Full Timing the Winter in Northern Michigan

[Scott.Florschuetz]

So we are gearing up for this winter. So far we have added skirts, AC covers, Vent Covers, multi point temp/humidity sensors, and the window insulation kits. So far it has done great down into the teens, I did not even know it was that cold outside until I went to leave for work.

The newly added temp/humidity sensors are pretty nice too. There are 3 wireless sensors and the base is a sensor so you have the ability to monitor 4 locations. On ours it is:

1. Garage
2. Underneath (without a space heater, will add one as it gets colder)
3. Outside
4. Inside Living room

 

[Scott.Florschuetz]

 

[D2Reid]

A most excellent start, now consider this stuff.

Water hose, electric heat tape or Pirelli heated hose. Be careful of where the connections are, they are weak freeze point.

Sewer hose, I put heat tape on a plastic rigid pvc type tray and make darn sure there is not place that water will stand.

The gas evaporator fridge will stop working in the teens and below, place a 100 watt light bulb near the evaporator coils to make sure the stay warm enough to evaporate.

Put a plastic pad or board under the leveling pads, that steel will freeze to concrete, folks get annoyed when you tear there concrete up.

Keep a broom by the door so you can sweep the stairs when it snows. DW was taking Bandit the Evil Rat Dog out to go potty but neglected to sweep the snow off the stairs, she slipped, tossed Bandit about 20 feet into snow bank, he wasn't hurt, she slid under the slide out and whacked her head. Sweap the stairs, they get slick fast.

When the wind blows take a candle and hold it around the doors and slide outs, where you find a draft put some masking taper over that area, inspect the seals, but typically you won't find anything wrong, they just leak some. Masking tape will stop the air flow but not tear stuff up when you go to remove it.

Don't over use electric heat, much of the guts of an RV depend on the propane heat to keep things from freezing up.

Enjoy the cooler weather, we do.

 

[Scott.Florschuetz]

Thank you for the extra tips.

Once they shut off water, they will be filling our fresh water tanks every weekend.

Same goes with grey/black water. They come and pump the tanks whenever we need it.

We are parked on grass so not too worried about the landing legs.

The broom is a great idea granted it does get icy out here.

I need to buy some blue masking tape and there are a couple places that the wind sneaks in.

We have been using the propane for heat pretty regularly. As of now we have a space heater in the garage and plan on putting one under the trailer also.

The trailer is parked and I dont plan on moving it until April when things thaw out.

 

[D2Reid]

We are parked on grass so not too worried about the landing legs.

I would still put down sacrificial pads.

... and plan on putting one [heater] under the trailer also.

Why are you putting a heater under the trailer? Are you skirted? I tried this a couple of times and found it to be totally ineffective. Not criticizing, just sharing my experiences.

 

[chemist308]

My first winter too, but I added step rugs to mine, because I heard they help keep things from getting slick. Also am going to keep an outdoor broom handy.

 

[D2Reid]

My first winter too, but I added step rugs to mine, because I heard they help keep things from getting slick. Also am going to keep an outdoor broom handy.

Keep in mind that when those rugs get wet then refreeze they will be full of ice. I have done steps both ways in snow/ice, I think the rug help some. We have a broom mounted next to the door in a clip. It only takes a minute to sweep new snow off the steps, but you still have to be darn careful.

 

[ksbowman]

Rustoleum has a new product out that repels water on steps and flat surfaces and it says it repels frost and ice so they won't get slick. If your interested I'll try and get a picture of it and post it. I just bought some to try on our rv steps

 

[chemist308]

The gas evaporator fridge will stop working in the teens and below, place a 100 watt light bulb near the evaporator coils to make sure the stay warm enough to evaporate.

D2Reid, looking at the fridge in my Reflection 337, I have no idea where I'd have room to put a 100 watt bulb. Is it residential style fridge or the gas/electric you were talking about?

 

[SGillis]

Hey Scott! Where did you get that temp unit at ? Scott

 

[D2Reid]

D2Reid, looking at the fridge in my Reflection 337, I have no idea where I'd have room to put a 100 watt bulb. Is it residential style fridge or the gas/electric you were talking about?

Going to the outside of the RV, pull the black vent panel, look for the 120v electrical outlet the fridge is plugged into. And, it may not be possible. Mostly I posted this so folks would be aware that the gas evaporator refrigerators have a tendency to stop working when they get cold.

 

[Chiefblueman]

Hey Scott! Where did you get that temp unit at ? Scott

I'm not Scott but here it is

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FX8ZGO...&pd_rd_r=e97db448-e2a9-11e8-a361-814bd471a8f1

 

[D2Reid]

I got this one. It does have to plugged onto 120v to work, will stay on with just batteries, but you have to press a button on the back to see what's going on.

Hocoy color weather station.ps wh

I have one remote sensor in the water control panel, one mounted under the steps where it will read outside shade temp, and one in the LR, we are testing the LR thermostat and monitoring the effect of the fireplace.

 

[Scott.Florschuetz]

Sorry that I missed the last few responses. Things have been busy lately.

So just an update!

Today it was -3 outside and the RV did GREAT. It was 17 underneath (inside the skirt), 66 inside (using furnace and fire place), 65 in the garage (space heater). We are now using the fresh water system (the water is shut off) and so far so good. The slide-outs are a little cooler than the rest but not bad.

We bought a new 100lb propane tank and use the 2 30's as a backup. We may grab another 100lb to extend our filling durations.

It has been snowing on and off so I have cleared the roof and slides of ice and snow every week. We didn't get around to getting slide toppers so I'll have to keep an eye on it.

Everyone's input here has been EXTREMELY helpful. I just hope that I can help pass on the knowledge aswell.