Forum Discussion

StirCrazy's avatar
StirCrazy
Moderator
Apr 06, 2023

Banff around the beginning of dec

Ok, although I have camped in Banff enough to be considered a resident, I have never gone much later than the end of October. I may have to go up there for a few days at the beginning of Dec this year and wondering what people do when they must camp, and the day temps are averaging between +1 to -5C and night -8 to -14C (33 to 23F and 17 to 6F)

I will be using it to have breakfast (although I don't have to) and sleep. I don't really need to use water although it is supposed to be good to go camping to -21C. I am just wondering about using the toilet. The campground will have a shower building operational, so I don't need that. If I just buy some rv antifreeze, can I just use that as a flush in the middle of the night and call it good?

The main issue is I will already be winterized by November, and I am not sure I see the point in un winterizing and then trying to winterize when the temperatures are freezing already.

Steve
  • MNtundraRet's avatar
    MNtundraRet
    Navigator
    Apr 06, 2023
    We have camped with trailers and Motorhome winterized in below freezing weather.

    You will not have running water so keep some water containers in the RV. You could use the toilet for peeing if you pour antifreeze down the toilet to keep liquid from freezing. You will need access to electricity for space heaters. Furnace would need plenty of propane and not worth the hassle.

    The park would likely have only an outhouse and no open showers. I would check ahead to see what is open during the winter and open acomidations.
  • Flyboy320's avatar
    Flyboy320
    Explorer
    Apr 06, 2023
    Why would you consider pulling a trailer Kamloops to Banff and return in December ? As you know from living where you do, the highway can be treacherous enough in a 4 wheel drive vehicle with winter tires, never mind pulling your trailer. Chain ups and all the other "hassles"... avalanches, road closures, etc. If you know this far out that you have to be in Banff in Dec, why not an Air B&B style of accommodation? Just a thought...........
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Apr 06, 2023
    Line the toilet with a water proof bag. Get some kitty litter and put a couple of cups in the bag.

    When you are done with the trip dispose of the bag.

    I winterized 7 times one year.
  • StirCrazy's avatar
    StirCrazy
    Moderator
    Apr 07, 2023
    Flyboy320 wrote:
    Why would you consider pulling a trailer Kamloops to Banff and return in December ? As you know from living where you do, the highway can be treacherous enough in a 4 wheel drive vehicle with winter tires, never mind pulling your trailer. Chain ups and all the other "hassles"... avalanches, road closures, etc. If you know this far out that you have to be in Banff in Dec, why not an Air B&B style of accommodation? Just a thought...........


    yup and that was my final decision last night when I actually found a reasonably priced hotel. Normally when I go up there for this event hotels are in the 400 plus / night range, but I found one for 165/night with free breakfast.

    I have towed through there in the winter with no issues before, but with all the truckers pushing the envelopes and causing problems the last couple years I decided to hotel it.
  • StirCrazy's avatar
    StirCrazy
    Moderator
    Apr 08, 2023
    moisheh wrote:
    What will you do about chains??


    don't need them if you have winter snowflake rated tires, which my truck does. I do have a set of chains from my car that would fit on one set of the trailer tires so I would carry those. but I decided the de-winterizing, or the hassle of using the shower facilities and leaving the 5th winterized isn't worth the hassle.

    thinking about this the difference between the hotel room and the camp site is 122 bucks a night so 366 for three nights and I would burn about and extra 150 to 200 bucks worth of diesel towing the 5th in the winter there and back, so now we are down to a difference of 150 to 200 bucks, plus three free meals in the hotel has to be worth something haha.

    Steve

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