Winter

[Mike0392]

Full timing in my2020 Classic 33. I’m in Pueblo Colorado and asking my friends this question.

With the Alde heating system, will I need to skirt my Airstream for the winter? There is a guy in the springs that makes custom skirts but I’m not sure about screwing those little clips to the bottom of my trailer..

Advice please

[BigSxyWhtGuy]

I would, just for additional protection from the chill. You do have tank warmers that you would need to run in addition to the alde to try and prevent everything from freezing 🥶

We full time as well but try to avoid the really cold winters. Have you tried FL in the winter yet? Nothing like Christmas in shorts.

[AnnaBelle33]

Originally Posted by BigSxyWhtGuy

I would, just for additional protection from the chill. You do have tank warmers that you would need to run in addition to the alde to try and prevent everything from freezing 🥶

We full time as well but try to avoid the really cold winters. Have you tried FL in the winter yet? Nothing like Christmas in shorts.

I agree. I’d buy that for extra protection but we’ll be in South Florida for Thanksgiving this year & avoiding the cold & snow.

Good advice as always BSWG!

[Magnet18]

Skirting is a matter of how much wind you'll get blowing underneath, if you're sheltered from the wind by a good wind break you won't get a lot of benefit, but if you're out in the open the skirt will help you enjoy having toes about 10 degrees warmer

[majorairhead]

https://rvskirting.com/latest-work/skirting-a-bambi

IMO, as to the benefit of skirting in Pueblo CO, in winter, there is no doubt for me.

As to the methodology used to affix the skirt, therein would be the concern for me.

It appears from the video in the link that the snaps are attached to the bottom band. I'd guess they are riveted. So what's a few more rivets right? Unless they some how compromise a seal. I know for me, I'd be wary, probably wouldn't do it to my unit.

I'm not an Airstream mechanic, my guess being that bottom rail is riveted to the airstream body. In the grand scheme, it might not be a big deal. 3 or 4 thousand rivets, a hundred more is a problem? I don't know.

Maybe 3M tape and velcro, or some other no drill attachment method.

Then I'd have concerns about the skirt coming off, in high winds, say 18 degrees outside, blowing snow, and that skirt bangin' up the side of my trailer. Ouch.

Straw bales all the way around, if permitted.

[JMynes]

Skirting, and a large propane tank set up for automatic delivery

[pcskier]

Originally Posted by Mike0392

There is a guy in the springs that makes custom skirts but I’m not sure about screwing those little clips to the bottom of my trailer..

Advice please

I am full-timing in Park City UT for the winter. I am going to skirt, and am going to screw the snaps in to the plastic banana wrap all the way around, right under the lower beltline. Will include a dab of Sikaflex or silicon under each snap just to help secure it and also prevent possible tiny leaks.

[drairstream]

Why don’t you just buy some straw nails, wrap then in 6 mil poly and call it good. Only need would be some mouse poison underneath

[pcskier]

Originally Posted by drairstream

Why don’t you just buy some straw nails, wrap then in 6 mil poly and call it good. Only need would be some mouse poison underneath

The RV Resort I'm in doesn't allow them. Besides that, I prefer a more finished, neat look. It's my home, after all, and I like it to look nice. I know the bales are a popular option and they certainly insulate well.

[Gene]

I can't imagine an "RV Resort" in Pueblo. I wouldn't call the KOA a resort as it was getting rundown several years ago, though I know they have expanded a lot and maybe things have improved. Haggards closes in the winter and the place in the city is far from being a resort. Anyway,

Pueblo stays pretty warm most winters, but you can get very cold periods and lots of snow too. Very unpredicable. Snow usually melts fast. Denver and Colorado Springs are much colder and snowier, but Pueblo is lower and more in the desert. Airstreams are poorly insulated, so prepare to use a lot of propane no matter how you protect the bottom and to have a lot of humidity problems. Also best to cover some windows with something like Reflectix—helps a little. Windows are single pane. Insulate the skylight and maybe the fans. This is not a four season trailer, so wintering in one has some difficulties. You may want to get an insulated, heated water hose. They aren't cheap.

My wife is from Pueblo and we know the place well. No one spends the winter there unless they have a temporary job there. A little bit of rust belt in Colorado.

[OTRA15]

Sorry to snow on your parade . . .

The overnight lows in January 2021 are forecast to be under 15F +/- on average -- check the temperatures at the bottom here:

https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/pu...7352?year=2021

And those low temps are with zero wind, an important factor as others have pointed out.

Without extraordinary measures -- more than skirting or hay bales IMO -- it will be almost impossible to prevent plumbing freeze-ups and pipe damage IMO. Plus you will use a ton of propane and/or electricity for heat IMO.

Here are some threads/posts about Colorado winter living:

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

See other threads in this forum: https://www.airforums.com/forums/f462/

Has anyone in that locale said that full-timing there is do-able?

Good luck,

[OTRA15]

PS -- From another thread -- click on orange arrow to go directly to this post:

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Welcome to the forum, RockinRob!

There are a couple of long threads about living in an AS over the winter, and there is no simple answer to the question IMO. It is full of challenges, however, with numerous variables, including the weather being primary (obviously).

