Winter time travel

[BillHoughton]

I've seen occasional references in passing recommending against winter (that is, below freezing) travel in an RV.

We own an Itasca Navion, purchased used a couple of years back. We're considering some winter travel. Temperatures here on California's North Coast can get below freezing (occasionally down into the teens); and we're contemplating the idea of a trip up to the mountains, where temperatures in the teens are typical, with lower temperatures not uncommon.

Can we take the Navion into weather like that, and, if so, what kind of preparatory work should we do? I'm, of course, most concerned about the water and waste tanks.

[Dakzuki]

Unload the G&T, and Mojito mixing stuff and prep for warm adult beverages. You should be good to go.

[Photomike]

Matt_Colie wrote:
Bill,

No Joking here.
We used to travel in winter all the time in an antique coach know to be poorly suited for bad roads. I have some things to share.

Most MH have the potable system inside the heated spaces, so they are not an issue. This often includes the potable tank, find out where it is.

Next, do your best to maintain 3 days of provisions. This is all Fuel, Food and Water. If things get bad, you may have to hold up a day or even two. The reason for three is that I have always been sort of paranoid. That may just be the biggest reason I managed to get old....

Have a CO monitor. Do not worry about the "RV" version, get one that is stand-lone and if it get beat up, frizby the thing and replace it. If you are running the gas heat, that uses both a lot of gas and a lot of DC power.

Be ready to wait while all the people that just have to be someplace else go and have the accident they need so they can go home and leave you alone. (That is why you need two days.)

Get a weather radio that works on its own batteries and carry at least one spare set. When things get bad, you will want this on all the time.

Most of all, be ready to watch the world go by.

Matt - tries to avoid this now.

Some great ideas! I carry a week of freeze dried food..... just in case!

[Matt_Colie]

Bill,

No Joking here.
We used to travel in winter all the time in an antique coach know to be poorly suited for bad roads. I have some things to share.

Most MH have the potable system inside the heated spaces, so they are not an issue. This often includes the potable tank, find out where it is.

Next, do your best to maintain 3 days of provisions. This is all Fuel, Food and Water. If things get bad, you may have to hold up a day or even two. The reason for three is that I have always been sort of paranoid. That may just be the biggest reason I managed to get old....

Have a CO monitor. Do not worry about the "RV" version, get one that is stand-lone and if it get beat up, frizby the thing and replace it. If you are running the gas heat, that uses both a lot of gas and a lot of DC power.

Be ready to wait while all the people that just have to be someplace else go and have the accident they need so they can go home and leave you alone. (That is why you need two days.)

Get a weather radio that works on its own batteries and carry at least one spare set. When things get bad, you will want this on all the time.

Most of all, be ready to watch the world go by.

Matt - tries to avoid this now.

[pnichols]

Steve,

We don't have any desire To Time Travel. HOWEVER, finding Time To Travel is a big deal with us. 😉

[Community Alumni]

We have camped in our 2009 Navion during sub-freezing temperatures as we travel four seasons. All the plumbing is inside the motor coach save the holding tanks which have 12Volt heaters. The only issues experienced were frozen dump valves. Hair dryer took care of that. If you have a diesel generator (common on Sprinters) be sure to have the oil appropriate for the season and run it everyday for a bit to ensure that it will start when needed. A small electric heater is good to have to maintain an even heat at night when AC is available and also is good for loading the generator when that is running. Just like a house in the winter, it is essential to keep the living space warm. Your Navion is probably plumbed with PEX pipe, so if a freeze up happens, PEX is somewhat forgiving and not subject to splitting open like rigid plastic or copper.

Time travel is possible not only in Winter. I have had my Navion up to 88 MPH (not advised during windy conditions) passing trucks, but that is not required for time travel. I have observed on numerous cross country trips that time advances when driving West to East and time reverses driving East to West. One time traveling at 75 MPH, I saw my cell phone time advance one hour. The Navion did not have optional Flux Capacitors, only the stock Diesel Particulate Filter and turbo charger and intercooler.

[BillHoughton]

DrewE wrote:

ScottG wrote:
Aw rats. I thought this thread was about time travel in the winter. :W

Time travel in winter is the same as time travel in summer. It generally goes along at a steady rate of approximately twenty-four hours each day, whether you want it to or not. :B

On the other hand, if you've got one of those really powerful V10 motors, and you accelerate long enough to approach light speed, time will appear to move more slowly to an outside observer.

Me, I've just got the five cylinder diesel in my Sprinter; I don't think I'll be able to get anywhere near light speed.

Thanks, folks, for the good advice here. Looks like it'll be feasible.

[maillemaker]

When in the RV..using the furnace can get to be a power problem. I light one of the stove top burners...it's amazing how much heat is created.

I would be concerned about carbon monoxide poisoning.

Anyway for winter time travel all you have to do is hit 88 MPH and you'll see some serious stuff. 🙂

Steve

[dave17352]

We use to use rock salt in the holding tanks and never had a problem with them freezing and that would be with temps getting down to 5 above at night when skiing.

[DrewE]

ScottG wrote:
Aw rats. I thought this thread was about time travel in the winter. :W

Time travel in winter is the same as time travel in summer. It generally goes along at a steady rate of approximately twenty-four hours each day, whether you want it to or not. :B

[ScottG]

Aw rats. I thought this thread was about time travel in the winter. :W

[Harvard]

Typically biggest draw back in cold country for a 4 season RV is no open dump stations.

[Photomike]

BillHoughton wrote:
I've seen occasional references in passing recommending against winter (that is, below freezing) travel in an RV.

What is the reason that they say to not do it? Is it using the RV in the cold weather or using it with water in the winter?

If you are only having the temps drop at night and warming up during the day you are fine using your water. A solid time of cold then do what others say and take a tank of water and use RV antifreeze to flush.

[garyhaupt]

Carry your fresh water in jugs, as mentioned. Can get the big water bottles from Wal-Mart or Safeway type stores.

When in the RV..using the furnace can get to be a power problem. I light one of the stove top burners...it's amazing how much heat is created.

As far as tanks...toss a gallon or two of RV anti-freeze into each of the tanks. There..that problem is solved. Have a jug of anti-freeze with you and each night toss a cup down the pee traps.

As for driving? Man..an RV on icy roads is just terrible. Mine is 4x4 and I engage as soon as the road is white and drive at a very careful speed. Once it slides..it won't stop until it runs out of pavement.


Gary Haupt

[DutchmenSport]

Working around the water issue in your camper, the bigger threat is ice on the roads. If there is Ice on the roads, don't do it. It's just that simple. Winter, Ice, and Mountains just don't mix ... for any type of motorized transportation.