Full timing in cold weather

I have a bighorn silverado and we full timed at our house while we remodeled. The only real problem that I ever had was the water lines going to the kitchen sink and back bath freezing due to them being seperated from the exterior by maybe 1/8" of insulation sheeting on topp if the underbelly. I did have a heat lamp in the underbelly which kept it from freezing until the single digit level, where I needed to run a salomander heater for ten minutes blowing under the camper. I also had skirting around the back holding tanks with another heat light but rarely had any problem there.

Interior was not bad, but went through a bunch of propane.

All rvs should have at least R14 in the floor and ceiling and R7 in the walls whether winter or summer camping. The higher the R value, the easier to heat or cool. A wrap to limit air infiltration should also be present. Some manufactures attribute some absurd r value to radiant wraps.

TXiceman wrote:
I'd forget the Big Horn and Big Country. If you are interested in a good full time, cold weather unit, look at Mobile Suites, Elite Suites, Excel, New Horizon and HitchHiker Champagne Edition.

Ken

X2 at a considerably higher cost..

B.O.

Living in any RV in extreme temperatures is difficult for a seasoned RVer, and would be very problematic for a new RVer. I would not recommend it.

I'd forget the Big Horn and Big Country. If you are interested in a good full time, cold weather unit, look at Mobile Suites, Elite Suites, Excel, New Horizon and HitchHiker Champagne Edition.

Ken

Jayco hasn't made the Designer for a number of years now. they have the Pinnacle. And it does have an Arctic package that is good but not for extended periods of time without some modifications. Good luck.

Hi,

I full time and have done so in pretty extreme conditions. I'd suggest you read this thread: Winter RV Camping

Most RV's will need some modifications to make them comfortable as opposed to liveable in the winter.

If you plan carefully, you can heat electrically and use the propane furnace as a back up.

The first order of the day is finding an RV park that is open in the area you plan to live in.

Being rated for full time means Heartland will warranty the rig even if you live in it full time..Doesn't say where you will live in it full time. That warranty only lasts one year so in reality..BIG DEAL. Arctic pkg, Cold weather pkg, Polar pkg are all meaningless. Usually they include tank heaters and maybe a small amount of extra insulation and a decal. There is no industry standard for 4 seasons RVs. It's a good advertising gimmick. There are only a small handful that are made to be used below zero and they are priced accordingly. You can keep anything warm if you burn enough propane. I have used my Big Country when it was 15 degrees or so. The furnace rarely shuts off. It would be very expensive to heat if it was always that cold out. In my opinion you would be happier in an apartment.

B.O.

Our Jayco has been tested at 0 degrees and maintains 68 inside with no more than a 3 degree difference from front to back.

The Designer is now more liveable than ever with Polar Barrier™, a thermo insulation package that extends the camping season and increases options for winter travel destinations by providing full functionality during cold months. Designer’s Polar Barrier, tested down to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, includes a fully-enclosed underbelly, additional insulation in the main floor area and laminated roof and a high-capacity, high-efficiency furnace. The new Polar Barrier package adds to the insulation features already standard on the Designer, such as insulated and heated holding tanks and utility center.

In addition, the Designer recently added other upgrades, including additional Flexfoil® insulation in the bedroom floor to raise the R-value to R-22, retractable triple entrance step with deeper treads, redesigned free-standing chairs, an enlarged window by the dinette, new multi-angled overhead cabinetry and theater seating in the 36 RLTS floorplan. The Designer is available in a variety of floorplans, ranging in length from 35 to 38 feet.