RVing in Cold Weather

[someisgood]

Hi Folks,

This seems a little silly from where I am, sitting in the hot sun just
north of El Paso, TX, but I'm gearing up to write an article for
Airstream Life about winter camping. I've been assigned to find people
who have done this and talk to them about what it was like, why they do
it, how it feels to be snug while the snow flies. If you use your
Airstream as a base for skiing or snowmobiling or ice fishing or
snowshoeing, I would like to hear from you. Or if you just like to get
out there when the campgrounds are empty, and the tourists and snowbirds
are gone.

I'm not supposed to write about the hows of doing it, the nuts and bolts
of keeping warm and not freezing something, just the fun part. Someone
else is going to do things like how much propane you need or how to dry
camp in a winterized AS. Just the whys, and the whats.

If you have any pictures of winter camping bliss, I can maybe use those too,

Thanks,
Daisy ( Anthony TX/NM)

[eubank]

Originally Posted by someisgood

Hi Folks,

This seems a little silly from where I am, sitting in the hot sun just
north of El Paso, TX, but I'm gearing up to write an article for
Airstream Life about winter camping. I've been assigned to find people
who have done this and talk to them about what it was like, why they do
it, how it feels to be snug while the snow flies. If you use your
Airstream as a base for skiing or snowmobiling or ice fishing or
snowshoeing, I would like to hear from you. Or if you just like to get
out there when the campgrounds are empty, and the tourists and snowbirds
are gone.

I'm not supposed to write about the hows of doing it, the nuts and bolts
of keeping warm and not freezing something, just the fun part. Someone
else is going to do things like how much propane you need or how to dry
camp in a winterized AS. Just the whys, and the whats.

If you have any pictures of winter camping bliss, I can maybe use those too,

Thanks,
Daisy ( Anthony TX/NM)

Ah, just come up here to Angel Fire during the Christmas/New Year's season! We're full of insane people who use their RVs to go skiing. Personally, the only thing we'd do with our Airstream during that period would be to leave Fridged Ridge and head for warm country, but that's not an option (yet)!

I'll attach a pic or two for you.

Lynn

[wheel interested]

Or come to Michigan now! Just when you thought it was safe to go out...


Apr 04PM Rain / Snow Showers / Wind41°/26°Thu
Apr 05Few Snow Showers / Wind36°/25°Fri
Apr 06Few Snow Showers / Wind35°/23°Sat
Apr 07Few Snow Showers36°/25°Sun
Apr 08Few Snow Showers41°/29

[Skater]

I've used my B-van in cold temperatures. The first time was over Thanksgiving 2005, in Pennsylvania, and we actually got some snow. The lows those nights were probably in the 20s, highs around the 40s or 50s.

The second time was last March, in DC, when I was moving and was living out of the B-van for about two weeks. I did have to get propane delivered once, near the end of my stay. Similar temperatures, but no snow.

The third time was a little less fun - it was during a 2-day power outage at my house in February. Since the house interior was down to 40-some degrees, and outdoor highs were in the 20s or so, I fired up the generator and ran the furnace and an electric heater, and my cat and I slept in the camper one night. No water; it was still winterized, but then I didn't really need it anyway - the house still had hot water by virtue of a natural gas water heater, and I was just parked in the driveway.

For those trips, I had the furnace running, and I had an electric heater but didn't use it much. Other than the issues with winterizing (which is more than 10 minutes in my camper), I really enjoyed it and wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

To avoid having the hose freeze, I filled up my freshwater tank and used water out of there (for showers I use the campground's showers).

Someone on the B190 mailing list a while back indicated that they used to take theirs skiing - they'd drive it to the lodge, ski a while, then camp in a parking lot and use a grill to cook food for the employees. All of this in snow, of course.

[someisgood]

Wow, how very cool !! Did you take that photo? and can you send them to me directly and as big as possible ?

We will be gone to press long before that, so I need to get info from you. Do you know anyone who does that ?. Failing that, can I interview you about them ?

Daisy ( some is good, in Alamogordo NM)

[someisgood]

Do you remember who that was that skiied out of their B van ? Can you ask on the Bvan list for me? For anyone that does winter ?

Thanks,
Daisy ( Alamogordo NM)

[Whirlaway]

Hi All,
I think this thread is excellent as a new AS'er.

After reading the AS manual then reading all this thread I still have a few questions.

What is an "oil free" air compressor?

Where do you purchase one?

How do you regulate the volume of air needed to blow out the lines?


My last question is do you have lift and lower the height of the trailer to get all the water out? Or does blasting it with air do that for you?

Many thanks,

Irish.

[thecatsandi]

Most small compressors are oil free. It will say so on the tag somwhere.
When I winterized. I did not blow out the lines. I opened the drains under the trailer (they protrude throught the belly pan) and the tank drain. I then opened all the faucets and shower. Removed the hot water drain plug and opened the pressure reilef. Isolated the hot and cold from the heater. THis got most of the water out. I then pumped RV antifreeze into all the lines. and drains.

[Whirlaway]

I feel more comfortable with doing that than blowing air into a system.

I will go outside and try to find all the items you suggested on my AS.

Best,

Irish.

[jcanavera]

It takes a lot of air flow to really dry out the water lines and your typical 12 volt pump only does a passable job. My dealer uses high pressure and he will guarantee that your lines are dry. For myself, I blow them out and then inject RV anti-freeze through the water pump. That's they only way to make sure you've displaced any lingering drops of water.

Jack

[thecatsandi]

Took about three hours and un-did it about a month later. Don't put any in your water tank. It takes awhile to get he taste out. The inlet to your water pump has a screw on fitting a garden hose is supposed to fit.