Full timing in the winter

[cardwellmarty]

We are full timing in our TT 2007 Flagstaff 831 bhss, we live in middle Alabama, what we got to look forward to? Alabama isn't a cold weather state I would say, but we have not been in a TT in the winter.

[A32Deuce]

We will be on your southern coast come January, we'll find,out then.

[cardwellmarty]

Welcome A32Deuce

[cardwellmarty]

I'm just south of Talladega

[AudiDudi]

We spent a few winters in the 2002-4 timeframe in the Seattle area in an RV park while I worked for a local software company. It snowed a few times, it was below freezing occasionally. Heat tape on the water hose works. We used 2 electric heaters to stay warm at night and avoid using propane. With temps in the low 20's, the tank dump valves froze so we couldn't dump for a couple days (no tank heaters)

In April, with the night temps in the mid 30's, we would go thru a 30 lb tank of propane about every 5 days.

Are you going to be full timing strictly in AL or will you be traveling? Even AZ in the winter can get into the upper 20's near Phoenix.

[cardwellmarty]

Originally Posted by AudiDudi

We spent a few winters in the 2002-4 timeframe in the Seattle area in an RV park while I worked for a local software company. It snowed a few times, it was below freezing occasionally. Heat tape on the water hose works. We used 2 electric heaters to stay warm at night and avoid using propane. With temps in the low 20's, the tank dump valves froze so we couldn't dump for a couple days (no tank heaters)

In April, with the night temps in the mid 30's, we would go thru a 30 lb tank of propane about every 5 days.

Are you going to be full timing strictly in AL or will you be traveling? Even AZ in the winter can get into the upper 20's near Phoenix.

I am stationary, our TT is our tiny house, really enjoying it, just a little concerned keeping it warm.

[AudiDudi]

How cold does it get there and what do you have for heat? Can you shut the bedroom door and keep that at a sleepable temp (I like about 60) and then let the rest of the unit cool off a few more degrees til morning?

Can you put straw bales around the outside to keep the wind/cold air from underneath?

Reflectix in the windows at night could help keep the heat in some. Does your unit have a heat pump built into the A/C? We have that in Arizona in the winter and it generally works pretty well down into the mid 30's.

[cardwellmarty]

Generally 30- 40s, with cold snaps in the 20s not lasting a long time. We are total electric, I plan on heating with infrared heater, hope to go with a mini split unit in time, have looked into the 12000btu floor model at Home Depot also. I will start skirting the TT to help with heating, don't want to wait for the cold weather to start.

[AudiDudi]

It looks like those units draw 15 amps - what kind of power hookup do you have?

You will also need some ventilation to keep the condensation down - I used to have to wipe out the window sills every couple days to keep them from molding.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by A32Deuce

We will be on your southern coast come January, we'll find,out then.

Same here ~~ tired of south Fl, just time for a change. Maybe AZ next year

[elchilero53]

We wintered over in Golden CO one year in a three-season trailer. I taped a heat tape onto the gray water and black water tanks the covered them with foil-covered foam insulation. I heat taped all of the valves and the water line using heat tape, tubular foam insulation and duct tape. Two days later, we were hit with -20 deg F weather with wind chills around -50 deg F. We used ceramic heaters and blankets on the windows. We could only hold about 55 degrees inside the trailer but we made it through with no damage. There was a company there that sold custom skirting fitted directly to the specific trailer. It was removable and you only needed to put a couple of 100 watt light bulbs under the skirting to keep things from freezing.

[AudiDudi]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

Same here ~~ tired of south Fl, just time for a change. Maybe AZ next year

We like the Casa Grande area of AZ. 45 miles from Phoenix, 65 miles from Tucson. Lots of snowbirds in the area as well as in Mesa and Apache Junction. Tons of RV parks - book early if planing on Jan, Feb.

[A32Deuce]

We will be in a CG half way from the Fl state line and Mobile. We did Go a couple years in early winter. Trying something different. Leave there and head to LA opposite Natches, Ms. in Feb. Then up the Chase for home.

[Cypressloser]

Yep, condensation is gonna be your biggest enemy.
I'd put some money aside and be ready to invest in a dehumidifier on the spot if necessary, you do not want mold to start growing.
In addition to skirting try to insulate and enclose the underbelly of your trailer if not already done.

[cardwellmarty]

Originally Posted by Cypressloser

Yep, condensation is gonna be your biggest enemy.
I'd put some money aside and be ready to invest in a dehumidifier on the spot if necessary, you do not want mold to start growing.
In addition to skirting try to insulate and enclose the underbelly of your trailer if not already done.

What dehumidifier do you recommend, the TT underbelly is already covered, skirting is my next big project, just really don't want to screw anything into the sides of the TT, got some research to do and some decisions to make.

[cardwellmarty]

Originally Posted by AudiDudi

It looks like those units draw 15 amps - what kind of power hookup do you have?

You will also need some ventilation to keep the condensation down - I used to have to wipe out the window sills every couple days to keep them from molding.

My TT has a 30 amp service, the electric stove is wired directly to outside service, may have to go ahead with the mini split unit, it will be hooked directly to the outside service also. I think some model of mini splits have dehumidifier.

[Cypressloser]

We have a Garrison dehumidifier, it works but I can't really recommend it because the thermostat and humidistat are way off to the point where they're useless. We run the unit on a timer.

[brusso]

We are fulltimers, and are in northern KY, 30 miles south on Cincinnati. We have many nights that get below 32. I use a heated water hose. Got a diy skirting kit off internet, works great, it keeps the wind out. I would not use straw bales as a skirting as suggested earlier. They will draw mice and snaked that want to stay warm from the heat of your camper. And they are a fire hazard. If you place 100 watt bulbs or any other heat source under there and it shorts out, not good. The material that the skirting are made of does not burn so easily, nothing is 100 % fire proof, but straw, if wet, might be 10%.

[cardwellmarty]

Originally Posted by Cypressloser

We have a Garrison dehumidifier, it works but I can't really recommend it because the thermostat and humidistat are way off to the point where they're useless. We run the unit on a timer.

How large of a dehumidifier, I haven't had any problems through the summer, but as l understand the A/C is a dehumidifier, my TT is aprox. 300 sq. ft.?

[AudiDudi]

Originally Posted by cardwellmarty

How large of a dehumidifier, I haven't had any problems through the summer, but as l understand the A/C is a dehumidifier, my TT is aprox. 300 sq. ft.?

Electric heat will also dehumidify some.