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03-24-2013, 06:39 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Blackduck
Posts: 315
M.O.C. #12753
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Arctic Package testing.......I don't think so
Our trailer has the arctic package. We didn't really want to test out the factory claims of cold weather resistance. We are in Spartansburg, SC and were initially planning of staying here for a couple days to wait out this cold front before we cross the mountains into Tennessee. As of this mornings weather out look, the cold will be sticking around a lot longer than we will be.
Heading out in the morning for the Mobile/Biloxi area. Need some 70 degree weather. Should be in the area noonish on Wednesday. Looking for campground reccomendations. I'll do a little internet searching also but rather here about it from someone who's been there. We plan to stay other for a few days to a week, then head over to Texas and stay for another for a week or more. We'll need help finding a nice place there also.
Thanks
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03-24-2013, 07:28 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
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Well, since you will not test out the Artic package, I guess we will have to. It is Spring, we are going camping, and that is that. First night's forecast (Thursday) is for low to mid 20's. We have two new ceramic heaters, fireplace, and 80 pounds of propane loaded up and ready to go!! If it gets worse, we will pack the electric blanket as well. Just loaded and unloaded a pickup truck full of seasoned firewood yesterday morning (and yes, I am sore), but we are going camping and we will enjoy the campfire outdoors, after all, it is Spring!!
Bingo
__________________
Bingo and Cathy - Our adventures begin in the hills of WV. We are blessed by our 2014 3850FL Big Sky (previous 2011 3750FL and 2007 3400RL) that we pull with a 2007 Chevy Silverado Classic DRW CC dually.
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03-24-2013, 12:05 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Shipman
Posts: 552
M.O.C. #10136
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We have been in the Highlands of Va...at a VT football game weekend.... 20 degrees and wind blowing 15-20 mph....no problem with heat or anything freezing...so it works that low anyway....you will burn some propane for sure...as we must dry camp when we are there.....about 30 lbs in 48 hours....we only have a 2400 watt generator so don't run the fireplace.....otherwise we would for sure....
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03-24-2013, 01:45 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
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You are definitely right on with the propane usage. I will never forget the year we were camping at Easter and conveniently ran out at about 4:30 in the morning and did not have alternative heat other than the fireplace. Thank goodness for 24 hour Walmarts! There was Dad at Walmart at 5 in the morning buying an electric heater until we could get more propane.
Bingo
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03-24-2013, 01:46 PM
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#5
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Harvey
Posts: 329
M.O.C. #8863
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Hopefully we will get to "test" our Arctic package again real soon here in ND.
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03-24-2013, 02:19 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Billings
Posts: 698
M.O.C. #12641
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We tested it thoroughly and I have to admit, although I was a skeptic, it PERFORMED WELL! We have been down to -12 overnight and we were nice and cozy without an electric blanket. We just had one goose down comforter, and we did put vent cushions in the overhead vents. We didn't even have to run the fireplace. The furnace was enough. We were quite pleased! You can definitely feel the cold seeping in if you put your hand around certain areas but overall we thought she did great. We just made sure we had lots of propane!
Have fun to all who are on the 'testing' path eager to have their first run at spring!
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03-24-2013, 02:25 PM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Blackduck
Posts: 315
M.O.C. #12753
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We came south to escape the cold, at least for a while. We still have to go back up north in a couple weeks but we would like some warm weather before then.
Gotta hand it to you guys for heading out in that weather. I've done it before but I was constantly worrying that something would freeze or the furnace would break down.
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03-24-2013, 03:06 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Pahrump
Posts: 2,523
M.O.C. #1081
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If you should happen to make it to Nashville stop in at the Jellystone RV Park and say hi. We are in Site 611. Would be great to meet you and share a campfire.
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03-24-2013, 03:26 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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We've tested it out in the past and felt the Monty passed. Now days we try to avoid testing whenever possible.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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03-24-2013, 03:27 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Omaha
Posts: 6,750
M.O.C. #7560
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We're sitting here on the Arkansas River in Little Rock sitting out the weather up North on the way to Omaha and also waiting for the front landing gear parts. When they come in and are put on we plan on heading north and hope to get there before our granddaughters 3rd birthday party on Saturday. We're keeping our fingers crossed the parts come in early and we can hit the road again. From the weather reports and etc we will be heading into the areas that are getting 6-12" of the white stuff and hope it melts fast so we don't have icy roads. We have the Arctic Package on our 2004 and it has worked for us with no problems. We throw an extra blanket on the bed and kick the furnace down to the mid 60's and wait it out. We turn on one of the electric heaters to keep the real chill off also but it sits in the living room and is aimed at the steps and bedroom. In the morning we kick the furnace up some to take the chill off and keep the electric heater going. We do hang a blanket or something over the entry door to keep the cool air from coming in but the Arctic Package does its job and we are comfy. It's suppose to get down to 29*here tonight so we'll hunker down and enjoy ourselves.
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03-24-2013, 03:41 PM
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#11
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Blackduck
Posts: 315
M.O.C. #12753
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by PackerFan
If you should happen to make it to Nashville stop in at the Jellystone RV Park and say hi. We are in Site 611. Would be great to meet you and share a campfire.
