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Old 12-31-2023, 09:50 AM   #1
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Winter in CO?

Hoping for some insight from the group. For the last few years we have spent winters in Florida (December - March). Last summer, we were in Colorado and really enjoyed Colorado Springs, Pagosa Springs and Durango. Has anyone wintered in these locations? Love some insight into weather, potential Airstream challenges, etc. Thanks in advance.
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Old 12-31-2023, 10:14 AM   #2
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Lived in Durango for 15 years....and stored my trailer in Phoenix during winter so, no would not camp in Colorado in the winter. Some avid skier types have done it but the weather is probably similar to Pennsylvania only with more snow. Look at southern Cal AZ,NM, and Texas for winter pleasures.
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Old 12-31-2023, 10:46 AM   #3
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It is doable. I lived in Colorado Springs and Denver for 20 years, and the weather is actually pretty mild there in the winter. You will get your winter storms, it will get cold and snowy for a few days, but then the storm clears and it warms back up into the 40's or 50's.

My nephew spent a winter in Greeley in an SOB trailer with a model called something like "Always Summer." Yes, you need to make some "winter living" mods to keep tanks from freezing, etc.. There are several threads on these forums about how to make your trailer winter-liveable--the search function is your friend. Search for terms like "winter living."

good luck!
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Old 12-31-2023, 06:53 PM   #4
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I have an Airstream and I live in Colorado, southwest of Denver. Colorado winters are known for snow at the higher elevations. I recommend going further south like most snow birds do.

David
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Old 12-31-2023, 08:06 PM   #5
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Have to agree with MOJO - I live in Durango for 45 years - the last 5 I have a place in Az for the winter - should give you an idea of what think - having said that it’s a great place if you are into winter sports - Durango had been referred to the banana belt of winter - lots of snow and lots of Sun - Airstreams are a great 3 season trailer - might work if you like roughing it
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Old 12-31-2023, 08:32 PM   #6
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Consider this: aluminum skin inside and out, aluminum studs, 2” of cheap insulation, and many single pane windows with aluminum frames.
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Old 01-01-2024, 10:24 AM   #7
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So, previous folks have already hit several of the high points. Denver and surrounding areas are full of RV parks that are full all winter, these are not vacationers but full timers. Extremely rare to see an Airstream of any vintage due to the inherent unsuitability of the all aluminum design. Can you compensate? Maybe, with a lot of "that depends". Giant propane tanks, heated fresh and waste hose, insulated side skirting etc.. One advantage, there are periods of pretty nice weather, played golf last week at 65 degrees. Today is supposed to be mid 50's. It is also dry here so humidity problems can be dealt with much easier, I think. Open up the trailer on a 45 degree day with 20% humidity and you'll be pretty dry in an hour. Does it build up? Yes, still can build up. But, what about when its never above zero for 7-10 days, happens almost every year. Bottom line,we take our trailer to Tuscon for 2-3 months.
Good luck, Mark D
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Old 01-01-2024, 08:21 PM   #8
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I have winter camped often over the years in our Airstreams but it is typically not pleasant. An Airstream is absolutely the worst insulated trailer, especially for the premium cost. Picture waking to frost on the interior bedroom walls. Tiger Run RV resort in Breckenridge we stay across from the lodge and use their facilities leaving the trailer winterized. We keep water in gallon jugs in case an emergency flush is needed. We use a high quality ceramic heater to supplement the gas heater. In Steamboat Springs we hook up with electric heated hoses. I would never attempt or recommend full timing in an Airstream in the Colorado winter.
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Old 01-02-2024, 06:40 PM   #9
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Thanks everyone for the input. Looks like we will try to find another place to winter and save CO for the rest of the year!
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Old 01-03-2024, 11:41 AM   #10
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You CAN spend the Winter in the Rocky Mountains. No LAW against it. If you figure out how to... you may be one of two travel trailer survivors. The Ski Resort may want to to stay on the edge of the parking lot. They will push the snow up against you and your ice palace.

During the Sunny Days... aaaahhhh. Sunset... frost bite sets in for the occupants in a travel trailer.

Trailer Parks in the Winter? Probably at a Junk Yard.

What will kill you is the Humidity inside the trailer. Then you open the Windows to vent and you will learn the lesson many of us who LIVE or LIVED in Colorado. Humidty gets you and the Cold Freezes you, next.

Your fresh water tank and water lines will freeze up. Black and Grey Water will freeze up. This is why you will see NO campers in the Ski Parking Lots. Even those who work at the Resort... figured it out the first week or month.

You could live cheaper at a hotel and pass on High Country Freezing.

In the nicer months... great camping. Can snow when you least expect it, as well, at elevation. It will melt by noon. But like you agree... avoid the late Fall and early Spring, to be safe.

We moved to Boulder City, Nevada. You will survive in southern Nevada. Much of Arizona and New Mexico are high elevation. You will suffer. Tucson... wonderful... but they get cold snaps. Go the the Rock Show in February. Talk to the Vendors in their trailer selling goods. Frozen water and buttocks... every once in awhile.

But... aahhhh. When nice in southern Arizona it is wonderful. When not nice... it will pass. Maybe...

Climate Change and Warming...? lets have another bedtime story in the mountains. Not happening here. Just a rumor.
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Old 01-03-2024, 03:57 PM   #11
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Here is what happened when my son pulled now my 69 Globetrotter up the mountains for a weekend skiing. It wasn't fun. But he got a good workout shoveling the rig out of there, and he made it home safely slipping and sliding down the slick and steep grades in the mountains. Airstream adventures they call it.

David
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Old 01-07-2024, 10:14 AM   #12
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Hi

Ok, so here we are in PA right now .... Over by Philly it's "no snow and warm". Up north of here there's maybe half a foot+ of snow and it's not quite as warm. This time of year over here in the middle of the state, it could be "high of 10 degrees" sort of weather later this month (in a normal year).

Just as things are a bit variable across PA right now, pretty much anyplace in "snow country" is highly unpredictable a year in advance. If you are planning to full time, that lack of predictability is a gotcha. Opening the trailer door to find 2 feet of snow outside .... yikes ....

I would not just rule out Colorado, I'd rule out a pretty big chunk of the US as well. The question is more "what are those few places that this will work". If the likely low is much below freezing, I'd look for another location.

Bob
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Old 01-07-2024, 11:43 AM   #13
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Bring the PJs. LOL
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Old 01-07-2024, 11:46 AM   #14
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I made up some styrofoam panels covered with curtain material to put over the windows in cold weather.
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Old 10-09-2024, 11:57 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Broke View Post
Hoping for some insight from the group. For the last few years we have spent winters in Florida (December - March). Last summer, we were in Colorado and really enjoyed Colorado Springs, Pagosa Springs and Durango. Has anyone wintered in these locations? Love some insight into weather, potential Airstream challenges, etc. Thanks in advance.
Wintered over one year in Silver Cliff (up the hill from Pueblo not on the way to anything) in an old 5th wheel. Put tank heaters on all of the tanks, heat tape on the exposed plumbing lines then wrapped them in Reflectix, put a skirt on it, set the thermostat to 65, had a backup electric heater set to 50, kept the propane tanks full, and nothing froze - coldest spell was a week of -20F at night and 0F in the day.

If it had been an Airstream I’d still heat tape exposed lines and use one of those expensive inflatable skirts.

It can be done. But now we’re retired, so when it gets too hot or cold someplace we move.
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