cold weather camping

[larryherrington]

My wife is going to a conference in Lafayette, Indiana the 2nd week of February. I would like to take her and stay in the our 27' coachman freelander. I have never camped in cold weather before. What do I need to know?

[guidry]

From my wife: She will be much happier with someone else cooking and cleaning while she is working! Don't make her camp in such cold weather, get a motel with free cleaning and a free breakfast!

[gbopp]

azdryheat wrote:
Stay in a hotel is my recommendation.

X2. It will be easier and more comfortable. And, your DW will be much happier, especially since she's going for a conference.

[garyemunson]

Having had several Class Cs and As and being one to camp in any weather, our experience is Class Cs are more of a challenge in cold weather. Biggest problem is that they carry less water. When it's REALLY cold, you will be dependant on what you carry with you. In winter finding a campground that has not turned off their water is dicey. With our Class A, if we are really frugal, we can go 3 days before needing a fill up. Our Class Cs would only last us a day. Keeping warm was never a problem. We used one 'oil filled radiator' electric heater in the Cs, 2 in the As and had the furnace as backup. This does assume you can find an open campground. Don't think we'd even try without having someplace with electricity. Remember, you HAVE to keep the RV heated at all times when it's freezing out to avoid plumbing damage.

[GordonThree]

Easiest recommendation I have is do it without water. It takes most of the risk away. Blow out your water lines where it's warm and you'll have nothing to freeze when you arrive in the cold.

Winter camping is great fun and nothing to be afraid of, but preparation is a must.

[old_guy]

go ahead and while you are at it start looking for a new RV to buy next year after yours freezes over. I am not a fan of winter camping

[Rover_Bill]

1) Reserve and stay at a private CG (GS/KOA) that has hot showers and heated bath rooms. The CG owner and others will be there to help you if you have any unforeseen issues.

2) Be sure your propane tanks are full, the switch-over regulator works and there are no leaks in the lines or fittings. Test the furnace and the water heater BEFORE you leave.

3) Bring along an electric blanket (or mattress heater) and a good comforter blanket for the bed.

4) Thermal bottoms and wool socks are highly recommended because the colder air is near the floor.

5) A small electric heater (ceramic or oil filled) for supplemental heat during the evenings while watching tv.

6) Fill your FW tank when you arrive on site and don't expect to use a city water hookup during freezing nights.

7) Expect condensation to form on the windows and cold spots on the walls.

😎 Bring a good bottle of cream sherry to help warm-up your insides.

[Son_of_Norway]

Investigate how well your RV is insulated to protect the water system from freezing. That is the main difficulty with RV camping during winter. Every part of the system needs to be within the insulated area and where heat from the furnace can get to it. If the water system is not protected then keep it winterized and don't use it. You can use water from jugs. Pour RV anti-freeze down into the grey and black tanks to keep them from freezing.

[azdryheat]

Stay in a hotel is my recommendation. Camping in freezing weather is not at all fun. If you insist on camping, assuming you can find an open campground, I hope you have good supply of propane. Your motorhome is not insulated like your home.

[2oldman]

...that this post will be closed or moved to General Rving.

[Artum_Snowbird]

You need to know how to protect yourselves and your rig from being so cold or frozen that she will wonder why she ever trusted you to do this. It's simple, just try it at home first, then make adjustments, then try it again and again within an easy pull of home, then try it really cold and by then, you might have it figured out enough to risk what could be fun, or a complete disaster.