Boondocking in sub-zero weather

[D2Reid]

Recently on the Grand Designs Owners Facebook Page Nyrhtak Kesatjov posted this:

Talk to me about full timing in the winter, in as cold as -30°F. We’ve got the 388M, and will have either no hookups or electric only. Water and dump are not at site where RV is parked.
What’s your best tips and tricks? Thanks!
ETA: Normal temps are 5-20°F, but can get colder.
There is dump stations, there is not direct sewer to be hooked up to trailer at your site. They make pull tanks you empty your black tanks into and take to dump station.
There is electricity at your site, we will not have it 24/7. There may be a day or two a week without.

I would like to open the discussion for something a little more in depth than what is possible on face book.

Nyrhtak Kesatjov if you read this please reply. The format of the forum will allow others to more fully explain what they are talking about.

Others, please wait to see if Nyrhtak participates, otherwise it's a good discussion, but won't help the individual seeking information.

Thanks!

 

[orbiker]

I too read this on FB.
I have traveled up to Alaska on the Road King with my wife on the back (she is tough). We camped some of the time. Some of the places up there have huge generators that power the whole settlement. Some are train engines just to help get the picture. Pretty cool. The train engine radiator heated water for the showers.

I have camped at Crater Lake in the winter with sub-zero temps. I was supplied a 110v 15a outlet. It kept the batteries charged and 1 cube heater in the basement set at 750w low setting. I used the furnace and a Olympian RV Wave-3 LP Gas Catalytic Safety Heater to keep warm. I had the window going to the cab of the truck open 3" and the bathroom roof vent (with a outside roof cover) open to let air (Oxygen) in and humidity out.

If and I say "IF" I was to do a winter camp in our 5'er this is the way I would would do it. Also 2 or 3 Cat heaters. Maybe even 1 under the rig behind the skirting. I would also have a large propane tank delivered.

I would also have many small electric heaters for a backup. The 5'er generator and a Honda 2000 or 2.

KEN

 

[Nuffsaid]

Boonedocking in sub zero weather sucks, it is possible, but no matter what it can be trying at best. If it for a week or less, not such a big pain if you can make the trip on your stored water. Your heater will have to run a lot, have a way to keep your batteries charged, Solar doesn't work too well when the panels get covered with snow, or lots of cold cloudy days with the sun low on the horizon. Generator is a must, but make sure you can get it started, use low viscosity synthetic oil that will allow the engine to turn over when the mercury dips. Run it often to keep some heat in it, have ample fuel for the generator. I have been out boonedocking at -10 and my gasoline generator would not pull fast enough to start. Wrong oil! It finally started when the sun came up and it got a little warmer. I have a diesel generator on my old 5er and I would question whether it would start well at much below -10 without some help. As long as your truck engine will run, you have another way to charge your batteries. Have plenty of propane, I usually bring a spare 100 lb bottle when I head out into cold weather for extended stays. With cold weather usually comes snow and ice, be prepared with things like tire chains. Last fall I was elk hunting with my old 5er, it was not overly cold when I set up camp, but then the temps dropped. I went to head for home and couldn't get my trailer to move. I think the tires froze to the ground. It took a bit of a struggle to get the trailer broke loose with all 4 tires on the truck struggling for traction on frozen ground twenty feet off of the main dirt road. Heat tape on any exposed plumbing that can be plugged into the generator and preferably insulated over the heat tape. I usually leave my grey water open, but I have had the pipe fill with ice when not running a lot of hot water. A hot show sometimes helps. An aux propane heater in the 5er will help save on battery life, but won't keep the water lines thawed, so make sure to use the forced air furnace in addition. I have had issues with the gasket material icing up on the inside of my old 5er and having to pry it apart to get the slides in. Silicone spray and closed cell foam might help. Window coverings are another item that can help keep the cold out.