Life in trailer at winter

Hi folks.
I'm new to RVing but not new to life))
Any good suggestions on how to survive a winter in Detroit in 2002 Millard 30E trailer?
I'm connected to all city lines, but sewage. No insulation yet made. Going to stay through cold months till spring.
Need hints on hoe to insulate water hose and trailer for no frozen water problems and better propane/time ratio.

Happy New Year and great life to all!

Alex

No rv will be comfortable during winter in Detroit. Skirting will help with a light bulb hanging under the trailer to keep pipes from freezing and be prepared to use a lot of propane. It's no fun having the furnace quit at 3 a.m.

Roy M said:

No rv will be comfortable during winter in Detroit. Skirting will help with a light bulb hanging under the trailer to keep pipes from freezing and be prepared to use a lot of propane. It's no fun having the furnace quit at 3 a.m.

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Agree. Rather than a light bulb I think you'll need a space heater under the rig. You'll need windows insulated, cabinet doors open to get heat to plumbing, furnace set to keep it warm enough to keep hidden plumbing from freezing, a space heater inside to supplement the furnace, and an adapter hose to hookup either one or two 100# propane tanks. With all this you'll still spend substantial money on propane. Then, since (if I understand correctly that you don't have a sewer hookup) you'll have to figure out how to dump tanks in below freezing weather in the ice and snow.


RV walls are 3" thick at best, generally with poor insulation


Can it be done? Yes.  But without proper preparation it can be a disaster.


Not trying to be negative, just honest

Back2PA said:

Can it be done? Yes.  But without proper preparation it can be a disaster.

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X'2

I would look into some heated pipe wrap for your water lines along with the other suggestions.

Go buy a heat tape and enough insulation pipe wrap to cover your fresh water line.  Go buy a drop light and a 75W bulb and a 5 gallon plastic bucket.  Place the drop light as close66 to the faucet as you can cover it with the bucket.  This should prevent freezing down to the teens.
No sewer hookup?  How do you plan to dump the tanks?  Over night when its really cold you should leve the faucets drip.  Honestly expect inside the trailer to get to maybe 55 degrees.  That old the OP will be lucky to have 30A service.  That being said space heaters might not be a viable option.

What is your rig?  It does matter as many have open and exposed water systems, or very little insulation with the intent to use in fair weather.  Others are able with work to get through this type of scenario.......

-Chak

Look underneath the Mallard to see if any water lines are exposed, either fresh or waste. If they are, you are going to have to insulate and skirt the area carefully to prevent everything from freezing up. Not all RVs have enclosed underbellies. Trailers in particular often have exposed waste lines and tanks.

You can add some RV (potable water) antifreeze to the waste drains regularly during the winter to reduce freeze-ups in the waste tanks. And follow donn's advice.

I'm full timing in a TT, but where the winters are much milder than you'll face. I could have just filled the fresh water tank when empty, disconnect the hose and turn off the water. However, I decided I liked the convenience of having city water. I used a good quality heat cable and wrapped with foam pipe insulation. I used 1 inch foam pipe insulation on a half inch line so it would fully enclose both the pipe and the heat cable. I wrapped the heat cable around the facet and facet pipe and insulated with insulated wrap. Also did the same to the trailer inlet connection.

For skirting I suggest insulation board that can be purchased from most hardware stores. You'll need to cut it to cover the wheel wells. Be sure to tape the seams and leave a way to access the gray and black tank release valves.

Because of the severity of winters in your area, I agree with Roy M that you need to put a space heater under the trailer with the thermostat set at about 45 degrees or higher. You should be able to operate 2 space heaters at medium setting with a 30 amp trailer. However, if you try to use the micro wave with a heater on, you'll trip the breaker.

Here are the links to what I used:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07331JKPR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

https://smile.amazon.com/M-D-Building-Products-50164-Self-Sealing/dp/B001HQTZ7A/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2Y3IQIZBO7PCA&keywords=split+pipe+insulation&qid=1577928786&sprefix=split+pipe+%2Caps%2C134&sr=8-6

https://smile.amazon.com/M-D-Building-Products-50164-Self-Sealing/dp/B001HQTZ7A/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2Y3IQIZBO7PCA&keywords=split+pipe+insulation&qid=1577928786&sprefix=split+pipe+%2Caps%2C134&sr=8-6

Question: Is there a sewer dump station near where your trailer is located; are you in an RV park?

If you get  a prolonged cold snap you cannot do it successfully, The propane and electric bills will eat you up alive. There is no way to insulate against extreme cold below zero for long periods. Your furnace will probably not keep up so auxiliary heat will be needed or sure. Then you will have the condensation build up inside the trailer to worry about

You will never be comfortable but  you may exist .  Sewage disposal will be a headache. If you cannot exist and have to leave the trailer then you will most likely ruin all the plumbing lines. 

THERE IS A REASON YOU DO NOT SEE PEOPLE LIVING IN TRAVEL TRAILERS IN THE NORTHERN CLIMATES.

Far better to get a cheap extended stay hotel.It will not be that more expensive.

donn said:

Go buy a heat tape and enough insulation pipe wrap to cover your fresh water line.  Go buy a drop light and a 75W bulb and a 5 gallon plastic bucket.  Place the drop light as close66 to the faucet as you can cover it with the bucket.  This should prevent freezing down to the teens.
No sewer hookup?  How do you plan to dump the tanks?  Over night when its really cold you should leve the faucets drip.  Honestly expect inside the trailer to get to maybe 55 degrees.  That old the OP will be lucky to have 30A service.  That being said space heaters might not be a viable option.

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Don't leave the faucet drip, if you don't have sewer where will it go? if you do it will ice up the drain line.

2 space heaters set to low and spread out will work on 30a make sure they are on different circuits. There will only be 2 one for general plugs and 1 gfci.

Hello Alex.  I'm just checking in to see how things are going with the weather and your Mallard. An update would be appreciated.  Take care.

MN Blue Skies said:

Hello Alex.  I'm just checking in to see how things are going with the weather and your Mallard. An update would be appreciated.  Take care.

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Exactly my thoughts, maybe someone should look into his situation?

His computer froze up.

We'll leave the light on for ua!
https://www.motel6.com/en/motels.mi.warren.4694.html?ncr=true
Tom Bodett

He hasn't logged in since his first day....

jackiemac said:

He hasn't logged in since his first day....

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That was pretty cold of him. 

Hi,

This subject comes up every now and then. I don't know why anyone would really want to be camping in an RV when it is cold (or maybe for that matter when it is extremely hot outside). I know that my nephew purchased a true four season camping trailer in Oregon. I also have camped beside people who have had four season campers. Here is some information on this subject I have found online while looking around:

https://camperreport.com/best-cold-weather-rvs-extreme-cold/

Northwood Manufacturing under Arctic Fox, Nash, Snow River, Desert Fox, and Wolf Creek names

http://northwoodmfg.com/arctic-fox-2/arctic-fox-32a/

https://olivertraveltrailers.com

https://rvfavorites.com/all-seasons-rv/

Happy camping