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Old 01-25-2021, 09:28 AM   #1
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Bozeman , Montana
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 13
South West Montana for the Rest of Winter?

Hey folks,
We recently acquired some property in south-west Montana and are looking for a TT to live in while we develop the property. I know a Keystone Montana or something similar would be more practical for that use, but I have no desire to own something that big after we're done building. My preference would be a 25-27' AS but I'm currently looking at 2017+ Classic 30s. I want to figure out how to make it work for one spring so that I can enjoy the trailer in the future instead of immediately selling it.

If we arrive by 3/1, the avg low should be around 21f and avg high of 45f, but I assume there will some days of down to single digits.

The utility situation will be evolving but at the start we will only have electricity and no water/septic. It may take a few months until septic can be built as the ground needs to unfreeze.

Would a 2017+ classic 30 with the hydronic heating using just electricity be sufficient to keep the trailer from freezing in that climate? I'm fine to supplement with some propane heat, warm jackets, and electric blankets, but I wouldn't want to have to winterize the vehicle every time we left for a short of time.

Does anyone have an idea what it would take to keep a 25-27' AS unfrozen using just electricity? Would tank blankets and portable radiant heaters be sufficient?

Since this is a one-winter type thing, I'm content if the solution is very inefficient. If I go into next winter living in the trailer due to construction delays it should be at a minimum inside the barn and very likely with that barn being heated.

Thanks!
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Old 01-25-2021, 10:53 AM   #2
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Snoqualmie , Washington
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I recall a post from a couple who wintered over in their AS in Montana or Wyoming (I don’t recall which one). They built a skirt around the trailer using reflectix, and also used reflectix on the interior of the windows. Seemed to work ok
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Old 01-25-2021, 11:46 AM   #3
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2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor , New York
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Welcome to the forum!

The following thread is fairly recent from Colorado, and very informative as to skirting and other preparations. In his case propane is the fuel, but there is a lot be learned here IMO:

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f46...-a-215428.html

These "winter skirting site:airforums.com" search results should also yield helpful info:

https://www.google.com/search?q=wint...=airforums.com

The weak link in the chain is the wind IMO. A strong wind, plus sub-freezing temps, can wreak havoc with hidden plumbing lines, notably those buried in the belly, the outdoor shower, and city water supply hose connection. Even if the interior is warm, often that warmth simply cannot get to the remote piping hinterlands, at least not predictably IMO.

Happy Trails,
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Old 01-25-2021, 01:31 PM   #4
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2007 19' International CCD
Steamboat Springs , Colorado
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I would also be concerned about snow loads on the roof, having seen an Airstream crushed by accumulated snow.
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Old 01-25-2021, 02:30 PM   #5
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Bozeman , Montana
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Thanks guys, I'll check out those searches and links.

I'm not super worried about the snow load. The area we're in is quite light on snow and I could make sure it was cleared.

I'm struggling to find good info on the hydronic heating system capacity in the classic 30. Does anyone know where there might be BTU specs for each fuel mode LP, electric, and combined?
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Old 01-25-2021, 02:50 PM   #6
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2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor , New York
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You might want to check out this Classic sub-forum:

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f540/
"Much Ado About Alde" thread: https://www.airforums.com/forums/f54...de-162472.html

. . . as well as these various sub-forums, search results, and threads:

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f427/
https://www.google.com/search?q=Clas...=airforums.com
https://www.google.com/search?q=Clas...=airforums.com

https://www.airstream.com/travel-trailers/classic/
https://www.airstream.com/travel-tra...pecifications/
https://www.airstream.com/blog/using...ystem-classic/

https://www.alde.us/manuals-and-documents/

Sorry for the generic links -- FWIW.

Some of the forums/threads, in the search results above, should help in finding a more specific Alde manual with specs IMO.

You could also start a new thread in the Classic sub-forum linked at the top IMO.

Good luck,
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Old 01-26-2021, 09:23 AM   #7
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2018 30' Classic
Pine Ridge , Florida
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I have A 2018 30 foot classic. And just spent a few weeks in 30° weather would be more than glad to give you the particulars about the Alde system and what is capable of doing. By the way it will not do what you want it to do on electricity alone, impossible. Way too long conversation to do on the forum. If you would like to send me a PM I will give you my phone number and we can talk about it.
Kent
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Old 01-26-2021, 05:43 PM   #8
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2018 27' Globetrotter
Columbus , Montana
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From South Eastern Montana.

We've got a new neighbor moving to an empty lot in a week or two that they just bought and are planning on staying in their Travel trailer while they build their house. He's planning on staying in a nearby campground (in town, about 10 miles away) where he has electricity, water and septic until he can get electricity and septic on his lot. He'll then move his travel trailer onto his lot where he can begin his construction.

Having just electricity and propane available on your new lot isn't enough. You'll also need water and the ability to dump your tanks.
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Old 01-26-2021, 07:11 PM   #9
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Paradise , California
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ingstad View Post
From South Eastern Montana.

Having just electricity and propane available on your new lot isn't enough. You'll also need water and the ability to dump your tanks.

What Ingstad said! We did this a few years ago. I don't know how your going to get by with out water and septic, short of hauling the AS to a campground once a week at a minimum. That will mean disassembling your skirting/heating system every time. Yes, you can truck water in, and, yes, you can get a portable dump tank to haul the black tank off with, but that's a lot of work. And its hard to give your tank a good flush just dumping water down the toilet.

We lived at the local Elks lodge for 4 month while waiting to get power to our lot so we could fire up the well, and that was a PITA. The sites had power and water, but no dump, just a central dump on the way out. Had to move the trailer once a week to dump, and take VERY short showers. Eventual figured out that my member key would let us into the gym after hours to shower and use the bathroom. Our morning and evening walk of shame.

You could look into a portable toilet rental. You'll need one when construction starts, but that going to be a cold seat in the morning!

Check with the toilet rental guys, see if the can service you trailer. We spend 11-12 days at Burningman every year and 1/2 way through we flag down the RV/toilet service guys and they "suck" the tanks out.

Good luck!!
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Old 01-30-2021, 04:53 PM   #10
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Bozeman , Montana
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Thanks everyone for the advice and the links. We're gonna give it a try with a Classic 30. I was worried about the 2017 alde vs the 2018+, but it seems like you can (relatively) inexpensively upgrade to the latest generation.

I think we'll end up at a park with full hookups like everyone mentioned until I can get a septic and well done.

Fingers crossed!
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