SE Utah in March?

[Ravialdo]

Newbie here. We are planning a vacation to Utah for the 3rd week of March. While I go backpacking and kayak camping every year around that time in Moab, for the rest of my family, it will be there 1st time ever. Actually will be a first RV trip for all of us. We plan on renting an RV out of Las Vegas (likely a Class C).

I tried searching the forums and couldn't come up with the answers to my questions so here goes:

March weather can be hit or miss. Wife and kids are Floridians. According to the Park service weather, the lows around that time can reach mid-30's, presumably at night.

1. How hard is it to keep the RV warm enough at night so that we can get a decent night of sleep instead of being miserably cold?

2. Does this require running a generator at night for a heater? I ask because I wish to stay at the NPS campgrounds as much as possible, and many of them have 'quiet times' usually overnight, when it gets coldest.

3. Are there RV's for rent that utilize solar panels to help heat the RV? I know of Provan and Earthroamers that have solar panels to allow for more remote off-the-grid camping. Was wondering if there were other 'more flexible' options other than the standard El Monte/CampingWorld rentals?

Thanks so much. I've been planning an RV trip for the kids for a long time and waited until they got older.

[Shearwater]

Yes to ceramic electric heater - just don't aim them at anything flammable.

Big yes to comforters.

The owners and staff of the campground will know where to find propane - they may easily have a propane fill station on site.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Yes, roll up, make it as level as you can, and plug in.

35 f no worries about freezing. If it is below 28 f then don't leave the water hose hooked up.

yes on the small ceramic heater

Ravialdo wrote:
Hey everyone,

More questions:

1. How 'involved' is it to get the RV setup on the campsite? I ask this because with the above time schedule, we maybe hitting Fletcher View around 5:30 6pm. I want to give myself some leeway. The site only has electrical hookups (ALL our campsite reservations are with electrical- thanks to you guys for helping me to look for that regarding running the furnace blower overnight). The sites appear level according to some online reviews. Is it just a matter of leveling it and plugging in? I don't know if its something that requires a lot of Daylight, given we maybe getting there an hour before sunset. Just nervous about the idea of fiddling with stuff while it gets dark and then everything becomes exponentially more difficult.

2. The temps look ok so far, but that 1st night at 7000' at Fletcher View might get down to 35. We will be hooked up to electrical and plan on purchasing a small ceramic heater at Walmart. There are 5 of us crammed into the RV, so I figure our collective body heat might help keep us warm. If it gets down that low, would you guys drain the water tanks before going to bed, or do you think at 35ish is should be ok?

[Ravialdo]

Hey everyone,

Its been a while since I post last but wanted to thank everyone. Your advice and direction has been helpful.

Its now T-minus 3 days till our family's first RV trip!!! We decided to go with Road Bear for our rental as we've heard nothing but good things and their fleet consists of new or less than 2 yr old models. Going with a Coachman 25ft Class C.

Our itinerary is as follows:
Saturday night we are staying in Fletcher View Campground in the Mt. Charleston area.
When then head over to Zion for 2 nights, then Moab and Dead Horse State Park for 2 nights before heading back and hitting Snow Canyon State Park for a night.

While the kids and I are excited, I have to admit I'm a little (ok, a lot) nervous. Due to flight considerations, I'm getting into Vegas around 2:30. The RV folks told me to expect at least a 30-60 min orientation to get oriented to the RV. We will then hit Walmart to stock up.

More questions:

1. How 'involved' is it to get the RV setup on the campsite? I ask this because with the above time schedule, we maybe hitting Fletcher View around 5:30 6pm. I want to give myself some leeway. The site only has electrical hookups (ALL our campsite reservations are with electrical- thanks to you guys for helping me to look for that regarding running the furnace blower overnight). The sites appear level according to some online reviews. Is it just a matter of leveling it and plugging in? I don't know if its something that requires a lot of Daylight, given we maybe getting there an hour before sunset. Just nervous about the idea of fiddling with stuff while it gets dark and then everything becomes exponentially more difficult.

2. The temps look ok so far, but that 1st night at 7000' at Fletcher View might get down to 35. We will be hooked up to electrical and plan on purchasing a small ceramic heater at Walmart. There are 5 of us crammed into the RV, so I figure our collective body heat might help keep us warm. If it gets down that low, would you guys drain the water tanks before going to bed, or do you think at 35ish is should be ok?

Once we get back, I will post a debriefing of our trip. I've shown pictures of Class C RV's to the 2 older kids and they are wondering when we can BUY one! And we haven't even gone on the trip yet!

[SteveAE]

Ravialdo,

It sounds like you know the area so I guess you'll just have to wait and see how your family does. Maybe let them look thorough the book I suggested and pick places that they would like to see (lots of great pictures in the book). That way, they own the decision. Hopefully, you will be pleasantly surprised.

