Winter Camping

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   The coldest I've camped in was 12F inside my shelter, no heater, and solo. Very warm layers and bedding (my guy wasn't there, luckily I had the right-rated sleeping bags!). Last year I camped solo in 27F, have camped in high 20s and 30sF many times. These are nighttime temps, and then 30sF and 40s and even 50s  during the day. I would not have wanted to be dealing with systems in those temperatures, not even a propane heater, for fear that something would burst or break or freeze or what-have-you. I really value having equipment that can keep me warm without needing batteries or propane (love those camp stoves though for heating water and food!). I think it's a matter of really learning the systems on your trailer, using the advice here (I'm putting Outbound's & others info here in my RPod binder) and practicing. My sweetheart knows a lot more about dealing with equipment & water pipes & such in winter being from a really cold state originally, so that will help to. So I guess if it were me, being adventurous, I'd start out in the trailer using the advice shared here, and then move to a motel if needed. Or do a back & forth thing to break it up. Not much help I realize! I bet you'll figure it all out and all will be well. 

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Live2Camp Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 Apr 2017 Location: No. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 240	Topic: Winter Camping Posted: 09 Oct 2017 at 6:17pm
	The coldest I've camped in was 12F inside my shelter, no heater, and solo. Very warm layers and bedding (my guy wasn't there, luckily I had the right-rated sleeping bags!). Last year I camped solo in 27F, have camped in high 20s and 30sF many times. These are nighttime temps, and then 30sF and 40s and even 50s during the day. I would not have wanted to be dealing with systems in those temperatures, not even a propane heater, for fear that something would burst or break or freeze or what-have-you. I really value having equipment that can keep me warm without needing batteries or propane (love those camp stoves though for heating water and food!). I think it's a matter of really learning the systems on your trailer, using the advice here (I'm putting Outbound's & others info here in my RPod binder) and practicing. My sweetheart knows a lot more about dealing with equipment & water pipes & such in winter being from a really cold state originally, so that will help to. So I guess if it were me, being adventurous, I'd start out in the trailer using the advice shared here, and then move to a motel if needed. Or do a back & forth thing to break it up. Not much help I realize! I bet you'll figure it all out and all will be well.
	2017 R-Pod 179 HRE (the green one) His:Ford F150 double cab 4WD; Hers/mine:Tacoma V6 double cab 4WD Still love rugged, diggin' comfy too

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3227	Posted: 09 Oct 2017 at 6:03pm
	+1 I can do winter camping, and have done it for a few days, but not for an extended period as you plan on doing. As Craig well states: "It's not that bad.
	God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

Outbound Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 19 Nov 2009 Location: Oshawa, Ontario Online Status: Offline Posts: 767	Posted: 09 Oct 2017 at 1:54pm
	The fridge will be an issue; it an absorption fridge (ammonia) and doesn't like freezing weather. Make sure to insulate the vents and leave just a small hole (1/3 of a louvre) at the top. If its regularly below freezing, you'll have to put a 60 watt incandescent bulb back there as well to provide heat. Your tanks will definitely be an issue. Definitely skirt. If it snows, pile the snow up against the skirt for better insulation. You may end up having to put a 100 watt incandescent bulb under there. You valves will freeze. Expect it. Wrap 'em in heat tape. Your fresh water hose and sewage hose will freeze. Keep the fresh water hose in the trailer, take it outside only to connect to the tap and fill your fresh tank. Then, disconnect it and bring it back inside. Ideally, you'd do the same with the sewage hose, but that'd reek. Instead, leave it connected. Make sure there are no dips where water can collect (use a slinky stand). Do not leave your valves open - only open them to dump and then close them again. And, of course, run fridge and hot water on electric only. Propane, insulation, exhaust gas, and living people do not mix well. Tape down the propane switches and mark them clearly as DO NOT USE just in case someone other than you thinks that using propane might be a good idea. Oh - put a layer of reflectex under the bed and behind the dinette cushions. After a few very cold nights, you may also want to consider putting a layer around the bed and up the bedroom walls about 3'. An electric blanket is also an excellent idea. And a night cap (both of the wooly and alcoholic types). *** To be honest, unless you're very hearty and feeling adventurous, I'd suggest finding an alternate arrangement. Wintering in an r-pod is going to be tough at times. A long-term stay at a cheap hotel, cooking on a 2-burner cooktop may not sound like a great idea... but its not that bad.
	Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150

HANSONS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 12 Aug 2017 Location: Sequim, WA Online Status: Offline Posts: 8	Posted: 05 Oct 2017 at 8:29pm
	That's a good idea may have to try that modification next year. We purchased some of the 3M Film for windows that people used up in Minnesota for windows and will seal all the windows that way. We figured that way we'd still have light in the trailer. Won't do that until we get into the final park for the winter the end of this month.
	Karen and Joel Hanson 2016 RPOD 179

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3227	Posted: 05 Oct 2017 at 7:05pm
	One of the first mods we did on our 177 back in 2011 was to take out that ugly curtain, yeah, the one you couldn't open or close easily and replaced it with a 2x cell insulated shade that can be pulled down or pushed up. Makes a huge difference keeping the cold out. Purchased a couple plastic pins and screwed them into the wall below the window then drilled a couple 1/8" holes in the bottom of the shade bracket so that it would lay tight up against the wall/window area when in the down position.
	God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 05 Oct 2017 at 6:07pm
	THANKS, I'll look at that and if I have an idea will post.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

RobnCari Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 18 Sep 2017 Location: S. Wisconsin Online Status: Offline Posts: 42	Posted: 05 Oct 2017 at 5:43pm
	+2 On SH suggestion of using Reflectix (brand name) also if you don't want the inside blacked out during the day use clear on the windows. Mist the windows with water and it will stick right on. You could try using Reflectix under the cabinets or cut Styrofoam insulation to fit (floor and outside walls) You could just leave the cabinets open a bit at night when it gets really cold.
	2006 Toyota Tacoma 4WD AC 2018 RP 179

HANSONS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 12 Aug 2017 Location: Sequim, WA Online Status: Offline Posts: 8	Posted: 05 Oct 2017 at 4:45pm
	It's an area where there is a lot of cold air. We were at 37 this morning and when I went under there to pull out items it was pretty cold. Just trying to think of all the ways to keep cold out and the warm air in.
	Karen and Joel Hanson 2016 RPOD 179

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 05 Oct 2017 at 4:06pm
	If there is a will there's a way, I haven't looked at my TT, but would ask why you think you need to do that? Just asking.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

HANSONS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 12 Aug 2017 Location: Sequim, WA Online Status: Offline Posts: 8	Posted: 05 Oct 2017 at 10:19am
	Is there a way to insulate under the large cabinet under the cook top and the cabinet near the fridge?
	Karen and Joel Hanson 2016 RPOD 179