COLD CAMPING
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Camping Adventures
Forum Discription: Post your camping adventures here for all to share
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15552
Printed Date: 28 Apr 2024 at 2:58pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: COLD CAMPING
Posted By: hogone
Subject: COLD CAMPING
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2022 at 6:33am
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Just curious. Plan on doing some cold weather camping in the next few months (likely negative temps). Besides the water system which I obviously will not be using, are there any other direct negative affects/issues of the camper or other systems that one should be aware of? jon ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Replies:
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2022 at 7:27am
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Condensation is always an issue with winter camping.. keep a window ever so slightly cracked, and the FF vent the same, just a little bit. Like 1/32 of an inch is all it takes, to let the warm humid air find it's way out. At those temps, expect to go through propane at a serious clip, AND be prepared for a frozen regulator. Below 32F we found a medium sized space heater did OK (if you will have hookups), until about 15F at least, that was our lowest in the Pod. I have often wondered about the sealants reaction to being moved about at such low temps while towing, but, so far, have not seen any issues. We normally make a trip south and back during the winter and sometimes tow in the teens for a day or two.. |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2022 at 10:24am
yup, i will have electric and have two small space heaters and the furnace (unless like you mention about the regulator). should be able to blow the pod out! will also have my -15 bag and obviously other gear. the cream would be a blizzard to enjoy at the same time. jon------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: gpokluda
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2022 at 5:06pm
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We've camped in the negatives a couple of times. Everything, and I mean everything moves a lot slower. Your slide will definitely be grumpy with you. As mentioned before, condensation will be a problem to deal with. In addition to keeping a window an vent cracked, try to avoid swings in temperature great than 10-15 degrees. This will help keep condensation at bay. Good luck, and keep a sense of humor! ------------- Gpokluda 2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023) 2022 Escape 5.0TA 2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB Triumph T120 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2022 at 9:33pm
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When it is really cold, you may prefer to keep the slide in. You will have less space to heat. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 19 Dec 2022 at 6:22am
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true on keeping the slide in, but its pretty cramped without it open. not worried about heating it with it open; have plenty of sources. more concerned about what others have mentioned; regulator, slide being grumpy....jon ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 19 Dec 2022 at 7:29am
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If it is cold enough and you won't be able to get to a place to refill propane and/or you don't have shore power available, sometimes you might need to keep the heated space to a minimum and dress really warmly, Keeping the thermostat set lower might be needed also. This is from when we were in our RPod after our accident when we stayed in the tow yard over the weekend. We had a plug-in, but only a 15A outlet. We did not have an electrical heater. I did purchase a Mr. Buddy heater to use. It helped for getting dressed in the morning. Sleeping bags and blankets kept us warm enough at night. To conserve propane, I had the thermostat turned down to 55 at night and only (if I recall correctly), 65 during the day. We still went though a significant amount of propane. That trip convinced me that if I really want to do winter travel, I need a winter-capable trailer. The RPod is really not a good choice for winter travel. To be sure, it is better than a tent, a pop-up with canvas, or a teardrop. The best one can say is that it is doable to winter camp in an RPod. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: gpokluda
Date Posted: 20 Dec 2022 at 9:21am
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Been thinking about this a bit more. A lot of this stuff was basic for my wife and I since we have done a lot of backpacking and snow camping, but want to make sure I put it out there and not assume anything. Condensation will be your enemy. If you get damp, you will be miserable. So follow all of the advice on mitigating condensation and also, stay away from cotton. "Cotton kills" as they say in the outdoor sports world. It absorbs moisture and does not wick it away thus chilling you. While it may be tempting to have nice, thick, soft flannel sheets on the bed, they will be horrible if they absorb condensed moisture from the air. We use a good micro-fiber sheet set from Costco. They work great and are brushed for warmth. Also, using any water in the lines or holding tanks is certainly out of the question in these conditions. Kudos to you for wanting to give it a go. Winter camping is something we really enjoy mainly because not many people do it and it is a completely different experience from camping in the warmer seasons. ------------- Gpokluda 2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023) 2022 Escape 5.0TA 2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB Triumph T120 |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 20 Dec 2022 at 10:08am
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+1, no cotton. And layer, both golden rules from backpacking. So consider wearing a base layer, either poly fleece is good or if you prefer natural fabrics, Merino wool, which is not itchy. We wear them all the time in winter even at home. So much more comfortable and we can keep the indoor temps lower. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 20 Dec 2022 at 6:23pm
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Maybe Ill build a snow cave; all ya need is a good candle with a small vent on top of the cave (and a good bag/pad)........many nights in one of those. coldest I have ever been in is 38 below (air temp). lakes were popping and trees bursting!! i appreciate all the advice. spent many years in northern wisconsin and minnesota. couple years ago pam gave me a trip to ely for a dog sled trip. had a fast sled and yes they threw me off several times going around those curves!! happen to hit that trip in a pretty good snow storm. not a cotton guy at all. again; thanks for the advice; more concerned about the pod surviving!! Merry Christmas to all. jon ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: Brian Labor
