Off-grid Winter RVing Question

SteveAE wrote:
Paul,

Excellent. Lots of folks do this.
Here are some random thoughts:

Some ski areas have electric hookups available (for a fee). Not familiar with those on Hood, but I have seen them at Willamette Pass and Hoodoo.

Bring along a snow shovel (hum, better make that two), broom, tire chains, and a tow strap.

If the water tanks and lines are not enclosed in the insulated space of your RV and heated with heat from the furnace and/or via electric heaters, it would be best if you did not use the water system. Can you see the freshwater tank and/or any of the plumbing when you look underneath? If so, then then they are not protected. You can still have water though by bringing it along in jugs stored in the trailer. Use the restrooms at the ski area and bring along suitable container(s) for your waste water.

If your tank and water lines are heated by the furnace, then you should be OK. Just keep in mind that use of a portable heater inside the RV will cause the furnace (that also heats the plumbing) to not turn on.

The 4,000 BTU/Hr setting on the Buddy heater will likely be enough heat...esp. if you get some snow on top. I suggest that you use a regulator on the propane tank and the low pressure propane input to the heater to avoid bringing high pressure propane into the RV. Don't forget to leave a window cracked open as well.

You battery is woefully undersized for winter camping. Not only are your loads much higher in the winter, but the battery won't put out as much power either. So it is likely that you will need to run the generator every day (maybe multiple times) for charging. It would help if your battery charger is able to recharge the battery in few hours so you are able to accomplish this charge.

You will have a lot of heat loss through your windows (don't forget the big front window), so consider some means of covering them. One low cost approach is to cut Reflectix insulation (from Home Depot, etc.) to fit the windows. Pull the shades down to hold it in place. You may also want to figure out a curtain between your cab and living space.

That's my immediate thoughts. Go up there and have fun. Maybe we'll even see you up there if you decide to go to a quiet snow park instead.

Steve

Great suggestions, Steve. Mt. Hood Meadows does have a dedicated area for RVs, but there's no power provided. Timberline unofficially allows stays of up to two nights in their parking lot as well.

For the windows I'm going to use bubble wrap. I've heard it works very well as an insulator, and allows light to pass through.

The Mr. Buddy 12 foot extension hose had a built in low pressure regulator, so no problems there.

Finally, since I plan on hitting Bachelor for a few weekends this season, where do you recommend parking? I know they allow 7 nights in their lot (albeit at $10/night), but it sounds like you've found a few snow parks in the area.

Anyway, as much as it might be nice to have running water, it sounds as though I'd need to spend a lot of money on heat tape, tank heaters, and extra batteries to make it work. It's probably not worth the effort based on what I've heard so far.