Driving the MH to go Skiing

[kfp673]

Hello All,

We are seriously considering switching from our travel trailer to a MH. We are most interested in a class A but a C is not out of the question. regardless of that, one of the things we would like to do in the winter is jump in the MH on a Friday night, head up to the mountains (Pocono Mountains here in PA), spend the night wherever we can find a place (state park, walmart, whatever) close to the ski resort, eat breakfast and hit the slopes. Do any of you do this? If so, do you typically just park where the tour and school busses park? any issues with that?

Also important is our 4 legged family members. As I understand it, most MH's have 2 batteries is that correct? So I could run the heat using the battery for the blower while we are skiing to keep the dogs warm? Right now we would go for the day and the dogs would be home alone until dinner time anyway, so I figure as long as I can heat the coach they should be fine to come along and stay in the RV. Oe of us could run down to check on them and let them out a few times. I don't think the resorts would want a running generator all day in their parking lot which is why I am curious if the battery is enough to power the fan for the day.

Thanks all!

[BigRabbitMan]

kfp673 wrote:


Regarding the batteries, I was not implying "only 2", I was asking if they have at least 2. Just making sure that the battery that starts the motor would not be effected even if the house battery was drained.

Thanks again all!

To answer your actual question, all class C's and class A's have two systems: one for the house (which runs the heater system) and a separate chassis system for starting the engine. They have the two separate systems for just the concern that you have so that you cannot run the starting (or chassis) batteries down and then be unable to start the coach. Most of the above discussion has related to the capacity of just the house system.

[NoVa_RT]

I am definitely used to cold weather camping as we have done it in our Travel Trailer but only where we had electric hookup so battery power was not an issue.

There are ski areas where you can camp with electric hookups, such as Canaan Valley State Park in West, Virginia, which is something of a four season resort. That might give you additional options, if you can find something similar in your area or travel a bit further.

[jsmart]

Crystal Mountain in Wa. Has RV hookups in their parking lot. We,ve been up there once, never put chains on a MH before, didn't have to that day either.

[wa8yxm]

There is basically no difference between driving a Class C and a big pick up truck but there are some considerations.

1: Larger sail space so if the conditions are windy.. You may have issues with handling and/or literally being blown off the road

2: Taller and wider may have problems with low hanging limbs or wires that in the summer do not hang so low.

3: Winterize water system I oike to use the DRY method for the fresh lines (Blow 'em out with compressed air 50 PSI several times with all valves open, hand drain the pump inlet strainer and run pump sans inlet cover for a minute after first blow,, Pink in drains, toilets and such)

Carry Jugged water (Jerry cans, Gallon jugs and such) inside RV for use.

Dump ASAP (your waste tanks)

[Bill_Satellite]

If you can find/afford a coach with diesel heat you will also be much happier with your winter camping. Aqua Hot/Webasto and similar setups us the coaches diesel fuel supply so running out is never an issue. It also does a much better job of maintaining a steady temp vs. the hot and then cold and then hot with the propane furnace.
One issue you will have to deal with is keeping the unit winterized (or not) when you are not using the coach between trips. If you choose not to winterize you have to keep it warms so the water lines don't freeze. If you do winterize you have to choose whether to de-winterize for the trip or not use all the facilities you wanted to use when you bought the coach. We used to go to 7 Springs in our entry level diesel pusher but it used propane heat. It was wonderful and we stayed on-site without issue. Our new coach has diesel heat and I simply would never go back. It really proved itself when we spent much of last Winter in Detroit!

[Busskipper]

kfp673 wrote:
Thanks for the replies everyone! I am definitely used to cold weather camping as we have done it in our Travel Trailer but only where we had electric hookup so battery power was not an issue. Generally the low temps would be in the teens or twenties overnight.

To clarify... I don't think I would stay at the resort, rather we would head to a walmart or state park where running the genny overnight is not an issue. Its just during the day / evening while we are skiing that I would be all battery power.

Regarding the batteries, I was not implying "only 2", I was asking if they have at least 2. Just making sure that the battery that starts the motor would not be effected even if the house battery was drained.

Thanks again all!

