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?

[TECMike]

Deltabravo is right. Nash is now aluminum framed, according to their website. This is causing me and my wife to now consider the Nash 23D, as we like shorter trailers.

[deltabravo]

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

As of the 2021 Model year, the Nash is now aluminum framed laminated walls like the AF.

[Freeway_Flyer_0]

All good info, thanks, she is heading to the Seattle RV show this weekend. If they make her a deal, she will be calling me to come get it. (Her truck isn't ready yet.)

[deltabravo]

Freeway Flyer 05 wrote:
Can you folks suggest any other brands or lines to check out?

Check out the Nash line, it's a lower cost RV from Northwood MFG, who also builds the Arctic Fox.

I ended up buying a TimberRidge 24RLS

[Grit_dog]

Edd505 wrote:
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.

Because it's fun. And most of our ski "resorts" have few to no accommodations at the ski hill, or even nearby.

Different scene than most of the Rockies ski resorts. Think Sandia Crest and you have to drive back down to Tramway or out to Rio Rancho for a room.

[kellem]

Huntindog wrote:

Vintage465 wrote:
If your trailer has a good solar setup and a generator for backup the winter camping locations you describe you'd be fine. I'm partial to Northwood and Outdoor RV(ORV), but in all fairness, most any half way decent trailer will work in high twenty's to forty's and do fine. As stated earlier in the post, Nevada, Arizona winters are different story. We boondocked with 16-24 degree nights and started loosing ground with batteries about a 10th of volt a day. After 4 days I was at 12.3-12.4 volts. Then we moved to another location and it was regularly 7-14 degrees but we had hookups. The issue of power and gas is conquerable. The big issue is going to be moisture and managing that.....as mentioned earlier.

In my previous post I forgot to mention the other reason for my Generator use.... A big dehumidifier. This keeps the moisture under control, and puts out a little heat. That and being able to close the TT up tight saves a lot of propane. We do crack a window next to the stove and run the exhaust vent while cooking,as that puts too much humididty into the air faster than the dehumidifier can remove it.

Good advice, exactly what we do.

[ppine]

I like Nash besides the ones you mentioned.
These discussions always make me laugh. I just came from Elko, NV a mining town with below zero winters. Don't tell all of those people living in RVs that they are not supposed to be there.

Having a covered under carriage makes a big difference.

[Huntindog]

Vintage465 wrote:
If your trailer has a good solar setup and a generator for backup the winter camping locations you describe you'd be fine. I'm partial to Northwood and Outdoor RV(ORV), but in all fairness, most any half way decent trailer will work in high twenty's to forty's and do fine. As stated earlier in the post, Nevada, Arizona winters are different story. We boondocked with 16-24 degree nights and started loosing ground with batteries about a 10th of volt a day. After 4 days I was at 12.3-12.4 volts. Then we moved to another location and it was regularly 7-14 degrees but we had hookups. The issue of power and gas is conquerable. The big issue is going to be moisture and managing that.....as mentioned earlier.

In my previous post I forgot to mention the other reason for my Generator use.... A big dehumidifier. This keeps the moisture under control, and puts out a little heat. That and being able to close the TT up tight saves a lot of propane. We do crack a window next to the stove and run the exhaust vent while cooking,as that puts too much humididty into the air faster than the dehumidifier can remove it.

[canoe_on_top]

I had a Nash and now have an Arctic Fox, both Northwood.Have storm windows for both which makes a huge difference. Been to zero and a bit below a number of times with no problems.She will need a generator if no hookups. Don't forget chains for the trailer. You may never use them but, in most states, if they are required, you need them for the trailer too. 4X4 is almost a necessity for tow vehicle. I've used 4WD, low range when descending mountain passes with snow and ice. It allows you to roll along nice and slow. Northwood encloses the dump valves in the tank compartments. If the valves are exposed, they will freeze.

[Vintage465]

If your trailer has a good solar setup and a generator for backup the winter camping locations you describe you'd be fine. I'm partial to Northwood and Outdoor RV(ORV), but in all fairness, most any half way decent trailer will work in high twenty's to forty's and do fine. As stated earlier in the post, Nevada, Arizona winters are different story. We boondocked with 16-24 degree nights and started loosing ground with batteries about a 10th of volt a day. After 4 days I was at 12.3-12.4 volts. Then we moved to another location and it was regularly 7-14 degrees but we had hookups. The issue of power and gas is conquerable. The big issue is going to be moisture and managing that.....as mentioned earlier.

[Huntindog]

River-Runner wrote:
If getting away from hookups, better also figure on having some pretty strong battery power to drive a furnace fan all night long in 20 degree weather. Recharging for the second day via generator will most likely leave you short for furnace on night two. Solar in Washington isn't going to do you a lot of good many days. Doable, but will require some planning.

I take a opposite approach.

When cold weather camping, I run the generator when the power is needed.... At night. In the morning, my batteries are fully charged, and easily handle the daytime power draw.
Unless the temps are cloder than 20. In that case, it usually means daytime temps never get above freezing. In that case the generator is run non stop. I have equipped my TT with a severe cold weather package which includes heat tape and insulation on all waterlines. And this requires AC to work. My TT should have riunning water at -45f.. We haven't been that cold, but have to -12f a few times with no issues.
We do go thru a lot of fuel though.

Camping these temps is not for casual campers. There will be no sitting around outside having a beer (it would freeze anyway) rather it is more like survival mode. The TT is a warm functional residence to get out of the cold for a while to recharge for the next outdoor excursion. The great thing is that there are never any neighbors to be concerned about... Any other campers around are doing the exact same thing.

[River-Runner]

If getting away from hookups, better also figure on having some pretty strong battery power to drive a furnace fan all night long in 20 degree weather. Recharging for the second day via generator will most likely leave you short for furnace on night two. Solar in Washington isn't going to do you a lot of good many days. Doable, but will require some planning.

[Freeway_Flyer_0]

Edd505 wrote:
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.

Been doing it with kids and grandkids for years. Head up Friday night, grab some tracks early Saturday, teach all day, grab some some tracks early Sunday and head home. Also good for checking out areas that were farther away. Always had chains, never needed them.

[Freeway_Flyer_0]

noteven wrote:
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.

More than what her truck can safely haul, and a bit bigger than she is looking for, but the way that the one floorplan is set up like an office would fit her needs in about 5 years. Thanks, I had never heard of these before.