Winter Camping

[Bogie]

I am planning on doing some winter camping this year. My camper is not 4 season and does not have heaters on the tanks so I will be going without using the water system. I am also going to make some Reflectix window and vent inserts and secure them with self adhesive velcro tabs. I have an electric ceramic heater that I use. Any other suggestions for successful winter camping?

[sushidog]

You will love the Reflectix. It made a huge difference in my Aliner. I have a small, 5,000 btu a/c which used to struggle to keep it cool in the hottest weather. Since I added the reflectix it will freeze you out. In the winter, it reflects so much body heat that I barely need to run the heater. The bubble window reflectix is cut slightly oversize so it just presses in, and the flat window reflectix is held in place with velcro so it pops off easily. Here's a couple pics:

(Posted Image)

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If you camp without hookups, you might consider a little catalytic heater. Unlike the small blue flame "Buddy" type heaters they produce no carbon monoxide. Your stove can be used in a pinch for supplemental heat, much like a blue flame heater, to take the chill off the camper while setting up. Just don't run it for too long and definitely don't go to sleep with it on or you might not wake up. Also, cracking a window is important to reduce the condensation inside, (and provide fresh air) regardless what type of heat you use.

Be sure and blow out your lines with air and drain your water heater if applicable, or just add rv antifreeze to them.

One last thing. I am, shall I say, folically challenged, so I like to wear a night cap. They say most of your body heat is lost through your head and this helps a lot.

Chip

[Bogie]

All of the SP's that I am considering have at least electricity available all winter and the bathrooms will be open. As I said above I do have a ceramic heater but am considering using an oil filled radiator style instead - don't know if there is an advantage; I need to do some research. Will there be problems using the refirgerator in colder temps?

You did a great job on the reflectix window covers - they look good.

Tom

[sushidog]

I use a ceramic cube heater myself, whenever I have electricity. I like it because of its compact size and light weight. They are as efficient as the bulkier and heavier oil filled models, but provide instant heat, something the oil filled models do not. They also cool off as quickly as they warm up, so you're ready to leave at a moment's notice. If you stay less than a month you will always pay a flat rate for electricity which is included in your camp fee. Therefore I wouldn't be as concerned about efficiency as I would about ease and convenience of use, total watts consumed (as this indicates heat output) and a good thermostat that will regulate the temperature well. My first ceramic heater that I purchased on QVC had 2 elements and a thermostat that allowed you to set the precise temp to be maintained. It proved to be too big for my requirements in my little camper, however one like it may be right for you. I miss its nice thermostat, as the cube heater's thermostat just has a dial indicating hotter and colder, not a digital temperature readout.

Chip

[Diesel]

In our 5th wheel, which is fairly large at just over 36', we use an oil filled radiator style. In our experience the oil filled radiator gave a more consistent heat in the large main area. We had tried the smaller ceramics, but for our purposes, they weren't that great as it was nice and warm near the heater but cooled quickly when the heater shut down. There seemed to be a lot more temperature fluctuations. This is more than likely due to the size of the area.

I also feel better about leaving the oil filled type on when we are away from the trailer than I did the ceramic. The outside temp on the radiator never reaches the point of starting a fire, where something could slip or blow against the face of the ceramic when on. I know most have pretty good guards, but I just felt safer with the oil filled type.

They are bigger and bulkier, so if space is an issue I would look at the ceramics for sure. They have come a long way from the old cube style of 30 years ago!

[d3500ram]

When I have gone hunting in past with a TC that had other than a cassette toilet, I would winterize the whole domestic water system. I would still use the fresh water toilet by adding some RV AF into the black tank and open the valve briefly to insure the AF got to that point. In using the toilet I would ad RV AF and water as needed for individual flushing use.

As I have subsequently learned, windshield washer fluid, which has anti freezing capabilities could be used in RV's for BLACK WATER FLUSHING ONLY. It is a less expensive alternative than some RV anti- freeze products.