Search results for "Colorado winter full timing" --
https://www.google.com/search?q=colo...=airforums.com

The Winter Living forum would also be a good place to look:

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f462/

Some threads to consider:

Taos thread: https://www.airforums.com/forums/f46...ng-161869.html
Winter camping: https://www.airforums.com/forums/f42...ng-160582.html
AS Insulation: https://www.airforums.com/forums/f4/...er-161185.html
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f46...ng-159671.html

Here is an overview of the average temps in Breckenridge for January 2018.

https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/br...monyr=1/1/2018

Check the line graph at the bottom, which indicates that the average high is about 30F, and the low about 5F. The threads above have some discussions of the propane required to protect the plumbing from freeze-ups in a location which is basically always below freezing, often with wind conditions which suck the heat out of a poorly-insulated Airstream.
. . .

[pcskier]

Don't be discouraged by some of the comments Mike, I'll be right there with you in spirit! I truly believe, while obviously not as comfy as being at home in a sticks and Bricks, winter is totally doable if one is resilient. I'll be posting how it goes on the thread I started. You should update this thread as well with how you make out!

Gene, it was me who said I'm at an RV Resort, not Mike in Pueblo. I'm near Park City, Utah, and the 'resort' has a a couple pools and outdoor spas, fire pits, two clubhouses to relax/work in, and very nice individual bathrooms with showers. It's pretty "bougie" as the millennials would say :-)


www.mountainvallyrv.com

[OTRA15]

That thread is here: https://www.airforums.com/forums/f46...-a-215428.html

Please see recent comments there.

"A chain is only as strong as its weakest link."

Good luck,

[Magnet18]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Sorry to snow on your parade . . .

The overnight lows in January 2021 are forecast to be under 15F +/- on average

I've never had a plumbing issue at 15F. I only started having issues when below zero, last winter (second winter) I had the bugs ironed out and didn't even have plumbing issues at -15F.

The only plumbing issue I've ever had was a busted pex fitting on the city water inlet, during a polar vortex where the temps were -20 (wind chill -40) for a couple days, and even that could have been prevented with some foresight and smart application of heat tape

[Gene]

Originally Posted by pcskier

Gene, it was me who said I'm at an RV Resort, not Mike in Pueblo. I'm near Park City, Utah, and the 'resort' has a a couple pools and outdoor spas, fire pits, two clubhouses to relax/work in, and very nice individual bathrooms with showers. It's pretty "bougie" as the millennials would say :-)


www.mountainvallyrv.com

Oh. I need to vacuum my brain. We stayed near park City some years ago at a CG along an interstate highway. The top part was for those who bought sites and it looked really nice. For us lesser beings, we could camp in a run down area down the hill. Our neighbor was doctor and he and I talked about medical care in the US, France and Canada for hours. The site may have been trashy, but I had a good time. Same place? Still wondering where someone is wintering in Pueblo—the best CG closes for the winter.

Re: winter camping. For some, it is an adventure, others, doable with work and yet others a horrible idea with constant problems. Having read some threads of people who have wintered, it is certainly with challenges and is not for some, maybe most, people. I have cross country skied at -40˚. Most people would not try it. It was not enjoyable, but memorable. Glad the car started when we returned to it. Keeping pipes from freezing was a constant problem when I lived in a cabin in the mountains 40+ years even with heat tape and being watchful (it was a warm -30˚every morning for weeks) . And when the water pipes thaw and the sewer doesn't, then you have water you still can't use. You have to be committed and flexible and prepared for struggles. A lot of what people complain about is condensation and that they need dehumidifiers in winter. Wintering in an Airstream is not for most people. I haven't seen that those who have done it want to do it again and again.

[pcskier]

Originally Posted by Gene

We stayed near park City some years ago at a CG along an interstate highway. The top part was for those who bought sites and it looked really nice. For us lesser beings, we could camp in a run down area down the hill. Our neighbor was doctor and he and I talked about medical care in the US, France and Canada for hours. The site may have been trashy, but I had a good time. Same place?

It is still there. Park City RV Resort. Like you said it is full-ownership sites, that people then rent out through the resort for a fee. It is not the nicest place IMO, and especially being adjacent to I-80. However, it is the ONLY option closest to Park City and the ski resorts. The next option is Jordanelle State Park on the other side of town, and then in Heber, which is where I am--about a 15 minute drive to Park City. Occasionally I see those full-ownership lots come on the market for about 80K. I've thought about it, but what keeps me away is that you can't rent it yourself...you have to go through the resort and give them their 30 or 40% fee. If not for that, I'd consider it...use it when I need it, but when I build my new home, rent out the spot on a weekly or monthly basis. But not if I gave to pay the management fee.

https://www.parkcityrvresort.com/

[Gene]

Peter, that CG looked nice when we drove in, but then we found we would be be sent to the trashy area. Since we were already there, why look elsewhere? Felt like the "other side of the tracks". I do remember we were told sites were available and I think the prices were as high or higher than now. We went to Park City for dinner and found a nice restaurant, but in the next booth was a local woman who talked louder and louder (alcohol fueled) to her companion, thought everyone in the restaurant was interested in her life, talked on her phone loud too. The staff seemed to be afraid to ask her to keep it down. We asked them several times to ask her to be quiet, but to no avail. I'm sure Park City has positives, but things seemed not to work for us that well except for the friendly guy in the next trailer. Traveling means meeting jerks or jerky CG's from time to time and sometimes that means a bad taste is left and you never go back there again even if it wasn't the town's fault. Glad you found a good place for you.