Cold weather camping

Started by Canajun, August 16, 2021, 03:04:14 PM

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Canajun

Hello, we are driving from Alabama to Texas to look at an almost new 21BHS. Our plans are to head up to Newfoundland Canada in the middle of September (our son lives there). Our intentions are to be back in the States by mid-November at the latest. It's very possible we may encounter freezing Temps.  I know the Livin Light is not a 4 season camper, but is it insulated such that the lines can handle some amount of cold weather? 

Thanks. Keep your fingers crossed the trailer works out.  It's a long drive.

I've read about the possible weld issue
We are going to have it checked by RV tech.




DavidM

Short answer, no. The tanks hang down in the open air and the lines are all uninsulated. You might do ok in the mid 20s as long as it warms up during the day, but if it gets down to 20 at night, I bet the lines at least will freeze.

Looking at Weatherspark.com, at St John's you have only a 10% chance of getting below 25 F by mid November, so maybe you could make it. But I think I would be prepared for 20 F.

I think the only thing to do temporarily is to put a skirt of light canvas such as is used as a  painting drop cloth around the whole trailer and put a 1,500 watt space heater in that space if it gets that cold. It will take at least another 1,500 watts of heat to keep it decent inside if you don't use the propane furnace. But if you have 30 amp shore power you should be ok.

Or you could just winterize by draining the tank and pumping a gallon of antifreeze through the lines and just do without water for the night or two that it gets really cold. That is what I would do: chance it but keep a few gallons of antifreeze on board and do a quick winterizing job if it looks like it really is going to get cold. Then once the cold snap passes, fill up the water tanks and you are back to normal.

All of this assumes that you are at an RV park with the dump hooked up. If you are essentially boondocking at someone's house, then I wouldn't try it.

David

Canajun

Thank you so much!  (Trailer is brand new!)

Merlin

Quote from: Canajun on August 17, 2021, 05:40:58 PM
Thank you so much!  (Trailer is brand new!)

Sounds like you found the unicorn! Good work!
Michigan

Lhunter

We live in Ontario and go south in the winter. A few years ago we were in Texas and it got cold enough on the coast in January that the  lines to the shower froze in our 14 BDS. To prevent this going ahead I wrapped the main lines running down the side with heat tape and insulation. Sold it before the next winter but it allowed me to keep it unwinterized when I got home till the weather warmed up. It wasn't too bad of a job.