Winter living

[woodja72]

We are living full time for the first time in our 33ik fifth wheel. We put straw bales around the underside to block the wind and installed a heated drinking hose. Any recommendations on other things to prepare for our first winter in the camper?

[youroo]

Originally Posted by woodja72

We are living full time for the first time in our 33ik fifth wheel. We put straw bales around the underside to block the wind and installed a heated drinking hose. Any recommendations on other things to prepare for our first winter in the camper?

Yes, get rid of the straw,it attracts Mice! Youroo!!

[woodja72]

They are bales, not loose and we have a cat that is a mouser. We will eventually get the skirting but probably next year

[woodja72]

Water spigot and straw

[NMWildcat]

I admit that straw bales are great insulation, but I also agree with youroo that come spring you will find all kind of critters in there. Just like all the critters that winter in the hay stored in the barn at the farm.

You will quickly find spots that need more insulation in the plumbing which is usually easy to fix. Might think of larger propane tank. On really cold nights we would run the gas heater so the underbelly would get some heat. Also left cabinet doors open so heat could get to plumbing located there. We only put out drain hoses when it was time to dump. We bought those pillow looking things to plug vents in the ceiling. Covered some windows with blankets/towels. Used an electric blanket. I'm sure I'm forgetting something. Good luck!!

[woodja72]

We are getting a 125 gal tank next week, the 30 gal ones don't cut it

[SilverbackMel]

Idea: move it to south Florida. 😉
Both you and rv will feel better!

[trbomax]

As someone who used a motorhome for snowmobileing every week end with two kids for 7 years in michigans UP,I agree with silverback!

[Decon Blue]

Lived in RV park in Ohio for 6 years, saw 2 RV burn from using straw bales. Just saying.

[wanderingbob]

Where ya livin at ?

[Decon Blue]

Originally Posted by wanderingbob

Where ya livin at ?

I live in Florida now, been full time RVer for 20 years next month. Lived at Cross Creek RV Park north of Columbus Oh before moving here 10 years ago.

[woodja72]

We are living in southern Illinois

[Little John]

Besides keeping you and your trailer warm think you will also need to control the humidity...we are not full timers yet but do camp until they close the campgrounds here in October and notice when the temperature does start to drop the humidity inside goes up! I would also suggest you don't close your window coverings all the way down so a little heat can get at the windows.
Not sure of the weather where you are at but hope it all works well for you!


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[arpipeliner]

I would get rid of bales dues to mice and put foam board or reflective insulation and maybe a heat lamp under camper. I would hard pipe instead of using flexible hose for draining tanks. Agreeing with bigger propane tank. Keep another hose on standby and fill fresh water tank in case of freezing up. Heated hose can fail. This is my experience from about the last five years from MI, OH, WV, PA and MA and not to mention below mason Dixon line. Good luck it can be done but it can be a challenge if you don't stay on top of things.

[MeepMeep]

Originally Posted by SilverbackMel

Idea: move it to south Florida. ��
Both you and rv will feel better!

Ah, yup.....

[rmalikone]

dehumidifier, cover windows if not double insulated, skirt w/ reflectix bubble foil and aluminum tape, u can use bubble foil on windows also. For windows we got rid of day/night shades and installed Levolor cellular shades, ridged pipe for sewer hose, add a couple space heaters but your furnace needs to run to heat basement, add drop light in access to refer if RV type (they can freeze [mine did]). Burn lights in pass thru and any place u have them say were dump values are etc.. Camped in temps to-33 F