What makes a 4 seasons trailer

I enjoyed reading the responses. I concur there is not a standard in what 4 season is. When we do decide to get a new unit we will definitely compare different ones to find the one that we best fit our needs.

B.O. Plenty wrote:
There is no industry standard for a "4 Seasons" RV. It's all marketing hype just like "Arctic Package, Yetti Package, Canadian Package" and others. Until there is an established standard it's meaningless...
B.O.

I don't know if these claims are totally meaningless. If you are looking for a four-season RV, just put the specifications for all those who claim to be four-season side-by-side and compare. I know my 2014 OR Roamer claims to be four-season, but the dump valves are not enclosed, though the water hookups are. However, the insulation is great; when we looked at them on a hot South Texas summer day in Buda and also looked at new Jaycos on the same lot, there was a HUGE temperature difference; the Roamers were a good 15 degrees cooler. Arctix Fox does not sell down here and neither does Outdoors RV, so the Open Range is the MOST four-season we can get down here*. I think of the four-season claim as a continuum, but the consumers have to do the ratings for themselves.



*Of course, OUR four seasons are Summer, Summer, January, and Summer!

There is no industry standard for a "4 Seasons" RV. It's all marketing hype just like "Arctic Package, Yetti Package, Canadian Package" and others. Until there is an established standard it's meaningless...

B.O.

We have an Arctic Fox and it is 4 seasons. Went to OH in 14 degree and a foot of snow, Branson at 4 degrees Jan 4th 2014 at 4 degrees and we were the only ones in the park.Look at the Arctic fox assembly video. They aren't like a lot of junk out there and it takes a mans truck to pull them. I gross at 18500 lb.

Our HitchHiker (NUWA) is listed as '4 Season'
Due to Insulation R values, enclosed & heated underbelly AND vented attic area.

We have been in heavy snow with -14*F temps and hot/high humid 100*F plus temps.

Stayed comfortable........BUT needed lots of propane and good A/C.

Marketing hype....YES
Some RVs do better than others in extreme temps.

love2rvcamp wrote:
We currently have a Rockwood 8313SS and for what we do now it suits us. We have been looking at dealerships and camping shows for 4 seasons trailers. Of course we find each brand has their definition of why theirs is a 4 seasons unit. We looked at Open Range this weekend and they were touting their R values (R 38 in roof and floor R8 walls)

We hear.... oh ours have these R value in the roof, floor and walls. We have enclosed underbelly and on this one ours is heated. Oh and on this one all dump valves are enclosed but ours are better because they are enclosed and heated.

So what are your thoughts on what makes a 4 seasons unit. Not for full time living as I know that is a whole other set of issues. Just something that we could camp all year round once we can hit the road for long periods.

I have a new Open Range that I ordered from the factory so that I could have dual ducted A/C units and dual pane windows as well as some other extras that most dealers won't order for stock.

You have received some good advise as to enclosed heated tanks/drain valves, etc. Before this OR I had a Jayco with the "Artic Package" and it included an exposed gray water drain valve and line that I mistaking closed right before a cold snap in GA and I had to get a hair dryer out to thaw it.

As far as OR it seems to be a pretty good build. Somethings I don't understand but that is true in every one that I have owned over the years. The claimed R values in the roof and the floor are based on a foil wrap in addition to the "R-14 Batten Insulation" in the roof and "R-7 Batten Insulation" in the floor. OR calls it "R-38* 'Radiant Technology' Insulation". Not that it is a bad thing...just don't think you are getting 6" fiberglass insulation in a 2" wall. I have been satisfied so far but I can tell you more as to the insulating foil technology when I get back from GA next year.

As some one else said...four seasons depends on your location. I do know that the Excel brand guarantee their units to -10*. But they are heavy and pretty spendy.

Randu wrote:
4 season kind of depends on where you plan to be. 4 Seasons in Michigan means that the furnace and insulation has to be good enough so you and your water lines don't freeze on ZERO degree weather. Dual pane windows would be a must have. All hook ups and related controls need to be enclosed in the heated underbelly. Large propane tanks with a way to get them filled often.

Any trailer could be used 4 seasons if the temp's stay above freezing or below freezing for only a few hours at night. Myrtle Beach comes to mind of a place that any trailer could be 4 season.
Randu

My previous 2012 Jayco 19RD bumper pull would do zero degrees easily with only one minor problem. The grey water handle and valve were out in the open. Black water valve was within the enclosed area. I got by with dumping some RV antifreeze the grey water tank, just enough to keep it around the dump valve. That TT would do much better than my present MH. I RV'd in winter with the Jayco. When it dropped below zero I winterized on the road.

They are all four season trailers, provided at least one of those seasons are spent in Yuma.

I agree, get one with a good AC unit or 2 and move to Florida...