4 season camping

[Freeway_Flyer_0]

Helping my daughter look for a trailer. Looking for a true 4 season unit. We went to the RV show last weekend in Tacoma, and she is impressed with the Arctic Fox and Outdoors RV. Intended use will be the Washington Coast in the winter, and also at the local ski areas, in addition to the usual better weather camping. She can buy new, but I have suggested she look for a used unit. The 2020 Arctic Fox 25W is her current favorite. Whatever she ends up with, she would like to keep the overall under 30 ft. Can you folks suggest any other brands or lines to check out?

[Freeway_Flyer_0]

TurnThePage wrote:
If price is not a concern, and since you're in the northwest, you may want to check out Bigfoot. I think they are a step above the others mentioned. I finally got to look at one first hand last week. VERY well built and stout. And very ready for extreme weather.

I sent her the link, thanks.

[Freeway_Flyer_0]

noteven wrote:
Escape trailers Chilliwack BC - 4 NW season capable. (going to rain, light rain, wet rain, wet snow).
Talked to an owner last week. They had used theirs which was spec’d for cold weather at -10F no freezes.

Good looking unit, however she is looking for something a bit bigger. Of course that may change.

[time2roll]

Freeway Flyer 05 wrote:
Thanks all, a cabin is not for her, she is going places that aren't developed, for surfing, and ski areas that don't have hookups. Will check out the additional units mentioned.

The no hookups will be another challenge. Need a way to carry extra generator fuel and propane.

[Edd505]

Why would you take an RV up in the passes to ski? Its a couple hr drive from the coast, rent a room at the resort or in the area when you want to spend the weekend. Way safer that taking an RV into the mountains in the winter for a weekend.

[Huntindog]

Blazing Zippers wrote:
We own a Outdoor trailer and have had pretty good luck with it. It's easy to heat and cool, tows very well, and is heck for stout. We've been in the low 20's and as hot as 100 degrees, and all was easy. Now, as with any trailer---there will be issues here and there, but we've encountered way less problems with ours than other brands.
Take a trip to their factory in Le Grande (both AF and Outdoor are made there). If that's out of the question, youtube has several videos by Adventurous Ways during their factory tours.
I don't work for them, but have been through several trailers and pulled thousands of miles.

I have been far colder and hotter than that in Arizona.
Most any TT will do OK at the mild temps you describe.

My present TT had running water down to about 7 degrees, with day time temps never getting above freezing. 115 is pretty common in Phoenix.

My previous TT with exposed tanks was good into the teens many times. The only issue was the dunp valves froze. Simply waited till We got warmer temps to dump.
Had I expected those temps with that TT, I would have put some antifreeze in them to lower the freeze point a few degrees.

[Blazing_Zippers]

We own a Outdoor trailer and have had pretty good luck with it. It's easy to heat and cool, tows very well, and is heck for stout. We've been in the low 20's and as hot as 100 degrees, and all was easy. Now, as with any trailer---there will be issues here and there, but we've encountered way less problems with ours than other brands.
Take a trip to their factory in Le Grande (both AF and Outdoor are made there). If that's out of the question, youtube has several videos by Adventurous Ways during their factory tours.
I don't work for them, but have been through several trailers and pulled thousands of miles.

[rhagfo]

Freeway Flyer 05 wrote:
Helping my daughter look for a trailer. Looking for a true 4 season unit. We went to the RV show last weekend in Tacoma, and she is impressed with the Arctic Fox and Outdoors RV. Intended use will be the Washington Coast in the winter, and also at the local ski areas, in addition to the usual better weather camping. She can buy new, but I have suggested she look for a used unit. The 2020 Arctic Fox 25W is her current favorite. Whatever she ends up with, she would like to keep the overall under 30 ft. Can you folks suggest any other brands or lines to check out?

In the PNW I would go with your DD likes of the North Woods units Arctic Fox is well known for 4 season builds.
I am very interested in them, and will likely do a factory tour in the near future.
We full tile in the PNW, both on the coast and Willamette Valley, have seen temps in the high teens in our three season Keystone Copper Canyon. Has heated tanks, and I have enclosed the belly, but we still have less than great insulation.
That said we heat with RV Comfort System "Cheap Heat" and it never was taxed keeping us warm (68 to 70 degrees).
So at 5,000 watt of heating we get 17,060 BTU, our gas furnace is rated at 30,000 BTU input, assume 80% efficiency is 24,000 BTU, so I can go colder by switching to gas.
We are two to four years from upgrading our 5er, will likely be an AF when we do.

[jdc1]

Do Not leave Nash out of your conversation. They have heated tanks.

[kellem]

Like some others have mentioned, I don't think the manufacturer of 4-seasoned campers were thinking extended stays in single digits.

The wife and I 4 season in our Keystone Outback and have no issues but with more reasonable temps,30's and 40's.

When the temps plummet, I re-winterize.

[marcsbigfoot20b]

I have an older Bigfoot (2000), 27 foot.
It is 4 season, built in Canada where it is cold.
It has a big 35,000 BTU furnace that 2/3 of the heat goes to the enclosed tanks. Those enclosed tanks include the pull valves being enclosed.
Dual pane windows.
The water tank is under the bed on top of the insulated floor.
The water lines are run through the heater ducts.
Two 30 pound propane tanks with room to add 2 more 30 pounders in the compartment if you really want to stay in sub zero for a few days.
As long as you have propane and you run the furnace, there should be no problem.

On the flip side I can keep my trailer at 64 degrees in 115 AZ heat in the full sun.

[noteven]

I have a 30ft Roughneck Travel trailer that functions fine at -35F. I wouldn’t call it “4 Season” because it doesn’t have woo hoo stickers proclaiming 4 season. It uses 4 gal propane per day in those conditions. It prefers a supply of 110v ac power for the 2 x 40,000btu rv turbofan furnaces.
It wouldn’t be that handy getting to the ski hill cause it weighs 9000lbs dry. But it will keep you warm.

[avoidcrowds]

We have a 2017 Lance 1995. It is 4-season. That said, I have had water lines freeze into the bathroom in 7°F, and the line to the water pump froze at -2°F. I stayed plenty-warm in the trailer (furnace ran just under half the time with thermostat set at 65°) when temps were below 10°F.

I don't know if any TT is really going to fare well with temps below 10°F longer than overnight. Even with furnace running, the Lance has water lines running around the perimeter, so they don't get heat, even with the cupboards left open. Around the perimeter of the bathroom gets no heat from the furnace, that I can tell.

Good luck!

[richardcoxid]

Analyze in detail about everything concerning “all season” “4 season” etc. there is no standards defining the claims as being 4 season etc. Compare, compare and compare every claim. The ORV Timber Ridge has 2” thick sidewalls vs the standard 1 1/2 “ wall thickness. The slide out also has 2” thick walls.

I understand that the Northwood Fox line is Aluminum framed and the Nash (same manuf.) is wood framed if that makes any difference.

[rbpru]

Living in and camping, are to different objectives for an RV. We take our 2010 Dutchmen out to the State Parks in winter. We shut the water down and use the park's heated wash house.

During the day when we are outside, the TT is typically abounds 50 degrees or so with a small electric space heater. In the evening we warm it up till bed time.

Cooking is done with a water jug from home, dishes wait till we get home.

A four season TT with heated tanks would be nice for sure but most anyone can handle a day or two of roughing it.

Now if you plan to stay in it for any length of time, that is a completely different story.

[Freeway_Flyer_0]

Thanks all, a cabin is not for her, she is going places that aren't developed, for surfing, and ski areas that don't have hookups. Will check out the additional units mentioned.