Four Season Camping?

[kdullea]

We are looking to go to the next stage and getting a 1997 LY 31. How well are they insulated for winter use out here in the west?

[AnnArborBob]

Not good. Once you get consistently below freezing, long term usage of an Airstream (and nearly any other RV) is pretty miserable. Not only is the aluminum skin a great conductor of the cold, but you end up dealing with frozen dump valves, excessive propane usage, etc... Not to mention cabin fever when you are stuck inside all day long because it's too cold outside.

The trailers are really three season units.

[kdullea]

Oh sorry, 1997 LY 31 motor home.

[AnnArborBob]

Originally Posted by kdullea

Oh sorry, 1997 LY 31 motor home.

Doesn't matter, it's still a challenge to camp in consistently freezing temperatures in a fiberglass LY motorhome.

[mandolindave]

I don't think any Airstream is billed as 4 season…could be wrong

BUT….Even 4 season RVs are't great below freezing temps…unless you stay in one spot, jump thru hoops to insulate underneath, address liquids freezing, etc. Also heating them is costly and/or a pain in the neck. Condensation is an issue.

Annual budget to live in an RV STARTS at about $24K

We should have a section to click on for prospective year rounders. So many people get the idea of doing this. Don't get me wrong…it can be done, people are doing it….but not up North. Even north New Mexico at higher elevations is a stretch

[kdullea]

We really just want to go out for an overnighter just to get out of the house once in awhile.

[IanPoulin]

The only four season RV I would feel comfortable in long term during the winter would be an Arctic Fox by Northwoods. I still do go out in my airstream camping, but for three or four days at a time during the winter; not two weeks.

Ian

[IanPoulin]

actually -- question -- are you looking to hold the vehicle in one place all winter; such that you can add insulation to the underbody/ground levels, windows, etc. - or are you looking to travel during the winter. That may impact the answer.

[cameront120]

Originally Posted by kdullea

We really just want to go out for an overnighter just to get out of the house once in awhile.

You'd be fine if you dry camp. That is, leave the plumbing system winterized and use campground washroom/shower facilities. Use bottled water for cooking, etc.

[IanPoulin]

ok - just saw your reply posted at the same time as mine :-P... yeah for overnighters, two or three days, you'll be fine in an airstream... just get to know the wintertime precautions, what you can do; how to camp without dewinterizing if its too cold or if you are boondocking, etc.

[kdullea]

Now that you mention it we have an arctic fox camper on our land. We love the walk around queen bed but it has no living space. We also have 24 foot Ford ClassB ( carbureted 460) with a corner bed. We are hoping that The airstream will give us the best of both worlds.

[IanPoulin]

No. The Airstream is a huge mass of R1 windows. Comfort wise, unless you're ready, know what's going on, ventilate, manage humidity, heat right, etc., it will necessitate alot of goose down -- but on the plus, there's a lot of goose down involved.

go searching in the on the road subforum on winter camping. there's a good thread from two or three years ago of a couple that wintered over on the grand canyon rim; plus others on aspects of winter camping to keep watch for.

[Paul Dobbin]

It's true they are great conductors of COLD.
We left our 35 footer in the garage in NC and came up in January a few years ago when it had been below freezing for 3 weeks before we got here.
We came every day and tried to warm up the coach enough to sleep here.
Highs were 15 degrees and lows around ZERO. The COLD defeated us for 5 days and the motel welcomed us back each night. Tin cans are not suitable housing in real cold weather unless it's kept warm, and there is not enough propane for that to work for very long. It's not just the air your need to warm up, it's the aluminum, the glass, the steel the wood, the upholstery, the bedding, the chassis, etc, etc.

[Ted S.]

Arctic Fox all the way.

[Paul Dobbin]

In February we're headed to FLOIRDA.

[Gsmblue]

We do this all the time, here are a few things that have helped us.

1. Heated water hose
2. Set furnace to at least 54F. In our airstream the furnace dumps hot air to the storage tanks to keep them liquid
3. Get an electric dehumidifier. We have an Eva-dry was about $50 I think
4. Good down blankets for when hanging out, we got the Eddie Bauer ones, big enough to curl up under.
5. Get a good comforter. Some people even go for a heated blanket...

We survive just fine for 3 nights with nighttime lows around 20 and day highs around 32.

Enjoy!!!

[Lily&Me]

Micro fleece for your body, and something warm for your feet, also makes a tremendous difference,


Maggie

[kdullea]

[IMG]http://You are invited to view this photo album:
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What is all this?

[kdullea]

Water system pic. I guess they are all drain valves?

[Mike1997]

Everyone has a winter story so here is my in a 97 LY diesel pusher. I got a job transfer to Montana in October so lived in the Airstream for about 6 weeks till I found a house in Great Falls.

First is to understand where your water and holding tanks are located. On gas models the fresh water tank is usually under the bed. On diesel models is outside midway between the frame rails behind the diesel tank. Both holding tanks are behind that closer to the area under the stove and toilet. The furnace heats both holding tanks so always make sure it functions properly, especially at night. Its very noticeable because the bath floor will be warm to the touch.

Due to issues with water hoses on city water lines freezing, I decided to keep my water tank full and use onboard pump. Problem I had first occurred over Thanksgiving weekend when the temps dropped below 0. Morning after found my freshwater tank had frozen and nothing but a drop coming out of faucets. Used bottle water for drinking cooking and filled some liter bottles at the laundry to use in toilet when flushing. Took about 3 days for it to thaw out but everything went back to normal once temps got up to 40. No internal damages. With temps that cold, make sure to keep cabinet doors under sinks open so warm air circulates. Both my roof units have electric heat so in daytime would switch to them and save the propane. Had I stayed on the Airstream through winter it would have helped to enclose the exterior base with insulation board and put a light into the sewer compartment to keep drain handles from freezing.

Winter living in any RV up north can be an experience. Live and learn.....it can be fun but expensive too!!