On the Road

An “On The Road” reader sent us this valuable information about living in extremely cold climates and we wanted to share it with you……

Hi there folks!

I find the reading interesting about the many folks out there that like the mobile life.  I myself have lived in a 5th wheel the last 5 months, and I can tell you its a LOT different than living in a stick home or even a mobile home.  Space is a premium in a travel trailer, and mine isn’t even a short one (34 ft).

I have, in my experience thus far, found that not just any trailer will work in the cold country.  I live in South Dakota, where the wind blows all the time (ok, not All the time, just most of the time) and temperatures can get down to -20 degrees F for week long stretches between Dec and Feb.  I spent a month looking online and talking with various travel dealerships about “cold weather” trailers and I couldn’t find specifics on what to look for in trailers (I’m a used trailer kinda guy) so I had to start putting information together piecemeal.

Cold weather can have very bad effects on motor homes, and 5th wheels.  Water lines freeze, drafts get so bad that no matter what you do, you can’t keep the place warm and snow can play havoc with the waste system.  If you plan on doing any living in cold weather, it would be greatly advisable to spend the time researching specifics on RVs and select one that is most suited to the most extreme conditions you’ll be living in.

The first thing to check is the R-rating and type of insulation the manufacturer uses.  R-ratings are insulation index numbers that say how well the insulation performs and to what extreme of temperature they are good for.  The higher the number the better the insulation factor.  For instance, the blue dow foam Nu-Wa uses has a much higher rating than the white bubble foam many other manufacturers use and will not absorb water.  Good ratings in the roof and walls are important for extreme cold weather.

The second thing to check is windows!  Metal framed windows are horrible in cold weather.  Even if the window are “thermo-paned” (meaning 2 panes of glass with a vacuum space between them) the frame itself will emanate cold to the exten that they will create a draft in the trailer.  Any trailer you find that has louver windows (some call them the old ‘crank’ style windows) will be a very bad choice unless you wish to immediately change the window and frame out with a thermo-pane, plastic frame window, and that can get expensive quickly.

The third thing is to check for for a sub-floor and heat inside the sub floor area.  I’ve found that the sub floor area and heat within is critical to keeping water lines and storage tanks from freezing.  Many higher end trailers have sub-floor area with heat, but it is critical to look at – especially the area in the rear of the trailer where the sub floor is the thinnest.  In my trailer (1990 Nu-Wa) this area comprises the kitchen, and living area with a single slide-out.

If you plan on buying used, I also recommend checking the water heater (many manufacturers use a version that has a dual gas/electric capability) for rust and leaks (mine was rusted through and flooded my trailer after I pressurized the system), the furnace for proper functionality (the fan unit went bad after a month of use in mine), refrigerator/freezer functionality (many are dual mode like the water heater, and many older ones operate using ammonia instead of freon, so it can be tricky to get it to cool right without making both boxes a freezer), and the valves for the waste systems for proper function (to ensure they move smoothly and seal correctly) because in cold weather you have to keep them closed unless you need to dump.

I’ve struggled since I bought the trailer I live in with water and windows, but have found that the rest of the trailer is well suited to extreme weather.  It is comfortable, roomy enough for one and stays warm enough with 2 small ceramic space heaters assisting the propane furnace.  I have gone the extra to get a 100lb propane bottle with a tie-in unit that allows me to add it to the existing 30lb bottles without extensive changes in the existin propane connections.  Overall, the experience has been good (though at times challenging) and living in one of these trailers is much cheaper than renting even a small apartment! (Lot rent, and all utilities paid for – for less than the cost of many hotel off season convenience rooms per month).

There are many sources people can access online to read reviews and comparisons for trailers and I highly recommend that the time be spend researching before purchase.  It will save in time, money and headaches!

Happy travels!

Pieter Wouden