Possible 4 season 5ers and minimum requirements?

Jane - There NO industry standards that pertain to '4-season' rating. There are NO industry standards that pertain to 'full time' rating.

I have a Bighorn and there are stickers on it for both those things.

You want something with an enclosed underbelly. One that has furnace ducting into the underbelly. Also something that has the equivalent of the Bighorn Yeti package.

You also want (IMHO) 50-amp service and 2 AC units.

Devocamper wrote:
Take a look at the Northwood products like artic fox seems to be what you may be looking for .

X2!

They are a tad heavy, but well built!

janegowest wrote:
Actually...I should have mentioned...we would like to travel with it at times to colder climates to enjoy the snow in winter as well.

So just where are you thinking about going to enjoy the snow in winter? You do know that most RV parks in the north close during the winter months don't you?

Yes, a Carriage Cameo would be a good choice for your needs.

Bighorn's are zero tested. You can get a Yeti Package Option, although we don't have it. When we camp in 30 degrees, we can keep our comfortable at 50 with minimal heater use.

We have used our Cameo in 10 belowf weather, and travelled with it with water in that cold of weather wothout freezing. Burn a lot of propane to do it.
Excel or Arctic Fox would be better choices for heating in a rig that wont break the bank and light enough to tow.

Take a look at the Northwood products like artic fox seems to be what you may be looking for .

4 season features

Roof attic venting...........helps remove heat and keeps condensation down in cold temps

Highest insulation value available.

Heated and enclosed underbelly.......RV Furnace ducting OK, heated pads/piping wrap OK=======best would be combination of both

Dual pane windows----BEST
Dark/UV tint-----works

Four seasons is a relative term. Depends on where you want to be during those four seasons. There are probably less than 3 or 4 real four season units. Big Horns are not among those. You can stay in any trailer if you run enough propane through it. In 15 degree weather you can go through a tank of propane in a day or two. It will still be drafty and the furnace will run most of the time. But then on the other hand, you will have a hard time finding a campground that has running water when it gets cold. The best answer is to go south in the Winter.

B.O.

You are really asking for a lot. Four season living in a fixed spot, you can put in heat lines for your drains and water feed, you can put in skirting to hold in any heat and prevent freeze ups.

But four season travelling is a real different ball game when actually living in a fifth wheel. Purposely travelling to snow country usually involves altitude, and hills. Stopping a heavy fifth wheel on an icy road when the brakes are useless is almost impossible. Keeping water lines open, and furnaces running while on the road can quickly go from lots of fun, to a total frozen broken rig.

There are some expensive units with three inch insulation in the walls.

Tell us what your budget, requirements, temperature range expected, and ability to remain on your own in the event you get snowed in might be.

2oldman wrote:
Search this forum for those brands. You'll find a lot.

Agree. Bighorn's are not only 4 season with a heated underbelly, but are rated for full-time use.