Traveling up north for the holidays

Cmitchell40 · 12-20-2012, 10:25 AM

We are a FL family heading north to IN for the holidays and are wondering if it is okay to take our new 3170 ds? We called the dealer and they didn't seem to be much help... Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

**Herk7769** · 12-20-2012, 11:04 AM

Some campgrounds may be closed for the winter up here.
Make sure every campground you plan to us (up and back) will be available.

If the weather turns cold, a heated hose and heat tape for your sewer connections might be advisable.

Cmitchell40 · 12-20-2012, 12:26 PM

Thanks for the reply...I should have clarified, we are staying with family once we arrive. We just wanted to drive the rv for a more comfortable trip with the kids and dog.

strokendiesel002 · 12-20-2012, 12:42 PM

So far, I haven't seen any predicted deep freezes, which would be my biggest concern if using the facilities along the way. May be best to err on the side of caution and empty the fresh, grey and black tanks before you get up here(including blowing out the lines). I can't see any other reason not to travel in comfort! If you hit a storm, stop at a wayside and pull out some board games and think of the Grizwalds Christmas

Rugged Brown · 12-20-2012, 12:54 PM

If you're using the MH as a commuter only, then winterize it and drive in comfort.

dpkelly3 · 12-20-2012, 01:19 PM

I'll be doing the same travel. Heading up I-95 to upstate NY. I also have a new 3170 DS, with kids and dogs.

We do plan on camping at Crosswinds in Linwood, NC on Fri night and at Bar Harbor, outside of Baltimore on Sat night. My thoughts were if we stay in the RV and use the furnace or heat pump that the water lines would be fine.

Does anyone disagree?

**Herk7769** · 12-20-2012, 01:49 PM

I am planning my trip south and am having a real problem finding open campgrounds. Hope you guys have better luck.

dretired · 12-20-2012, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herk7769

I am planning my trip south and am having a real problem finding open campgrounds. Hope you guys have better luck.

Are you looking at KOAs ??

RamblerGuy · 12-20-2012, 04:06 PM

The Sunseeker 3170 has an enclosed sewer connection compartment. It is heated by a small flexible duct from the LP furnace. The heat pump will not apply heat to the compartment. The fresh water and holding tanks are between the underbelly and the floor, and get heat from the LP furnace the same way. The water pump and water filter are also in a heated compartment. As long as you heat with the LP furnace when it is below freezing you shouldn't have a problem with any part of the water or sewer system. We were in ours in 19 degrees F overnight fully exposed to a 20 plus mph wind. The next morning the compartments were above 50 F. (We ran the slide in when we went to bed because the lower seal has a gap around the slide track. This cut down on cold air infiltration, especially since the wind was coming from the slide side of the RV.)

If you don't have a heated fresh water hose, just use water out of your fresh water tank and drain your hose when it gets below freezing. If you want to lighten your load when driving, you can run it through your faucets and/or toilet before you dump.

One inexplicable item on ours is that the fresh water tank drain has a valve in the heated compartment, but the hot water line drain has no valve, just a pipe cap on the end of the drain line, exposed to the elements. I'd worry about that if I was driving in very cold weather. I plan to install a drain valve in the compartment so there's no water in the part of the line that is exposed.

Cmitchell40 · 12-20-2012, 05:26 PM

Thanks so much for the info... Appreciate your time! Any insight in terms of handling in winter conditions or in the smokies?

**Herk7769** · 12-20-2012, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dretired

Are you looking at KOAs ??

Yes.

I have Good Sam and KOA memberships.
I have not given up, but military FAMCAMPS are looking better and better.

B47 · 12-20-2012, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herk7769

I am planning my trip south and am having a real problem finding open campgrounds. Hope you guys have better luck.

Do the cg's know just who you are? Might help to let them know.

sor126 · 12-20-2012, 08:14 PM

Herk, Check out MacDill AFB Family Camp on Tampa Bay Great place.

B47 · 12-20-2012, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herk7769

Yes.

I have Good Sam and KOA memberships.
I have not given up, but military FAMCAMPS are looking better and better.

Speaking of FAMCAMPS - a good friend of ours is a retired Army Warrant Officer and he invited us to stay at the USAF Academy FANCAMP in Colorado Springs this past summer on our way back to Texas from California while he and his wife were there.

Not being retired military, but having been an Air Reserve Technican for awhile before going with the FAA, I wasn't exactly sure of what to expect,e.g. - possibly a showing of rank (RHIP) in getting a spot, a lot of uniforms, etc.

