Winter in Missoula in Coach ?

[USMC46]

My wife wants to move to the Bitterroot Valley. She is from South Texas and has never lived through a real winter. I grew up in North Missouri and have worked in Siberia in the winter ! She needs some experience before we buy or build in Montana. We are considering making a trip out soon in the coach and parking in the Missoula area at a park, to spend the winter. I have found at least one park which takes crazies wanting to do this IF we will have the local propane company install a large external tank for us. I know for sure, I would buy an insulated hose to run to the water source. I do have a vent that runs to the basement when the propane heater is on. Anyone have any "survival" tips to avoid coach plumbing damage etc. should we do this ? Thanks.

[WyoTraveler]

I was surprised. Compared to other areas in the north Missoula didn't get all that cold. Appears to be more moisture though. Last year -14 F was lowest. Many areas in the north were -20 to -25 F for several days. That said, certainly not RV weather. Brave experienced winter RV people in MT, SD, ND, WY put straw around their RVs. I prefer to be in a warm S&B.

BTW: -14F doesn't account for wind chill factor for those that step outside. -50 to -60F is not uncommon. I would recommend Carhartt bibs, coat, a ski mask, goggles, and good insulated boots. Just to be prepared. You'll only need them on bad days.

[bdecker]

City code might require you to skirt the rig as well.

[RoyB]

The BAKKEN OIL FIELDS located in NW North Dakota and NE Montanna has been a hugh demand on housing all over that area.

Alot of oil field workers live in RV's parked any and everywhere allowed or not. Certainly would be something to consider when moving up that way...

I would imagine even Bitterroot Valley housing is affected. I have heard it brings back the old GOLD RUSH days of Alaska...

Roy Ken

[msmith1199]

The problem with an RV is they are built to be light weight to drive on the highway. They have insulation, but not near enough for a Montana winter. What that likely means is your propane heater will come on and not shut off for six months! Or if it does shut off, it will be back on in less than ten minutes because that's all it would take for all the heat in the motorhome to leave.

Looks like you got a 41 footer so I'm assuming you have two heaters. That's a good thing for cold weather. At least if one goes down you still have the other. Will the park allow you to use electric heat too? My preferred way to heat the motorhome would be with electric but it sounds like the park may not let you do that. Either way it's going to cost a lot of money to stay warm.

[Trackrig]

Living there in a Motorhome isn't going to give her any realistic / realivant experience unless you're trying to discourage her. Rent a place like you would live in full time.

Bill

[n7bsn]

Lots of solid info here

Personally, I'm from Montana, spent many winters there, if I wanted to "try a Montana winter" I would rent an place (not in Missoula or Bozeman though, due to the Universities) and NOT try it in an RV.

One of my old college friends stayed in Bozeman and became a real-estate agent. She -loves- selling homes to people from "down south" that plan to "live in Montana" as she figures about 80% end up selling the home again the next summer.
Montana winters can be hard.
That being said, the Ravalli valley gets some of the mildest winters in Montana, lots of snow most years, but not as cold as areas east of there.