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996Pilot's avatar
996Pilot
Explorer
Dec 31, 2016

Outfitter Apex 8 Winter (Freezing) Camping

Hello to all, thanks for all of the helpful information here. I'm from San Diego so my winter camping usually means 60's - 70's in the desert. I'm going up to Boise, ID about the second week of January for a week to 10 days. Temps have not been out of the 20's in the daytime, teens to single digits at night. I'm going to stay in a full hookup campground but I'll be out and about during the daytime (with the truck/camper) looking at the area then back to the campground at night. I'm worried that everything is going to freeze up (tanks, water lines, etc) if I do not keep the camper plugged in and the heater running ALL of the time. Also, I'm a bit concerned the heater won't be able to keep up with the extreme cold, in general.

Any pointers/advise on how to do this trip safely (both for me and the camper). Like the subject says, I've got an outfitter Apex 8 on my 2015 RAM 3500 CTD. Also, would it be just insane to think of taking the camper off in the campground and leave it there during the trip (campground permitting) with maybe an electric heater running full time?

Thanks, in advance, for all of the help.
Truck Campers
  • ticki2's avatar
    ticki2
    Explorer
    Dec 31, 2016
    There are some pretty inexpensive 12v tank heaters on ebay . If you have decent charge from truck you can turn them on while driving around and at campground while plugged in .

    Bring a hair dryer to thaw out waste valves and connections if needed

    As mentioned , an electric space heater .

    A few gallons of RV antifreeze in case things get really nasty . The temps you mention are very doable but that time of year it could also be -20F .

    Most campers you can run furnace while driving . If you can turn it on an hour before you return to camp , it will be a lot more comfortable when you arrive . The furnace will heat the air fairly quickly but all the surfaces will stay cold for some time without a head start .

    Have a plan B

    Enjoy the adventure
  • 996Pilot's avatar
    996Pilot
    Explorer
    Dec 31, 2016
    TxGearhead wrote:
    Here's a "longshot". Does the camper have a sliding front window? And, does your truck have the sliding rear window? Do they match up good enough to put one of those donuts between the cab and the camper? Maybe turn the truck vents that direction would help a little.
    I haven't seen one in years. I used one back in the 1980's but it was always a pain because it moved around.


    First - yes to both sliding widows however my experience using one of those back in the 80's was for the donut wore the paint off the rear cab of the truck. I couldn't bear to see that done to my beloved RAM cherry red metalflake paint. Good idea otherwise.
  • TxGearhead's avatar
    TxGearhead
    Explorer II
    Dec 31, 2016
    Here's a "longshot". Does the camper have a sliding front window? And, does your truck have the sliding rear window? Do they match up good enough to put one of those donuts between the cab and the camper? Maybe turn the truck vents that direction would help a little.
    I haven't seen one in years. I used one back in the 1980's but it was always a pain because it moved around.
  • TxGearhead's avatar
    TxGearhead
    Explorer II
    Dec 31, 2016
    Agree with the electric heater. I just bought a small one at WalMart for $9.99. I haven't had my Bigfoot long enough to use it in cold weather. I'm about to leave for Tulsa OK. next weekend. Last year I took the 5th wheel to Tulsa. Temps got in the teens overnight. I had "trouble lights" with 70watt bulbs in the storage bay, electric heater, and electric blanket. I set the furnace to just occasionally run. Unhook the water hose overnight. No problems.
  • TxGearhead's avatar
    TxGearhead
    Explorer II
    Dec 31, 2016
    If you're satisfied that the camper and water lines are insulated as well as possible, I think I would experiment with turning the furnace on its lowest setting while out driving. Looks like you have ample batteries and the truck should be charging them while driving around. The camper converter should re-charge the batteries overnight at the campground.
  • Old_Days's avatar
    Old_Days
    Explorer II
    Dec 31, 2016
    If you can take the camper off the truck, leave the canvas part down during the day. Get a good electric heater to run all the time. Or winterize the water lines and drink bottled water. Also use RV antifreeze to flush the toilet. Bring a electric blanket with you also.
  • Nemo667's avatar
    Nemo667
    Explorer
    Dec 31, 2016
    Coldest weather we camped in was 13f at night. We were plugged in and ran a small electric heater in the overhead and the heater came on very little during the night. We were plenty warm. It warmed up to just above freezing during the day.

    Water got slushy one morning on the shady side of the camper. Pulled out and backed in putting the waterline side in the sun and no issues after that. I put armatex around the water lines (passenger side) were i could after that trip. We have a cassette toilet and didnt have any issues.

    All of that said i don't have any suggestions. 20's during the day and single digit at night does not lend it self to comfortable camping for us, especially over a 7-10 day period... Electric heater on the floor helped a lot during the day.

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