homeiswhereweare
Moab
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Joined: 09/20/2008
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We need to use our MH (09 Supernova 6400) during a couple winter months before heading south on our yearlong adventure with the kids. What precautions do we need to take? The belly is sealed, insulated and heated - do we simply need to make sure the heaters are running and keep things warm? Any gotchas?
Thanks.
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dsteinman
Los Alamos, NM
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Joined: 09/19/2006
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We drove from New Mexico to California, stopping in Arizona where it was down to 20 degrees. We just had to unhook the water hose after filling up and use water from the water tank.
David
2007 Four Winds 34H
2007 Saturn Vue
2005 Dodge Durango 5.7 Hemi
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Jack_Diane_Freedom
Lindsay Ont, and Gulf Coast Florida
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Joined: 05/11/2005
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You will use a very large amount of propane to be prepared to fill regularly.
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RVSKIER
Seattle, WA
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Joined: 04/23/2004
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A few things,
I hope you have 2 house batterys other wise if your dry camping you may run out of juice running furnace all night.
If you have an outside shower, you might think about putting a shutoff valve on the lines inside so it doesn't freeze.
carry a bucket of sand incase of getting stuck in the snow.
You will have to use a lot of propane filling up every 5 to 7 days. You can suppliment using eltrice heaters but be careful because on most MH the furnace keeps the basement /pipe/tanks warm.
if you have single pane windows you might think about getting some of that insulation that looks like silver bubble wrap, and cut it out for your windows at night.
Some people also put a blanket between the cab and the house to cut down on drafts.
RVSKIER
2001 Itasca 30W
Faster, Faster, Until the Thrill
of Speed Over Comes The Fear Of Death
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homeiswhereweare
Moab
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Thanks. Very helpful.
We do have two house batteries and solar panels to help keep them juiced during the day as well as the Onan 8000 generator. No outside shower, though I have found the shutoff valve for the water heater. Sand is a great idea! We are towing a jeep with a 12,000 lb winch too which might help budge things if needed. I've pulled something similar with the winch out of a muddy area with success.
I'm not sure what eltrice heaters are? Can you explain?
Greg
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hemlox
Western Illinois
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Joined: 05/21/2007
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homeiswhereweare wrote:
I'm not sure what eltrice heaters are? Can you explain?
Greg
I think he meant "electric"
25 ft. Gulfstream Conquest
Chevrolet Suburban 4x4
Reese Dual Cam WD Hitch
Prodigy Brake Controller
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Ripsnort
Lake Tapps, WA USA
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Joined: 07/15/2004
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Based on RVskiers recommendation of sand last week, I bought one of those medium-sized storage containers and put sand in it along with my emergency roadside bag (road flares/Safty Triangle/small Orange Cones) and stored it in one of my basement storage areas.
Warming the globe, 1 mile at a time.
Rip's Garage!
1990 Fleetwood Jamboree 27 ft E350
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homeiswhereweare
Moab
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I'm going to add a set of chains to that list as well. I live in the mountain west and I think that would be a smart addition.
hemlox - Thanks for the explanation - its like one of those fun games to unscramble words. Being new to the RV thing I was just being naive that there was some special RV eltrice heater I needed to learn about.
We are a young family jumping both feet in to full timing - I have a lot to learn and its going to be a fun adventure for sure!
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crop guy
Monroe, Georgia
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Joined: 06/20/2006
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A couple good electric space heaters are very handy when you have to thaw out lines or to keep them from freezing. I camped last winter in the Atlanta area with a few nights under freezing. Keep the cabinets open so the heat can get to the water lines and remember to unhook city water hose at night. I have also seen electric water hoses now for sale, very expensive and not sure how good they work. If your not moving around much you may also seal up the windows.
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georunner
Palmer Lake, Colorado
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We camped last spring in our SuperNova, in the Colorado Mountains when the temp got to 9 degrees. Most of the rigs in the campground had some freezing, but we did not. Here is what I suggest: 1. Keep the thermostat set above 50 degrees. 2. If you are dry camping as we did, run the generator for a while after dark, even if you have solar panels. 3. Leave the hot water heater on. The hot water tank could be the first thing to freeze if it gets cold enough and it is off. 3. We like sleeping when it is cool, and if you don't set the thermostat very high, you should be able to go at least a week on the tank of propane, but keep an eye on it. We put a "stay-a-while" valve and hose on ours and I carry a bottle of propane for the BBQ that I can use for the MH in an emergency. 4. Take an extension cord along so you can plug in the engine. Ours will start at 10 degrees, but I like to warm it up anyway when it is that cold.
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