I assume you know this, but unless you have hookups, camping in a RV isn't like staying in a hotel as you need to use resources somewhat sparingly. We are seldom in developed campgrounds, so showers tend to be navy type (get wet & turn off water, soap up, turn on water & rinse off) every other day. With our solar, battery bank, and low power draw lights (LED), we have pretty much unlimited power (especially in that country). But I doubt a rental would have the this well developed system. Waste water management also takes some thought. I suggest you check out SaniDumps to locate possible dump stations along your route. Actually, RVing is a lot like backpacking in many aspects except that the resources aren't quite so limited:)

BTW, the outfitter in Escalante is Utah Canyons Outdoor Store. I believe they have jeep trips into the canyons which would relieve you from having to battle your way down those roads with a RV. Not really our style (we take our 4x4 truck), but for your circumstances, it might work out really well.

Good luck and Have Fun,
Steve

[Ravialdo]

Thanks Steve.

I'm definitely familiar with the Escalante area, as I've done many backpacking trips in the area. Its actually my preferred area to backpack because there aren't as many camping restrictions as a National Park.
Obviously, this trip with my family including an 8,7, and 3 yr old plus a wife who sometimes likes to take 3 showers a day will be a different type of trip.

Yeah, my concern was driving a class C down Hole in the Rock road to any trailheads that would be kid-friendly. Will have to look up those canyons!

[SteveAE]

Since you mentioned the Escalante area, here are some thoughts. (I have this all at my fingertips right now as I pour over topo maps of the region preparatory to another spring RV and backpacking trip to the region.)
- You may want to consider camping at Kodachrome Basin State Park. I believe there is electricity there.
- If you have children, Spooky and Peakaboo cyns are popular (watch the road conditions though)
-Calf Creek has a nice campground (no hookups) with access to a few nice hikes. The road in there is paved.
-For hiking and road conditions (beware of all dirt roads in that area if it rains or there is snowmelt), I suggest you check in at the interagency (USFS, BLM, NP, Sate, and Nat Rec.) office in Escalante.
-The National Geographic Map series, Canyons of the Escalante is a good start for an overview map.
- I suggest that you get the book Photographing the Southwest Volume 1, by Laurent Martres.
- There is a good outfitter store in Escalante that can take you out to the trailheads as it is unlikely you will want to drive a (rental)class C to very many of the trailheads. They have books, maps and loads of information too.
The Escalante area is not like the National Parks (i.e.; National Playgrounds) It is a true desert wilderness if this is the experience you are looking for.

Hope this helps,
Steve

[2gypsies1]

It seems you'll be using the propane for heating and cooking for about a week. It will depend on the outside temps and how much you run the furnace. A small Class C will get warm very fast. We like to sleep without heat and just turn heat on in the morning when we get up. Even with our 40' motorhome it warms up in minutes. This would be one area of conservation you might consider. Bring your warm comforter along. Furnaces take a lot of propane. If you don't encounter cold weather your propane would probably last for your week. Also, you have the option of the hot water heater and refrigerator running on propane or electric. If you have electric hookups be sure to set them on electric.

Buying an electric heater just for your week of RVing in a rental doesn't make too much sense. However, if you have a small one at home or can borrow from somewhere, by all means bring it along. Keep in mind that they draw current and if you use it at Dead Horse the current was low as I recall so just be aware. Most campgrounds have 30A power and for that you'd be just fine.

RV propane can be filled at fuel stations where they have a large tank usually in the corner of the lot. You drive up, go inside if necessary to let them know you're there and they'll fill it for you. A simple process. If you're driving by a regular private campground many times they'll also have this large propane tank and will fill it for you. A campground would be more costly than a gas station.

If you leave for siteseeing for the day, most folks will just leave a chair at the site. However, if the campground has a post at the edge of the driveway to your site, usually you'll have a tag that you'll place on that post designating that you paid for that site. Campers are good at not moving into your site if they can see some sign of occupancy or a dated tag on the post. By the way, those posts have a way of a bad encounter with RVs. Be on the lookout for them.

If you're just connected to electric it will be a two-minute process to unplug, store the cord and take off. Even using all connections - water, electric and sewer, it's not a big time-consuming job.

I'll bet your wife won't want to stay in a motel when you get to Escalante. She'll love her own bed and playing house! 🙂 Have a good trip!!

[pianotuna]

Hi,

If it is a self propelled RV (i.e. motor home) then there is a fixed tank. That means finding a gas station that sells propane.

Since you are going to be in campgrounds with power, pick up a 1500 watt oil filled heater. That means the campground gets to pay for much of the heating required.

Saving your spot probably means leaving a lawn chair or other item (cones anyone?) in the spot.

Unplugging a class C is easy. Disconnect the sewer, disconnect the water, disconnect the power--and drive. I'd suggest using a check list.

[Ravialdo]

Thanks again to everyone for your help.

