Cold weather camping

[ugg1967]

Living in the Phoenix area, we like to take the kids up to Flagstaff and play in the snow. We have always stayed in a hotel. Since we have the popup, I was wondering if anyone has ever camped in cold conditions? We have heater, shower and everything to be comfortable.

Do I need to worry about water freezing in the tank under the popup? Are there any tricks to make sure the popup does not freeze up?

Thanks for any ideas you may have.

[Hoagie]

Living in the Phoenix area, we like to take the kids up to Flagstaff and play in the snow. We have always stayed in a hotel. Since we have the popup, I was wondering if anyone has ever camped in cold conditions? We have heater, shower and everything to be comfortable.

Do I need to worry about water freezing in the tank under the popup? Are there any tricks to make sure the popup does not freeze up?

Thanks for any ideas you may have.

Well, we have a hybrid so some things in cold weather camping will be a bit different. Still, you work to keep the warm air from flowing out those canvas ends.

While in Grand Canyon it did get down into the 20s almost every night. We were on full hookups and never had a problem with freezing. Turn on a faucet or the shower first thing in the morning and water flowed no problem. The water tank was about 1/2 full at the time, but we never pumped any water with the hookups. I was worried about the water lines buy had no issues.

Also being on full hookups we had electric heaters at both ends of the rig. These units had thermostats that kicked them on and off as the inside of the trailer changed temperature during the night. The furnace only kicked on a few times the whole trip.

Before leaving I had lined the beds under the mattresses with Reflectix. This seemed to help a bit and others will tell you they have had good luck with putting Reflectix in their zip-up windows and in other areas. Also used Popup Gizmos on the tent ends; use them on every trip now not only to help with temp control but to keep the canvas clean.

HTH

[AZsix]

I remember seeing someone post pictures of their pup in the snow back east somewhere. I can't remember who it was. I do remember thinking that they were some hardcore pup'ers.

[DobeFanatic]

What kind of heater did you use? I was in 37 degree Topeka KS weather last week and used over a tank of propane! Wish I could have used the Electrical instead!
Anne
 
 Also being on full hookups we had electric heaters at both ends of the rig. These units had thermostats that kicked them on and off as the inside of the trailer changed temperature during the night. The furnace only kicked on a few times the whole trip.
 
 Before leaving I had lined the beds under the mattresses with Reflectix. This seemed to help a bit and others will tell you they have had good luck with putting Reflectix in their zip-up windows and in other areas. Also used Popup Gizmos on the tent ends; use them on every trip now not only to help with temp control but to keep the canvas clean.
 
 HTH[/QUOTE]

[tlhdoc]

I remember seeing someone post pictures of their pup in the snow back east somewhere. I can't remember who it was. I do remember thinking that they were some hardcore pup'ers.

It may have been me.  I have pictures of my PU in the snow on webshots.  I have my water system winterized when I camp in cold weather.  I use the sink drain, and cassette toilet, then re winterize the drain and toilet.  I put foam air conditioner weatherstripping between the tenting and the frame of the bed to help keep cold air out.  I also put accordion folding car sunshades in the bunkend windows (cut to fit or you can just wedge them in between the bed frame and the tenting.  Have fun winter camping.

[ugg1967]

It may have been me.  I have pictures of my PU in the snow on webshots.  I have my water system winterized when I camp in cold weather.  I use the sink drain, and cassette toilet, then re winterize the drain and toilet.  I put foam air conditioner weatherstripping between the tenting and the frame of the bed to help keep cold air out.  I also put accordion folding car sunshades in the bunkend windows (cut to fit or you can just wedge them in between the bed frame and the tenting.  Have fun winter camping.

Thanks for the info. Is there any information out there on the steps to winterize the popup? I have a 2007 fleetwood niagra with full bathroom, black and grey tanks.

[Hoagie]

What kind of heater did you use? I was in 37 degree Topeka KS weather last week and used over a tank of propane! Wish I could have used the Electrical instead!
Anne

I don't recall the exact brand; the heaters are up in the attic right now and I can check for you next time I'm up there.

I can tell you that I purchased them both at HD for less than $50 each. They are small, table-top models, about 1500 watts each. They have thermostatic control and I think they oscillate as well. We don't use them a lot so I can't recall all of the details.

[DobeFanatic]

Thanks, I found one at CW for 35.99 : Pelonis ceramic oscillating, can be set at 1000 or 1500 watt, is 12.5 amp should be enough to take the edge off.
Must be a good one as it is on back order!
Anne

I don't recall the exact brand; the heaters are up in the attic right now and I can check for you next time I'm up there.
 
 I can tell you that I purchased them both at HD for less than $50 each. They are small, table-top models, about 1500 watts each. They have thermostatic control and I think they oscillate as well. We don't use them a lot so I can't recall all of the details.

[AZsix]

It may have been me.  I have pictures of my PU in the snow on webshots.  I have my water system winterized when I camp in cold weather.  I use the sink drain, and cassette toilet, then re winterize the drain and toilet.  I put foam air conditioner weatherstripping between the tenting and the frame of the bed to help keep cold air out.  I also put accordion folding car sunshades in the bunkend windows (cut to fit or you can just wedge them in between the bed frame and the tenting.  Have fun winter camping.

I just looked at the pictures and it was you I was thinking of. You are a hardy sole!

[tlhdoc]

I just looked at the pictures and it was you I was thinking of. You are a hardy sole!

Thank you.

[tlhdoc]

Thanks for the info. Is there any information out there on the steps to winterize the popup? I have a 2007 fleetwood niagra with full bathroom, black and grey tanks.

Drain your water heater and water lines as much as possible.  Bypass your water heater and take the anode rod out to check it and to make sure your water heater is empty.  I use a hand pump to winterize my PU.  Connect the one end of the pump to the city water inlet on the camper.  Put the other end of the pump into a jug of RV antifreeze.  Have one person open one handle on a faucet while you start pumping the antifreeze into the camper.  When pink comes out of the faucet stop pumping.  Have them close that handle and open another one.  Do this until all of the water lines are full of RV antifreeze.  For your toilet have the person inside flush the toilet while you are pumping the antifreeze.  Empty your black and grey water tanks.  Pour some antifreeze down each drain to complete the process.  Your water system is now winterized.  

[Calstate361]

UGG1967, since you live in AZ I don't believe you have to winterize, we don't but we are in Sacramento, CA.  We do get a few days where the temps get down to freezing, but it is never anything for long term.  The folks back east need to because they have months of freezing weather.   As for you camping trip, again I don't think you need to worry since you are using everything.

Anyone correct me if I'm wrong.

THANKS

Joan

[ugg1967]

UGG1967, since you live in AZ I don't believe you have to winterize, we don't but we are in Sacramento, CA.  We do get a few days where the temps get down to freezing, but it is never anything for long term.  The folks back east need to because they have months of freezing weather.   As for you camping trip, again I don't think you need to worry since you are using everything.

Anyone correct me if I'm wrong.

THANKS

Joan

Thanks everyone for the tips. I usually do not winterize living in Arizona. I am planning to go to the high country this winter with the popup. I think I will winterize and only use the sink as a drain for water I bring. When finished, I will simply pour a cup of RV Anti Freeze down the drain.

I will let everyone know how comfortable it is in 20 degree nights!