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Old 08-14-2007, 06:11 PM   #1
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Northwest winter travel

I'm buying my first airstream on Monday, a 2005 Safari LS 22', and I'm very excited. I have a few questions, some of which I've seen complicated answers to in other threads.
First, can anyone tell me whether it is necessary to winterize my trailer in Southwest Washington? At what time of year/temperature is it needed? Also, I would like to use the trailer for extended weekends skiing at Mt. Hood Meadows ski resort, and I was wondering what steps I would need to do this in potentially lousy weather up there. I wouldn't have it up there for more than 2 nights at a time in the winter, but would like to be able to use the plumbing if possible. I appreciate any advice you can offer.

Matt
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Old 08-14-2007, 06:46 PM   #2
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Matt, welcome!
I wish I could help you, I don't have to worry too much about camping in the snow here. Therefore, anything I tell you would be hearsay. I'll wait awhile - if nobody responds I'll give you hearsay.
Nice to have you on the forum!
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Old 08-14-2007, 06:51 PM   #3
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Hello Matt - Welcome to the Forums! You will need to be winterized in any conditions dipping into the low 20s. I have found that pulling a trailer in cold conditions is much more chilling than having it parked. There is actually a wintering subforum where you started your thread that has a lot of information. Batteries perform poorly in cold, so a plug-in is almost mandatory if you want to use the furnace. Condensation is a big issue unless you leave a window or vent partly open -- that's just not much fiberglass insulation and there are no thermal breaks at the ribs. Without a lot of arrangements you are left with something functioning at the level of an aluminum tent.

I don't think any combination of studded tires and the most perfect antisway gear is going to make towing in mountain and snow conditions safe -- that's just a personal opinion from another snowy state. The first 'oops' will make that $500 a night condo seem mighty cheap. Road salt is aggressive on aluminum. I backpacked & beach camped in Hawaii a lot -- any new equipment with aluminum would be severely corroded by salt spray after the first trip. There are countless threads about alloy wheels, handles, hinges & skins that have problems with their clearcoat (search: filiform corrosion). Unless you find a disposable Airstream you can store up there, I would follow the Harley Rule advice -- don't bring it out in the spring until after the first good rain storm washes the roads clean.
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Old 08-14-2007, 07:22 PM   #4
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Hi Matt! Welcome to the forum, and to AS ownership!

I am no expert, but I've had my airstream for five years, and here's what I do - drain all the water out, blow the pipes out with compressed air, plug the trailer in, and leave a small electric heater running inside when the temps really drop. I don't know that the heater is absolutely necessary, but
it has kept it from getting that musty smell inside, and it's not that much electric to keep it dry inside. If it gets damp inside I set up a small dri-z-air.

There's still time to get a spot at Beverly Beach and join all the locals for the big end-of-season party! Come on down!

Oh, and the 'Crawford' in my profile is kind of a joke - I'm in Battle Ground, right down the road from you
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Old 08-14-2007, 07:31 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by msmst25
I'm buying my first airstream on Monday, a 2005 Safari LS 22', and I'm very excited. I have a few questions, some of which I've seen complicated answers to in other threads.
First, can anyone tell me whether it is necessary to winterize my trailer in Southwest Washington? At what time of year/temperature is it needed? Also, I would like to use the trailer for extended weekends skiing at Mt. Hood Meadows ski resort, and I was wondering what steps I would need to do this in potentially lousy weather up there. I wouldn't have it up there for more than 2 nights at a time in the winter, but would like to be able to use the plumbing if possible. I appreciate any advice you can offer.

Matt
Yes,,,it needs to be winterized. The temps in Southestern Washington (west of the cascades) will drop into the teens or below in the winter. If you going to MT hood to winter ski....you could see temps below zero. If you'r comming to Eastern Washington or Eastern Oregon in Winter the temps can sometimes be well below zero in the dead of winter. Anywhere in the northwest winterizing is a must.
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Old 08-14-2007, 11:51 PM   #6
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hi matt

it might be good to read the 'winter threads' just to get some ideas about winter camping in the colder parts of america...

i disagree with almost everything posted here so far on northwest winter camping, stef's routine is good IF you aren't gonna use the trailer.

camped for 10+ winters in washington/oregon/montana and didn't once winterize.

regularly boondocked in parking lots at crystal, mt hood, mt baker, snoqualamie and big mountain montana and lots of x-c spots off in the woods.

i had a moho then so chains made pass crossing much easier.

took a winter trip around the olympic peninsula every year and

spent several weeks each year winter camping on the sands of the beaches west of longview.