We were surprised at how "non-military" the FAMCAMP was - no sign of any RHIP being shown, no uniforms or anything. We did meet some other campers there and were asked what branch I retired and similar things, but nothing to show it was a FAMCAMP.

As expected, everything was in great working order and no loud or rude neignbors plus the grounds were well kept.

All in all - a great experience.

kenandterry · 12-20-2012, 08:54 PM

Couple of things if you're Southeners and travelling by RV up North.........

I've been a school bus driver for a number of years up here in Canada where we know snow. FYI.....up here, school buses are equipped with snow tires on the rear all year round. Even with the size and weight of school buses, there are times when they WILL challenge you to be able to maintain control. If enough snow, or even worse, ice underneath the snow is what you're presented with, be prepared.........you are not immune to conditions. There were times when safety dictated that the school buses be pulled OFF the roads.

The temperatures and snow conditions can change anytime. In fact, right now, the North-East is being subjected to one of the worst storms of the season. I can't forecast what the minimum temperatures might be during your time here. The best thing to do is to "winterize your rig" as far as the water system for your rig before travelling North. Having it done while enroute could be difficult.

Use the rig for more room and comfort of your family, but don't count on using anything related to your on board water system. Also, be prepared that the in-dash heating vents may have difficulty keeping the entire interior as warm as everyone may want. Not sure if your rig has an on board generator, in which case you'd be able to run the genny, and run addtitional electric heaters to accommodate everyone.

Just some thoughts, but above all

**Herk7769** · 12-20-2012, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sor126

Herk, Check out MacDill AFB Family Camp on Tampa Bay Great place.

This is where we are headed. Camped there 2 years ago for the Phillies Spring Training and will be there for a month this winter as well. Looks like Famcamps all the way since they are the only campgrounds open all winter.

**Herk7769** · 12-20-2012, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B47

Do the cg's know just who you are? Might help to let them know.

Heck, I don't even know who I am.
How can I expect anyone else to know?

B47 · 12-20-2012, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herk7769

Heck, I don't even know who I am.
How can I expect anyone else to know?

Ah come on now - for an old trash hauler you are doing well in that area.

dpkelly3 · 12-20-2012, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamblerGuy

The Sunseeker 3170 has an enclosed sewer connection compartment. It is heated by a small flexible duct from the LP furnace. The heat pump will not apply heat to the compartment. The fresh water and holding tanks are between the underbelly and the floor, and get heat from the LP furnace the same way. The water pump and water filter are also in a heated compartment. As long as you heat with the LP furnace when it is below freezing you shouldn't have a problem with any part of the water or sewer system. We were in ours in 19 degrees F overnight fully exposed to a 20 plus mph wind. The next morning the compartments were above 50 F. (We ran the slide in when we went to bed because the lower seal has a gap around the slide track. This cut down on cold air infiltration, especially since the wind was coming from the slide side of the RV.)

If you don't have a heated fresh water hose, just use water out of your fresh water tank and drain your hose when it gets below freezing. If you want to lighten your load when driving, you can run it through your faucets and/or toilet before you dump.

One inexplicable item on ours is that the fresh water tank drain has a valve in the heated compartment, but the hot water line drain has no valve, just a pipe cap on the end of the drain line, exposed to the elements. I'd worry about that if I was driving in very cold weather. I plan to install a drain valve in the compartment so there's no water in the part of the line that is exposed.

My rig has the Arctic Package. I think it 's like a heating pad under each tank (fresh, grey and black). I haven't used it yet but I'm not sure if it runs on LP or what. Do you know?

RamblerGuy · 12-21-2012, 04:52 AM

You are correct, the Arctic Pack is a set of electric heating pads on the three tanks. They are controlled by internal thermostats and are powered by the coach's 12 volt system. The coach's 12 volt control system is supposed to connect the coach's system including the batteries to the chassis's 12 volt system once the engine's battery is charged, so the Arctic Pack will not drain your coach batteries while you are driving. If it's below freezing when you are driving, AND you have at least a few gallons of water in all three tanks, it would be a good idea to keep the Arctic Pack on. If either tank is empty, don't use the Arctic Pack because a pad would overheat the bottom of an empty tank.

Question for more experienced members: The Suburban LP furnace manual recommends the furnace not be used while the coach is in motion. Does anyone out there use the furnace while driving? Is this recommendation just to cover themselves, or is there a valid reason? So far, we haven't driven in temperatures low enough to want to run our furnace, but I'd like to know just in case. We could run the generator and heat pump, but that doesn't keep the plumbing warm.

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