Forum Discussion

kotz's avatar
kotz
Explorer
Nov 13, 2015

Cold weather operations advice

Need some experienced cold weather operators advice.

Planning on full timing 2-3 days a week in Gillette, Wyoming.

Seeing how our 5th wheel (Arctic fox 355 Z) will be abandoned 4 days a week I'm seeking some best practices to avoid any problems.
The unit will be skirted and we'll have an auxiliary propane tank (250 gallons).

Here's my thoughts:

Shut everything off, including refrigerator.

Dump all tanks, black ,grey, and fresh water.
Shut off water at supply source, we're having a custom heated water hose made.
Close all slides.
Furnace at 55 degrees.
55w bulb in tank area.

unit has heated tanks in the under belly, no heat pads.

Any input?

Thanks
  • paulcardoza's avatar
    paulcardoza
    Explorer
    Nov 17, 2015
    A lot depends on your risk tolerance. If it gets really cold and the power goes out, your furnace may not run for 4 days and you'll come back to a huge mess.

    If you have solar to keep the batteries charged, the risk is a bit lower, as long as the panels aren't covered with snow.

    As others said, I would leave the refrigerator on.
  • mmiille's avatar
    mmiille
    Explorer
    Nov 17, 2015
    If you drain water and winterize, I would leave the frig on. Turn heat all the way down when gone, and insulate everywhere else.

    I did it this way when I was only using our rv part time. Used bottled water for coffee.
  • portliz's avatar
    portliz
    Explorer
    Nov 14, 2015
    Check out this forum: www.4scf.com. They have a section on winter camping. Many members came in the Canadian winter. They are knowledgeable and experienced in winter camping. Good Luck
  • Dick_B's avatar
    Dick_B
    Explorer
    Nov 14, 2015
    I'm not positive but I think I would leave the refrigerator doors open to avoid mold since it won't really be `on'.
  • kotz's avatar
    kotz
    Explorer
    Nov 14, 2015
    Not sure if I explained our concerns clearly.

    We'll live in it 3 days a week, and be gone the remaining 4 days.

    Thanks
  • gbopp's avatar
    gbopp
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2015
    kotz wrote:
    Planning on full timing 2-3 days a week


    :h isn't that the same as camping. :)
  • WyoTraveler's avatar
    WyoTraveler
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2015
    You are asking for a guess. It has been very warm in WY so far. BUT!!! It can get very cold when these storms blow in. If you won't be there why not just winterize by blowing out the lines.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Nov 13, 2015
    Hi,

    You need to protect the fridge. See the winter camping thread on the full time forum.

    I would operate off the fresh water tank and not use the heated hose.

    I would not dump the fresh water tank.

    I would not shut off the fridge as restarting it in the cold may be a pain you wish to avoid.

    Make sure the drain tube for the fridge does not have a "loop" in it in the way you would want for summer operation.

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