Date Posted: 13 Jan 2024 at 9:55am
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Posted By: Brian Labor
Date Posted: 13 Jan 2024 at 10:00am
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So, just to clarify, we are getting ready to be in sub-zero temps for a few days here in Texas and, out of necessity, we are taking our R-Pod to a campground with full hook ups. I see a few posts saying to leave the water lines empty? What do you do for washing dishes, toilet, etc. We will have Mr. Buddy propane heater and an electric space heater, plenty of bottled water and sleeping bags, so all good advice from here, but just curious about the water. ------------- |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 13 Jan 2024 at 11:34am
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The water lines outside of the living space are not insulated. If you get below freezing too long, those lines will likely be damaged. You can cold-camp, but you will need to do it without water. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 13 Jan 2024 at 2:06pm
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If the campground has restrooms, use those. Use bottled water for drinking. Be careful with any grey or black water. The waste water tanks can freeze too. A little water might be okay, but at zub-zero none is better. RPods aren't made for full use at that temp. They are still fine for your own nice warm place to sleep. If necessary to use the toilet, you can flush with RV antifreeze. With full hookups, use your electric heater as much as possible. You will have already paid for the electricity. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 13 Jan 2024 at 2:37pm
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I would suggest in addition to TT's suggestions, get a water carrier such as a 3 or 5 gallon jug with a spigot. That will save on the plastic of bottles. Be sure to sanitize it before filling and you will have safe drinking water for a much lower price than bottled water in the long run. You can find heated fill hoses. You could also wrap the drain pipes with heat tape and insulate, but the RPods are just not made for camping in freezing temperatures. RV antifreeze is an expensive way to flush, but it can make possible a stay in frigid temperatures. We've done it. Be prepared to go through a lot of propane if you have to use it to keep warm. Best to heat to the low 60's and dress very warm. If you do use a propane heater such as a Mr. Buddy, be sure to provide for ventilation. Opening a window a crack and raising the vent fan's cover just a little can provide that ventilation. It helps both to avoid Carbon Monoxide poisoning and with moisture build-up. Electric heaters are better as they don't generate CO. You can survive a cold snap that way. I would not want to try camping in an RPod in a location with extended sub-freezing temperatures though. Same with our Cherokee Grey Wolf. It also is not set up for 4-season camping.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: gpokluda
Date Posted: 13 Jan 2024 at 4:30pm
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We did a lot of camping in below freezing temps with our Rpod. Forget about using any of the ater systems in the trailer. Instead rely on restrooms at the facility. Use paper plates and plastic utensils so as to avoid having to do dishes. I know that is not great for the environment but your options are limited since the Rpod is not a four season camper. If you have to wash dishes, use a basin to catch the water and empty it appropriately at the facility. Use an electric heater to warm trailer so you use the campground electricity and not your propane. We use a Vornado we purchased at a garage sale 10 years ago. What I like about it is it has an onboard thermostat so the fan continually runs, but the heating element only energizes when the thermostat kicks on. That helps keep air moving in the trailer and mitigates condensation. Leave a couple of windows cracked to allow fresh air in. ------------- Gpokluda 2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023) 2022 Escape 5.0TA 2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB Triumph T120 |
Posted By: Brian Labor
Date Posted: 13 Jan 2024 at 9:53pm
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All good advice. Thanks so much, everyone. We have a couple of small electric heaters that will be our first choice. I installed two propane tanks right after we bought the R-Pod, so we will use that sparingly. Trust me, if it wasn't an absolutely necessary trip, I wouldn't take it. ------------- |
Posted By: gpokluda
Date Posted: 14 Jan 2024 at 2:13pm
Maybe so but this is a great learning experience and will give you some real experience to make future camping decisions. When we had our 179, we were confident in camping all year round in the desert southwest because of the experiences we had in our hybrid Starcraft. ------------- Gpokluda 2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023) 2022 Escape 5.0TA 2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB Triumph T120 |
Posted By: Brian Labor
Date Posted: 15 Jan 2024 at 9:19am
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As soon as we got to our site, a generous lady lent us a heated water hose. Everything was fine until this morning when I discovered a small leak that left a small puddle on the floor. I tracked it down to a water line underneath the sink. Water is leaking where a small clamp on a water line is leaking. I don’t have any duct tape so I tried electrical tape but that didn’t stop the leak. I think I will shop for small clamps and try to reposition the hose and clamp it tight again with some plungers help. ------------- |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 15 Jan 2024 at 10:13am
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PEX cinch clamps are what was used in the RPod and also in the Grey Wolf. You could potentially try worm-drive clamps, but the PEX cinch clamps are probably better in the long term. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wf3kWxnWCM - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wf3kWxnWCM ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Brian Labor
Date Posted: 15 Jan 2024 at 11:33am
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Thanks, Stephen. I will have access to one when I get back home Sunday. ------------- |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 29 Mar 2024 at 5:07pm
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whats happened to this sight........go marquette ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |