V-Lite Living at -40

[polymark]

Because of my work I needed to have a place to stay while I was working away from my home. Welcome to the Canadian oilfield. At -40 (same on both scales) this creates some challenges. But I seem to have it all set up.

I have 2 electric heaters in my insulated skirting which keep the crawl space at about 11 to 12 degrees Celsius. The inside is a comfortable 20 to 21 degrees Celsius.

My Flagstaff V-Lite is doing very well with all the Canadian modifications. Lol



2014 V-Lite 30WFKSS taking life as it comes and loving every minute of it.

[climbbike]

Wow. Hard core.

[vasnipe]

Good job on the skirting.
But that is doggone cold!

[Vern]

Wow! Thanks for sharing.

[youroo]

Where is the F/W supply entering your V? Hope at -40 you don't loose Elec. or run out of Propane/line freeze? Youroo!!

[rattleNsmoke]

Where's the picnic table and BBQ grill?...

[KenHwy61]

There is a trailer park in the town a few miles for my house and there is several 5ers that are occupied all year round. While it doesn't reach -40, it does dip to -20F and I always wondered how that worked out. I believe they are hooked to city water and sewer but how do you manage your water and sewer out there on the tundra?
Thanks for sharing and stay warm!

[polymark]

There were some serious challenges when in came to planning out the water and sewer issues. Although we are not in the tundra (lol) I am on a friends hobby farm. That being said he runs a hose to the horses everyday so we just add water to my tank when needed. But I do not fill it any more than about 3/4 fill. That keeps the fill port from freezing. The fill and bent also run through the closet in the bedroom so it stays fairly warm.
The waste water, is not fun but it works. I use a portable waste tank that I can take over to the septic system and dump in. I store the tank in the crawl space so it will not build up any ice.
As this is not a full time operation when I leave the trailer for any more than a day or two I use my air compressor to blow the water system clear. And I drain all the waste tanks.
I also have a wireless sensors that monitor temperature in the Bedroom, living room and crawl space. If any of the sensors drop below a preset temperature it rings an alarm in my friend's house.

As for the barbecue and table I actually have a 12 x 12 shelter beside the RV with a smoker, BBQ, and table for those times when it warms up to minus 20. Lol
Crazy Canucks. 😃


2014 V-Lite 30WFKSS taking life as it comes and loving every minute of it.

[acadianbob]

I'm impressed! I'll bet that you are living better off than most.

[mark0224]

Did I see right you put an insulation board on the roof and sides of the slides, nice. What do you do for hot water or don't you?

[polymark]

Originally Posted by mark0224

Did I see right you put an insulation board on the roof and sides of the slides, nice. What do you do for hot water or don't you?

I had custom fitted wraps made for the slides. These are made of the same insulated material as the skirting. It helps protect my slide seals and makes it very easy to brush off and snow build up. Although it is usually fairly windy where I am parked so I don't have to worry about the snow too much.


2014 V-Lite 30WFKSS taking life as it comes and loving every minute of it.

[polymark]

I had custom fitted wraps made for the slides. These are made of the same insulated material as the skirting. It helps protect my slide seals and makes it very easy to brush off and snow build up. Although it is usually fairly windy where I am parked so I don't have to worry about the snow too much.


2014 V-Lite 30WFKSS taking life as it comes and loving every minute of it.

[polymark]

For the hot water I am using the stock water system in the trailer. When I shut it off I drain and blow down the entire system with my air compressor. Cleans the lines right out.


2014 V-Lite 30WFKSS taking life as it comes and loving every minute of it.

[ykdave]

Looks like fun! haha

im doin the same thing in nisku, gotta say the ol XLR actually holds up alot better than i had thought it would. I dont have any skirting yet, but she only starts to freeze up when its below -20c and its windy.

I run a PIRIT heated hose for my fresh water so i dont have to keep water in the tank, worst case scenario the water lines and grey tanks could freeze, but i could replace those twice a month and still save money over renting a place around here LOL

Curious who did your skirting? ive gotten a few quotes and wow, ill bank up some snow or stack some small square bales around the trailer! everyone has been in the $6k ballpark, and i cant justify that as i dont plan on spending another winter in the trailer

[polymark]

@ykdave. I has Kimber's Creations make my skirting. With the two wraps and everything custom fitted it came out to about $5000. It is an insulated skirt with that foil bubble wrap sewn in to it. The biggest thing is to block the site flow. Even canvas would help. I don't recommend hay bales due to mildew and fire hazard but every bit helps. The skirting will also help keep everything from freezing. I have a heated water hose as well but my water source is too far away to run a continuous feed. With the warmer floors it also makes the propane heat more efficient. And the floor way more comfortable.


2014 V-Lite 30WFKSS taking life as it comes and loving every minute of it.

[Rick R]

Be aware that your water lines run just above the wheel wells on the curb side and are not insulated. I had a tire blow out last spring and when repairing the damage stapled new liner in the wheel well and into a water line. Had to pull the shower out and stove in the front to replace the lines.

[polymark]

Thanks for the notice on that Rick. It is good to know. With the insulated skirting kit attached and the heaters in the crawl space the entire under side is at +12 degrees Celsius so the lines are protected. I have looked at the inner fenders and the tires that came with the trailer. I am planning on some new higher rated tires. The stock ones are kinda cheap. I was also looking at installing cross link polyethylene lining or box liner to protect the underside. Good to know where I can and can not put screws! Thanks buddy.


2014 V-Lite 30WFKSS taking life as it comes and loving every minute of it.

[ykdave]

so, how did your winter go?! any issues?

gotta say, it was actually a half decent winter, especially compared to the crap im used to getting up north LOL

[mark0224]

I don't think I've even come close to 32 f above , I think 40 f above is about as cold as we have spent in our V lite. So you and the trailer survived I take it since you posted again. How did you both make out any damage?

[ykdave]

hahahaha

Yes, all good on my end. I seen about 2 weeks of -35c highs (-31f), for the most part we were around -25c (-13f) lows.

I did eventually skirt my trailer (1x2 framed 2" R10 styrofoam panels), cost only a couple hundred vs the $6k for the canvas type skirting. Albeit not quite as aesthetically pleasing, it served its purpose well. due to the size of the space and the plumbing arrangement i divided the skirting into 2 sections, lead axle (fresh water tank) to the front of the trailer with a 1200w heater, and lead axle back to the forward side of the fuel tank (this area houses the plumbing to the hot water tank and kitchen) with a 600w electric heater.

im a procrastinator, so of course i waited till the first night that it hit -20c and i froze the water to the rear of the trailer before i decided to skirt LOL. Thankfully, pex is extremely forgiving as far as freeze/thaw cycles, no harm done.

ive been pretty surprised that i havent really burnt an outrageous amount of propane. I do run a 600w space heater in the living area as well as another in the garage with the door closed between garage and living area (furnace not ducted back there). i run off of a ~120gal/420lb propane pig, generally get it topped up every 5-6 weeks at a cost just shy of $200. I cant complain about heat, hot water, and cooking for less than $200/month in a stinkin trailer in the winter!