djw2112
Well-known member
This weeks cold temps in the Northeastern US really makes me wonder if there is anyone in that area trying to survive fulltime in an RV. It's one thing for it to be 20 degress outside, I myself have survived that using two good space heaters. But -45 degrees is quite another ballgame. I am sure that most full timers go somewhere else even for a week or so, or have other solutions such as a motel or something for a week. But like most humanity there are also those that try to make it in such hostile environments. I could never ever see myself trying to survive in my RV at -45 degrees, I would consider that asking for suicide by cold.
They say it has not been this cold in that area for many many years, looks like the alltime low was -27 degrees in 1985.
So let's say someone was going to attempt this: first is it possible and second what could they do quickly to highten their chances of survival success.
1. I would take a blanket and totally cover up the door, the doors of RV seem to be the weakest part of the insulation factor, and the same with any windows.
2. I would make the survival area inside the RV as small as I could. Meaning that if there is nothing to be really damaged in the bedroom then seal that off from heat and that way you are heating a smaller space. The smaller the space the better the heat will be retained longer.
3. I would also toss some blanket on the floor even if you have rugs down. The floor is another place that you will lose alot of heat.
4. I would close or seal off any additional slideouts and I would seal off any slideout area such as the dinette or sofa area. Many units must have those out to be able to walk around the RV so since you cannot close them just seal them off.
5. Remember to ventilate if you are running gas heater, you do need some kind of air flow so that you don't get sick or worse from the vapors.
6. If you are using portable heaters be sure they are sitting on something non flammable and there is nothing flammable within a few feet of them.
Any other suggestions or corrections to what I have posted above. I did not get into food choices but I would think microwave would be a good choice.
Also I do suppose that it will be different for a Class A than a 5th wheel.
They say it has not been this cold in that area for many many years, looks like the alltime low was -27 degrees in 1985.
So let's say someone was going to attempt this: first is it possible and second what could they do quickly to highten their chances of survival success.
1. I would take a blanket and totally cover up the door, the doors of RV seem to be the weakest part of the insulation factor, and the same with any windows.
2. I would make the survival area inside the RV as small as I could. Meaning that if there is nothing to be really damaged in the bedroom then seal that off from heat and that way you are heating a smaller space. The smaller the space the better the heat will be retained longer.
3. I would also toss some blanket on the floor even if you have rugs down. The floor is another place that you will lose alot of heat.
4. I would close or seal off any additional slideouts and I would seal off any slideout area such as the dinette or sofa area. Many units must have those out to be able to walk around the RV so since you cannot close them just seal them off.
5. Remember to ventilate if you are running gas heater, you do need some kind of air flow so that you don't get sick or worse from the vapors.
6. If you are using portable heaters be sure they are sitting on something non flammable and there is nothing flammable within a few feet of them.
Any other suggestions or corrections to what I have posted above. I did not get into food choices but I would think microwave would be a good choice.
Also I do suppose that it will be different for a Class A than a 5th wheel.
