FT RV Living in Winter conditions

We stayed in our RV throughout the harshest winters. We just put 1,500 miles between the RV and the frozen tundra. I got cold just watching the folks on the Weather Channel dealing with 2' - 4' of snow and below freezing temps. Sometimes I couldn't finish my pina colada. Actually I don't know of an RV brand that can handle that temp or a roof that will handle that much snow. Just my opinion and I could be wrong.

Many oilfield workers have spent the whole winter or more in North Dakota during the oil boom and they did it in various types of RVs

We have spent 'some limited' time in winter weather with -19*F temps and 2' plus snow

PROPANE PROPANE PROPANE

Run that Furnace 24/7 and you will stay warm
Waste tanks/drain lines/fresh water tanks........that depends on whether or not underbelly is insulated and enclosed with source of heat to the enclosure

We have furnace duct to enclosure
Would prefer heater pads on tanks and drain lines PLUS furnace duct.

Furnace duct alone was marginal------


Propane Propane Propane

We went thru 30# (7 gallons) each day during that -19*F stint

Anytime temps go below 20*F and stay low it becomes a on going effort to keep water from freezing.....waste tanks/drain lines/fresh water tank are most susceptible and plumbing lines running behind/thru cabinets next to outside wall can also be problem areas (leave cabinet doors/drawers open at night). Outside showers .....stuff the opening with insulation.

Maintain 55*F as minimum

60W light bulb in outside fridge compartment will help fridge to continue to work


Propane Propane Propane

Electric space heaters can be used to keep immediate area warm but lack heating ability for tanks/lines.
RV Furnace needs to run


Pioneers did it in covered wagons
Man since the dawn of time as survived living in cold climates
Just need to be self sufficient, hearty and determined

I wintered over in Coronach, Sk,(81) The Pas, Mb, ( (86) Coteau du Lac, PQ, (82) Winnipeg ( 87, 89) andWhitecourt, Ab.(2000))in 3 different TT.'s
Very difficult to find and maintain water facilities from freezing.
It wasnt cost effective , or fun to winter in an rv in such places. I did it for my work, and because no matter the difficulty, I preferred my rig to a motel or apartment. Therefore the difficulty and cost was not an issue. My family and dog could come along.
mods must be made to almost any rv ,and special attention to water supply and disposal regardless of mfgr. claims to ensure its extreme weather service.

Lot's of good info in this thread

n7bsn wrote:
Lot's of good info in this thread

except in # 3' about the heated hose, Dianne does not explain that the thermostat on the hose must be exposed. All heated hoses, home made or made. somewhere else have a thermostat at one end, or the other.
That thermostat must be open to the weather., not in aservice compartment. Of course thecamp has to have equally heated water site supply, or the issue is moot?

We avoid freezing pipes by heading south. Someone once told me that is why they put wheels on these things.

Can it be done ? Sure. There are folks on this forum who are doing it.

RVs are not insulated worth a d**n. They bleed heat (or AC). Notice how there's about a 2 ft air gap under them which helps all that cold wind to completely encircle the rig. There is no room in the walls to have 2x6 insulation.

Listen to the folks who are quoting propane consumption figures; then find propane cost and do the math. Supplemental heating with electricity will not be cheap either.

It will be cheaper (ands way less work) for you to rent an apartment or house.

plugging into power at a camp site for heat tapes is a simple idea, but what 12 volt solutions would I have when rural camping and no external power is available? would running the propane heater and generator be enough to keep the pipes from freezing? I suspect that the winter would be very expensive indeed.

SDcampground owner....I did not write the article....it is a reprint with permission.....

Propane, Propane, Propane = right on the money. If you have heater pads on the tanks and heat to the underside, most likely they will be fine. The drain hoses and the connection to them will most likely freeze, however. Depending on how far back the outlet connection is frozen, you may have real issues draining the tanks.