Arctic/Polar/Cold weather packages.
Hi again. And sorry again if this is covered in 100 other threads... Was visiting a dealer local to me about two weeks ago to look at a camper that we think is "the one" ;) when we can pull the tr...
Forum Discussion
Thanks for the replies so far. For those that have asked: This is a Starcraft Autum Ridge. Its not that I was keeping it secret I just did not want to get the conversation off into any kind of a brand war. ;) we're pretty much settled on the camper (because I'm married and she likes this one best!)
According to what I have been able to read and hear from one of the dealers; the standard trailer in this particular case is r7 all around, has a enclosed underbelly, but isn't heated by air. So it's just the ductwork running in the space that adds some radiant heat to the undercarriage/tank area.
The Arctic package says that it adds a heated underbelly (no mention of how as in radiaent or forced air) with insulation (type and r value not specified) and additional "foil" insulation to the roof. It does *not* include thermal windows or upgraded furnace - that's another option or not offered.
My question is really trying to figure out why the one dealer was adamantly (very) opposed to the idea of getting that option -and- if a extra 700+\- dollars was worth it at any rate considering what it adds.
Because of the kids school schedule I'm not going to do a lot of deep winter camping. That's just a fact of my life for many years to come as far as I can see now...
That said...
I'm also handy enough to mod the camper later on if we decided that we were going to plan some winter adventure. I'd feel comfortable if needed in dropping the underbelly and ducting some air into the space or adding heat pads/tape to the tanks or even addin some insulation under there... It's just a matter of time,want/need and some money. I like playing with stuff like that and I even have some heating and air background so I know this thing is not super efficient in any case insulation wise compared to a high end 4 season unit or regular house.
In the end the chances that we'd be out between thanksgiving and first of May are very low because of the kids... So I'm just trying to figure it all out. Tanks again folks. I knew there would be many experiences and opinions - that's why I ask y'all!
According to what I have been able to read and hear from one of the dealers; the standard trailer in this particular case is r7 all around, has a enclosed underbelly, but isn't heated by air. So it's just the ductwork running in the space that adds some radiant heat to the undercarriage/tank area.
The Arctic package says that it adds a heated underbelly (no mention of how as in radiaent or forced air) with insulation (type and r value not specified) and additional "foil" insulation to the roof. It does *not* include thermal windows or upgraded furnace - that's another option or not offered.
My question is really trying to figure out why the one dealer was adamantly (very) opposed to the idea of getting that option -and- if a extra 700+\- dollars was worth it at any rate considering what it adds.
Because of the kids school schedule I'm not going to do a lot of deep winter camping. That's just a fact of my life for many years to come as far as I can see now...
That said...
I'm also handy enough to mod the camper later on if we decided that we were going to plan some winter adventure. I'd feel comfortable if needed in dropping the underbelly and ducting some air into the space or adding heat pads/tape to the tanks or even addin some insulation under there... It's just a matter of time,want/need and some money. I like playing with stuff like that and I even have some heating and air background so I know this thing is not super efficient in any case insulation wise compared to a high end 4 season unit or regular house.
In the end the chances that we'd be out between thanksgiving and first of May are very low because of the kids... So I'm just trying to figure it all out. Tanks again folks. I knew there would be many experiences and opinions - that's why I ask y'all!