We've decided to pull the trigger and just do it. Life is all about new experiences and I've talked about this trip for years, now is the time to just pull the trigger. Worse comes to worse and the temps really fall for the week we plan to go, then we can always bail into a hotel.

After researching it, I've found some campsites in non-commercial campgrounds. All of these sites have electrical hookups! Maybe not water, but def. electrical so we should be able to run the furnace blower all night.

Our basic preliminary itinerary is as follows:
Plan on picking up the RV on a Saturday. Still trying to decide which rental company between CruiseAmerica, El Monte and Roadbear.
After we pick it up, plan to get on over to the Spring Mountains just outside Vegas and camp at the Fletcher Campground for a night. Next day will pack up and head to Zion (we've been before) and spend 2 nights at the Watchman campground with electrical.
Then head over the Escalante. Wife is thinking of breaking this up with a night in a hotel here (so we don't get too sick of each other), versus staying at Petrified forest where there is electrical RV sites available.
Then over to Moab for 2 nights at Dead Horse to hit Arches, etc.
Back to Vegas with 1 night stop over in Snow Canyon outside St. George's.

More newbie questions:

1. Assuming we run the furnace to keep the cabin toasty at low 70s overnight (with an outside temp averaging in the 40's), how often do you think we would need to replace the propane tank? I know its dependent on the size, which I don't know of yet as we havent selected a RV company), but in general.
-and where do you fill these propane tanks on the road? Just
like a regular gas grill tank at the gas station?

2. What's the etiquette on how you 'save' your spot at a site you've reserved for multiple nights when you head out for the day?

3. How much of a pain is it to 'decamp' at a site. For example, when we are at Dead Horse, we will be driving to Moab and Arches, and perhaps hitting places for dinner. Is it a huge hassle to unplug and go?

[pianotuna]

Hi reed,

Replace the return air grill on the furnace with a fan. On my rv that circulates warm "living space" air under the cabinets and pushes some air along the furnace duct work. I chose to use a dual window fan unit which is controlled by a mechanical thermostat that lives beside the water pump next to the outside wall of the RV.

The fan unit draws just 23 watts and works better than a 1500 watt fan based heater which I tried using inside the cabinet.

reed cundiff wrote:
We do use am Olympian Wave 8 which puts out 8000 BTU or 2.5 kW. Works great but at temperatures below zero, the sewer outlets freeze. It got down to minus 5 F just before we flew down to Guatemala for 9 to 11 weeks, and this is where we are now.

The Olympian Wave 8 is sufficient to keep the 34 5th wheel in the 60s at sub freezing temperatures.

[Dakzuki]

Clay L wrote:
If the house batteries/battery in the rental are/is in decent shape it will easily last the night with the furnace set at 65 and mid 30s outside.

Correct. I would set it at no more than 60 and bundle up to sleep. You will need to recharge during the day either from the genny or by driving.

We did a spring trip last year to that area April-May. We got sub freezing at Bryce and it was cold/windy during the day. Arches/Deadhorse/Escalante/Zion were quite nice temperature wise.

[amandasgramma]

Okay -- if you decide to do Joshua Tree......check out Pioneertown. It's 12 miles from Joshua Tree. It's a kicky place where a lot of the westerns were filmed.... here's a link....PIONEERTOWN

[reed_cundiff]

Have posted elsewhere. We have 1.4 kW of solar and 9.7 kW hours of LFP batteries. The heater takes about 8 to 10 amps at 12 V and the 9.7 kW hours is the same as 760 amp hours at 12 V but we can utilize 90 of that power storage. If the heater runs 24 hours a day, that is 240 amp hours which is nothing for the battery suite. If we have sun, things go well. We had 6¨ of snow at Bosque del Apache and I didn not get on roof for 3 days but we still had 50% of power storage.


The battery suite is at 54 V and weighs 160 pounds.

We do use am Olympian Wave 8 which puts out 8000 BTU or 2.5 kW. Works great but at temperatures below zero, the sewer outlets freeze. It got down to minus 5 F just before we flew down to Guatemala for 9 to 11 weeks, and this is where we are now.

The Olympian Wave 8 is sufficient to keep the 34 5th wheel in the 60s at sub freezing temperatures.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

I've seen many a small Class C in a hotel/motel parking lot over the years.

The wife and I have made a couple trips where we needed to be somewhere at a certain time - and did not look for a campground. We just parked the truck and trailer on the far corner of the hotel/model lot.

Never had any problems. But I have passed up a couple because I thought getting in and out would not be easy - I'm 58 feet long with truck, hitch and trailer. Always found another close by where I could fit in.

A 25 foot Class C is only three feet longer than my pickup truck. Usually never have trouble anywhere - though I do prefer a parking spot where I don't have to backup to leave. Either a pullthru in the middle of a parking lot or I back into a curbside spot.

You shouldn't have any trouble. Just remember you are driving a bigger than normal vehicle.