Winter Camping Typical Daily Routine

[shum]

DW de-winterizes and re-winterizes our rig. .

As does mine. Does better than me

Sunday at MAC the Dump station was plowed but the inlet itself was buired under quite a bit of snow.

Got to start remembering to bring a small shovel up to the dump site.

[92_Flagstaff]

Thanks for the responses. I expected to hear more moans and groans about having to rake the roof, shovel the snow but it sounds like its just camping regardless of weather conditions. Our pup gets quite chilly in the fall and was having a hard time keeping it warm enough at night. We use a ceramic heater. That said, we haven't done anything to improve it such as reflectix. Not a practical 4sc fer sure, but I'm keen on making sure it is capable of 3sc. Its far too small to cope with the added clothing and mess with dog from outdoor actvities in the snowy winter. I'll probably be in the market for one of your old TT someday, likely after its has changed hands a few times, depreciates in value considerably, and finally enters my 'cheap' budget zone. I'm the sort of fella that prefers to fix up old stuff to look nice again rather then try and keep new stuff looking new.

Has any manufacturer ever built a TT or 5'vr that had a wood burning appliance INSIDE for seasonal camping? I'm aware that it could be a risky manouvre, just curious if it has been done. I've been in lots of small 'cabins' and 'camps' that had them, and can't see the risk being that much more severe in a TT. That question outta raise some discussion. I'm going to grab some popcorn for the reading...lol

[GoinKZ]

Has any manufacturer ever built a TT or 5'vr that had a wood burning appliance INSIDE for seasonal camping? I'm aware that it could be a risky maneuverer, just curious if it has been done.

Ive never seen it, cant think of why one would want to do that,JMVHO much to small a space with too many combustibles in the way.
Something more like a MrBuddy would do the trick if you need bulk heat, even in the PUP.

[shum]

Propane is way more in-expensive and effecient as a heat source especially inside a camper. No room for a wood stove and the fuel.

[another_newfie]

Sunday at MAC the Dump station was plowed but the inlet itself was buired under quite a bit of snow.

Got to start remembering to bring a small shovel up to the dump site.

Thank heavens I had remembered to leave my collapsable shobel in the truck, I made quick work of shoveling it out. The next person that came into the DS would appreciate it at least

If you think of the clearances and material requirements for a wood burning application it would be a REAL tough engineering project. Also the liabilities involved. LP is much easier to deal with and the modern RV furnance is a great appliance that is quite reliable. In addition bringing in the wood would be a chore.

You won't hear much groaning and moaning around here regarding all season camping. With a little effort and proper preparation is is a VERY enjoyable activity. In my previous 30 year old Bonair Pop Up we had outings that hit minus 15C and we easily managed. We ONLY used electric heaters since I removed the LP furnace that was in it. Although it was cold, it was easily doable and we were comfy. Then again I've spent my fair share of nights in tents in subzero weather as well. We don't currently winter camp in tents, but likely will return to it at some future date to augment our RV winter camping.

[Origami Camper]

Our pup gets quite chilly in the fall and was having a hard time keeping it warm enough at night. We use a ceramic heater. That said, we haven't done anything to improve it such as reflectix.

The first fall we had our pup, we barely made it to thanksgiving weekend. The next year we camped with a night down to -14. We're hoping to make it out for family day weekend this year too.

The reflectix & pug covers are a must - it makes the difference from a barely 3 season camper to a 4 season (at least sometimes ) camper. Reflectix under the mattress and in the bunk windows helps tremendously, more than I thought it would. I use pool noodles shoved along the edge of the bed against the canvas to stop the drafts and make as much of a seal as possible. A heated mattress pad is nice, I like the pre-warmed bed but I personally find that leaving the whole thing on makes it too hot. Ours has separate left/right controls, but we turn our sideways so we can heat just our feet a little bit.

We generally use two ceramic heaters at night when it's chilly. I haven't had the furnace on yet this year, but may need it on family day, we'll see, I'd like to keep it off as I don;t like the fan noise or larger temp cycles. If I run a second power cord, I'll enough power to run 3 ceramic heaters if really needed.

Our biggest complaint about the heat isn't the heat, but the dry air. With ceramic heaters going all the time in the pup over night the air gets very dry.

Get some reflectix, and I'll see you camping!

[92_Flagstaff]

Thanks for the pup tips! I recall you mentioning the importance of reflectix to me at Valens. Can I ask what make/model of mattress heaters you have (or are they factory versions)? What voltage do those things operate at?

[Origami Camper]

Thanks for the pup tips! I recall you mentioning the importance of reflectix to me at Valens. Can I ask what make/model of mattress heaters you have (or are they factory versions)? What voltage do those things operate at?

Actually it's just a queen size heated blanked we got at Linens and Things (got it on sale when they were going out of business, but any home store should have them, maybe walmart). I think it's a sunbeam. Two control units with separate AC plugs. Not sure of the voltage of the actual heating elements. I think the blanket is a couple hundred watts max IIRC - low enough that on a 15 amp circuit I can run a ceramic heater on max plus the blanket without issue.

[chuck44l]

For you that havn't tried it my wife and i much prefer an electric blanket over the heated mattress pad, If the mattress pad gets to hot you can't get away from it as it takes forever to cool down Kind of like an old outdated waterbed with a heater, On the other hand if you get to hot with an electric blanket you can get rid of some covers for a bit and turn down the control and before you know it you are grabbing the covers again.

[rolling condo]

Has any manufacturer ever built a TT or 5'vr that had a wood burning appliance INSIDE for seasonal camping? I'm aware that it could be a risky manouvre, just curious if it has been done. I've been in lots of small 'cabins' and 'camps' that had them, and can't see the risk being that much more severe in a TT. That question outta raise some discussion. I'm going to grab some popcorn for the reading...lol

Here's a link to some one that has done that http://www.airforums.com/forums/f462/winter-living-off-grid-in-vermont-with-woodstove-44907.html