First Full-Time Winter in SW NM in Argosy

[rbs]

nothing easy about winter camping if everything is "right", but without a furnace could become a nightmare. The risks are obvious, but a fire could have unimaginable consequences, and I have seen a lot of fires caused by supplemental heat sources and people trying to stay warm.

[too_new]

Originally Posted by TouringDan

Too New

I have done some winter camping in West Virginia and it was quite cold but I only did this for a few days at a time when I went skiing.

I would probably operate using water from the water tank. Just refil it during the day when it is warm out.

Trying to winter camp without a furnace is difficult at best. I wouldn’t do it.
I would install a new furnace and the necessary propane lines.

If you need to heat with electric resistance heaters it will be expensive but here is what I would do. Heat the smallest area possible. Like only heat the bedroom at night and only the living area you are using during the day. At night use a mattress pad heater. It only uses about 90 watts and you will be plenty warm at least when you are sleeping.

Good luck.

Dan

Thanks for your thoughts. Ordered a Delonghi bathroom radiator heater and hoping that will be enough (possibly with a fan). The pipes are all pex after the bathroom (which is still copper) and inside. There are areas where they run behind storage panels and I may insulate there (both the pipes and the back of the door). Hard to say what should and shouldn't be done as it's my first winter and there are many variables.

[too_new]

Originally Posted by rbs

nothing easy about winter camping if everything is "right", but without a furnace could become a nightmare. The risks are obvious, but a fire could have unimaginable consequences, and I have seen a lot of fires caused by supplemental heat sources and people trying to stay warm.

I won't overload the circuits and have taken much time in researching how to ensure that doesn't happen.

[Lily&Me]

It kind of feels like you’re daring the Devil, too_new, and I hope you don’t become a cautionary tale of how not to sit out a winter.

I sincerely wish you all the best with this venture, and please let us know how it turns out.

Maggie