Winter Camping in Jayflight 32BHDS w/ Thermal Package

ThreeEs_and_OneI wrote:
Great recommendations! I find solice in the fact that folks have camped at lower temps than I'm expecting to. We're very excited to make full use of the trailer. Hopefully we can brave a trip to Lambeau to catch the Pack playing some time.

Another item to be concerned about, is your outside shower. There, you have nothing but a thin plastic door to keep out the cold. I have mine disconnected, capped off the lines, and put some insulation inside that plastic door. I leave a cabinet door open, to warm the lines around the pump and water lines from the outside shower.

I've used my trailer for deer camp in North Dakota. Had a couple days of -5 degrees. Lots of propane and electricity. Even with Ultra Heat tank and pipe heaters, I needed to thaw the dump valve in order to get rid of warm nasty stuff.

I love your enthusiasm, but you should consider not using water when camping with a in those conditions. Even the best insulated units will be a challenge.
It's worth.

ThreeEs_and_OneI wrote:
Great recommendations! I find solice in the fact that folks have camped at lower temps than I'm expecting to. We're very excited to make full use of the trailer. Hopefully we can brave a trip to Lambeau to catch the Pack playing some time.

If you're going to Green Bay, you can expect the worst. It may not dip real low but it's good to be prepared. Skirting really helps the inside cabin temps. Light plywood or foam board cut into 8' strips would be my choice. They can be the last in and first out when packing for a trip. Tape is a good fastener now that they have really sticky and strong tapes available.

I would estimate that skirting, when used below 10f, will cut your fuel for heating by 1/3. I've camped for up to nine days at -0f and with proper prep, we enjoyed the trip. At those temps, we gave up on the plumbing system, too much of a battle.

Great recommendations! I find solice in the fact that folks have camped at lower temps than I'm expecting to. We're very excited to make full use of the trailer. Hopefully we can brave a trip to Lambeau to catch the Pack playing some time.

Dump a gallon of pinks stuff in each (black and grey) holding tank. Even with enclosed underbelly and ducted air blowing around the tanks, there is nothing protecting your dump valve. Warm tanks are useless if you can't dump them.

If you have by-pass valves on your water heater, maybe, leave it by-passed. Heat your water on the stove. One less thing to worry about re-winterizing.

As others have mentioned, open doors / drawers to allow warm air around plumbing lines and lots of propane. If temps are in teens and twenties, you could go through 20 lbs per day.

Bring plenty of disposable hand warmers. I have used them for thawing a dump velve (don't let them go down with the dump) and after an ice storm, I used them to get an antenna down to stored position.

Bring enough antifreeze to winterize at a moments notice. Be ready, in case the bottom drops out on the weather.

You can heat anything if you throw enough propane at it. Your furnace will probably never shut off. "Thermal Package" is not much more than a decal, a little extra insulation and no guaranty it will keep you any warmer. But give it a try, just don't expect the water system to be usable...

B.O.

My Dad goes out after he winterizes by taking water jugs and portapotty. He doesn't use the trailer water or waste systems,just uses it to shelter and stay warm.. he runs the furnace and can cook.. he puts a dishpan in sink to capture water (from washing hands, doing a few dishes if needed).

Propane....propane...propane

Use that furnace.

Open lower cabinet doors at night so heat can circulate inside cabinets where plumbing lines are.

Been in -14*F temps for 2 weeks no issues other than keeping propane cylinders refilled. No skirting.

I owned a 2012 Jayco Jayflight 19RD TT with the thermal package. I camped in slightly below 10 degree F weather over night and traveled in cold weather just fine. My TT small and no slides so it was more than warm enough and no problems. Except: Yep, always a few problems. The black tank had the dump valve inside the insulation. The grey dump valve was out in the open. It will freeze. I made sure there was some RV antifreeze in the bottom of the grey tank covering the valve. The valves are the biggest problem. Check where your dump valves are located. If I had kept the TT I would have pulled off the insulation and changed the where the grey valve was located.