Winter in Missoula in Coach ?

Yes, it CAN be done!
We have "wintered over" in Billings in a 32 foot Class A and in a 32 foot triple slide fifth wheel.
For the winter in the Class A, I bought a 100 foot roll of Reflectix Insulation and skirted the coach, as well as covered the grill and windshield. To stop the draft at the door, we hung a curtain made of an thrift store blanket. I bought a 100 pound propane bottle and an extension hose to connect it to the coach. I built the water line out of hard copper tubing, heat taped and wrapped with insulation. I did nothing with the sewer line except let it be buried in the snow. Nothing froze. That winter bottomed out at 20 below.
for the winter in the fifth wheel, I rented a 100 GALLON propane tank, and the company kept it full. I did not skirt the trailer. I should have. Again, I built the water line out of hard copper tubing, insulated and heat taped. I did have a freeze up that winter, where the water line entered the trailer. A 100 watt light bulb thawed it, no problem.
Both times, we used an electric heater for auxiliary heat. We didn't use it often.
So, yes, based purely on personal experience, you CAN spend a Montana winter in an RV. It require thinking and planning, but it certainly can be done.

RoyB wrote:
The BAKKEN OIL FIELDS located in NW North Dakota and NE Montanna has been a hugh demand on housing all over that area.

Alot of oil field workers live in RV's parked any and everywhere allowed or not. Certainly would be something to consider when moving up that way...

I would imagine even Bitterroot Valley housing is affected. I have heard it brings back the old GOLD RUSH days of Alaska...

Roy Ken

In a word, NO

A lot of easterners have NO idea how large Montana is, that area is a 10 hour drive from Williston ND

If you plan to live year round in the motorhome in MT then by all means show her what it would be like. But if you plan to live in a real house year round then rent something that will resemble that form of living.

I have RVd all over MT and really like it........ in the warm weather months. Deep South Texas is the place for me in the winter. Texans that I know have no clue what really cold weather is all about, or how to deal with it.

You may not find an RV park that can provide a "on lot" sewer connection during the winter months.

I was surprised. Compared to other areas in the north Missoula didn't get all that cold. Appears to be more moisture though. Last year -14 F was lowest. Many areas in the north were -20 to -25 F for several days. That said, certainly not RV weather. Brave experienced winter RV people in MT, SD, ND, WY put straw around their RVs. I prefer to be in a warm S&B.

BTW: -14F doesn't account for wind chill factor for those that step outside. -50 to -60F is not uncommon. I would recommend Carhartt bibs, coat, a ski mask, goggles, and good insulated boots. Just to be prepared. You'll only need them on bad days.

City code might require you to skirt the rig as well.

The BAKKEN OIL FIELDS located in NW North Dakota and NE Montanna has been a hugh demand on housing all over that area.

Alot of oil field workers live in RV's parked any and everywhere allowed or not. Certainly would be something to consider when moving up that way...

I would imagine even Bitterroot Valley housing is affected. I have heard it brings back the old GOLD RUSH days of Alaska...

Roy Ken

The problem with an RV is they are built to be light weight to drive on the highway. They have insulation, but not near enough for a Montana winter. What that likely means is your propane heater will come on and not shut off for six months! Or if it does shut off, it will be back on in less than ten minutes because that's all it would take for all the heat in the motorhome to leave.

Looks like you got a 41 footer so I'm assuming you have two heaters. That's a good thing for cold weather. At least if one goes down you still have the other. Will the park allow you to use electric heat too? My preferred way to heat the motorhome would be with electric but it sounds like the park may not let you do that. Either way it's going to cost a lot of money to stay warm.

Living there in a Motorhome isn't going to give her any realistic / realivant experience unless you're trying to discourage her. Rent a place like you would live in full time.

Bill

Lots of solid info here

Personally, I'm from Montana, spent many winters there, if I wanted to "try a Montana winter" I would rent an place (not in Missoula or Bozeman though, due to the Universities) and NOT try it in an RV.

One of my old college friends stayed in Bozeman and became a real-estate agent. She -loves- selling homes to people from "down south" that plan to "live in Montana" as she figures about 80% end up selling the home again the next summer.
Montana winters can be hard.
That being said, the Ravalli valley gets some of the mildest winters in Montana, lots of snow most years, but not as cold as areas east of there.