air. I’ve covered these with a plastic storm window kit, the kind with adhesive tape.
Between trips, I have a BatteryMINDer Charger/Maintainer/Desulfater Model# 2012 on the house battery and another on the chassis battery. These are expensive chargers but they have temperature compensation and they desulfate the batteries.
Compared to winter tent camping, even a winterized RV is luxurious. Not sure I would do this in the northern reaches of the US or in Canada where it gets seriously cold but it has been working great for me down into the teens overnight.
Other winter boondocking experiences and tips?
(Finally got this post to work on 2/5/16. Sorry for the delay.)
I always use paper plates and bowls, so dishwashing is never an issue.
For metal cutlery, I have a tupperware filled with rubbing alcohol. As I drive the cutlery soaks in the alcohol. Take it out, dry it off, use it.
Water is carried in a dozen 1 gallon jugs. They never seem to freeze. Refills at WaterMill or Glacier water stands, which can be found at Wal-Marts and Dollar stores.
For number 1, a heavy gallon jug with cap. For those of the female configuration, a “feminine funnel” is helpful. Avoid confusing this special jug with beverage containers.
For number 2, two plastic garbage bags in the toilet with the seat holding them in place.
For cleanup and sponge baths, baby wipes work great. I just buy a case of Costco baby wipes.
I use a winter sleeping bag, and set the thermostat to 50 degrees. Otherwise it takes a long time to warm up the RV in the morning, and condensation on the windows can be a problem.
The windows in the cabover area leak cold air. I’ve covered these with a plastic storm window kit, the kind with adhesive tape.
Between trips, I have a BatteryMINDer Charger/Maintainer/Desulfater Model# 2012 on the house battery and another on the chassis battery. These are expensive chargers but they have temperature compensation and they desulfate the batteries.
Compared to winter tent camping, even a winterized RV is luxurious. Not sure I would do this in the northern reaches of the US or in Canada where it gets seriously cold but it has been working great for me down into the teens overnight.
Other winter boondocking experiences and tips?
(Finally got this post to work on 2/5/16. Sorry for the delay.)
