Full time in a parked RV in Alaska

[TexanAlaskan]

Hey! Completely new to this, so bear with me. I'm from Texas and got to Alaska about a month ago. This started off as just a fantasy, but then I got to thinking, could I really do it?
The town I'm moving to is Girdwood, Alaska. Basically any housing here is either: a huge, expensive vacation rental home, or (very few) apartments, which are both more than I need.
The "fantasy" is to get an rv (something small, like a winnebago brave), find someone with hookups who would let me rent a parking spot, and never drive or move it. Because it's so common to have dry cabins in Alaska, there are showers in town, so I'd rarely use water. The main thing would be heat.
I feel like it's a little ridiculous, right? I really know absolutely nothing about RVs whatsoever. I just figured, hey, if I find out there may possibly be a way to do it, and I can find someone who does know what they're doing to help, then hey, I'll definitely try, lol. I have the money.

[soren]

"you will freeze to death" "it will get to 40 below and stay there"

Oddly enough, I think the guy actually posted his question asking for helpful advice. Who knew? Right? Like I have stated a few posts ago, I have met folks who do this, in parts of AK. that make Anchorage/peninsula area look like the Bahamas. There are many in my area living in similar situations. (like 18 below and a hundred+ inches of snow last year). This spring they were still quite alive when they exit their beat up old travel trailers and fifty year old (nearly insulation free) mobile homes. Might be tough way to spend the winter, might even have to jump in the truck and head to the local convenience store to warm up, when the propane runs out in the middle of the night. But, with half a brain, and a bit of ambition, I think our intrepid explorer will survive just fine, LOL.

[GordonThree]

Girdwood historical doesn't look so bad

http://weather-warehouse.com/WeatherHistory/PastWeatherData_Alyeska_Girdwood_AK_February.html

[Bumpyroad]

TexanAlaskan wrote:

I feel like it's a little ridiculous, right?

right
bumpy

[WyoTraveler]

Coldest temp I saw listed for Gridwood was Jan 1989 -19F. In the last 5 years -7f. Last couple of years not nuch below zero. If we are talking wind chill probably does get -40F but not actual temp readings.

[4X4Dodger]

I lived In Anchorage over two winters. Girdwood will get to -40 below zero and stay there for periods of time.

My guess is that IF you can do it it will cost you more in heat and electric that an apartment.

[tonyandkaren]

It's definitely possible because there are people who do it but I won't want to. 😄 Brrrr...

Anyway check this blog written by a young guy who's heading into his forth winter of living in Alaska in a Toyota motorhome - http://timmystoyota.blogspot.com/

[Geocritter]

Did you look at the "sticky" Winter RV camping posted at the top of this forum?

Steve

PS FWIW I don't have any negative thoughts about you're plans but there are many things already posted that'll make it more doable.

[mockturtle]

If you're going to be there awhile, build a snug little cabin. RVs simply aren't built for extreme cold.

[DutchmenSport]

If you're from Texas, you are in for a BIG surprise when you experience Alaska cold!

It's not practical in a camper. You'll freeze to death trying to stay warm. Some things are just not meant to be.

[WyoTraveler]

This winter may not be a typical winter in Alaska. El nino in the Pacific. We may have the warmest winter on record in the west. In NW WY days are still in the 50s, nights barely freezing. I'm betting Alaska will be warm this winter.

[GordonThree]

You mention you'll have access to shower / bathroom other than your RV, so if you eliminate indoor plumbing from your RV, the only thing you have to protect from freezing is yourself.

There are a lot of videos on google about folks living "off grid" in stationary RV, not sure about alaska. most of them rely on wood stove or waste oil heater, due to very cheap and accessible fuel source (compared to LP and elec).

Have you camped before in sub-zero temperatures? It's quite refreshing when you get up at 5am for a morning whizz and it's well below 0F outside and in the teens inside, and that's just my Michigan experience.

moisture is another issue, you'll constantly be struggling to find a balance between retaining heat and ventilating humidity. I myself give off tons of moisture - some folks get away with cracking a vent and their rv stays dry; I myself can have every window open 1/2" and the roof vent fully open and still have water condensing on the walls. Without running an electric dehumidifier my little rv (20ft trailer) gets clammy very fast.

I'm not being negative about your dream, it sounds very cool and I envy your bravery. I want to share some of the observations I've made camping in Northern Michigan, which is often as cold or colder than many of the more populated areas of Alaska.

[soren]

It's definitely possible, and you won't be the first. Comfortable and affordable are different issues entirely, however.

Last summer I was 400+ miles north of there, while soaking at Chena Hot Springs. I met a local from a little village nearby. She spoke of an elderly woman who also lives there, year round, in a travel trailer. On another trip I talked with another year-rounder who lived in a converted school bus, near the entrance to Denali Park.

OTOH, Girdwood is hardly Nome, or Barrow, or even the interior. In fact, winter there is pretty mild. I live in the mountains of Northern PA. Our January highs and lows average only 2-3 degrees higher than Girdwood, and we get about ten percent more snow. Here there are many who get though the winter in older marginally habitable mobile homes, and even travel trailers. IMHO, it will be a rugged experience, but quite doable. Good luck.

[icanon]

You'll freeze to death before the winter is over as gbopp said not insulated enough for those extremes. If you do decide to try best to have a good backup plan or two.

[gbopp]

Welcome to the forum.
I believe you will find that most RV's are not suitable as a permanent residence in Alaska. They're not insulated very well.
You will be using a lot of propane and/or electricity.