Re: Question for experienced RV\'rs-use in cold weather
Well, Rob said I'd chime in. Yes, you can use (live in) an RV in cold weather if you know what you're doing and have the right RV and right equipment. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif My brothers both lived in RVs (one in a motorhome and one in a 5th wheel) through the winter in Anchorage. And on my last trip to Alaska, it was -5F when I crossed from Canada into Alaska. And we were also living in that 5th wheel trailer around Christmas 1989 when we had a record -1F here in Texas.
As has already been stated, some RVs have heated and insulated water tanks and some do not. The same applies to the holding tanks (grey water and toilet holding tanks). The water heater also may or may not be a problem. Our 5th wheel had the water tank where it would not freeze and we continued to use it, but the holding tanks were not insulated and heated, so we added antifreeze to the holding tanks and continued using things normally while we were parked here in the cold weather. However, when traveling, a gas water heater will not likely stay lit, so we drained the water system and used jugs of water on that trip to Alaska until we got to our destination. And while it generally is not recommended by many, we left the furnace on all the time, even driving, so it was warm in the trailer when we stopped and we had no problems with that. Our motorhome had both water and holding tanks that were protected from freezing, and there was a bypass valve, so the water heater could be drained and still use the rest of the system.
As has been previously stated, condensation can be a problem with metal framed single pane windows, but that, too, is quite easily solved. 3M, and perhaps some others, make a "heat shrink" film that works great. We, and my brothers, used it. I believe you can get it at Sears and WalMart, as well at a lot of hardware stores. It comes in a roll that looks almost like the clear plastic wrap used in the kitchen, along with a roll of double sided tape. You simply put the tape around the windows (and roof vents), cut pieces of the film to fit, stick in place as straight as possible (doesn't have to be too straight), then heat it with a hair dryer. It will shrink to a tight transparent fit and you'll have less condensation than most houses. It's cheap and easy. We always left one roof vent with the exhaust fan uncovered just in case we wanted to blow any stale air or smoke out. And I like their tape because it all comes off easily in the Spring without removing paint or leaving marks where it was applied.
If you're going to stay in one place for a long period of time in extreme cold, then it's a good idea to add some kind of skirting around the RV to keep some of the cold from getting underneath, although that's usually done only in the most extreme cases. I've seen vinyl and plywood used for that purpose, and square hay bales also work well.
If you're considering buying an RV to use in cold weather, hopefully you'll find a knowledgeable dealer that's familiar with using them in such weather.