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I'll keep that in mind. We just might head back north through Nashville. There are a couple places on that route that DW and I would like to stop at. Could be a couple weeks yet.
Stay warm...
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03-25-2013, 02:55 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Livingston
Posts: 1,150
M.O.C. #12333
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Our baby was thoroughly tested this past winter in the Poconos and can tell you that other than burning thru some serious propane we were and are comfortable. At the coldest point when the temps were in the single digits and below we would burn thru a 100# tank in less than a week. We put a small ceramic heater in the basement just in case and run the electric fireplace during the day as well.
Otherwise no freezing or issues.
__________________
Les and Sue Young, 2009 Int 4400 LP, 2020 DRV Mobile Suites [/url] https://ramblingrvrat.blogspot.com/2019/11/freedom-from-grid-rambling-rv-rats.html[/url]
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03-25-2013, 03:42 AM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
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Don't know about this 13 Big sky but from what we can tell it is tighter and better insulated than the 06 3400 was. The 06 did poorly in 30 degree weather and a breeze would blow through the thing in high winds.
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03-25-2013, 12:16 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Wylie
Posts: 532
M.O.C. #9139
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We have found the Arctic Package will keep you comfortable. In most cases once we get the temp to a comfortable level with the furnace, the fire place and a 9"x9" ceramic heater can keep the living area of the rig very comfortable with the furnace set to 70* and only having to kick over for a few minutes about once an hour to every hour and half. If we run the same size ceramic heater in the bed room with the furnace @ 70*, well the bedroom turns in to a sweat box .....
At night we kick the furnace down to 55*~60* with the ceramic heater set on it lowest setting in the bedroom on the dresser. Very comfortable with no extra blankets needed even down in to the lower 20s/upper teens. In the morning kick the furnace back up to 70* and the whole trailer is toasty warm in a few short minutes.
The furnace with the arctic package will do it but will use a lot of propane. The ceramic heater(s) make a huge difference. Even overnighting in a parking lot it will cost less to power the generator and run the ceramic heater than to have the propane furnace try to do it all. With night time lows in lower 30s/Upper 20s we will use 60# propane a week. With the use of propane & ceramic heaters we use on average around 10#~12# of propane a week in the same conditions.
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03-28-2013, 04:13 AM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Madison
Posts: 1,239
M.O.C. #5906
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We have not been disappointed with the warmth of our Big Sky in colder weather. We have not been in single digit cold but have been in the teens. Now we watch the forecasts and work our way north as the temperatures get warmer. Our rule of thumb is that we will not go north of daytime 50 degrees F. We also use temperature to help control costs. When temps were in the teens in Ohio we burned a 30# tank of propane every 2-1/2 to 3 days. In central Florida with overnight temps in the 50's and 60's overnight, we burned a tank about every two weeks. The furnace has kept us as warm as we want, but the fireplace has helped cut propane usage.
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03-28-2013, 07:31 AM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by DonandBonnie
We have not been disappointed with the warmth of our Big Sky in colder weather. We have not been in single digit cold but have been in the teens. Now we watch the forecasts and work our way north as the temperatures get warmer. Our rule of thumb is that we will not go north of daytime 50 degrees F. We also use temperature to help control costs. When temps were in the teens in Ohio we burned a 30# tank of propane every 2-1/2 to 3 days. In central Florida with overnight temps in the 50's and 60's overnight, we burned a tank about every two weeks. The furnace has kept us as warm as we want, but the fireplace has helped cut propane usage.
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We see about the same as you here in Florida. I keep track of propane usage and in the temps you state we burn a tank about every 3 weeks here in Florida. The temp is set a 72 degrees and we use no additional heating other than the fireplace. That is much better than our 06 3400.
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04-03-2013, 01:05 PM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Driftwood
Posts: 1,376
M.O.C. #5446
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We live in Central Texas. If you let us know where you want to go in Texas will give you the names of the campgrounds that we visit. Can give you suggestions in other parts of Texas too. We have some great state parks and corp of engineer parks in Texas. You might find those cheaper if you don't mind not having full hookups.
Colleen
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04-04-2013, 02:57 AM
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#18
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Blackduck
Posts: 315
M.O.C. #12753
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Driftwoodgal
We live in Central Texas. If you let us know where you want to go in Texas will give you the names of the campgrounds that we visit. Can give you suggestions in other parts of Texas too. We have some great state parks and corp of engineer parks in Texasu might find those cheaper if you don't mind not having full hookups.
Colleen
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Thanks for the offer. We're in Gulf Shores, AL now and we'll be staying here for another week at least. We're thinking about heading to the diamond mine in Arkansas for a few days when we leave here. That is, if it looks like the weather will cooperate. Otherwise I'm thinking of checking out the Port Aurthor, TX area campgrounds for a few days.
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04-04-2013, 04:14 AM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Fayetteville
Posts: 4,200
M.O.C. #11401
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We were in NC mountains in Dec. Temps in low 20s at night. Set furnace at 60, used fire place and one ceramic, comfortable . Heat came on occasionally at nite. "Happy, happy, happy".
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