you need PLENTY of lpgas and juice (batteries/genset) or shore power.

a catalytic heater is a wonderful thing, properly installed, vented and used.

you need to learn how to vent the condensation and moisture.

last i checked bob, they don't use much salt on the roadways in washington or oregon, relying on sand/coal dust/and snow plows at the passes.

and seldom is there snow on any of the roads in/out of the ski areas for more than a few hours, since they need customers....

almost never any snow along the washington coast proper...well there was that winter (85?) with 20 inches of snow right down to the peninsula surf,

wow what a trip that was around the olympics.

but ocean air/surf salt is an issue year.

some of the ski areas now have hookups so that's easier, but most don't allow free boondocking like the old days.

many rv campgrounds are open and empty in the off season.

IF you are only staying for 1-2 nights it might be easier to fill your water lines with antifreeze and just carry bottles/jugs for daily use.

but if you really wanna winter camp in the northwest, just learn how and prepare for the adventure.

it is a special season for rving and most modern airstreams can handle it with some planning.

don't forget the photos...

cheers
2air'

one caveat,
the 22 footer will have a floor made from osb/chip board so it doesn't tolerate wet very well.

condensation not handled properly will eventually reach the floor.
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Old 11-27-2007, 06:23 PM   #7
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another skier

2air - great post and thanks for the info. I will be leaving in two weeks for winterpark, copper & steamboat - 1 month of skiing - can't wait. I've done a good amount of research on this site and built in some extra provisions. Actually, there is another forum member who also has given e great advice and tips - search in the inter living section - she and her husband wintered in steamboat last year and I think may be doing it again this year.
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Old 11-27-2007, 06:38 PM   #8
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hey nunya'

i've found that spraying a little veggie oil (or olive pam) on outside water fittings to be very helpful during winter travel.

have a great trip!

i'm more of a crested butte and black canyon of the gunnison type in the mile high state,

but i'd love to spend 2 months (jan and july) a year near steamboat, biking and sliding

so WHERE are the pictures of your trailer make over?

and how 'bout some winter fun ones after u arrive!

cheers
2air'
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Old 11-28-2007, 11:55 AM   #9
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2air - thanks for the tip - as soon as the project is done i will post a ton of pics and will also document my trip daily - might need to hit you up for some more advice soon.
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Old 11-28-2007, 01:52 PM   #10
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another winter issue is the shower trap.

the sink traps are inside the main unit so freezing is unlikely if the heat is on....

the shower trap isn't usually in a heated space so depending on insulation (mine had NONE) it can freeze up.

if it's cold enough (below 15-20F) this can happen DURING a shower, ask me how i know....

so IF you still have access insulate the shower trap/pan...

of course winter camping means less bathing anyway...

woolen undies tend not to stink with weeks of wear...

and save water, take a vodka sponge bath!

cheers
2air'
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Old 11-28-2007, 02:49 PM   #11
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2air - I never pegged you as the woolen undies type.

Bill
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Old 11-28-2007, 03:12 PM   #12
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That's good to know as well - I didn't retain any of the original bathroom and built my shower drain and out pipe to drain directly out to the site drain pipe - (sorry for the newbie terminology) - I also built in a valve to cut it off completely. That said if I'm boondocking I'll need to drain it into an external tank. I do have access and I will double check the insulation. I just got my fleece curtains for all the windows - hpefully keep my a little warmer. Did you ever think about doing a skirt around the bottom?
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Old 11-28-2007, 03:15 PM   #13
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woolen undies tend not to stink with weeks of wear...
Fingers in ears, hands over eyes, singing la la la la la la at the top of my lungs now!
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Old 11-28-2007, 04:36 PM   #14
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Sometimes I camp in freezing weather.

It's a pain in the neck to unwinterise and rewinterize in freezing temps ( and I don't want to take a chance with my plumbing freezing should I lose power which would mean that I lose heat ). Instead I use a porta potti for waste issues, and plastic containers for washing water.

A word to the wise about woolen underwear. Make sure that they are balanced underwear, which help prevent posterioratic rashes.
NOBODY better ask for pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Old 11-28-2007, 06:22 PM   #15
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I spent the entire winter (5 months ) last year, on a construction site at 7000 ft. in a 19ft. SOB. It was not pretty. Dealing with frozen water lines,frozen holding tank, what a nightmare. Ended up removing cabinit doors and intrtior access panels, and using heat strips and lights to try to keep things at least somewhat under control. Oh, and the furnace ran almost constantly. NEVER AGAIN !!!
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