can you winter camp in a pop up?
So this is my first camper, and I was just curious can you winter camp in a pop up, or do you risk cracking the vinyl tent, when opening and closing? thanks Ken
Forum Discussion
We frequently winter camp, and love it- usually. There is one not so great time, and it was in a blizzard warning. The weather forecast changed quickly once we were already camping. The main complaint was the walk to the vault toilet.
We have camped regularly down into the single digits, and once it got below zero- with wind. We run 3 electric space heaters. Two off of camper 30 amp plug in, and an extra off of another outlet from the power pole via an extension cord. We all sleep with electric blankets in the bunks with lots of blankets. I am very good with electrical, so know how to load balance everything so as to not pop breakers or overload anything. The propane heater supplements the electric when it gets below about 10-15 degrees. It is dicey though, as a camper heating/propane system is not designed for cold weather use, and therefore the heater output is a lot less.
The canvass and windows on our pup do just fine in the cold, other than making it more difficult to break down because everything is stiffer. Meaning it is harder to get the roof down and latched. I've ended up on top of the roof to get it squished down to latch. You learn to leave the heat cranked up until it is time to actually lower the roof.
As for snowstorms, yes they can be a problem. I bent one shepherd pole in a heavy snow storm, as it snowed heavily while we were sleeping. You have to be diligent about knocking the snow off of the bunk ends during heavy snow. PUP gizmos help because the snow comes off easier.
Bring a shovel with you for around the campsite.
We usually camp in state park CG's in the winter. Many are open in MN year around, and have good electrical.
We have camped regularly down into the single digits, and once it got below zero- with wind. We run 3 electric space heaters. Two off of camper 30 amp plug in, and an extra off of another outlet from the power pole via an extension cord. We all sleep with electric blankets in the bunks with lots of blankets. I am very good with electrical, so know how to load balance everything so as to not pop breakers or overload anything. The propane heater supplements the electric when it gets below about 10-15 degrees. It is dicey though, as a camper heating/propane system is not designed for cold weather use, and therefore the heater output is a lot less.
The canvass and windows on our pup do just fine in the cold, other than making it more difficult to break down because everything is stiffer. Meaning it is harder to get the roof down and latched. I've ended up on top of the roof to get it squished down to latch. You learn to leave the heat cranked up until it is time to actually lower the roof.
As for snowstorms, yes they can be a problem. I bent one shepherd pole in a heavy snow storm, as it snowed heavily while we were sleeping. You have to be diligent about knocking the snow off of the bunk ends during heavy snow. PUP gizmos help because the snow comes off easier.
Bring a shovel with you for around the campsite.
We usually camp in state park CG's in the winter. Many are open in MN year around, and have good electrical.
