Hi,I used to have a very old tow-behind trailer that I used during the winter in Colorado; 2 batteries, 2 propane tanks. Since the furnace had no fan it was easy to be out a week, dry. Now I did take showers with a shower buddy device that was a self contained unit. All I did was drape the hose in the shower stall. The water drained onto the ground, and I'd put some antifreeze in the shower's trap after the occasional use.Now I'm gonna retire in a few years and currently planning to tour for awhile with a truck camper on heavy late model diesel. I presume the camper will have modern slide-out stuff since I will live in it full-time. My question:During the winter, if I am boon docking in northern Rockies, is it possible to be wet? That is, if the furnace with "fan" is heating the tanks, etc is it possible to have enough power (2 batteries for example), charging them with solar, and generator to maintain the needed fan use? This is a very general question, and I haven't provided details since I don't know what camper I'd be doing this with. Sure I will go south for winters, but I do like to have the capability to be in the northern Rockies for a winter if I wish. The question is whether one can feasibly have the modern conveniences during the winter in real cold? A generator is a last resort. Preferably I'll go solar if I needed more power.Then I wonder, do modern winter campers have temperature sensors in the tank area to control the furnace? I don't care how cold the interior is for myself, I'd just like to reliably keep all the pipes from freezing.So is that plausible at all?Thanks,Bill

Yes, it is plausible. You need to calculate how much wattage you will use for you furnace. Some people here have multiple solar panels. The next problem is propane capacity. Another thought is to go with holding tank heaters. Finally, you could add additional batteries to make them last longer.

You need to take a close look at the camper you are considering as they will have several different design. I did sleep in my Fleetwood at negative 10F and was comfortable, but I can't tell you how much of 30lb of propane I used in single night.Closed slide and put a curtain for cabover to keep max heat in center of the camper. Later on I had to do some body repairs on my camper and could inspect few things. My camper has water tank inside under the floor, while holding tanks have cover with heating duct going there. But I found out that around sewer outlet the cover had 1" gaps where the hot air was going straight outside. The same with power cord compartment. It has thin door with flap for cable go out, so it is "cold" compartment and doesn't require heating, but along one side the compartment wall had huge gap connecting under the bathroom sink. I filled it up with polyurethan foam even I don't plan winter camping, but the insects seems to like this way in as well. So if you want energy-efficient camper you will need to put some serious work to seal the shell. You would not like to spend a winter in the house that under kitchen sink has no wall?With today technology having enough batteries and several propane tanks is easy.

Thanks. Sounds like taking care of winterizing leaks in a house. Bill

Another question: Do most modern truck campers have enough roof space for a few panels (100W each); thinking I may need to put portable panels outside - say I'd like 600W of panels?It there enough room to creatively add batteries; say I'd like 4 batteries...(should I really be considering a small 5th wheel, hmm rather not if I can squeeze into the truck camper)Lastly, if I know the seasons are changing, and I'm driving north and wish to go dry: do drain points work well enough in late model truck campers that I could dump the water in my plumbing quickly and know the plumbing won't freeze?Thanks again,Bill

You would be much more comfortable traveling down to the southern desert in the winter.

Hypothetical Winter Camping Electrical Limits | Good Sam Community

Gary3
Explorer
Jun 28, 2015
You would be much more comfortable traveling down to the southern desert in the winter.
Bill001
Explorer
Jun 28, 2015
Another question: Do most modern truck campers have enough roof space for a few panels (100W each); thinking I may need to put portable panels outside - say I'd like 600W of panels?

It there enough room to creatively add batteries; say I'd like 4 batteries...

(should I really be considering a small 5th wheel, hmm rather not if I can squeeze into the truck camper)

Lastly, if I know the seasons are changing, and I'm driving north and wish to go dry: do drain points work well enough in late model truck campers that I could dump the water in my plumbing quickly and know the plumbing won't freeze?

Thanks again,
Bill
Bill001
Explorer
Jun 28, 2015
Thanks. Sounds like taking care of winterizing leaks in a house.

Bill
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Jun 28, 2015
You need to take a close look at the camper you are considering as they will have several different design.
I did sleep in my Fleetwood at negative 10F and was comfortable, but I can't tell you how much of 30lb of propane I used in single night.
Closed slide and put a curtain for cabover to keep max heat in center of the camper.
Later on I had to do some body repairs on my camper and could inspect few things.
My camper has water tank inside under the floor, while holding tanks have cover with heating duct going there.
But I found out that around sewer outlet the cover had 1" gaps where the hot air was going straight outside.
The same with power cord compartment. It has thin door with flap for cable go out, so it is "cold" compartment and doesn't require heating, but along one side the compartment wall had huge gap connecting under the bathroom sink.
I filled it up with polyurethan foam even I don't plan winter camping, but the insects seems to like this way in as well.
So if you want energy-efficient camper you will need to put some serious work to seal the shell.
You would not like to spend a winter in the house that under kitchen sink has no wall?
With today technology having enough batteries and several propane tanks is easy.
jimh406
Explorer III
Jun 28, 2015
Yes, it is plausible. You need to calculate how much wattage you will use for you furnace. Some people here have multiple solar panels. The next problem is propane capacity. Another thought is to go with holding tank heaters. Finally, you could add additional batteries to make them last longer.

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Hypothetical Winter Camping Electrical Limits

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