Having done this for 3-4 years as the kids first started skiing I'll give you a little insight - we never found it an issue to stay at the resort, we checked with the management and usually arrived late in the night - we did the Poconos, upstate NY, and even Canada 12-15 times - the only people at the resort are the groomers during the night, so it was never an issue, The biggest thing is it gets really COLD and for the most part C's and gas A's are not really set up for winter at least back in the 80's) - so you will need to run the generator all night, and be prepared for cold sleeping. (we did this with another family and it created some great stories for the kids - 8-9 in a coach)

There is enough noise in the parking lot, that the Generator was never an issue - be sure to have lots of hot coffee and coco as you will have lots of New Friends, Kids love it - we Loved it - they became good skiers - we ultimately found it was cheaper to fly to Salt Lake City and Ski where they had really Good SNOW, than to drive all over the east coast and only find thin snow that covered thick ICE.

Go for it - it will be great!

BOL,

[holstein13]

All of this sounds doable. I've only driven / camped in the snow one time. The biggest issue is snow on the road and falling snow. It's one thing to drive a small car with chains through the snow, it's a whole other level to drive a heavy and large motorhome through the snow. It doesn't stop as quickly and the roads are narrower because of the snow banks. But I only did it one time (vowed to not do it again). With experience, maybe you'll become a pro.

Winter camping is definitely harder on your coach. Be sure to spray it down and especially underneath every time you come home. That may be a little difficult, however when it's 20 degrees when you arrive home. Your alternative is to live with the salt / sand mixture eating away at your chassis and slide components. Maybe someone locally can do an undercoating treatment for your coach like they do for cars.

Here's a great video by Gone with the Wynns to help inspire you: http://www.gonewiththewynns.com/winterize-rv

[fortytwo]

Many folks have added a catalytic heater that does not require power to avoid running down batteries while ski camping. Also, you can reduce the area that needs heating by not extending slides and using a heavy drape or blanket to isolate the big cold windshield from the living area. Years ago we camped in the parking lots of ski areas, along with several others. Just have to be sure you don't get in the way of snow plows.

Also, you have to evaluate your propane supply. In Breckenridge one very cold weekend we had to make a daily trip to replenish ours (1972 vintage that only had 2 30 pound bottles). Even with a 30 gallon tank our 35' class A with dual pane windows and good insulation had needed a propane fill after 4 days in zero weather.

Also consider the location of your water lines, drain and dump valves. And don't forget the water heater. Have had icicles hanging from mine.

[Bobbo]

With 2 batteries, keep the thermostat no higher than 55 overnight or you will run down the batteries for sure. We did that in Yellowstone a few years ago.

At 55, the dogs won't freeze. Remember, they have a fur coat on.

[kfp673]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I am definitely used to cold weather camping as we have done it in our Travel Trailer but only where we had electric hookup so battery power was not an issue. Generally the low temps would be in the teens or twenties overnight.

To clarify... I don't think I would stay at the resort, rather we would head to a walmart or state park where running the genny overnight is not an issue. Its just during the day / evening while we are skiing that I would be all battery power.

Regarding the batteries, I was not implying "only 2", I was asking if they have at least 2. Just making sure that the battery that starts the motor would not be effected even if the house battery was drained.

Thanks again all!

[Two_Jayhawks]

We used to do a lot of winter camping and I say I won't do it again as it is hard on the equipment. That said we camped last weekend and we did have a not so thin layer of ice to deal with on the coach one morning. Everything you are talking about doing is completely doable with practically any rig. Do choose a model/mfg that is known to insulate well or you'll burn a lot of fuel keeping it warm. Depending on how much you want to spend you may end up with things like auto start genny and aqua hot that will make winter camping even less taxing. We also travel with two dogs.

[RayChez]

I have six batteries and I would not run the furnace all day without starting the generator every so often. Two batteries will be dead by the time you get back. Then you would not be able to even bring in the slides if so equipped. It happened to me on a gasoline motorhome I used to have. Went to Zion in the winter, run the furnace most of the night, run the batteries dead. Could not bring in the slides, so I had to crank them in. Traded the coach that same day with only five thousand miles on it. LOL!

[gbopp]

I have a Cheap Class A Southwind. It only has two batteries. 🙂
Running the furnace all night will run them down. Manage your power consumption and you will be okay.
Also, see if it's okay to run your generator where you will be staying.

[J-Rooster]

Make sure you have tire chains and, if the slide outs are out, a ladder to get up high enough to clean off the new snow off the slide topper so you can retract the slide. A good set of charged batteries and a low heat setting should keep the inside of the RV comfortable for your animals.