How long will single battery last with heater running?

Empty Nest, Soon wrote:
A number of such cold weather options are available from many manufacturers, but so far as I know very few dealers ever order them because so few of us here in the US camp in extreme weather.

I would be shocked if these available options were not more common in Canada, particularly among folks who camp in Canadian winter.

Well be prepared to be shocked. ;)

A lesson in geography ...

The population of Canada is approximately 36 million, about 10% of the US population, and of that ~ 1/3rd or about 12 million live in S Ontario, defined as that area south of Algonquin Park to the southernmost island in Lake Erie. Surprising as it may seem FAR more Americans live in the northern US states bordering the 49th parallel and therefore are further north than 1/3rd of the Canadian population so in reality having to deal with cold, winter weather is far more of an issue for far more Americans than for many Canadians. The idea that recreational vehicles built for the Canadian market are modified in some way to better sustain use in extreme cold weather is a myth ... they're the same as their US counterparts. Take my own Coachmen Freedom Express for example, built exactly the same as those sold in the US other than minor adjustments for Canadian codes. In the Freedom Express lineup there is also a dressed up version called the Maple Leaf Edition sold here in Canada which is exactly the same as the Liberty Edition sold in the US, again with only minor code variations between the two. Additional features to these two dressed up versions are just that - window dressing - and don't include anything that would improve performance in cold weather. These are all considered to be 3-season campers, suitable for use from early spring to late fall but not including what we here in Canada or those in the northern US states define as winter.

SoundGuy wrote:

Empty Nest, Soon wrote:
I suspect that RV’s sold in Canada, especially those purchased by folks who plan to camp during the Canadian winter, tend to be a little better insulated than the vast majority of those sold in the US.

Sorry to disappoint but they're exactly the same, the only differences being minor code variations for electrical, gas, etc. We buy the same "3-season" camper you do, insulated exactly the same way.

Speaking from my own experience in a US-made 3-season travel trailer with an exposed belly: I have camped for long periods in late winter/early spring and in fall in the mountains here in WV while trout fishing, for periods ranging from 2 to 4 weeks at a time. I know from experience that my exposed water line from my exposed water tank would freeze if the overnight temperature got below about 20*F. Others in the campground had the same issues. I cannot imagine camping in that 3-season TT at -25*C (-13*F), as you suggest, without adding a lot of options for making it more suitable for extreme weather.

A number of such cold weather options are available from many manufacturers, but so far as I know very few dealers ever order them because so few of us here in the US camp in extreme weather.

I would be shocked if these available options were not more common in Canada, particularly among folks who camp in Canadian winter.

Wayne

philh wrote:
. . .
We're making a trip in early winter. Trailer will be winterized, before we leave, question which I have to answer before we leave, will it be warm enough to carry water in the tank, or wait until we get to our destination. . .

Tanks will take a long time to freeze, even if exposed, simply because of the mass of the water. If the outlet pipe from an exposed tank is also exposed, it will freeze easily if it has water in it. Pex plumbing will not crack open if water in it freezes, but the fittings may.

If you’re looking to camp one night on the road with heat but little other electricity usage, you should be fine for one night. Especially if you turn the heat well down and use warm covers instead. Once you are on the road the next day, presumably, the battery should recharge.

Wayne

There's really only so much you can do with insulation using the dimensions of a trailer or truck camper. One thing that almost no mfg does is to install a thermal break between framing members and inside surfaces. Those aluminum frames conduct heat and cold rapidly at Canadian temps.

The OP could become a lot more prepared by carrying another battery. If cold weather camping was going to be an ongoing thing, he might want to look into solar and larger battery banks so any worries are removed.

The Snowbird brand truck camper we had before the 5er in 2003 was optioned for winter use. You ordered that package. It had the two inches of insulation and the double pane windows. Of course it didn't need a skirt or anything, being in the truck while camping.

ISTR there are East and West versions of trailers being made. Not too clear what the diff is. Maybe the West ones are more waterproof! :)

Ours just has the hot air going up to the bedroom, pass under the floor by the water tanks with some pink insulation amongst that, and the underbelly cover for it all.

The insulation under there is so thin I doubt it has much R value. That was supposed to be a big deal, but I doubt it is much better than having an open bottom for saving heat really. Probably the underbelly cover is more for keeping the wind off it where you lose a lot of heat rather than for static heat saving.

I don't know if the Canadian built trailers were more insulated. So many have gone out of business in the last few years, there might not be any now.

Empty Nest, Soon wrote:
I suspect that RV’s sold in Canada, especially those purchased by folks who plan to camp during the Canadian winter, tend to be a little better insulated than the vast majority of those sold in the US.

Sorry to disappoint but they're exactly the same, the only differences being minor code variations for electrical, gas, etc. We buy the same "3-season" camper you do, insulated exactly the same way.

SoundGuy wrote:
As for all the Chicken Little "the sky is falling" comments about winter camping and freezing pipes - nonsense. We have several campgrounds here in Ontario that are open year 'round (Valens Lake Conservation Area, MacGregor Provincial Park, Pinery Provincial Park, Mew Lake in Algonquin Provincial Park, etc) and offer winter camping that many take advantage of, no problems at all ... you just gotta approach it rationally but it can and is easily done every winter by legions of campers, 'though personally I don't see the thrill in standing around a campfire when it's -25C outside. :E

AllegroDWhile wrote:
I agree with you for one night, you are wrong about the Chicken Little comment.

How so? :h Folks here in Ontario do it all the time ... forum member shum02 is one of them, can't say if he's seen this thread but if he does he'd be the first to tell you it's entirely possible to winter camp in a "3-season" camper and still use ALL the facilities. He's done it, he should know. ;)

Our queen electric blanket draws 148 watts max. That and a down comforter over it keeps us toasty. If power is a problem I will turn the stat down to 50 or so.

Yes, on the road where you pull in late to sleep and leave early for the single night should not be a big worry.

I previously disagreed with you label of power misers as hermits. Power hog is more like it and your story shows they were power hogs and thus hermits.

This and freezing pipes has nothing to do with the OP's query btw.

After all this and the OP is still asking, go for it on one battery overnight.