RV Living in extremely cold climates
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
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I *HATE* cold and your description of RVing in the cold sounds right out of Dante’s hell!
Unbelievable.
So you have pieced it all together so it can be done, eh? Well, if you guys out there can do this in such cold weather then a crybaby like me won’t have any problem doing it in our nice warm weather here in California!
(I AM Scandinavian, do my Master Swim laps in a heated pool, but right now step out into 40 degree night air that can go through your body like shards of glass and it is rather “bracing”, shall we say!)
RVing in the cold? Brrrrrrrrrrrrr.
I think a few tips on winter camping could be useful.
1) Wrap your water supply line in heater tape.
2) Turn water off at night and drain hose.
3) Don’t leave you septic line connected. Connect, dump, Disconnect.
4) If you have fresh water in your holding tanks and they are not heated make sure they are not full. At 6 degrees things freeze.
PRAISE TO THE HEARTY SOULS IN NORTH DAKOTA BRAVING THE BLISTERY COLD ELEMENTS!!!
DOES ANYONE HAVE INFO CONCERNING A “QUICK & EASY” INSULATED
WRAP-AROUND SKIRT FOR TRAVEL TRAILERS???
IT SEEMS TO ME THAT SOMEONE WOULD HAVE CASHED-IN ($$$) ON
A DESIGN THAT WOULD BE PORTABLE, AFFORDABLE, AND PROVIDE THE
(OLDER) TRAVELER WITH SOME EASY (RELATIVELY SPEAKING) WAY TO
“WRAP” THE UNDERCARRIAGE WHERE ALL THE [CRITICAL] STUFF IS THAT NEEDS TO BE KEPT PROTECTED FROM SEVERE COLD AND WIND.
ANY IDEAS WOULD BE APPRECIATED SINCE I WOULD LIKE NOT TO HAVE TO RESORT TO MY OWN DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF SUCH A SKIRT FOR OUR FIVER.
THANKS, NORM
I haven’t bought a RV trailer yet but want to about Oct.
I work as a Pipe Designer on contracts all over the U.S. (Job Shopper) and spend a lot of money on Motels & Hotels.
I hope an RV will save not only money but also the hassle of going out and buying furniture just to have to sell it and go on to the next job where ever it might be. So I would like any info on both the good and bad of working while living out of an RV and going from State to State about every 6 to 9 months (or when ever my contract ends).
I have to admit the cold weather topic made me think of some things that could go wrong that I hadn’t thought of.
What are some other things I should be aware of? After all this will be my first RV and I would like to know what to expect.
I am researching to buy a trailer for hubby and myself. He works the pipelines in extreme weather, both hot and cold, so we need something well insulated and usuable as much of the year as possible. I’m not finding alot of standards to compare between manufacturers. Some say ‘extreme weather’ or ‘glacier’ package, but then never explain just what that means. Does anyone have a travel trailer they’ve had luck with, and just how extreme were the temps?
I would like to know what RV, 30 to 38 feet is insulated for cold weather, including windows that would not freeze up. We bought on years ago, they assured us it would with stand the weather in Minnesota in the winter. We not only froze but window frosted up to 2″ thick. We did not even hook up to water and sewer, we used the neighbors bathroom the whole winter. With modern technology I would think some company has a trailer that would be insulated all around including windows that would not frost up. Would be happy to hear from someone who really knows what trailer company meets these demands. Thank you Fran holloway
Dear Pieter,
Thank you for taking the time out of your day to write that very informative article. I am planning on living in a travel trailer for a few months real soon and I can definitely use the info that you provided.
Thanks Again,
Vincent
Citation Supreme is a top of the line travel trailer made in Canada for cold weather. If we could afford to buy one this would be the one….hubby lives in travel trailer for work…way up Northern Canada…-40 for most of January and winter from October to at least the end of March. He uses insulation around the bottom and puts a light with 100 watts under the trailer, heat tape and insulation over the windows. No guarantee though…the fridge and water heater have frozen up at times…tough living
Thank you all for the information, I am living on my job site through the winter in Carson City NV and the temp is about 20 degrees at night and usually warms in the daytime.
they do get snow. My plan is to wrap insolation around the water tank and run a insolated skirt around the bottom of my Class A motor home. its a 34′ Fleetwood I will also run a heat tape to the exterior feed lines and I like the Idea of a couple of 100watt bulbs uder the coach.
I am not paying for the electric bill but am paying for propane, so any thing that keeps it from freezing up or cuts heating costs is good. any further suggestions please email me at haneyedw@gmail.com This is my first winter in cold country where I will be living in my motor home 24/7. thanks
Thanks for the tip re: the Citation Supreme for colder weather. I live in Canada and spend all summer and fall in the trailer on a seasonal lease lot. I would like to use it occasionally in the winter during ice fishing season. Anyone know of other brands that are built for colder climes? I’m looking for an older modele 28′ to 34′ without bunks and not a 5th wheel.
Email oni1937@gmail.com
Many thanks for any info.
thanks for the great information – I want to be ready for next winter in my trailer – so these details are helpful.