New AF - a few winter questions.
Hello all, I am rather new to RVing but long time backpacker and outdoorsman. I chose to go with an Arctic Fox 990 after much research and scouring these boards for a long time. I camp year round...
Forum Discussion
I haven't camped in as cold weather as you are but have made a couple of improvement, although to a 2005 model.
Added a digital thermostat to give a more precise temperature when using the furnace.
Added a wire on the thermostat fan switch to turn the basement fan on even when the furnace isn't on. We sometimes use a small electric heater. You would need this with the catalytic heater also. When set to auto the fan comes on with the furnace.
Added 2" foam board beneath the tanks. That's in addition to the fiber glass already installed.
Added 1" foam board surrounding the gas bottle compartment. My 2005 was an un-insulated 1/4" thick poly tub dumping cold directly into the basement and sitting adjacent to the bath. Removed the door and compartment tub to add the insulation. This made a more drastic thermal difference than the extra insulation in the basement.
I believe the horizontal seam in the paneling at the head of the bed is touching the framing, has no insulation, and has no seal. I haven't opened it up to verify. This allowed cold air to freeze the wife's ears. I found a 5" oak molding to span the gap, allowing me to pack insulation behind it. Mounted it with some brass screws and it matches the oak in the rest of the camper.
I've used polyurethane foam to seal ever crack I can get to.
We use a 1KW ceramic heater when plugged in and have verified it works well for us down into the 20's without the use of the furnace.
As for venting, we open the vent above the bed about a 1/4".
Added a digital thermostat to give a more precise temperature when using the furnace.
Added a wire on the thermostat fan switch to turn the basement fan on even when the furnace isn't on. We sometimes use a small electric heater. You would need this with the catalytic heater also. When set to auto the fan comes on with the furnace.
Added 2" foam board beneath the tanks. That's in addition to the fiber glass already installed.
Added 1" foam board surrounding the gas bottle compartment. My 2005 was an un-insulated 1/4" thick poly tub dumping cold directly into the basement and sitting adjacent to the bath. Removed the door and compartment tub to add the insulation. This made a more drastic thermal difference than the extra insulation in the basement.
I believe the horizontal seam in the paneling at the head of the bed is touching the framing, has no insulation, and has no seal. I haven't opened it up to verify. This allowed cold air to freeze the wife's ears. I found a 5" oak molding to span the gap, allowing me to pack insulation behind it. Mounted it with some brass screws and it matches the oak in the rest of the camper.
I've used polyurethane foam to seal ever crack I can get to.
We use a 1KW ceramic heater when plugged in and have verified it works well for us down into the 20's without the use of the furnace.
As for venting, we open the vent above the bed about a 1/4".
