New to campers

[Jamesconn]

I am work on pipeline as an inspector in MT, WY, and the Dakotas. I am usually gone for 3 weeks minimum then 1 week off. You can still be away from home for up to 3 months.

We get per diem but we are supposed to use that to pay for hotels. One of the guys I work with let me stay in his camper and I have to say its a great way to save money and it feels more home-y.

I have 0 exerience with RVs. it needs to be 7000lb or lower, and sleep two. I will be using it year round from -40 degrees to 110 degrees. I won't be able to get it for quite a few months but I hope y'all can give me some advice on purchasing one and how to avoid big mistakes.

[rjf7g]

Hey Jamesconn, what does your friend with the camper do? Does his travel to the same places you are talking about traveling to?

[The_Mad_Norsky]

Folks are living in RV's in the North Dakota oil fields 365 days a year now. No difference what time of year the calendar says it is.

As our OP said, from -40 F to 110 above. And all points in between.

Jamesconn, from what I have read, and from folks in Williston I have talked to, forget the RV if you can. Yea, neat and homey. Then winter sets in. It will be such a PITA to keep from freezing up that I just don't know if the results will be worth the effort.

Cause you will need insulating skirting, extra large propane bottles, window treatments, and on and on and on. And you'll still end up with frost inside the unit.

WARNING TO ALL: if anyone is buying a used RV, find out if it has been used in the Bakken oil fields. If so, then it has wintered there and should be avoided at all costs. Moisture, frost and just too many problems worth owning. They come out of there as no better than salvage value junk.

PS: Jamesconn, Williston was my home town. I've been there a lot recently and seen the zoo it has become. I'd never, never winter there in an RV.

[stickdog]

Sleeps 2? One bed or two? http://www.northwoodmfg.com/index.php?page=model&make=arctic&id=1060

[agesilaus]

Might work if you buy a used Travel Trailer. Not for winter tho. If you put skirting around it and add heat lamps under the trailer, you might get 8 months a year out of it.Check dealers near you. Since you already stayed in your friend's you know about the sleeping arrangement. One bedroom and then it's the fold out couch.

There is a brand made for Alaska type winters, it was mentioned over in the Alaska/Canada forum here. I don't recall what it was. But they will be rare and expensive.

[Grandpere]

Being from Montana and worked for the railroad in the areas you are mentioning, I would say that at best you are going to be able to use a RV for 6 months of the year. Then you will be in motels from October to the end of March, maybe even April. The money invested in a 5er or a travel trailer (TT) will not be offset by your per diem savings. It is a nice idea, but not practical considering the initial costs of getting a RV and equipping it. Of course this is based on my premise that you don't have several ten thousand dollars bills lying around with nothing to do. LOL

[NC_Hauler]

If weight of 5er, (figure you're talking about a 5th. wheel), is to be 7,000# or under, sleep 2 and be able to handle temps that you're talking about, you're probably out of luck....not too many around with a wieght of 7,000# that are super insulated as you are wanting one to be.

What truck are you driving that you need such a light weight 5th wheel? May want to look at a Travel Trailer.....Lot of variable you've brought up...weight restrictions, sleep 2 and handle REALLY cold weather...

[downtheroad]

Welcome to the Forum...
Let's start with the basics and with reality. Living in an RV in -40 degree weather is not going to be worth the per diem money you might save.